UPSC Daily Current Affairs

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT IN INDIA:CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Oct 09, 2024

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT IN INDIA:CRITICAL ANALYSIS The Finance Ministry of India has set an ambitious agriculture credit disbursement target of ₹27.5 lakh crore for FY25, a 11% increase over the previous fiscal. This enhanced credit flow aims to boost the agricultural sector, address regional disparities, and improve access to loans for farmers. While the government’s move is intended to stimulate rural economies and agricultural productivity, there are critical areas that need evaluation to ensure the effective implementation of these measures. 1. What Is the Objective Behind the New Agricultural Credit Target for FY25? ... Read More...

ASSAM ACCORD:CLAUSE 6

Oct 09, 2024

ASSAM ACCORD:CLAUSE 6 KEY ISSUES AND IMPLEMENTATION 1. What Is the Assam Accord? The Assam Accord is a historic agreement signed in 1985 between the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement, led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). The accord ended a six-year-long agitation in Assam against the illegal influx of migrants into the state. It laid down several measures to protect the cultural, social, and economic rights of the indigenous Assamese people, including the identification and deportation of illegal migrants. 2. What Is Clause 6 of the Assam Accord? Read More...

INDIA-US TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP:PM MODI VISIT

Oct 09, 2024

INDIA-US TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP:PM MODI VISIT The recent bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden have significantly broadened and deepened technology cooperation between India and the United States. This partnership spans various domains, including defense, space, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy, and advanced telecommunications. Both nations are committed to fostering innovation, enhancing R&D collaboration, and strengthening strategic ties through initiatives like iCET, Artemis, and NISAR, reflecting a shared vision for a technologically advanced future. 1. What Is the S... Read More...

AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI)

Oct 09, 2024

AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI) What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)? The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to measure and report the quality of the air in a specific area. It quantifies levels of air pollution. Higher AQI values correlate with greater levels of air pollution and a higher potential for adverse health effects. Which pollutants are measured in the AQI? AQI measurements consider concentrations of eight major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), and ammonia (NH3). Read More...

Matsya-6000 and Samudrayaan Mission

Oct 09, 2024

Matsya-6000 and Samudrayaan Mission 1. What is Matsya-6000, and how does it relate to Samudrayaan? Matsya-6000 is a cutting-edge manned submersible, a key component of India's ambitious Samudrayaan Mission. The mission aims to send a crew of three to the depths of the ocean, up to 6000 meters, to conduct scientific exploration and research. Matsya-6000 is the vehicle designed to make this deep-sea journey possible. 2. What is the significance of the upcoming wet test for Matsya-6000? The wet test is a crucial step in the development of Matsya-6000 and the Samudrayaan Mission. It... Read More...

ALPINE GLACIERS:CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MELTING

Oct 09, 2024

ALPINE GLACIERS:CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MELTING 1. Causes of Melting Glaciers • Global Warming: The primary cause of glacier melting is the rise in global temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. • Climate Change: Shifts in climate patterns, including hotter summers and warmer winters, accelerate glacier melt, especially in sensitive mountain regions like the Alps. • Black Carbon Deposits: Soot and dust from pollution settl... Read More...

BALANCING FARMER INCOMES AND CONSUMER PRICES: FAQs

Oct 08, 2024

BALANCING FARMER INCOMES AND CONSUMER PRICES: FAQs 1. What Challenges Does India Face in Balancing Farmer Incomes and Consumer Prices? India struggles to balance the dual objectives of ensuring stable food prices for consumers and enhancing incomes for farmers. Trade policies like import duties, export restrictions, minimum support prices (MSP), and stocking limits are used to manage this balance. However, these measures can create uncertainties, impacting both farmers’ earnings and consumer prices. 2. How Do Import Duties on Edible Oils Impact Farmers and Consumers? The government recently increased import d... Read More...

FAQs ON HEALTHWASHING AND GREENWASHING

Oct 08, 2024

FAQs ON HEALTHWASHING AND GREENWASHING 1. What is Healthwashing? Healthwashing refers to the deceptive practice by companies of marketing their products as healthier than they actually are. This is done by highlighting certain positive attributes, like being “natural” or “low-fat,” while hiding or downplaying unhealthy ingredients such as high sugar content or artificial additives. Healthwashing misleads consumers into believing they are making healthier choices when, in reality, the product may not offer the claimed benefits. 2. What is Greenwashing? Greenwa... Read More...

FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO): UNDERSTANDING ITS IMPACT IN INDIA

Oct 08, 2024

FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO): UNDERSTANDING ITS IMPACT IN INDIA 1. What Is FOMO? Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is the anxiety or apprehension that others are experiencing something enjoyable or rewarding without you. It is often driven by social media, where people see updates of others’ activities, purchases, or achievements, leading to feelings of exclusion or dissatisfaction. 2. How Does FOMO Manifest in India? In India, FOMO manifests in various forms, including the pressure to attend social events, purchase the latest gadgets, or enroll in popular courses. For example, during festive sales like the Great Indi... Read More...

HEAT DOME EFFECT IN INDIA: CAUSES AND IMPACTS

Oct 08, 2024

HEAT DOME EFFECT IN INDIA: CAUSES AND IMPACTS 1. What is the Heat Dome Effect? The heat dome effect is a weather phenomenon where a high-pressure system traps warm air over a large area, leading to prolonged periods of extreme heat. This anti-cyclone system creates hot and dry conditions by blocking cooler air and preventing precipitation, resulting in unusually high temperatures. 2. How is the Heat Dome Effect Affecting Assam? Assam is currently experiencing record-breaking temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius, which feel like 50 degrees due to high humidity. Factors like the weakening monsoon... Read More...

MALE RIVERS”: WHY BRAHMAPUTRA AND SON RIVERS ARE CONSIDERED MASCULINE IN INDIA

Oct 08, 2024

MALE RIVERS”: WHY BRAHMAPUTRA AND SON RIVERS ARE CONSIDERED MASCULINE IN INDIA 1. Why Are Most Rivers in India Considered Feminine? In India, rivers are traditionally regarded as feminine and are worshipped as mother goddesses. Rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavari, and Narmada hold spiritual and cultural significance, symbolizing life, purity, and nurturing qualities. 2. Which Rivers in India Are Considered Masculine? The only two rivers recognized as masculine in India are: • Brahmaputra: Known as the “Son of Brahma,” this river i... Read More...

India and UN Security Council Reform:

Oct 08, 2024

India and UN Security Council Reform: "Pact of the Future" The recent adoption of the "Pact of the Future" at the UN Future Summit, with its explicit commitment to Security Council reform, marks a significant moment for India's long-standing aspiration for a permanent seat on the council. Key Points: Historical Injustice: The Pact acknowledges the historical injustice against Africa and emphasizes the need to address the under-representation of regions like Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This aligns with India's position on the n... Read More...

Pact of the Future' and UN Security Council Reform

Oct 08, 2024

Pact of the Future' and UN Security Council Reform FAQs What is the "Pact of the Future"? It is a document adopted by world leaders at the UN Summit in September 2024, pledging to reform the Security Council and address historical injustices in representation. Why is the Pact considered groundbreaking? For the first time, a UN Summit document includes a detailed paragraph on Security Council reform,signaling a potential shift toward concrete action. What are the key points of the Pact regarding Security Council reform? Read More...

Dunki" Route (Illegal Emigration by 'Donkey Flights'): FAQs

Oct 08, 2024

Dunki" Route (Illegal Emigration by 'Donkey Flights'): FAQs What is the "Dunki" route? The "Dunki" route, also known as the "donkey flight" route, is a clandestine and dangerous method of illegal immigration primarily used by individuals from Punjab, Haryana, and other parts of India to enter countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. The term "dunki" is derived from the Punjabi word meaning "to hop" or "to jump," signifying the multiple transit points and clandestine nature of the journey. How does the "Dunki&... Read More...

BEADS on MOON: WINDOWS INTO LUNAR VOLCANIC PAST

Oct 08, 2024

BEADS on MOON: WINDOWS INTO LUNAR VOLCANIC PAST FAQs What are lunar glass beads? Lunar glass beads are tiny, glossy spheres found on the moon's surface. They form when molten rock, expelled during volcanic eruptions or created by the high temperatures of meteorite impacts, cools quickly in the vacuum of space, solidifying into glass-like structures. These beads are often only a few millimeters in diameter and can vary in color. How do lunar glass beads provide evidence of volcanic activity? These beads are direct evidence of rapid cooling of molten rock, which is ... Read More...