UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Indo-Bangla Tangail Sari GI Tags

Feb 26, 2024

What are Tangail saris? Tangail saris are traditional handloom saris known for their unique weaving patterns and historical significance in the Bengal region. Why is there a dispute between India and Bangladesh over Tangail saris? The dispute arose because both India and Bangladesh have granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags to Tangail saris produced within their respective borders. What is the significance of the GI tag for Tangail saris? GI tags recognize the geographical uniqueness of the saris and... Read More...

Consumption Data and Disparity in India

Feb 26, 2024

What does the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 show about consumption disparity? The survey shows a stark disparity, with the poorest 5% spending Rs.46 daily in rural areas and Rs.67 in urban areas, while the richest 5% spend Rs.350 and Rs.700 respectively. How significant is the consumption gap between the richest and poorest? The gap is substantial, with the richest 5% spending many times more than the poorest 5% in both rural and urban settings. What has been the trend in average monthly consumption? Read More...

India’s Household Consumption Expenditure Data

Feb 26, 2024

What does the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey reveal? The survey shows an increase in monthly spending with rural households at Rs.3,773 and urban at Rs.6,459, and a significant rise in food spending from 2011-12. Why is there a gap in the release of consumption data? Data release was delayed due to concerns over data quality, particularly after significant economic reforms. What are the key findings in food spending? There’s a long-term decline in food spending’s share of the... Read More...

Lichens: Effective Tools for Environmental Monitoring

Feb 24, 2024

Biomonitors and Bioindicators Q: What are biomonitors and bioindicators? Bioindicators: Living organisms that provide qualitative information about the environmental health (e.g., fish health indicating clean water). Biomonitors: Living organisms that quantify the presence and level of pollutants in the environment (e.g., lichen levels revealing the extent of air pollution). Q: Why are lichens considered valuable biomonitors? Lichens are particularly effective biomonitors due to several key characteristics: High sensitivity to po... Read More...

Pollinators and Their Importance

Feb 24, 2024

What are pollinators? Pollinators are animals that facilitate the transfer of pollen from the male structures (anthers) of flowers to the female structures (stigmas), leading to fertilization and the production of seeds. Common pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, and mammals like bats. Why are pollinators important? Pollinators are crucial for the reproduction of over 80% of the world’s flowering plants, including many crops that produce fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. They help increase crop yields and quality, contributing signi... Read More...

Placers: A Comprehensive Understanding

Feb 24, 2024

Placers are naturally occurring deposits of heavy, valuable minerals that have been concentrated by the action of water in riverbeds, beaches, or other sedimentary environments. These minerals are typically denser than the surrounding sand, gravel, and other light materials, allowing them to accumulate through the process of sedimentation. Formation Process The formation of placer deposits involves several key steps: Weathering: The breaking down of rock formations containing valuable minerals. Erosion: The removal and transportation of these minerals by wind, water, or ice. Deposition: The ... Read More...

Rare Earth Elements Mining in India

Feb 24, 2024

What are Rare Earth Elements (REE)? Rare Earth Elements (REE) are a group of 17 elements in the periodic table that are vital for various high-tech and renewable energy technologies. They are divided into Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) and Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE). Where are India's REE resources located? India's REE resources are primarily found in the coastal beach placer sands of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and inland placers in parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Read More...

ISRO’s PAPA: A Milestone in Understanding Solar Phenomena

Feb 24, 2024

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made a significant advancement in space weather monitoring with its Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload aboard the Aditya-L1 spacecraft. This sophisticated instrument has successfully detected the impact of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), a crucial solar phenomenon, marking a pivotal achievement in space science. Understanding Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) Coronal Mass Ejections are massive bursts of solar wind, plasma, and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space. These ejections can have profound effects on space weather, potenti... Read More...

Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in India

Feb 24, 2024

1. What is the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)? The SCM is a transformative initiative by the Government of India to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local development and harnessing technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens. It aims to develop 100 cities across the country making them citizen-friendly and sustainable. 2. How many projects have been initiated under the SCM, and what is their completion status as of July 7, 2023? As of July 7, 2023, work orders have been issued for 7,978 projects under the 100 Sm... Read More...

Mansara's Shilpashastra

Feb 24, 2024

Mansara's Shilpashastra, often referred to as "Manasara Vastu Shastra," is an ancient Indian treatise on architecture, engineering, and art. This text is part of a broader body of Vastu Shastra literature, which outlines principles for building design and construction that harmonize with the natural world, aiming to integrate architecture with nature, the relative functions of various parts of the structure, and ancient beliefs utilizing geometric patterns (yantra), symmetry, and directional alignments. Key Aspects of Mansara's Shilpashastra include: Architectural Principles: It lays down detailed guidelines ... Read More...

Elephant Corridors in India

Feb 23, 2024

What are elephant corridors? Elephant corridors are narrow strips of land that connect two or more larger habitats. These corridors are crucial for the survival of elephants, allowing them to migrate between habitats safely, access different areas for food and water, and maintain genetic diversity by intermingling with other elephant populations. Why are elephant corridors important in India?? India is home to over 50% of Asia’s elephant population. Elephant corridors are vital for the conservation of these magnificent animals, ensuring their free movement and ... Read More...

Open Book Exams in CBSE: An Overview

Feb 23, 2024

What is an open book exam? Open book exams (OBE) allow students to refer to textbooks, notes, and other study materials during the test. They are designed to assess a student’s ability to apply concepts, understand the big picture, and analyze information rather than just memorize it. Why are open book exams being considered by CBSE? The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering OBEs to enhance analytical skills among students and to move away from rote memorization. This is part of larger educational reforms aimed at fostering deeper understan... Read More...

AEGIS Experiment Overview

Feb 23, 2024

Definition and Purpose AEGIS (Antihydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy) is a collaborative research initiative. It probes antihydrogen’s properties, focusing on how it behaves under Earth’s gravity, aiming to test fundamental physics principles. Objectives and Methodology AEGIS’s central objective is to measure how antihydrogen responds to gravity, a key test of the Weak Equivalence Principle. The experiment employs antihydrogen formation, laser cooling, and beam manipulation to achieve precise outcomes. Recent Achievements A not... Read More...

AEGIS Experiment Explained

Feb 23, 2024

What is AEGIS? AEGIS stands for Antihydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy. It is a research collaboration aimed at studying the properties of antihydrogen, particularly its interaction with gravity, and other fundamental constants of physics. What are the goals of AEGIS? The primary goal of AEGIS is to measure the Earth's gravitational acceleration on antihydrogen. By doing so, researchers can test the Weak Equivalence Principle, a cornerstone of the General Theory of Relativity, for antimatter. How does AEG... Read More...

FDI in India’s Space Sector

Feb 23, 2024

1. What prompted the Indian government to open its space sector to private and foreign investments? The Indian government recognized the need to innovate and grow its space economy beyond the capabilities of national agencies alone. By opening the sector to private companies and foreign direct investments (FDI), the government aims to leverage private sector agility in identifying market opportunities, enhancing technological advancements, and stimulating economic growth within the space industry. 2. What are the key reforms and policies introduced to support private participation in the space s... Read More...