UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Release of Indian Navy Veterans by Qatar

Feb 12, 2024

1. Who are the eight Indian Navy veterans released by a Qatar court? The veterans are Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, SK Gupta, BK Verma, Sugunakar Pakala, and sailor Ragesh. They were working with Doha-based Al Dahra Global Technologies, providing services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies. 2. What led to their detention and sentencing? The veterans were detained in August 2022 on undeclared charges. Subsequently, they were sentenced to death in October of the same year, which was later commuted to... Read More...

India-UAE Strategic Partnership

Feb 12, 2024

What is the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to the UAE? Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to the UAE, including his seventh in February 2024, underscore the importance India places on its relationship with the UAE. These visits facilitate high-level discussions on a range of issues, from trade to cultural exchanges, and demonstrate the commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries. Why is the inauguration of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi important? The inauguration of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is a s... Read More...

Kila Raipur Rural Olympics and Bullock-Cart Racing

Feb 12, 2024

What is the Kila Raipur Sports Festival? The Kila Raipur Sports Festival, famously known as the Rural Olympics, is a celebrated event held annually in Kila Raipur village, Ludhiana, Punjab. It showcases a variety of sports, cultural performances, and traditional Punjabi rural sports, including the historically significant bullock-cart races. Why were bullock-cart races banned? Bullock-cart races were banned in 2014 as part of efforts to prevent cruelty to animals. The decision was in line with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, aiming to protect animals from h... Read More...

National Exit Test (NExT) Evaluation Process

Feb 12, 2024

What is the National Exit Test (NExT)? NExT is a comprehensive medical licensing examination designed to assess the competency of MBBS graduates in India. It aims to replace the final year MBBS examination, serve as a licensure test for practicing medicine, and provide a basis for entry into postgraduate courses, shifting the focus from the theory-centric NEET-PG. Why was the introduction of NExT recommended? The introduction of NExT was recommended to enhance the competence of graduating MBBS students, ensuring a more practical and application-based evaluation compa... Read More...

Tata Steel: Responsible Steel Certification - Odisha Plants

Feb 12, 2024

Tata Steel Achieves Responsible Steel Certification for Odisha Plants Tata Steel's commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices has been further solidified with its Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants in Odisha receiving the prestigious Responsible Steel certification. This accolade positions Tata Steel as a leader in the global steel industry's march towards sustainability. What is Responsible Steel? Responsible Steel is an international initiative focused on fostering a sustainable steel industry. It collaborates with various stakeholders, including ... Read More...

WINDS Project: Hyperlocal Weather Revolution in India

Feb 12, 2024

WINDS Project: Revolutionizing Hyperlocal Weather Forecasting in India” The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has launched the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS), a groundbreaking initiative set to transform India’s approach to weather forecasting. This ambitious project aims to generate comprehensive, long-term, hyperlocal weather data, addressing the critical need for enhanced weather prediction accuracy across the country’s diverse climatic zones. Key Highlights of the WINDS Initiative: Read More...

Ensuring Child Safety Online: FAQs

Feb 12, 2024

What are the primary concerns for children's safety online? Online environments pose significant risks to children, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and abuse. The immersive nature of emerging technologies like the Metaverse can intensify these experiences. Additionally, the collection of vast amounts of personal data threatens children's privacy and security. How do tech companies contribute to the problem? Tech companies have been criticized for not designing platforms with children's safety in mind. The lac... Read More...

Exploring the "Road to Heaven" to Dholavira, Gujarat

Feb 12, 2024

What is the significance of the Khavda-Khadir road? The Khavda-Khadir road is a newly opened 31.9 km stretch that provides direct access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Dholavira, situated on the island of Khadir in Gujarat. This road is significant for reducing the travel distance from Bhuj to Dholavira, facilitating easier and quicker access to one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in India, known for its Harappan civilization remains. Why is Dholavira important? Dholavira is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in India, showcasing the urb... Read More...

High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS): A Beginner's Guide

Feb 12, 2024

Introduction to HAPS: The concept of High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) brings a revolutionary approach to aerial surveillance and communication technologies. Unlike conventional drones, HAPS operate in the stratosphere, far above commercial flight paths, and can remain airborne for extended periods, thanks to solar energy and battery systems. Successful Test by CSIRNAL: The CSIRNational Aerospace Laboratories (CSIRNAL), based in India, has made significant progress in this domain by successfully testing a prototype of HAPS at Challakere, Karnataka. This event marks a crucial step forward in d... Read More...

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Feb 12, 2024

What is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)? The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is an initiative by the Indian government launched in 2019, aimed at reducing particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels by 20-30% in 131 designated ‘non-attainment’ cities across India by 2024, relative to 2017 levels. It focuses on comprehensive air quality management through city-specific action plans. Why has NCAP struggled to reduce pollution levels? ublic, which ranks air pollution low on priority lists. Entrenched Industry Practices: Industries contributin... Read More...

Bhutan’s “Gelephu Mindfulness City

Feb 12, 2024

1. What is the Gelephu Mindfulness City? Gelephu Mindfulness City is a planned urban development in Bhutan, aiming to cover 1,000 square kilometers near the town of Gelephu along Bhutan’s southern border with India. It’s designed to be an economic hub and a gateway for tourists, embodying Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy by prioritizing economic development and personal well-being. 2. Where will Gelephu Mindfulness City be located? The city will be built near Gelephu, an important border town in southern Bhutan, serving as a crossing poi... Read More...

‘Patna Declaration’ for Bird Conservation

Feb 10, 2024

1. What is the ‘Patna Declaration’? The ‘Patna Declaration’ is a significant initiative by the Bihar government, formulated in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC) and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), India. It aims to bolster bird conservation efforts and tackle the challenges of illegal hunting, taking, and trade of migratory birds in the South Asian region. 2. Why was the ‘Patna Declaration’ created? The declaration was created to address the pressing issue of illegal hunt... Read More...

Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF)

Feb 10, 2024

Central Asian Flyway (CAF): Geographic Scope: The CAF covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and encompasses several important bird breeding areas in the northern regions, with wintering sites located mainly in the Indian subcontinent. It includes 30 countries. Key Species: The flyway is crucial for numerous waterbirds, including several species of ducks, geese, swans, waders, gulls, and cranes, many of which are dependent on wetlands for their migratory stopovers and wintering. Conservation Challenges: Habitat loss and degradation, illegal hunting, and climate change are... Read More...

India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise: Sada Tanseeq

Feb 09, 2024

Q1: What is Sada Tanseeq? A1: Sada Tanseeq is the first joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Force, aimed at enhancing interoperability and understanding of operational procedures under UN mandates. Q2: Where was the exercise held? A2: The exercise took place at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Jaipur, India. Q3: How long did the exercise last? A3: Sada Tanseeq lasted for 12 days. Q4: What were the main objectives of Sada Tanseeq? Read More...

Understanding Long COVID: Symptoms, Causes, and Management

Feb 09, 2024

Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), represents a complex condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms weeks or months after initially recovering from a COVID-19 infection. This condition can affect anyone who has had COVID-19, irrespective of the infection’s initial severity, including those with mild or even asymptomatic cases. The symptoms of long COVID are wide-ranging and multisystemic. Common manifestations include fatigue, shortness of breath, “brain fog,” chest pain, joint pain, a persistent cough, and heart palpitations. Psychological or neurological issues such as depression, a... Read More...