UPSC Daily Current Affairs

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...

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...

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...

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...

INDIA’S INTERSTATE CHEETAH CONSERVATION COMPLEX: SIMPLIFIER

Oct 07, 2024

INDIA’S INTERSTATE CHEETAH CONSERVATION COMPLEX: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the Cheetah Conservation Complex Project? The Cheetah Conservation Complex is a long-term plan by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to create an interconnected habitat for cheetahs across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscapes in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The aim is to provide a large, predator-proof area where cheetahs can be released, monitored, and allowed to thrive in free-ranging conditions. 2. Why is India Establishing This Conservation Complex? The project aims to reintroduce and conserv... Read More...

AYUSHMAN BHARAT PRADHAN MANTRI JAN AROGYA YOJANA (AB-PMJAY): EVERYTHING AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW

Oct 07, 2024

AYUSHMAN BHARAT PRADHAN MANTRI JAN AROGYA YOJANA (AB-PMJAY): EVERYTHING AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW 1. Why Was Ayushman Bharat PMJAY Launched? Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched in September 2018 to provide equitable healthcare access to all citizens, particularly the economically vulnerable. India faced critical challenges, including high out-of-pocket expenses on healthcare, limited access to quality medical services, and rising rates of non-communicable diseases. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden of healthcare, ensure accessibility, and improve the quality of life for millions of low-income families.... Read More...

ASIA POWER INDEX: INDIA RISES TO 3RD MOST POWERFUL NATION IN ASIA, SURPASSING RUSSIA AND JAPAN

Oct 07, 2024

ASIA POWER INDEX: INDIA RISES TO 3RD MOST POWERFUL NATION IN ASIA, SURPASSING RUSSIA AND JAPAN The annual Asia Power Index, started by Australia’s Lowy Institute think tank, measures resources and influence to assess the relative power of states in Asia. 1. What Are the Key Ingredients of Power in the Lowy Asia Power Index? The Lowy Asia Power Index measures power based on economic capability, military strength, diplomatic influence, cultural impact, future resources, economic relationships, defense networks, and resilience. These factors help assess a country’s ability to wield influence and effective... Read More...

EMPLOYMENT-LINKED INCENTIVE (ELI) SCHEME: PROVISIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

Oct 07, 2024

EMPLOYMENT-LINKED INCENTIVE (ELI) SCHEME: PROVISIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE 1. What is the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme? The Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme is a proposed initiative aimed at boosting job creation and enhancing skill development among India’s rapidly growing workforce. Announced as part of the 2024-25 Budget, the ELI scheme focuses on providing financial incentives to employers and jobseekers, particularly targeting first-time employees and fresh graduates entering the job market. PROVISIONS OF THE ELI SCHEME 1. Publicly Funded Internship Programme... Read More...

BEKAA VALLEY: STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Oct 07, 2024

BEKAA VALLEY: STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT 1. What Is the Bekaa Valley? The Bekaa Valley is a fertile region located in eastern Lebanon, nestled between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges. Renowned for its agricultural productivity, it is a major source of Lebanon’s wine, fruits, and vegetables. 2. What Are the Anti-Lebanon Mountain Ranges? The Anti-Lebanon mountain range runs along the border between Lebanon and Syria, parallel to the main Lebanon mountain range. These mountains are characterized by rugged terrain and high altitudes, playing a cruci... Read More...

SHEBAA FARMS: DISPUTED TERRITORY AND GEOPOLITICAL FLASHPOINT

Oct 07, 2024

SHEBAA FARMS: DISPUTED TERRITORY AND GEOPOLITICAL FLASHPOINT 1. What Are the Shebaa Farms? Shebaa Farms is a small, disputed strip of land located at the intersection of Lebanon, Syria, and Is... Read More...

NBFCs:Scale-Based Regulation- A Primer

Oct 07, 2024

NBFCs:Scale-Based Regulation- A Primer Understanding NBFCs Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are financial institutions that provide various financial services similar to banks, but they do not hold a banking license. They engage in activities like lending, investments, asset financing, insurance, and more. NBFCs play a crucial role in the Indian financial system by providing credit to sectors and individuals underserved by traditional banks. What is Scale-Based Regulation (SBR)? It's a regulatory framework introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in October 2022 to super... Read More...

Navika Sagar Parikrama II: INSV Tarini:Women Officers Set Sail for Global Circumnavigation

Oct 07, 2024

Navika Sagar Parikrama II: INSV Tarini:Women Officers Set Sail for Global Circumnavigation FAQs What is Navika Sagar Parikrama II? It's the second edition of the Indian Navy's global circumnavigation mission. Who is undertaking this mission? Two women officers, Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A., will embark on this expedition. When and where will the expedition start? The voyage will commence on October 2nd from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, in Goa. What is the duration an... Read More...

UN Summit of the Future: Landmark Pact for the Future-Adopted

Oct 07, 2024

UN Summit of the Future: Landmark Pact for the Future-Adopted What is the Pact for the Future? The Pact for the Future is an extensive and ambitious international agreement that was adopted during the United Nations Summit of the Future on September 22, 2024. This pact is a testament to years of inclusive global dialogue and collaboration, aimed at modernizing international cooperation to effectively address the complex challenges of the 21st century and pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future. The Pact comprises two pivotal annexes: The Global Digital Compact - This outlines a comprehensiv... Read More...

Ocean Acidification: The Basics

Oct 07, 2024

Ocean Acidification: The Basics What it is: Ocean acidification refers to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused primarily by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. How it happens: When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which then releases hydrogen ions, increasing the acidity (lowering the pH) of the ocean. Why it's a concern: The increasing acidity makes it difficult for marine organisms like corals and shellfish to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. This can disrupt entire mari... Read More...