UPSC Daily Current Affairs

INDIA’S NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST POLICY AND THE NEED FOR A SOUTH ASIA POLICY: ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW

Oct 07, 2024

INDIA’S NEIGHBOURHOOD FIRST POLICY AND THE NEED FOR A SOUTH ASIA POLICY: ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW 1. What is India’s Neighbourhood First Policy? India’s Neighbourhood First Policy prioritizes improving relations with its immediate neighbors in South Asia. The aim is to enhance regional cooperation, stability, and connectivity by strengthening economic, political, and security ties with neighboring countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives. The policy seeks to maintain peace and support mutual growth within the region. 2. Why is India’s Neighbourhood First Polic... Read More...

ENERGY SECURITY IN INDIA: ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW

Oct 07, 2024

ENERGY SECURITY IN INDIA: ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW 1. What is Energy Security? Energy security refers to the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price. It involves ensuring a reliable supply of energy to meet the growing demands of a nation, while managing risks such as geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and environmental challenges. For India, energy security is crucial for sustaining economic growth, reducing dependency on imports, and achieving long-term sustainability. 2. What is India’s Current Energy Security Situation? India currently relies heavily on f... Read More...

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN INDIA:SUPREME COURT RULING

Oct 07, 2024

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN INDIA:SUPREME COURT RULING 1. What is Child Pornography? Child pornography refers to any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. This includes photos, videos, and digital images, often created or distributed online through various platforms, including social media, chat rooms, and the dark web. The creation, distribution, and viewing of such content are illegal under Indian law. 2. What is Cyber Grooming? Cyber grooming involves an adult engaging in a manipulative process to befriend a child online to exploit them sexually. This can include building trust, sharing... Read More...

PRODUCER PRICE INDEX (PPI): ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW

Oct 07, 2024

PRODUCER PRICE INDEX (PPI): ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW 1. What is the Producer Price Index (PPI)? The Producer Price Index (PPI) is an economic indicator that tracks the average change in prices that producers receive for their goods and services at the point of production, such as the factory gate or service provider site. PPI focuses on the suppliers’ prices before goods reach consumers, excluding additional costs like consumption taxes, transport, and trade margins, thereby providing a clear picture of price changes from the producer’s perspective. 2. How Does PPI Differ from Wholesale Price Index (WPI)? 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...

POCSO:SUPREME COURT STRENGTHENS CHILD PORNOGRAPHY LAWS IN INDIA

Oct 07, 2024

POCSO:SUPREME COURT STRENGTHENS CHILD PORNOGRAPHY LAWS IN INDIA Current Law on Child Pornography The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act criminalizes the creation, storage, sharing, and transmission of child pornography. Under Section 15, it was previously an offense to possess child pornography if there was an intent to share or distribute the content, targeting primarily those engaged in commercial or widespread distribution of such material. How the Supreme Court Strengthened the Law The Supreme Court has now expanded the interpretation of possession under the POCSO Act ... Read More...

DEFINITION OF FORESTS: THE ONGOING DEBATE IN INDIA

Oct 05, 2024

DEFINITION OF FORESTS: THE ONGOING DEBATE IN INDIA 1. Why is the Definition of a Forest a Major Issue in India? The definition of a forest has sparked a significant debate in India due to conflicting reports on the country’s forest cover. While the government reports a dramatic increase in green cover over the past two decades, independent sources like Global Forest Watch (GFW) indicate that India has lost a substantial amount of natural forest. This discrepancy raises concerns about how “forest” is defined, impacting conservation strategies, environmental policies, and India’s ability to meet climate commitments. Read More...

VENEZUELA ELECTION CONTROVERSY:SIMPLIFIER

Oct 05, 2024

VENEZUELA ELECTION CONTROVERSY:SIMPLIFIER What is the controversy regarding Venezuela's elections? The controversy stems from the opposition challenging the election results where President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner with 51.21% of the votes, while the opposition claims their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, actually won 67% of the votes according to their count. Why did the opposition accuse President Maduro of fudging the results? The opposition accused President Maduro of manipulating the election results due to discrepancies between the official results announced by the National Electora... Read More...

Thalinomics - Critical Analysis

Oct 05, 2024

Thalinomics - Critical Analysis FAQs What is Thalinomics? Thalinomics, popularized by the 2019-20 Economic Survey, is a method of estimating the cost of meals in India, often used to gauge affordability, particularly for low-income populations. It involves calculating the cost of a "typical" thali, a meal comprising staple foods like rice, wheat, pulses or protein, vegetables, and spices, based on dietary guidelines. What are the limitations of Thalinomics? Inadequate Nutritional Representation: Read More...

HERSHEY-CHASE EXPERIMENT: THE BLENDER EXPERIMENT AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Oct 05, 2024

HERSHEY-CHASE EXPERIMENT: THE BLENDER EXPERIMENT AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE 1. What is the Hershey-Chase Experiment? The Hershey-Chase experiment, famously known as the blender experiment, was a pivotal study conducted in 1952 by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase. This experiment demonstrated that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material responsible for heredity. Using bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and a simple kitchen blender, the experiment played a key role in establishing DNA as the fundamental molecule of life, marking a turning point in molecular biology. 2. Why Was There a Debate About DNA vs. Protein as Genetic Ma... Read More...

INDIA AND IPEF: AGREEMENTS ON CLEAN AND FAIR ECONOMY

Oct 05, 2024

INDIA AND IPEF: AGREEMENTS ON CLEAN AND FAIR ECONOMY 1. What is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)? The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is an economic partnership launched on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo, aimed at enhancing economic engagement and cooperation among its 14 member countries, including India, the United States, Japan, Australia, and other Indo-Pacific nations. The framework is designed to address economic challenges and promote prosperity in the region. 2. What Are the Four Pillars of IPEF? IPEF is structured around four main pillars: • Pillar I: Trade &nd... Read More...

SHAKTI’ INITIATIVE:INDIA’S FIRST MILITARY CHIP FABRICATION PLANT

Oct 05, 2024

SHAKTI’ INITIATIVE:INDIA’S FIRST MILITARY CHIP FABRICATION PLANT 1. What is the ‘Shakti’ Semiconductor Fabrication Plant? ‘Shakti’ is India’s first national security semiconductor fabrication plant, set to be established in collaboration with the US. The plant will focus on producing advanced microchips for military and defence applications, aiming to bolster India’s technological self-reliance and meet the growing demand for secure and domestically produced chips for the Indian military, allied forces, and defence sectors. 2. Who are the Key Players Involved in the Shakti Project? Read More...

ANURA DISSANAYAKE’S ELECTION IN SRI LANKA:INDIA’S CHALLENGES

Oct 05, 2024

ANURA DISSANAYAKE’S ELECTION IN SRI LANKA:INDIA’S CHALLENGES 1. What Challenges Does Anura Dissanayake’s Election Pose for India? Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election as the new President of Sri Lanka presents several challenges for India due to his political stance and the potential shifts in Sri Lankan policies that could impact bilateral relations. As a prominent leader of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the broader National People’s Power (NPP), Dissanayake’s anti-establishment and nationalist positions may complicate India’s strategic interests in the region. Read More...

PM E-DRIVE SCHEME: CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Oct 05, 2024

PM E-DRIVE SCHEME: CRITICAL ANALYSIS 1. What is the PM E-DRIVE Scheme? PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) is a government initiative aimed at boosting electric vehicle (EV) adoption in India. It follows the FAME II scheme and focuses on providing demand-side incentives to increase EV penetration, particularly for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and public transport. POSITIVES 1. Targeted Incentives The scheme offers tailored incentives to segments like two-wheelers and three-wheelers, which have shown significant penetration, encouraging br... Read More...

PERIODIC LABOUR FORCE SURVEY (PLFS) AND NEW MONTHLY DATA INITIATIVE

Oct 05, 2024

PERIODIC LABOUR FORCE SURVEY (PLFS) AND NEW MONTHLY DATA INITIATIVE 1. What is the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)? The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is an important survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Launched in April 2017, PLFS is designed to provide key insights into India’s labour market by measuring employment, unemployment, and workforce participation rates across the country. The survey offers vital data on how the labour market is functioning, helping policymakers understand trends and make informed decisions. 2... Read More...