UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Metaverse : Transforming Indian Cities

Dec 18, 2023

Introduction to the Metaverse: The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality, augmented reality (AR), and the internet. It’s a digital universe that coexists with the physical world, where users interact through avatars in a 3D environment. This cutting-edge technology blurs the lines between physical and virtual realities, offering immersive experiences. The metaverse integrates various technological elements like virtual reality (VR), AR, AI, and blockchain, providing a platform for social interaction, economic transactions, and more, in a seamless vi... Read More...

ISRO’s Shukrayaan-1 Venus Mission

Dec 18, 2023

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is advancing its space exploration capabilities with the Shukrayaan-1 mission to Venus. This follows the successful launches of the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions. Shukrayaan-1 is designed to orbit Venus and investigate the planet’s subsurface and the enigmatic environment beneath its sulfuric acid clouds. This mission will contribute significantly to our understanding of Venus, a planet with atmospheric conditions vastly different from Earth. It has an atmospheric pressure 100 times greater than Earth’s and is covered with thick acidic clouds, making it an intriguing subject for plane... Read More...

Hangul Conservation in Dachigam National Park

Dec 16, 2023

What is the hangul? The hangul, also known as the Kashmir stag (Cervus hanglussp.hanglu), is a critically endangered subspecies of red deer found only in the Indian subcontinent, primarily in Dachigam National Park. Why is the hangul population not increasing? Despite protection efforts, the hangul population has struggled due to factors like habitat fragmentation, poaching, livestock grazing, ecological threats, predation, disturbed corridors, landscapes, and low genetic variability. What is the significance of the hangul? ... Read More...

Freshwater Rock Pools in India

Dec 16, 2023

What are freshwater rock pools? Freshwater rock pools are temporary wetlands that form in natural depressions within rocks, typically as a result of the weathering of parent rocks. They fill with water through precipitation and undergo cyclical phases of wetness and dryness, relying on rain rather than groundwater. How are freshwater rock pools created? They originate from the weathering of rocks, which leads to the formation of depressions that collect rainwater. The size and shape of these pools are influenced by local climate, rock composition, and geological feat... Read More...

Green Ammonia: Paving the Way for Sustainable Agriculture and Energy

Dec 16, 2023

What is green ammonia? Green ammonia is an eco-friendly variant of ammonia produced using renewable energy sources, primarily solar or wind power, to extract hydrogen from water. It is considered ‘green’ because it doesn’t rely on fossil fuels and thus, reduces greenhouse gas emissions during production. How does green ammonia benefit the environment? By not using fossil fuels for its production, green ammonia cuts down the high emissions typically associated with the conventional Haber-Bosch process used to produce synthetic fertilizers, reducing e... Read More...

Heat Pumps as a Solution for Energy Efficiency

Dec 16, 2023

What are heat pumps? Heat pumps are devices that transfer heat from one place to another. They can extract heat from the air or ground outside a building and transfer it inside to provide heating and can also work in reverse to cool a building. How can heat pumps reduce energy bills? Heat pumps are more efficient than traditional heating systems because they move heat rather than generate it by burning fuel. This efficiency can translate into lower energy bills over time despite the higher initial investment. Do heat pumps help the ... Read More...

India’s Advancement in Stealth UAV Technology

Dec 16, 2023

India’s Advancement in Stealth UAV TechnologyWhat is India’s recent achievement in aerial technology? India has successfully conducted a flight trial of an autonomous flying-wing technology demonstrator, marking a significant step towards developing a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). What is a flying-wing technology demonstrator? It’s a type of drone with a design where the wings make up the main body of the aircraft, improving aerodynamics and stealth capabilities. How does flying-wing tech contribut... Read More...

Protecting Endangered Turtles

Dec 16, 2023

Why are Ganges turtles endangered? The Ganges turtles are endangered due to illegal hunting and smuggling, habitat destruction, and pollution in their natural habitats, such as the Ganges river and its tributaries. What are the challenges in turtle conservation? Conservation efforts are challenged by illegal wildlife trade, inadequate funding for habitat restoration, and a lack of public awareness about the plight of these species. How are authorities combating the illegal turtle trade? Authorities like ... Read More...

GRIHA Council: FAQs on Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment

Dec 16, 2023

What is GRIHA? GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is India’s national rating system for green buildings, which evaluates the environmental performance of a building holistically over its entire life cycle, thereby providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a ‘green building’. Who governs the GRIHA rating system? The GRIHA Council, an independent, not-for-profit society jointly setup by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India, administers GRIHA. Read More...

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023

Dec 16, 2023

Mining Law to Allow Private Sector Participation in Critical Mineral Exploration 1. What is the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023? The bill amends the MMDR Act of 1957 to encourage private sector participation in exploring essential and deep-seated minerals. It designates six minerals, including lithium, as “critical and strategic,” previously reserved for government entities. 2. Why are these minerals termed “critical and strategic”? These minerals, like lithium and cobalt... Read More...

India’s Strategic Rail Networks: Enhancing Connectivity and Influence

Dec 16, 2023

1. What is IERN? The India-Europe Rail Network (IERN) aims to streamline trade between India and Europe, reducing travel time and costs. 2. What is IMEC? The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a trade corridor proposed to connect India with Europe through the Middle East. 3. How do they relate to the BRI? Both IERN and IMEC are similar to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in promoting regional connectivity but differ in specific routes and strategies. Read More...

Hydrogen Cyanide Discovery in Enceladus’s Oceans:

Dec 16, 2023

1. What was discovered on Saturn’s moon Enceladus? Hydrogen cyanide, a molecule crucial in the creation of life, was found in Enceladus’s oceans. 2. What does this discovery suggest? The oceans of Enceladus may have more chemical energy to support complex organic compounds than previously thought. 3. How was this discovery made? By re-analysing data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, which orbited Saturn and sampled plumes from Enceladus. 4. What else was... Read More...

Discovery of Hydrogen Cyanide on Enceladus: A Potential for Life

Dec 16, 2023

Context: NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, operational from 2004 to 2017, made a significant discovery on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. It detected hydrogen cyanide, a molecule critical to the origin of life, in the moon’s icy jets. Key Points: 1. Hydrogen Cyanide: Composition: Colorless gas, lethal to many Earth organisms. Role in Life: Crucial for amino acid formation, the foundation of proteins. 2. Enceladus: A Candidate for Extraterrestrial Life: Features: Icy surface with a subsurfac... Read More...

Hemophilia Treatment in India

Dec 15, 2023

What is hemophilia? Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to make blood clots, a process needed to stop bleeding. This condition can lead to prolonged bleeding or spontaneous bleeding. How prevalent is hemophilia in India? India has one of the largest populations of persons with hemophilia, with an estimated 136,000 individuals living with the condition, although only around 21,000 are registered for treatment. What are the new national guidelines for hemophilia treatment in India? Read More...

Argentinian Peso: Currency Devaluation and Its Effects

Dec 15, 2023

What is Currency Devaluation? Currency devaluation is the intentional reduction of a currency’s value compared to other currencies, which can make a country’s exports more competitive and address trade imbalances. Why Devalue the Peso by Over 50%? Argentina’s significant devaluation aims to address its economic crisis by reducing fiscal deficits and stimulating economic growth. Short-term Impacts of Devaluation? Immediate effects include potential inflation, increased import costs, spur... Read More...