UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Humanoid robots

Dec 08, 2023

Humanoid robots, designed to resemble and mimic human actions, are used in various sectors for different applications. Here are some of the uses: 1. Healthcare: They assist in patient care, rehabilitation, and therapy sessions. 2. Education: Humanoid robots can serve as interactive teaching aids, helping with language learning and special education. 3. Customer Service: They are employed in reception areas of hotels, airports, and public service offices to interact with customers and provide information. 4. Entertainment: Robots like ASIMO or those at theme parks serve as ente... Read More...

Humanoid Robots and Surgical Robots: Global and Indian Context

Dec 08, 2023

Humanoid Robots 1. What are humanoid robots? Humanoid robots are advanced robots designed to resemble and mimic human form and behavior, often equipped with AI to perform various tasks. 2. Do we really need humanoid robots? The necessity of humanoid robots varies by application. They can be beneficial in research, education, caregiving, and entertainment, but their practicality in everyday use is still under scrutiny. 3. Are there successful examples of humanoid robots? Read More...

UN Secretary-General’s Invocation of Article 99 for Gaza Ceasefire

Dec 08, 2023

What is Article 99 of the UN Charter? Answer: Article 99 of the United Nations Charter empowers the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which, in their opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security. Why did UN Secretary-General António Guterres invoke Article 99 recently? Answer: António Guterres invoked Article 99 due to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, aiming to push the UN Security Council to call for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Read More...

Analysis of UPSC Civil Services Examination Results (2017-2021)

Dec 08, 2023

Overview: Data from the Ministry of Personnel reveals a significant trend in the academic backgrounds of candidates who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination (Mains) between 2017 and 2021. Key Findings: 1. Dominance of Engineering Graduates: Approximately 63% (2,783 out of 4,371) of the successful candidates were from the engineering stream. This indicates a strong representation of engineering graduates in the civil services. 2. Representation of Other Streams: Humanities: 1,033 candidat... Read More...

Understanding the UK-Rwanda Asylum Plan

Dec 08, 2023

What is the UK-Rwanda Asylum Plan? The plan, officially known as the UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership, is an immigration policy proposed in 2022 by the British government. It involves relocating identified illegal immigrants or asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, asylum, and resettlement. Successful asylum claimants would remain in Rwanda without the option to return to the UK. How Did the Plan Progress Initially? The first flight under this plan was legally approved and scheduled for mid-2022. However, a last-minute intervention by t... Read More...

UK’s New Rwanda Asylum Legislation

Dec 08, 2023

Context: The UK government’s proposed legislation regarding the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda is stirring significant legal and political controversy. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that deemed Rwanda unsafe for asylum seekers based on its flawed asylum system. Key Highlights of the Legislation: 1. Rwanda Declared ‘Conclusively’ Safe: The bill asks Parliament to declare Rwanda as definitively safe, prohibiting British judges from challenging this declaration. It aims to prevent courts from assessin... Read More...

ISRO’s Ambitious Space Mission Schedule for 2024

Dec 08, 2023

Overview: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has an extensive lineup of space missions planned for 2024. This includes a mix of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) missions, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launches, and a commercial mission involving the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). Key Highlights: 1. PSLV Missions: ISRO has scheduled six PSLV missions. These missions will deploy various types of satellites, including a space science satellite, an Earth observation satellite, two technology demonstrati... Read More...

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Dec 07, 2023

CCS is a technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the mitigation of climate change. It involves three main steps: 1. Capture: The process starts with capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by industrial activities, such as burning fossil fuels in power generation or other industrial processes like cement production. 2. Transport: Once captured, the CO2 is compressed and transported via pipelines, trucks, or ships to a suitable storage site. 3. Storage: The CO2 is then injected into underground geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifer formations, wh... Read More...

India:Vistara’s Commercial Flight with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Dec 07, 2023

Q: What milestone did Vistara achieve with its recent flight? A: Vistara operated India’s first commercial domestic flight using a blend of 17% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and 83% conventional jet fuel on a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Delhi to Mumbai. Q: How does the use of SAF impact carbon emissions? A: The use of SAF in Vistara’s commercial flight reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4,500kg, contributing to a more environmentally friendly aviation sector. Q: Have other Indian carriers conducted ... Read More...

FAQs on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Dec 07, 2023

Q: What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)? A: SAF is a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuels, derived from sustainable resources such as cooking oils, plant oils, municipal waste, and agricultural residues. Its use can significantly reduce carbon emissions from air travel. Q: How does SAF contribute to cleaner transport? A: By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, SAF helps lower the carbon footprint of the aviation sector, which is crucial for achieving global climate targets and improving air quality. Q: What progress ha... Read More...

Strengthening Border Surveillance: Indian Army’s Thermal Imagers

Dec 07, 2023

FAQs on Army’s Induction of Thermal Imaging Surveillance Devices Q: What is the Indian Army’s plan regarding thermal imaging devices? A: The Indian Army plans to induct approximately 10,000 Hand Held Thermal Imager-Uncooled (HHTI-UC) devices to enhance night and day surveillance capabilities. Q: What are the specifications of the HHTI-UC devices? A: These devices will have the latest technology enabling soldiers to conduct surveillance up to 3,000 meters and will come equipped with laser range finders for distance assessment. Read More...

National Cooperative Societies for Agriculture Products

Dec 07, 2023

Q: What is the purpose of setting up national level cooperative societies for agriculture products? A: The primary objective is to promote large-scale agricultural outputs, including crops and seeds, streamline the distribution process, and ensure the marketing of certified organic products under a unified brand. Q: Which national level cooperative societies have been established? A: Three multi-state cooperative societies have been set up: 1. National Cooperative Exports Limited 2. National Cooperative Organics Limited 3.... Read More...

Enhancing Flood Resilience in Indian Cities: Strategies and Examples

Dec 07, 2023

To mitigate flooding in Indian cities, various measures can be adopted: 1. Urban Planning: Implement regulations like those in Surat after the 2006 floods, which improved zoning and land use to avoid construction in low-lying areas. 2. Drainage Systems: Upgrade drainage infrastructure similar to the Storm Water Drainage Project undertaken in Mumbai. 3. Water Bodies Restoration: Revive lakes and rivers as done with the restoration of Lake Pashan in Pune, enhancing the city’s water absorption capacity. 4. Green Infrastructure: Expand urban green belts and create spaces like the Sabarmati Riverfront i... Read More...

SWAMIH I: Last-Mile Funding for Housing Projects

Dec 06, 2023

Q: What is SWAMIH I? A: SWAMIH I (Special Window for Completion of Construction of Affordable and Mid-Income Housing Projects) is a government-backed initiative managed by SBICAP Ventures. It’s designed to provide last-mile financing to support the completion of affordable and mid-income housing projects in India. Q: How does SWAMIH I function? A: SWAMIH I offers financial assistance to housing projects that are near completion but are stalled due to funding shortages. This initiative aims to bridge the financial gap, ensuring these projects are completed and d... Read More...

Generative AI in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

Dec 06, 2023

Q: What is Generative AI and how is it transforming healthcare? A: Generative AI refers to advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques that can generate novel data or patterns. In healthcare, it’s revolutionizing drug discovery by accelerating the identification of new drug candidates, predicting drug interactions, and optimizing clinical trials. Q: How does Generative AI aid in drug discovery? A: Generative AI analyzes vast biological datasets to uncover patterns and relationships, leading to the identification of new drug targets. It also designs mole... Read More...