UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Hornbill Festival: Nagaland’s Cultural Spectacle

Dec 02, 2023

The Hornbill Festival, symbolized by the vibrant and revered hornbill bird, is Nagaland’s most illustrious cultural event. Scheduled annually from December 1st to 10th, this festival showcases the rich tapestry of Naga culture and heritage. Dates: December 1-10 Location: Nagaland, India Highlights: Cultural Performances: Traditional dances, music, and arts. Ethnic Crafts: Exhibitions of Naga handlooms and handicrafts. Indigenous Foods: Culinary delights from various Naga tribes. Sports & Games: Traditional sports and modern competitions. Artistic Displays: Pa... Read More...

Global Methane Pledge’ at the 2021 Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow

Dec 02, 2023

India’s Refusal to Sign the ‘Methane Pledge’: Understanding the Context India’s decision not to sign the ‘Global Methane Pledge’ at the 2021 Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow can be understood in the context of various economic, social, and technical reasons, as highlighted by the Government of India: 1. Survival vs. Luxury Emissions: India distinguishes its methane emissions as ‘survival emissions,’ primarily stemming from small and marginal agricultural activities, unlike the ‘luxury emissions’ of developed countries. 2. Impact on Agriculture a... Read More...

Methane Emission Reduction in India: Strategies and Actions

Dec 01, 2023

India, as a participant in global climate change frameworks like the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, has been actively engaging in measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. The significant sources of methane emissions in India, as reported in its third Biennial Update Report, are primarily from agriculture, waste, energy, and industrial processes. The government’s approach to mitigate methane emissions includes a range of sector-specific strategies: 1. Agriculture Sector Initiatives: National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Focuses on climate-resilient pract... Read More...

Off-Budget Borrowings in India

Dec 01, 2023

What are off-budget borrowings? Off-budget borrowings are loans that are not directly shown in the government’s budget, typically raised by public sector entities or through special purpose vehicles, and do not count towards the official fiscal deficit. They enable borrowing beyond the set fiscal limits, allowing for expenditure without immediate impact on the government’s balance sheet. Why were off-budget borrowings by Indian states rampant? Off-budget borrowings by states were rampant due to the need for additional funds beyond allocated budgets for de... Read More...

India’s Electrification of Transportation

Dec 01, 2023

Q1: Why is the electrification of vehicles (EVs) important for India? A1: Electrification of vehicles is critical in reducing air pollution, decreasing emissions of greenhouse gases, and particulate matter like NO2, CO, and PM, thus improving air quality and public health. Q2: What are the environmental benefits of EVs compared to conventional vehicles? A2: EVs offer a zero-emission alternative to traditional combustion engines, potentially reducing PM and NOx emissions by 18 percent, CO2 emissions by 30 percent, and greenhouse gas emissions by 4 percent when fully a... Read More...

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Combating Climate Change

Dec 01, 2023

Importance of PPPs in Climate Initiatives Public-Private Partnerships are crucial for tackling climate change due to their ability to combine public policy support with private sector innovation and investment. This collaboration can accelerate the development and deployment of clean technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure. Benefits of PPPs in Climate Action 1. Leveraging Resources: PPPs enable the pooling of financial, technical, and human resources from both sectors. 2. Risk Sharing: They allow for sharing the risks associated... Read More...

BSE Market Cap Milestone and Global Ranking

Dec 01, 2023

Understanding Market Capitalization: Market capitalization is the total value of a company’s shares of stock, and for a stock exchange, it represents the combined value of all its listed companies. It is a pivotal metric that reflects the size and health of a market. Significance of BSE’s Growth: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) reaching a market cap of $4.03 trillion signifies robust investor confidence and the growth potential of the Indian economy. It indicates a buoyant financial environment where the listed companies are thriving and expanding. ... Read More...

India:Carbon Neutrality in Agriculture

Dec 01, 2023

The Imperative of Carbon Neutrality: Carbon neutrality in agriculture means the sector emits no more carbon than it absorbs. Agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, hence it’s crucial for sustainability. Agricultural Emissions: The sector emits carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), largely from livestock, rice paddies, soil management, and fertilizer use. Mitigation Strategies: Crops: Enhancing rice water management reduces methane. Zero-tillage and residue burning reduction also cut emissions. Read More...

Centralized Portal for Lost Mobile Recovery:Sanchar Saathi

Dec 01, 2023

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) offers a citizen-centric portal, Sanchar Saathi, to assist in blocking, tracking, and recovering lost or stolen mobile phones. Portal Overview: Launch and Response: Launched nationwide in May, Sanchar Saathi has seen significant usage by individuals reporting lost mobile devices. Impressive Results: The portal has successfully blocked around 11 lakh mobiles, with approximately half traced and 55,160 phones recovered and returned. Usage Procedure: 1. Obtain Duplicate SIM: The... Read More...

Gujral Doctrine: A Framework for Regional Diplomacy

Dec 01, 2023

Remembering I.K. Gujral: Celebrating the 104th Birth Anniversary of India's 12th Prime Minister The Gujral Doctrine is a set of five principles formulated by Inder Kumar Gujral, former Prime Minister of India, to guide India's approach towards its neighbors, especially in South Asia. This diplomatic policy was particularly significant in the mid-1990s. Key Principles of the Gujral Doctrine: 1. Non-Reciprocal Basis: India, being the largest country in the region, would not expect reciprocity from its smaller neighbors in terms of diplomatic gestures. Instead, it would offer unil... Read More...

Understanding Halal

Dec 01, 2023

Halal, an Arabic term, means 'permissible' in the context of Islamic law. It is often used to describe food and drink that are allowed for consumption under Islamic dietary guidelines. Key Aspects of Halal: 1. Food and Drink: Halal food must not contain any components or be processed with equipment contaminated with certain prohibited substances like pork, alcohol, and blood. 2. Meat Processing: For meat to be halal, specific methods of slaughtering are followed. The animal must be healthy at the time of slaughter, and the name of Allah (God) must be invoked during the act. Read More...

Rat-Hole Mining in Meghalaya: An Overview

Dec 01, 2023

Rat-hole mining, a primitive and hazardous method of mining, was banned in Meghalaya due to its detrimental effects on both the environment and the miners. Understanding its implications and the ongoing challenges is essential for evaluating the future of coal mining in the region. "What is Rat-Hole Mining? Description: This method involves digging small tunnels, just 3-4 feet in height, where miners, often in a squatting position, extract coal with pickaxes. There are two types: side-cutting on hill slopes following visible coal seams and box-cutting involving digging pits and then horizontal t... Read More...

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)

Dec 01, 2023

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are intense, short-lived bursts of radio waves emanating from distant galaxies, with the energy release comparable to 500 million suns. These bursts last only milliseconds, making them a cosmic 'now you see it, now you don't' phenomenon. Key Insights into FRBs: 1. Origin Speculation: Initially, the exact sources of FRBs were elusive. Magnetars, a type of neutron star with extremely strong magnetic fields, were considered potential sources. The magnetic field of a magnetar is over a thousand times stronger than that of typical neutron stars and a trillion times tha... Read More...

India's G-20 Presidency: Leading a New Era of Multilateralism

Dec 01, 2023

Overview: Marking a year since assuming the G-20 Presidency, India's approach underlines a transformative vision in global leadership, emphasizing inclusivity, sustainable development, and a human-centric approach to progress. Highlights of India's G-20 Presidency: 1. Shift in Focus: Transitioning from a GDP-centric to a human-centric model of progress. 2. Inclusive Approach: Emphasizing 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (One earth, one family, one future), reflecting a commitment to global unity and cooperation. 3. New Delhi Leade... Read More...

Fast Track Special Courts Scheme in India

Dec 01, 2023

Overview: The Indian government has approved the continuation of the Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) Scheme, a critical initiative for expediting justice in cases of sexual offenses. This decision aligns with the government's commitment to enhancing the safety and security of women and children. Key Features of the Scheme: Duration: Extended from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026. Financial Allocation: Rs.1,952.23 crore, split between the Central (Rs.1,207.24 crore) and State (Rs.744.99 crore) governments, funded partly by the Nirbhaya Fund. ... Read More...