UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) of SEBI

Nov 29, 2023

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the watchdog for securities markets, has introduced the Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform. It's designed as a digital safety net to protect investors’ trades in the event of system glitches at the stock exchange. IRRA ensures trading continuity and security for market participants. What is the IRRA platform? It's a new safety tool for people who invest in the stock market. If there's a technical glitch, this platform helps you manage your stocks without panicking. Who can use IRRA? Read More...

Stubble Burning Farm Fire Monitoring

Nov 29, 2023

How are farm fires monitored? Farm fires are monitored using satellite technology. Three different NASA satellites, Terra and Aqua, along with the Suomi NPP satellite, carry sensors that detect heat signatures indicating fires. What data do these satellites collect? The satellites collect data on heat signatures from farm fires, which can be translated into the location, intensity, and spread of the fires. Why is the intensity of farm fires recorded? The intensity is recorded to estimate the amount of re... Read More...

Guru Tegh Bahadur: A Symbol of Religious Freedom

Nov 29, 2023

Historical Context: Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, is revered for his stand against religious persecution. He opposed forced conversions and other impositions under Mughal rule. Martyrdom at Chandni Chowk: He was executed on the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb on 24 November 1675. The site of his martyrdom is marked by Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Sanctuary for the Persecuted: Facing forced conversions, Kashmiri Pandits sought refuge with Guru Tegh Bahadur. He took a stand for their religious freedom, demonstrating interfaith solidarity. Legacy in New Delhi: Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, located b... Read More...

India’s Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Policy

Nov 29, 2023

Overview of ESDM Policy Aim: Position India as a leader in global electronics manufacturing. Synergy: Aligns with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Make in India’, and ‘Digital India’. Key Components Semiconductor & Display Focus: Building a strong semiconductor and display manufacturing base. Financial Incentives: Extensive fiscal support for electronics segments. Strategic Initiatives India Semiconductor Mission: Spearheading the implementatio... Read More...

The Evolving Geopolitical Triangle: India, Pakistan, Russia, and the China Factor

Nov 29, 2023

The geopolitical landscape of South Asia is undergoing a significant transformation, primarily influenced by the shifting allegiances and strategic realignments among India, Pakistan, Russia, and China. These changes are reshaping traditional partnerships and forging new alliances, with each nation recalibrating its foreign policy in response to global and regional developments. India’s Westward Pivot India, traditionally aligned with Russia, particularly in defense and strategic sectors, is increasingly tilting towards the West. This shift is exemplified by its growing closeness with the Unite... Read More...

Blue Carbon

Nov 29, 2023

Blue carbon refers to carbon dioxide (CO2) captured and stored by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems, particularly in the vegetation and soils of mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. These ecosystems play a crucial role in absorbing significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, thereby mitigating the impacts of climate change. Significance of Blue Carbon 1. Carbon Storage: Blue carbon ecosystems store carbon mostly in the soil and silt, up to six meters under the seabed. For instance, seagrass has the unique ability to prevent organic carbon from decomposing back into CO2, thus acti... Read More...

Bihar’s Reservation Laws and the Ninth Schedule

Nov 29, 2023

What are the new laws Bihar seeks to add to the Ninth Schedule? Bihar proposes to include the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services Amendment Act, 2023 and the Bihar Reservation Act, 2023 in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. What is the Ninth Schedule? The Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains a list of laws that are not subject to judicial review, meaning that they cannot be challenged in court on the grounds of violating fundamental rights. Why does Bihar want these laws in the Ninth Schedu... Read More...

Joshimath’s Crisis

Nov 29, 2023

Q1: Why is Joshimath in Uttarakhand facing a crisis? A1: Joshimath, a significant hill town in Uttarakhand, is experiencing severe land subsidence, leading to the development of cracks in buildings and roads. This crisis is attributed to geological factors and human activities like unregulated construction. Q2: What makes Joshimath’s situation alarming? A2: The town is not only a hub for tourists and pilgrims but also strategically important, housing military establishments. Its geological position in a seismic zone and the ongoing construction exacerbate its f... Read More...

Youth and Women in India's Workforce:Current Trends

Nov 29, 2023

Q: What recent trends are seen in India's youth employment? A: India is observing a significant involvement of youth in the workforce, including a rise in entrepreneurial and self-employment opportunities. Q: How has women's participation in the workforce changed in India? A: Women's participation has been steadily increasing, with more women entering various sectors, including technology, agriculture, and services. Q: Does the increase in agricultural employment indicate economic distress? A... Read More...

Global Temperature Record High on November 17

Nov 29, 2023

Q: What significant climate event occurred on November 17? A: On November 17, the global average surface temperature soared more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Q: How high did global temperatures rise on this day? A: The Earth’s mean temperatures on November 17 were recorded at 2.06 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial era . Q: What does this temperature rise indicate? A: This record-high temperature is a critical threshold for climate change, indicating that... Read More...

The Tax-to-GDP Ratio Trend

Nov 28, 2023

Trend Over the Decade The tax-to-GDP ratio, a key indicator of economic health, has shown an upward trend in recent years. This signifies the efficiency of tax collection and the broadening of the tax base, reflecting a robust fiscal environment. Direct vs. Indirect Taxes Direct tax collection has seen significant improvements, indicating a stronger direct tax-to-GDP ratio. However, indirect taxes, despite the implementation of GST, have shown fluctuations that suggest room for optimization. Expansion of Tax Base Read More...

Rat Hole Mining in India

Nov 28, 2023

What is Rat Hole Mining? Rat hole mining is an unconventional practice of coal mining prevalent in the northeastern regions of India, notably Meghalaya. It involves digging small tunnels into the ground, resembling rat holes, where miners crawl to extract coal. Why is Rat Hole Mining a concern in India? This method poses significant risks, including fatal accidents, environmental degradation, and exploitation of labor. The unscientific nature of this mining can also lead to water contamination, land subsidence, and loss of biodiversity. Read More...

India-Bangladesh Border Fencing

Nov 23, 2023

What is the current status of the India-Bangladesh border fencing project? As per ThePrint’s analysis, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is likely to miss the March 2024 deadline to complete fencing the 4,096.7km India-Bangladesh border. How much of the border fencing has been completed so far? The MHA’s 2022-23 report states that 3,180.65 km of the border has been fenced, leaving 915.35 km remaining. Why is the project delayed? Geographical challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, land acquisition... Read More...

Bharat Dal Utpadan Swavlamban Abhiyan: Understanding the Pulse Production Scheme

Nov 23, 2023

What is the Bharat Dal Utpadan Swavlamban Abhiyan? It is a proposed government initiative aimed at enhancing domestic cultivation of pulses to attain self-reliance in India. Why initiate this scheme? Due to unpredictable weather and the allure of more lucrative crops, pulse cultivation has decreased, necessitating this scheme. What objectives does the scheme have? The scheme’s objectives are to escalate pulse production, fulfill buffer stock requirements, and diminish import reliance. Read More...

Langhnaj: A Window into India’s Prehistoric Past

Nov 23, 2023

The Discovery and Exploration Initial Findings by Foote (1893): British geologist Robert Bruce Foote discovered stone artifacts in Gujarat, indicating prehistoric human activity. Follow-up Studies (1941-1954): Indian archaeologists, led by H.D. Sankalia and B. Subbarao, extensively explored Langhnaj, mapping multiple prehistoric settlements across Gujarat. Mesolithic Coexistence with Early Settlers Breaking Archaeological Norms: Contrary to traditional views of linear cultural progression, Langhnaj revealed simultaneous existence of Mesolithic hunter-g... Read More...