UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Snakebite Prevention and Treatment in India

Nov 22, 2023

Snakebite is a pressing issue in India, with an estimated 58,000 people succumbing to snakebites annually, and many left with permanent disabilities. Despite the availability of antivenom, misuse of snake venom as a recreational drug has surfaced as a concern. Outdated Antivenom Manufacturing Protocols Manufacturing antivenom in India has followed the same protocols for over a century, resulting in low efficacy. Antivenom is produced by isolating antibodies from horses injected with venom from the ‘big four’ snakes. These antibodies sometimes prove insufficient and can lead to complicatio... Read More...

Achieving a ‘Just’ Decarbonised Economy

Nov 22, 2023

What is a ‘Just’ Decarbonised Economy? A ‘Just’ Decarbonised Economy aims to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring equity and fairness in the socioeconomic impacts of the transition. Why is a ‘Just’ Transition Urgent? The urgency for a ‘Just’ transition stems from climate goals , like achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, and the need to address related social and economic challenges. What Challenges Accompany a ‘Just’ Transition? Challenges in... Read More...

India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

Nov 21, 2023

What is the IMEC The India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a strategic development initiative aimed at establishing a trade and infrastructure link from India to the Middle East and Europe. Why is IMEC being developed? IMEC’s development is to position India as a key trade partner across Asia and Europe, diversifying trade routes and reducing dependency on traditional paths dominated by other countries. How does IMEC affect India’s trade dynamics? Upon completion, IMEC is expec... Read More...

Red Sanders Trade and Conservation in India

Nov 21, 2023

India’s Green Light for Red Sanders Trade India has been permitted to trade Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) from plantations, a development following the International Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding’s findings that unique climatic and geological factors contribute to the tree’s limited natural distribution. Global Distribution and Importing Nations The Red Sanders species, covering 82% of the wild area, is endemic to the Southern Eastern Ghats of India. Key importing countries include: Europe: Germany, France, Netherlands... Read More...

Red Sanders Wood: India’s Trade and Conservation Efforts

Nov 21, 2023

Overview of Red Sanders Wood Scientific Significance: Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), known as ‘Red Sandalwood’, is a unique tree endemic to Southern Eastern Ghats of India. Ecological Footprint: Its distribution is limited, with specific numbers found in regions like Kadapa, Rajampet, Proddatur, and Chittoor East. Harvesting Conditions: It thrives in dry climate, requires average temperatures (20-800 mm) and grows to about 27 years to reach harvestable size. Global Usage and Trade Uses: Red Sanders is utilized in tradi... Read More...

'Satoyama’ Initiative in Odisha’s Badrama Sanctuary

Nov 21, 2023

Understanding ‘Satoyama’ for Conflict Management: What is ‘Satoyama’? ‘Satoyama’ is a Japanese concept focusing on forest management and harmonious living between humans and nature, emphasizing sustainable practices. How is ‘Satoyama’ implemented in Badrama Sanctuary? The initiative involves community participation in forest conservation activities, eco-tourism, and alternative livelihoods to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. What are the key successes of the ‘Satoyama’ init... Read More...

HPV Vaccine Adoption in India: Tackling Cervical Cancer

Nov 21, 2023

Key Points on HPV Vaccine Introduction in India: What is the significance of the HPV vaccine? The HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine targets cervical cancer, which is a curable disease if detected early and treated adequately. How prevalent is cervical cancer in India? Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, contributing to 6-29% of all cancers in women. What has India done in response to cervical cancer? India has introduced the HPV va... Read More...

Vajra Prahar’ Indo-US Joint Military Exercise

Nov 21, 2023

Exercise Overview: Objective: To strengthen the traditional bond of friendship and defense cooperation through joint special forces exercises focusing on counter-terrorism, airborne and special operations. Key Highlights: Duration: The ‘Vajra Prahar’ exercise spans over a 21-day period. Edition: This will be the 14th iteration of the exercise, with the previous one conducted in Himachal Pradesh’s Bakloh and the 12th in the US. Phases: The first phase includes combat conditioning and tactical-level special mission traini... Read More...

Maitree Super Thermal Power Project: Enhancing India-Bangladesh Connectivity

Nov 21, 2023

What is the main goal of the India-Bangladesh connectivity project? The project aims to strengthen transportation and power connectivity between the two countries, enhancing trade and bilateral ties. What are the recent developments in this project? The inauguration of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project and the announcement of the second phase of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant signify recent progress. How does this project benefit India and Bangladesh? It facilitates bilateral trade and passe... Read More...

High Court Verdict on Private Job Quota

Nov 21, 2023

What was the law about? The Haryana State government enacted a law providing 75% reservation in private sector jobs upto Rs.30,000 per month, for local candidates, aiming to prioritize employment for state residents. Why was the law annulled? The High Court annulled the law, suggesting it conflicted with Articles 14 (Equality before the law), 16 (Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment), and 19 (Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.) of the Indian Constitution. What are Articles 14, 16, and 1... Read More...

Social Stock Exchanges

Nov 21, 2023

What is a Social Stock Exchange (SSE)? A specialized platform designed for the listing and trading of financial instruments by social enterprises. Who Participates in SSE? Investors committed to social and environmental returns, alongside financial returns, including retail and institutional investors. What Financial Instruments are Traded on SSE? Instruments like zero-coupon zero-principal bonds, development impact bonds, and others tailored to fund enterprises with a social or environmental mission. Read More...

Invasive Alien Tree Senna Spectabilis in Wayanad

Nov 21, 2023

1. How did the invasive tree Senna spectabilis enter Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary? Explanation: Senna spectabilis, brought to Wayanad for shade in the mid-80s, entered the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and established itself over a large part of it over a few decades. 2. What are the consequences of Senna spectabilis spreading in the Western and Eastern Ghats? Explanation: Senna has spread across protected areas in the Western and Eastern Ghats in three south Indian states, leading to a decline in native biodiversity. 3. How is the sprea... Read More...

Horseshoe Crab Conservation FAQs

Nov 21, 2023

1. Why are horseshoe crabs globally recognized as living fossils? Explanation: Horseshoe crabs are considered living fossils due to their unchanged basic form over millions of years, making them invaluable for scientific study and ecological understanding. 2. What is the status of horseshoe crabs in Odisha, India? Explanation: Odisha hosts two of the three horseshoe crab species in Asia—the coastal horseshoe crab and the mangrove horseshoe crab. Unfortunately, their population is declining due to shoreline alterations, sea level rise affecting spawning habitats... Read More...

Plastic Pollution in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Nov 21, 2023

Plastic pollution disproportionately affects those in low- and middle-income countries in several ways: 1. Environmental Impact: Explanation: Improper disposal and limited waste management infrastructure in these countries lead to widespread plastic pollution, contaminating water sources and soil, harming ecosystems, and affecting biodiversity. 2. Health Risks: Explanation: Inadequate waste management results in open burning of plastics, releasing toxic pollutants that can cause respiratory issues and other health problems among local communities. 3. Eco... Read More...

Deep Fakes

Nov 21, 2023

1. What defines deep fakes? Deep fakes refer to AI-driven techniques altering or creating content, primarily videos, to present fabricated scenes often indistinguishable from reality. 2. How do deep fakes function? Deep fakes operate through AI algorithms, particularly manipulating facial features in videos, resulting in convincing yet deceptive portrayals of events. 3. Are deep fakes a recent phenomenon? No, while the term is relatively new, the concept has been evolving since the early 2000s, with adva... Read More...