UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Importance of Bees in Ecosystems and Agriculture

Nov 17, 2023

1. Pollination: Crucial for Plant Reproduction:Bees are vital pollinators. They transfer pollen between flowering plants, helping them to produce fruits and seeds. This process is essential for the reproduction of many plant species. 2. Biodiversity Support: Maintaining Ecosystem Health: By aiding in plant reproduction, bees contribute to the maintenance and growth of a wide variety of plant life, supporting biodiversity within ecosystems. 3. Food Production: Critical for Agriculture: Read More...

Debt-for-Nature Swaps

Nov 17, 2023

Concept and Mechanism: Debt-for-Nature Swap: An innovative financial transaction where a portion of a nation’s foreign debt is forgiven in exchange for local investments in environmental conservation projects. Multi-party and Bilateral Deals: Involves either a third-party institution purchasing a country’s debt at a discount or a bilateral agreement where a creditor country forgives debt for conservation commitments. Local Currency Investment: The debtor nation repays part of the debt in local currency, which is then invested in conservation efforts, instead of repayi... Read More...

Heat Waves and India’s Progress on Sustainable Development Goals

Nov 17, 2023

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Increased Risk: The increasing intensity and frequency of heat waves in India pose a significant challenge to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, well-being, sustainable cities, and life on land. Affecting Health and Agriculture: Heat waves can lead to health emergencies and affect agriculture, impacting livelihoods and food security. Climate Vulnerability Assessments: Need for Inclusion of Heat Waves:Currentl... Read More...

Warm and Cold Spells in the Arctic: Impact on India’s Monsoon

Nov 17, 2023

Arctic Climate and Indian Monsoon Link: Historical Connection: Research indicates a significant correlation between climatic conditions in the Arctic and the patterns of the Indian monsoon over the past millennium. Warm Arctic, Intense Monsoon: Warmer conditions in the Arctic have been associated with more intense rainfall in the Indian subcontinent. Cold Arctic, Weak Monsoon: Conversely, colder spells in the Arctic correspond to weaker monsoon seasons in India. Mechanism of Impact: Influence on Temperature Gradient: The Arctic’s t... Read More...

Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana’s Progress and Challenges

Nov 17, 2023

Overview of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY): Initiative Launched: In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the SAGY with a 10-year timeframe aiming to develop infrastructure in villages. Target: Each Member of Parliament (MP) was expected to adopt eight gram panchayats (GPs) for development. The goal was to develop three GPs by March 2019 and the remaining five by 2024. Current Status: Limited Adoption: Only about 52% of the targeted GPs have been adopted by MPs. Incomplete Development: In many adopted villages, the completion ra... Read More...

AI-Enabled Oxygen Production for Mars Missions

Nov 17, 2023

Introduction: With advancements in space technology, a robot has successfully used Martian meteorite samples to create a catalyst that can produce oxygen from water. This is a significant breakthrough for future Mars missions, potentially enabling human life support and settlement on the Red Planet. Q: What was the robot’s main achievement? A: The robot developed a catalyst that can extract oxygen from water, a critical step for sustaining life on Mars. Q: How does this discovery benefit space exploration? A: It makes space missions more s... Read More...

Introduction to Sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes and Central Government's Task Force

Nov 17, 2023

The concept of subcategorisation within the Scheduled Castes (SC) in India has emerged as a significant policy initiative, aimed at ensuring more equitable distribution of reservation benefits among various SC communities. This initiative seeks to address the imbalances in the allocation of resources and opportunities among SC communities, some of which have remained marginalized despite reservation policies. Why Subcategorisation? Balanced Representation: Certain communities within the SCs have historically had less access to education, employment, and political representation. Subcate... Read More...

First Amendment to the Indian Constitution and Article 19

Nov 17, 2023

Context of the Amendment: The First Amendment to the Indian Constitution, enacted in 1951, was a significant step in refining and defining the scope of fundamental rights, particularly those related to freedom of speech and expression, and the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade, or business. Key Changes in Article 19: Article 19(1)(a) - Freedom of Speech and Expression: Original Provisions: Included restrictions like 'security of state', 'decency or morality', 'contempt of court', and 'defamati... Read More...

Sixteenth Amendment Act, 1963: Context and Provisions

Nov 17, 2023

Background: The Sixteenth Amendment Act of 1963 was a response to the recommendations of the Committee on National Integration and Regionalism, appointed by the National Integration Council. This committee suggested amending Article 19 of the Indian Constitution to empower the Union Government to uphold the nation's integrity and sovereignty. Key Provisions: Amendments to Article 19: Empowering the Union Government: The amendment inserted "sovereignty and integrity of India" in clauses (2), (3), and (4) of Article 19. This a... Read More...

97th Amendment Act, 2011: Promoting Cooperative Societies

Nov 17, 2023

Introduction: The 97th Amendment Act, 2011, was a significant legislative step in India, aimed at promoting cooperative societies. This amendment introduced comprehensive provisions in the Constitution to support the formation and efficient management of cooperative societies. Key Features: Insertion of Part IX B: New Constitutional Part: A complete Part IX B was added to the Constitution, detailing the formation, administration, and regulation of cooperative societies. Article 43B - State's Role: Read More...

Geopolitics: Myanmar-Mizoram Border

Nov 17, 2023

The Myanmar-Mizoram border region is a significant geopolitical area due to several factors: Strategic Location: The border lies in a strategically important location in Southeast Asia, connecting India to Myanmar and further to other Southeast Asian countries. This makes it a crucial point for India's "Act East" policy, aimed at strengthening ties with its eastern neighbors. Ethnic Ties: The border areas are inhabited by ethnically similar tribes on both sides, such as the Chin in Myanmar and the Mizo in India. These cross-border ethnic ties often influence local politics and social dynamics. Read More...

Delhi's Air Pollution Crisis: A Post-Deepavali Analysis

Nov 17, 2023

Context: Delhi, the capital city of India, has been reported as the most polluted city in the world following the Deepavali celebrations, according to a survey by Swiss air purifier company IQAir. Key Points: Air Quality Index (AQI): Delhi recorded an AQI of 287, the highest globally, surpassing Lahore (Pakistan) and other Indian cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. Measurement Criteria: The AQI is based on the U.S. methodology and measures PM 2.5 levels, which are detrimental to respiratory health. Impact of Firecrackers: Despite a ban on firecrackers in... Read More...

India’s Goldilocks Economy

Nov 16, 2023

The term “Goldilocks economy” originates from the children’s fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” where the character Goldilocks prefers things that are not at extremes but ‘just right.’ In economic terms, a Goldilocks economy refers to a state of play where the growth rate is neither too high, causing inflation, nor too low, leading to stagnation. It is characterized by a stable job market, moderate economic expansion, controlled inflation, and a balance between saving and spending—essentially, an economy that is in equilibrium. India’s economic scenario has often been described ... Read More...

Tackling Jobless Growth in India

Nov 16, 2023

Q: Why is India experiencing jobless growth despite economic expansion? A: India's growth has been driven by the service sector, which employs less than 30% of the population. Manufacturing, traditionally a significant job creator, has shifted towards capital-intensive methods, reducing employment opportunities. Q: What factors contribute to the lack of job creation in manufacturing? A: The transition to capital-intensive production, limited growth of MSMEs, and lack of investment in industries like food processing contribute to reduced job creation in manufactur... Read More...

Fact-checking units of state governments

Nov 16, 2023

1. Why are state governments keen on establishing fact-checking units? Governments aim to address the spread of misinformation, which can have serious consequences for public order and governance, by verifying and clarifying information shared in the public sphere. 2. What structures are proposed for the operation of these fact-checking units? The proposed structure typically includes an oversight committee, nodal officers for coordination, a fact-check team responsible for verifying claims, an analytics team for data analysis, and a capacity-building team for educat... Read More...