UPSC Daily Current Affairs

BORDER ADJUSTMENT TAX (BAT): STEEL INDUSTRY& WTO

Oct 02, 2024

BORDER ADJUSTMENT TAX (BAT): STEEL INDUSTRY& WTO 1. What is the Border Adjustment Tax (BAT)? The Border Adjustment Tax (BAT) is a tax on imports designed to ensure fair competition between local and foreign products. It applies the same domestic taxes to imports at the border, leveling the playing field by making imported goods subject to the same tax burdens as locally produced ones. BAT helps protect domestic industries, like steel, by raising the price of imported goods that may otherwise benefit from lower production costs abroad. 2. How is the steel industry affected by cheap imports? Read More...

AMAZON RIVER DRYING: CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF THE SEVERE DROUGHT

Oct 02, 2024

AMAZON RIVER DRYING: CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF THE SEVERE DROUGHT 1. What Is the Amazon River and Why Is It Important? • The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, flowing through South America and covering over 7,000 kilometers. It originates in the Peruvian Andes at an elevation of 5,598 meters and makes its way through the Amazon rainforest, ultimately emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The river is known for its vast size, which varies with the seasons; it spans 4 to 5 kilometers wide during the dry season and can swell up to 50 kilometers during the wet season. The Amazon River plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem, suppor... Read More...

ANCIENT INDIA’S GLOBAL IMPACT: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Oct 02, 2024

ANCIENT INDIA’S GLOBAL IMPACT: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW 1. How Did Ancient India Influence Global Trade? • Ancient India was at the crossroads of major trade routes, including the Silk Road and maritime routes in the Indian Ocean. India’s exports included spices, cotton textiles, pearls, and medicinal herbs, highly sought after by global markets. Notably, ancient Indian ports like Muziris and Barbarikon served as significant hubs, linking India to the Roman Empire, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. 2. What Were the Major Scientific Contributions of Ancient India? • India was a center of learning, ... Read More...

Criticality in Nuclear Reactors:Simplifier

Oct 02, 2024

Criticality in Nuclear Reactors:Simplifier 1. What is criticality in the context of nuclear reactors? Criticality refers to the state in a nuclear reactor where the nuclear fission chain reaction is self-sustaining. This means that each fission event releases enough neutrons to trigger subsequent fissions, maintaining a steady rate of nuclear reactions. 2. Why is achieving criticality important for a nuclear reactor? Achieving criticality is essential for a nuclear reactor to generate power. Once criticality is reached, the controlled chain reaction produces ... Read More...

Heavy Water in India: What, Why, and Where

Oct 02, 2024

Heavy Water in India: What, Why, and Where What is Heavy Water? Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide (D2O), is a form of water where the hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium, a heavier isotope of hydrogen. This seemingly minor change significantly alters the properties of water, making heavy water crucial for certain applications, particularly in nuclear reactors. Why is Heavy Water Used in Nuclear Reactors? Heavy water plays a pivotal role in certain types of nuclear reactors, specifically Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), as a modera... Read More...

India's largest blast furnace @Tata Steel's Kalinganagar plant, Odisha

Oct 02, 2024

India's largest blast furnace @Tata Steel's Kalinganagar plant, Odisha India's largest blast furnace, recently commissioned at Tata Steel's Kalinganagar plant, Odisha,is a significant step in expanding domestic steel production capacity. Blast Furnace: What is a blast furnace? A blast furnace is a large, vertical, cylindrical furnace used in the ironmaking process to extract iron from its ore. It operates on the principle of chemical reduction, where carbon monoxide, produced by the combustion of coke (a form of coal), reacts with iron ... Read More...

IT Rules 2023 and the Bombay High Court's Decision

Oct 02, 2024

IT Rules 2023 and the Bombay High Court's Decision Could you explain the purpose of the IT Rules 2023? The IT Rules 2023 were designed to regulate digital platforms in India, ensuring they adhere to standards that prevent the spread of misinformation and manage digital ethics. Which platforms were within the scope of the IT Rules 2023? The rules applied to all digital and social media platforms operating within India. Can you outline some key features of the IT Rules 2023? Key features included the establishment of a Fact... Read More...

WHITE REVOLUTION 2.0: WOMEN-LED & NUTRITION-FOCUSED

Oct 03, 2024

WHITE REVOLUTION 2.0: WOMEN-LED & NUTRITION-FOCUSED Introduction to White Revolution 2.0 India’s dairy sector has long been a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural landscape, beginning with Operation Flood in 1970, which established India as the world’s leading milk producer. This initiative, known as the White Revolution, transformed India’s dairy industry by leveraging cooperative societies to streamline milk production, distribution, and marketing. Now, White Revolution 2.0 aims to build upon this legacy with a renewed focus on expanding cooperatives, enhancing nutrition, empowering women... Read More...

Tirupati Laddu:Geographical Indication (GI) Status

Oct 02, 2024

Tirupati Laddu:Geographical Indication (GI) Status 1.What is a Geographical Indication (GI)? A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin. To function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. 2.Why did the Tirupati Laddu receive GI status? The Tirupati Laddu received GI status because it is uniquely associated with the Tirumala Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. The ingredients, method of preparation, and cultural significance are specifi... Read More...

ARCTIC:INDIA’S EXPANDING ENGAGEMENT -SIMPLIFIER

Oct 02, 2024

ARCTIC:INDIA’S EXPANDING ENGAGEMENT -SIMPLIFIER 1. HOW IS THE ARCTIC CONNECTED TO INDIA’S MONSOON AND CLIMATE? • Climate Linkages: India’s monsoon is linked to the Arctic through atmospheric phenomena such as the atmospheric river. The melting of Arctic sea ice disrupts weather patterns, contributing to extreme weather events and irregular monsoons in India. • Carbon Sink and Climate Stabilization: The Arctic acts as a major carbon sink, holding about 1.5 trillion metric tonnes of organic carbon, which is critical for global climate stability. As the Arctic warms a... Read More...

INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE:INDIA JOINS-SIMPLIFIER

Oct 02, 2024

INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE:INDIA JOINS-SIMPLIFIER 1. What Is the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)? The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a multi-country and multi-agency coalition launched on April 9, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate 50 years of India’s Project Tiger. It aims to secure the future of seven big cat species—tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah—through international cooperation and conservation efforts. 2. What Are the Key Objectives of the IBCA? • Big Cat Conservation: To protec... Read More...

SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS AND FEDERALISM

Oct 01, 2024

SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS AND FEDERALISM The Union government's decision to implement simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies has sparked considerable debate. This initiative, advocated by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, proposes a systemic overhaul of the electoral process in India. Here, we explore how this change may challenge the federal structure of the country. FAQs: 1. What are simultaneous elections? Simultaneous elections refer to the proposal of holding Lok Sabha, State Assembly, and local body elections at the same time, ... Read More...

THE HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION: A CENTURY OF DISCOVERY

Oct 01, 2024

THE HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION: A CENTURY OF DISCOVERY The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, unveiled by John Marshall in 1924, marks a cornerstone in South Asian archaeology, representing a sophisticated Bronze Age society that rivaled its contemporary civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Discovery and Initial Exploration: In 1921, archaeologist Daya Ram Sahni began excavations at Harappa, located in modern-day Pakistan, uncovering numerous artifacts including seals, pottery, and beads. Concurrently, Rakhal Das Banerji started excavations at Mohenjo-daro in 1922, where he found similar items, sugge... Read More...

GLACIERS of the WORLD : FROM SIACHEN TO PERITO MORENO

Oct 01, 2024

GLACIERS of the WORLD : FROM SIACHEN TO PERITO MORENO 1. Siachen Glacier, India • Location: Eastern Karakoram range, Himalayas. • Key Features: One of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions, spanning over 76 kilometers. Known as the highest battlefield in the world due to the ongoing military presence between India and Pakistan. Siachen Glacier is not a tourist spot but is a remarkable landmark. 2. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina • Location: Los Glaciares National Park, Southern Argentina. • Key Fea... Read More...

DIRECT SEEDED RICE (DSR) AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: ADVANTAGES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Oct 01, 2024

DIRECT SEEDED RICE (DSR) AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: ADVANTAGES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS 1. What Is Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and How Does It Work? • DSR is a modern agricultural technique where rice seeds are sown directly into the field without the need for traditional transplanting. This method avoids the labor-intensive process of flooded fields, reducing water and resource consumption, and making rice cultivation more sustainable. 2. How Does DSR Contribute to Water Conservation? • Traditional rice cultivation consumes significant water resources, typically around 1,800 liters per kilogram o... Read More...