UPSC Daily Current Affairs

SRIRAM’s Explainer: The Potential of Blue Bonds for India’s Marine Economy

Oct 23, 2023

What are Blue Bonds? A sustainable bond specifically designed to finance projects that protect and restore oceans and their resources. They are akin to green and social bonds but are ocean-specific. They can be issued by governments, development banks, or other organizations. Importance of Blue Bonds Globally: A rise in the significance of ocean conservation has led to the popularity of blue bonds. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) recently released guidelines for blue bonds, providing clarity on eligibility cr... Read More...

SRIRAM’s Explainer: Rise in Horticultural Production in India (2022-23)

Oct 23, 2023

Overview: Horticultural production in the 2022-23 crop year is projected to rise by 1.4%, reaching a record 351.92 million tonnes (mt), up from 347.18 mt in 2021-22, attributed to higher productivity. Crop Highlights: Fruit production is estimated at 108.34 mt, a slight increase from 107.51 mt in 2021-22. Vegetable production is expected to be 212.91 mt, up from 209.14 mt in the previous year. While fruits, vegetables, spices, and plantation crops have seen an increase in production, onion and tomato yields have declined. Read More...

SRIRAM’s Explainer: Introduction to Indigenous EV Charging Standard

Oct 23, 2023

Introduction: The Bureau of Indian Standards has approved a new indigenous combined AC and DC charging connector standard for light electric vehicles (LEVs). Global Significance: This standard is presented as the world’s first combined AC and DC charging connector designed particularly for LEVs. Developed in India, it aims to become a global reference point for LEVs. Impact on the EV Ecosystem: This standard provides benefits to various stakeholders in the electric vehicle ecosystem, from ve... Read More...

FAQs: CCI’s Whistleblower Rules, Cartelisation, and their Impact

Oct 23, 2023

Q1: What is the Competition Commission of India (CCI)? Answer: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body responsible for regulating and ensuring fair competition in the Indian market and preventing anti-competitive practices. Q2: How does CCI define ‘whistleblower’ in its new regulations? Answer: In the context of the CCI’s new regulations, a ‘whistleblower’ refers to a company that exposes and provides information about cartel activities it is a part of, aiming to get a lesser penalty in return. Read More...

Male Contraceptive Pill

Oct 23, 2023

ICMR’s Injectable Male Contraceptive and its Sociological Implications 1. What is the significance of ICMR’s recent clinical trials? ICMR has completed clinical trials for the world’s first injectable male contraceptive, demonstrating its safety and high efficacy without severe side effects. 2. Where were the findings published? The results of the phase-III clinical trial were published in the international open-access Andrology journal. 3. Where were the clinical trials con... Read More...

Deciphering the Northeast Monsoon in India

Oct 23, 2023

The northeast monsoon, also known as the 'retreating monsoon,' is a weather phenomenon that occurs in the Indian subcontinent. It is the seasonal wind pattern responsible for bringing rainfall to certain parts of India during the winter months, typically from October to December. Here's a brief explanation of its mechanisms: Southwest Monsoon Withdrawal: The northeast monsoon follows the southwest monsoon, which brings heavy rainfall to India during the summer months (June to September). As the southwest monsoon weakens and withdraws, it creates a transition period before the onset of the northeast monsoon. Onse... Read More...

Price Stability for Food Security

Oct 23, 2023

Parboiled Rice: Extending Export Duty In a proactive move, government authorities have taken measures to control price surges and secure a steady supply of essential goods, especially during the festive season. Here's a breakdown of the key actions: Parboiled Rice: The government has extended the 20% export duty on parboiled rice until March 31, 2024. This step is aimed at maintaining an ample supply of parboiled rice in the domestic market. The export duty has already led to a significant decline in both quantity (65%) and value (56%) of parboiled rice exports. Export of broken rice has been proh... Read More...

Empowering Women: The Menstrual Hygiene Policy Draft

Oct 23, 2023

Policy Draft: A draft policy addressing menstrual hygiene has been released for public and expert input. Historical Neglect: The policy acknowledges the historical neglect of menstrual hygiene and its adverse impact on women, families, and the environment. Comprehensive Approach: It aims to comprehensively address the diverse requirements of all individuals who menstruate, emphasizing the importance of this issue in India's diverse population. Life Cycle Support: The policy adopts a "life cycle" approach, offering support from menarche to menopause. Breaking Barriers: Wh... Read More...

Transforming Ophthalmology with AI

Oct 23, 2023

Green federalism and climate justice in India Q1: What were the key outcomes of the G-20 summit held in Delhi regarding climate goals? A1: The G-20 summit in Delhi agreed to triple renewable energy capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030. However, consensus was not reached on the phasing out of fossil fuels, which remains a contentious issue. Q2: What are the two normative ideals that any energy transition initiative should embrace, as mentioned in the article? A2: The two normative ideals are: Read More...

India's Food System: Sustainability

Oct 23, 2023

Q1: What were the key observations made about India's food system sustainability in the article? A1: The article highlights the interconnectedness of nutrition security, livelihoods, and environmental security within India's food system. It discusses the double burden of malnutrition faced by India and the challenges related to farm incomes and environmental sustainability. Q2: What are the major challenges faced in India's food system? A2: India faces challenges related to malnutrition, inadequate farm incomes, and environmental vulnerabilities. Malnutri... Read More...

Are Southern States Paying for Their Success?

Oct 23, 2023

Introduction: India's diverse landscape encompasses various states with their unique socio-economic backgrounds. Recently, a series of concerns has emerged from leaders representing Southern Indian states. They argue that these states are being subjected to a "step-motherly attitude" by the Union government, particularly in terms of the devolution of funds and forthcoming constituency delimitation. In this essay, we will delve into the factors behind the perception that "Southern states are being punished for their success" and explore potential solutions to address these concerns. Read More...

Reforming India's Criminal Laws: Challenge of Special and Local Laws

Oct 23, 2023

Introduction: Special and Local Laws (SLLs) refer to a category of laws in India that are distinct from the general laws applicable throughout the country. These laws are specialized and are often enacted to address specific issues or circumstances in particular regions or states. The recent presentation of bills aiming to reform criminal laws in India has garnered significant attention. These bills primarily target amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act (IEA). While these amendments are essential, it's crucial to recognize that a substantial... Read More...

Earthquakes in Afghanistan

Oct 23, 2023

1. What causes earthquakes? Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. When these plates shift or collide, it can generate seismic activity and lead to an earthquake. 2. What is the epicenter of an earthquake? The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake's origin, which is called the focus or hypocenter. It's the location where the earthquake's effects are typically the strongest. 3. How are earthquakes measured? Read More...

Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023 and Female Employment

Oct 21, 2023

1. What does the annual Periodic Labour Force Survey reveal about female employment in India? The survey suggests that female employment has increased in both rural and urban areas over the past few years. In rural areas, the female participation rate has risen to approximately 41.5%, compared to around 25% five years ago. In urban areas, it has increased from 20.4% in 2017-18 to 25.4% in 2022-23. 2. How can the changes in female workforce participation be interpreted from different perspectives? The changes in female workforce participation c... Read More...

India's stance on e-commerce in the WTO

Oct 21, 2023

1. What is India's stance on e-commerce in the WTO? India has urged member countries to collaborate in curbing the dominance of a few multinational corporations (MNCs) in the global e-commerce sector. This can be achieved by promoting competition in digital markets and enhancing cooperation among regulatory authorities. 2. Why is India's position on e-commerce at the WTO significant? India's position highlights the need to address the unequal distribution of e-commerce benefits and the push by some wealthy nations for a plurilatera... Read More...