UPSC Daily Current Affairs

SRIRAM’s Take: Unveiling the Metal Giant in Space - NASA’s Psyche Mission

Oct 17, 2023

When did Psyche launch and how? Psyche launched on Oct. 13, 2023, at 10:19 a.m. EDT. It took off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. What’s unique about this asteroid? Psyche is special because it’s more metal than rock or ice. This is NASA’s first mission focusing on a metal-rich asteroid. When will Psyche reach its destination? The spacecraft will be captured by the asteroid’s gravity in late July 2029. The prime... Read More...

Understanding the Green Credit Programme in India

Oct 17, 2023

Question: What is the Green Credit Programme? Answer: The Green Credit Programme is a national-level initiative in India aimed at leveraging a competitive market-based approach to incentivize voluntary environmental actions by various stakeholders. It encourages environmentally sustainable and responsive actions by individuals, companies, local bodies, and other entities. Role of ICFRE: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Green Credit Programme: Monitoring Impl... Read More...

Ecomark Scheme for Eco-Friendly Products

Oct 17, 2023

The Ministry of Environment has introduced the revamped Ecomark Scheme, aimed at promoting eco-friendly products and enabling consumers to make informed choices. Here’s what you need to know: Revised Ecomark Notification: The new Ecomark Scheme, which came into effect on October 13, 2023, replaces the previous notification issued on February 21, 1991. This update aligns with modern environmental standards and practices. Accreditation and Labeling: Under the Ecomark Scheme, household and consumer products meeting specific environmental criteria are eligible for accreditation and labeling. This labeling indicates th... Read More...

Conserving India’s Avian Diversity: Insights from the State of India’s Birds (SoIB) Report

Oct 17, 2023

Introduction: India’s rich biodiversity is home to a diverse avian population, playing a crucial role in ecological balance and signaling the health of our ecosystems. Recent findings from the State of India’s Birds (SoIB) report have highlighted significant insights into the conservation of these feathered inhabitants. Key Insights from SoIB: The SoIB report, based on over 30 million bird observations from birdwatchers on eBird, reveals important trends: Habitat-Specific Decline: While 39% of assessed bird species have experi... Read More...

Cryptocurrencies: The Need for Regulation and G20 Communique

Oct 17, 2023

Cryptocurrencies and Their Impact: Cryptocurrencies have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their potential to disrupt traditional financial systems. While they offer various benefits such as decentralization and financial inclusion, they also pose several challenges and risks: Lack of Regulation: The cryptocurrency market operates with minimal regulatory oversight, leading to concerns about fraud, scams, and illegal activities. Volatility: Cryptocurrencies are known for their price volatility, making them risky investments and potentially affecting financial stabilit... Read More...

Historic Decision: T20 Cricket at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics!

Oct 17, 2023

In a groundbreaking move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially “accepted” the recommendation to include T20 cricket for both men and women at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. This momentous decision was made during the IOC’s executive board meeting held in Mumbai on a historic Friday. This announcement marks a significant milestone in the world of cricket, as the sport will now have a presence on the grand Olympic stage, bringing together nations and athletes to compete for Olympic glory. The inclusion of T20 cricket at the 2028 Olympics is a testament to the sport’s global popularity ... Read More...

G20 Adopts Crypto Regulation Roadmap: India’s Presidency Concludes with Significant Decision

Oct 17, 2023

During the fourth and final meeting of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBGs) under India’s G20 Presidency, held in Marrakech, Morocco, the G20 unanimously adopted a critical roadmap for regulating cryptocurrencies. This decision reflects the commitment to achieving macroeconomic and financial stability through comprehensive regulatory oversight rather than a blanket ban on crypto-assets. The adopted Synthesis Paper outlines a detailed and action-oriented roadmap, emphasizing the need for effective, flexible, and coordinated implementation of the comprehensive policy framework for crypto-assets. The G20 has ca... Read More...

Fragility of Himalayas and Its Implications

Oct 17, 2023

The Himalayas are considered fragile due to a combination of geological, environmental, and human factors. Here’s why they are regarded as fragile: Tectonic Vulnerability: The Himalayas are located in a seismically active region where the Indian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate. This ongoing collision results in tectonic stress, making the region prone to earthquakes. Powerful earthquakes can lead to devastating consequences, including landslides and infrastructure damage. Glacial Melting: The Himalayas are often referred to as the “Third Pole” due to the vast amount of ice and glaciers they contain. With globa... Read More...

Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC)

Oct 17, 2023

DFC is a specialized railway infrastructure project designed for the efficient movement of freight or goods trains. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) is a specific DFC project in India that spans 1,337 kilometers from Punjab to Bihar. Here are some key aspects: Benefits: Decongestion: DFCs are constructed to reduce congestion on regular railway networks by providing dedicated tracks for freight trains. This ensures smoother and faster movement of goods. Efficiency: DFCs offer a higher average speed for freight trains (around 50-60 kmph), significantly faster t... Read More...

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): Progress and Reform

Oct 17, 2023

Understanding MDBs: Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are international financial institutions that play a pivotal role in supporting global development efforts. These banks are a collective effort by nations to address critical global challenges, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable economic growth. They achieve this through the provision of financial resources, technical expertise, and policy guidance. Contributions of MDBs: MDBs have made significant contributions to global development over the years. Their contributions include: Fi... Read More...

Anti-Defection Law , Speaker and the Judiciary

Oct 17, 2023

Understanding Anti-Defection Law and the Role of Speaker: Is the Speaker Subject to Judicial Oversight? Answer: Yes, the Speaker falls under judicial jurisdiction for the following reasons: Constitutional Mandate: The Speaker is subject to judicial oversight due to the constitutional mandate. They are required to adhere to the principles of the Anti-Defection Law, which is a constitutional provision. As a result, their decisions are subject to judicial review. Checks and Balances: Our Constitution is designed with a system of checks and balances. By allowing... Read More...

Antarctic Ice Shelves & Climate Change: A Balancing Act

Oct 17, 2023

What's Happening to the Ice Shelves in Antarctica? Western Antarctica is experiencing ice shelf melt due to warmer water, while colder water is preserving, or even enlarging, ice shelves in Eastern Antarctica. How Does This Affect Glaciers? Ice shelves act like natural barriers, slowing down the movement of glaciers into the ocean. When they shrink, the glaciers discharge more freshwater into the sea. Why Is This Significant for Ocean Currents? Increased freshwater levels can disrupt the Southern Oce... Read More...

SRIRAM’s Insights: Understanding the Middle-Income Trap

Oct 17, 2023

The “middle-income trap” is an economic concept that describes a situation in which a country, after experiencing rapid economic growth and transitioning from a low-income to a middle-income status, struggles to continue its growth trajectory and advance to high-income status. Here’s an explanation of the middle-income trap: Transition to Middle-Income: In the initial stages of economic development, a country typically experiences significant growth as it moves from a low-income status to a middle-income status. This growth is often driven by factors like industrialization, urbanization, and increased ... Read More...

Sky Islands

Oct 16, 2023

What Are Sky Islands? Sky Islands are isolated mountain tops that function as unique habitats for certain species that cannot survive in the surrounding areas. They are metaphorically similar to real islands, as they provide isolated environments that allow rapid evolution and speciation. Where Are Sky Islands Typically Located? The best-known examples are the Madrean sky islands in Arizona, New Mexico, Chihuahua, and Sonora. Another prime example is the sky islands in the Western Ghats of India, which spread over 700 km and include a variety of habitats like montane cloud f... Read More...

Understanding Ocean Salinity

Oct 16, 2023

Why is the ocean salty? The ocean is salty because it contains high amounts of dissolved salts, primarily sodium and chloride. These two elements combine to form what we commonly refer to as table salt. How is ocean salinity measured? Ocean salinity is measured as a ratio of salt (in grams) to a liter of water. This ratio is often expressed as parts per thousand (ppt). Typically, seawater has around 35 grams of dissolved salts per liter (35ppt). Do all oceans have the same salinity? No, salinity varies among the... Read More...