UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Abraham Accords FAQ

Oct 13, 2023

What are the Abraham Accords? They are a series of agreements signed by Israel with the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, and Sudan to normalize ties. Brokered by the Trump administration between September 2020 and January 2021. How do the Abraham Accords differ from past treaties? While Israel previously signed peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, the Abraham Accords mark a broader regional shift towards normalization. Why is it named the Abraham Accords? The name draws from Abraham, a common patriarch in Judai... Read More...

International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Oct 13, 2023

What is International Humanitarian Law (IHL)? It’s a set of rules seeking to limit the effects of armed conflict, protecting civilians and those who are no longer participating in hostilities. Why is IHL important? It aims to reduce suffering and protect the dignity of individuals affected by war and armed conflict. Where is IHL derived from? Primarily from the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. Who is bound by IHL? Bot... Read More...

Understanding Claudia Goldin’s Research & Its Significance for India

Oct 13, 2023

Achievement: Claudia Goldin, a Harvard Professor and leading labour economist, secured the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. The award celebrates her insights into women’s labor market outcomes spanning 200 years. Research Scope: Goldin delved into the history of women’s participation in the labour market, observing wage and employment rate changes due to gender over time. Global Relevance: While her research is rooted in the US labor market dynamics, its ramifications are universally significant, especially pertinent to the Indian context. Indian Scenario: Ritu Dewan, from ... Read More...

NHAI’s Toolkit to Address Violent Motorists at Toll Plazas

Oct 13, 2023

Issue: Frequent violent altercations between toll plaza workers and motorists, often leading to physical confrontations. Recent Incident: A video went viral showing an altercation between toll plaza workers and a motorist couple on National Highway 44 in Haryana’s Sonepat. Reasons: Disputes over FASTag issues or reluctance to pay toll fees. Previous incidents include a worker shot dead over a refusal to pay Rs 27 at Kherki Daula toll plaza in 2011. Remedies introduced by NHAI: Body Cam... Read More...

Ashoka’s Edicts & Their Implications on Varna System

Oct 13, 2023

What are Ashoka’s Edicts? The edicts are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka and boulders and cave walls spread throughout the Indian subcontinent. They depict Ashoka’s teachings, ideologies, and policies, reflecting his embrace of Buddhism and the propagation of moral and ethical norms. Content of the Edicts: The edicts primarily highlight Ashoka’s advocacy for non-violence, respect for all religious sects, kindness, and moral behavior. They focus on the practice of dharma, which encompasses righteousness, truth, and duty. The ... Read More...

Import Licensing Policy

Oct 13, 2023

India's IT Hardware Import Management: Addressing Security Concerns and Promoting Local Manufacturing Issue: India is considering implementing an import management system for laptops, computers, and tablets to address security concerns, given that a significant portion of these items is imported from China. Policy: The government aims to impose licensing curbs or registration requirements to monitor and regulate the import of IT hardware. This policy could enhance security by preventing the importation of potentially compromised devices. It also has the potential to promote local manufacturing,... Read More...

Critical Minerals

Oct 13, 2023

UPSC Civil Services Examination What are Critical Minerals, and why are they significant for India? Critical minerals are minerals that play a pivotal role in various high-tech industries, clean energy technologies, and national security. They are essential for applications like electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, and defense. India's focus on critical minerals is vital for its clean energy transition and achieving its net-zero emissions target. How do Critical Minerals contribute to India's clean energy transition and net-zero emiss... Read More...

National Turmeric Board

Oct 13, 2023

What is the National Turmeric Board (NTB)? A1: The NTB is an organization set up by the Indian government to support and promote turmeric cultivation and its products in India. Who will lead the NTB? A2: The NTB will have a chairperson appointed by the central government, along with members from various government departments, state representatives, research institutions, turmeric farmers, and exporters. It will also have a secretary appointed by the Department of Commerce. What is the significance of the NTB for turmeric cultivatio... Read More...

Rare Earths in India

Oct 13, 2023

Rare Earth Resources in India: India has the fifth-largest rare earth resources globally. Indian resources have low-grade ore and radioactivity, making extraction complex. Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) are not available in extractable quantities. Complex Value Chain: Rare earth extraction involves a complex value chain, including mining, beneficiation, extraction, separation, refining, and product applications. India lacks industrial-scale facilities for alloy and magnet production. Monazite Resource: ... Read More...

Placer Sands in India

Oct 13, 2023

Placer sands, also known as placer deposits or placer minerals, are naturally occurring accumulations of heavy minerals, typically found in riverbeds, streambeds, beaches, and other sedimentary environments. These deposits form through the mechanical and chemical weathering of rocks, as well as the erosion, transportation, and deposition of mineral grains by moving water. Key characteristics of placer sands include: Heavy Minerals: Placer sands are known for containing heavy minerals, which are denser than most other minerals found in the same environment. Common heavy minerals found in... Read More...

India: Strategic petroleum reserve program

Oct 13, 2023

What is India's strategic petroleum reserve program? A1: India's strategic petroleum reserve program involves creating underground storage facilities to store crude oil as a backup supply for emergencies or disruptions in the global oil market. Where are the existing SPR storage facilities located? A2: The existing SPR storage facilities are in two states: Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Mangaluru, and Padur in Karnataka. These facilities have a total capacity of 5.33 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT). When were the existing SPR... Read More...

Moraines in India: Overview

Oct 13, 2023

What is a Moraine? Moraines are accumulations of dirt, rocks, and debris carried and deposited by a glacier. As the glacier moves, it picks up these materials and, upon retreating or melting, leaves them behind. Moraines in India: The Indian Himalayan region, a vast stretch of mountain ranges, is home to numerous glaciers. Consequently, there are several types of moraines here, including lateral, medial, terminal, and recessional moraines. Noteworthy Moraines: Lhonak Valley, Sikkim: The recent flo... Read More...

Understanding GLOF and Its Impact in Sikkim

Oct 13, 2023

What is GLOF? GLOF, or Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, is a phenomenon where a dam containing a glacial lake fails, resulting in a sudden and often catastrophic release of water. Formation of a Glacial Lake: Glacial lakes form when glaciers retreat, leaving depressions in the landscape. These depressions fill with meltwater from the glacier and rainfall, forming lakes that are often dammed by moraines (debris left behind by the glacier). Sikkim and GLOF: Sikkim, situated in the eastern Himalayan region, is ... Read More...

Supreme Court Hearing on Electoral Bonds Case

Oct 12, 2023

What's the Case About? The Supreme Court of India has set October 31 for hearing petitions that challenge the electoral bonds scheme. The scheme allows for anonymous donations to political parties. Who Are the Parties Involved? The Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, will preside over the case. Advocate Prashant Bhushan represents the petitioner-NGO Association for Democratic Reforms. What Are the Main Issues? The court will focus on two main issues: The legality of anonymous don... Read More...

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA)

Oct 12, 2023

What is ASHA? Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are community health workers instituted by the government of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). What Do They Do? ASHAs serve as a bridge between the healthcare system and rural communities. They are responsible for promoting healthcare awareness, providing basic medical services, and facilitating access to healthcare facilities. Who Can Become an ASHA? Typically, ASHAs are women who... Read More...