UPSC Daily Current Affairs

FAQ on Decoding the Genome of Indigenous Cattle by DBT-NIAB Scientists

Oct 11, 2023

Who are the DBT-NIAB scientists? DBT-NIAB stands for the “Department of Biotechnology-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology”. What is the main achievement of DBT-NIAB scientists? They have successfully decoded the genome of indigenous cows. Is this the first time a genome has been decoded for cattle? No. This is the first reference-grade whole genome ‘de novo’ assembly for any indigenous breed of cattle. The genome sequence of western/exotic ‘Brahman’ cattle becam... Read More...

Goldin’s Nobel and Women’s Work Participation

Oct 11, 2023

Why is Goldin’s Nobel significant for women’s work participation? Claudia Goldin’s Nobel Prize in Economics is for her deep insights into gender gaps, wage disparities, and women’s labor market outcomes over centuries. What trends did Goldin find regarding women’s work participation in the US? Women’s participation dropped as the US transitioned from agrarian to industrial, and then rose again with the service sector’s rise. Notably, the contraceptive pill’s introduction allowed women to delay childbirth and pursue care... Read More...

Hedge Funds vs. Mutual Funds: A Brief Guide

Oct 11, 2023

When we dive into the world of investments, two commonly heard terms are Hedge Funds and Mutual Funds. While both aim to generate returns for investors, they have distinct differences: Accessibility: Hedge Fund: Exclusive, typically for wealthy investors. Mutual Fund: Open to the general public. Objective: Hedge Fund: Aims for high returns using aggressive strategies. Mutual Fund: Seeks stable growth, often by tracking a market inde... Read More...

Addressing Malnutrition in India

Oct 11, 2023

To combat the pressing issue of malnutrition, the Centre introduced a national protocol to manage severe acute malnourished (SAM) children. Key Points: Where? SAM children without medical complications will be treated at anganwadi centers, not in nutrition rehabilitation centers (NRC). Aim: Identify and provide extensive care for malnourished children. Early detection and intervention are prioritized. Details: &nbs... Read More...

A New Era in Indian Agriculture: From Green revolution to The Agritech Surge

Oct 11, 2023

Introduction: The ‘green revolution’ of the past, spearheaded by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, transformed Indian agriculture. Today, we stand on the brink of another significant transformation, driven by advancements in technology and agritech startups. Historical Context: In the 1960s, India grappled with substantial agricultural challenges, including severe droughts. Dependency on imports was high. The green revolution introduced high-yielding varieties and techniques, resulting in a remarkable turnaround. g Production Miles... Read More...

Understanding the Gender Pay Gap: An In-depth Analysis

Oct 11, 2023

Introduction: The gender pay gap, a significant point of contention in socio-economic debates, refers to the differential in average earnings between men and women. While some believe the divide is narrowing, recent data suggests that disparities persist across various industries, even in sectors where female participation is comparatively high. Despite progressive strides in many arenas of gender equality, the pay gap remains an elusive challenge to surmount. Here’s a closer look. The Paradox of Pay: Even in sectors like financial services and IT wit... Read More...

India-Middle East-Europe Corridor

Oct 11, 2023

Introduction to IMEE Corridor: It stands for India-Middle East-Europe Corridor. Originating from Mumbai, goods will be shipped to Dubai, then railed to Haifa Port in Israel, and finally shipped to Piraeus in Greece, then transported to Hamburg, Germany. Type of Corridor: Initially a logistics corridor, the vision is to transform it into an economic corridor, enhancing trade among all participating countries. Comparison with China’s BRI: China’s Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI) was vast and prom... Read More...

Key Insights from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Report

Oct 11, 2023

The unemployment rate decreased to 3.1% in 2022-23 from 4.1% in 2021-22. Rural unemployment fell to 2.4% while urban unemployment reduced to 5.4% in 2022-23. Rural women experienced a lower unemployment rate (1.8%) compared to rural men (2.7%). In urban areas, however, females faced higher unemployment (7.5%) than males (4.7%). The unemployment rate, calculated based on the “usual status” for persons aged 15 years and above, has seen a decline for five consecutive years since the survey’s initiation in 2017. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) showed growth, reaching 57.9% in 202... Read More...

Green Energy Goals at COP 26 and India’s Ambitions

Oct 11, 2023

What did Prime Minister Narendra Modi announce at COP 26? PM Modi presented the ‘panchamrita’ - a five-pronged strategy highlighting India’s commitment by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions and adopt cleaner energy pathways, culminating in being a net-zero emitter by 2070. What challenges face India’s shift from coal-driven energy? Given India’s dependency on coal, meeting these ambitious targets entails a significant policy and infrastructural overhaul, especially in scaling up non-fossil fuel energies. W... Read More...

History of Navratri in Maharashtra

Oct 11, 2023

What was the significance of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s invite to the Ganesh utsav in 1927? Ambedkar’s invitation to speak during Ganesh utsav at Dadar faced opposition from upper-caste Hindus due to his Dalit background. This exemplified the caste prejudices prevalent at the time. How did Ganesh utsav become popular in Maharashtra? Promoted by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak after the 1894-95 communal riots, Ganesh utsav gained immense popularity, replacing Muharram as the dominant festival. How did Navratri emerge as a form... Read More...

The Kibbutz: A Unique Social Experiment

Oct 11, 2023

Introduction: The kibbutz is a form of communal living that originated in Israel. These settlements, often found in rural locations, embody collective ownership and operation of the means of production and consumption. Historical Background: Early 20th Century: The first kibbutzim were established by Jewish immigrants, inspired by socialist ideals and the desire to create a new form of Jewish settlement. Primarily agricultural: Kibbutzim focused on farming, with members working together in shared fields. Read More...

Systemic barriers to gender equality

Oct 11, 2023

In the context of India, systemic barriers have historically hindered women from fully participating in various societal, economic, and political roles. Here are some key barriers: Sociocultural Norms: Patriarchy: A deep-rooted patriarchal system often prioritizes male members in decision-making, limiting women’s agency. Education: Preference is sometimes given to male children over female children for education due to financial constraints or societal norms. Economic Barriers: Workplace Discriminati... Read More...

Stubborn Inflation - Meaning

Oct 11, 2023

Stubborn inflation refers to a prolonged period of high inflation that remains unresponsive to standard economic interventions. Causes of Stubborn Inflation: Cost-Push Inflation: Rising costs of production, like wages and raw materials, lead to increased prices for consumers. Demand-Pull Inflation: When demand for goods and services exceeds their supply. Built-In Inflation: Resulting from a wage-price spiral where workers demand higher wages and, if they get those wages, businesses then raise their prices to cover the higher wage costs. ... Read More...

FAQ: Why Did Hamas Launch a Surprise Attack on Israel?

Oct 10, 2023

What triggered the surprise attack by Hamas? Hamas launched a highly coordinated attack on Israel, involving various means like motorcycles, pickup trucks, boats, paragliders, and mid-range rockets. The attack took Israel by surprise and has been compared to the 1973 Yom Kippur attack by Egyptian and Syrian troops. What are the Palestinian factors? Relations between Palestine and Israel have deteriorated, with daily military raids by Israel in the occupied West Bank. Public anger is growing among Palestinians against both Israeli occupation and the Pale... Read More...

Board Exams Twice a Year: A Stress-Reducing Reform

Oct 10, 2023

The Union Ministry of Education has introduced a game-changing reform in the Indian education system. Now, students have the option to take their Class 10 and 12 Board exams either once or twice a year. This new policy is a part of the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) and is designed to reduce exam stress among students. Key Benefits: Stress Reduction: One of the main benefits of this educational reform is the reduction of exam stress. The Class 10 and 12 Board exams are often high-stakes, causing significant anxiety among students. This new option provides a safety net, all... Read More...