UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Population and Political Representation:North-South Divid

Oct 06, 2023

What is the issue related to political representation and population control in India? A: The issue revolves around the political representation of Indian states and how population growth and control are impacting it. How does political representation work in India? A: Political representation in India is based on the number of Lok Sabha constituencies in each state, which should ideally be equalized by the size of the population. What has been the historical approach to population-based representation? ... Read More...

The Impact of the Bihar Caste Survey

Oct 06, 2023

What does the Bihar Caste-based Survey 2022 reveal? The survey indicates that nearly 63% of Bihar's population consists of extremely backward classes (EBCs) and other backward classes (OBCs), making them the largest caste group in the state. How did this survey come about? The Bihar legislature passed resolutions in 2019 and 2020 in favor of a caste census. However, when the Union government decided not to conduct a caste-wise census, Bihar initiated its own survey in 2022, allocating Rs.500 crore for the effort. The survey involved documenting details of ... Read More...

Exploring Jupiter's Moon, Europa, and NASA's Remarkable Findings

Oct 06, 2023

What groundbreaking discovery did NASA make concerning Jupiter's moon, Europa? NASA scientists have uncovered compelling evidence that Europa conceals a vast saltwater ocean beneath its icy surface, holding twice the amount of water found in Earth's oceans. Which space missions and powerful telescopes contributed to the study of Europa? The exploration of Europa was made possible by NASA's Galileo spacecraft, Hubble Space Telescope, Juno spacecraft, and the cutting-edge Webb Telescope. What captivating glimpse did NASA s... Read More...

The Ban on Conocarpus Plants in Gujarat: What You Need to Know

Oct 06, 2023

What recent decision did the Gujarat government make concerning Conocarpus plants? The Gujarat government has imposed a ban on the cultivation of the fast-growing exotic Conocarpus plant. Why did the Gujarat government decide to ban Conocarpus plants? The ban was initiated due to several reasons: Conocarpus pollen can trigger asthma and coughing. The plant's roots pose a threat to underground pipelines and telecom wires. Conocarpus is a water-intensive species and an invasive one that can outcompete native plant... Read More...

Managing Inflation Expectations: A Key to Economic Stability

Oct 06, 2023

Inflation Expectations: It reflects what the public anticipates regarding future inflation rates. Achieving a Soft Landing: An economic slowdown that avoids triggering a recession. The Connection: Trust in Monetary Policy: Actions taken by the Central Bank to control inflation. • Trust in these actions prevents panic-driven price hikes. Consumer Behavior: Stable expectations result in consistent spending patterns. • This prevents panic-buying or delayi... Read More...

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Oct 06, 2023

What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)? The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an initiative by the European Union aimed at placing a price on carbon. It is designed to level the playing field by promoting cleaner industrial processes. Its primary purpose is to motivate cleaner production, but it also entails detailed documentation requirements for exporters. Why is there concern about the CBAM’s impact on developing nations? The CBAM carries undertones of neo-colonialism.While designed to promote environmental responsibility, it... Read More...

NITI Aayog Report on India's Gig and Platform Economy (2022)

Oct 06, 2023

The NITI Aayog's report on India's Gig and Platform Economy for 2022 estimated that, during the fiscal year 2020-2021, 77 lakh workers were engaged in the gig economy. This workforce constituted 2.6% of the non-agricultural workforce or 1.5% of the total workforce in India. Future Projections: The report anticipates significant growth in the gig workforce, with projections indicating an expansion to 2.35 crore workers by 2029-30. They are expected to comprise 6.7% of the non-agricultural workforce or 4.1% of the total livelihood in India by 2029-30. Read More...

Malaria Vaccine

Oct 06, 2023

Features of the Vaccine: The vaccine, known as R21/Matrix-M, was developed using US firm Novavax's adjuvant technology. An adjuvant is a substance added to enhance the immune response of a vaccine. This vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness in various settings, from regions with high seasonal malaria transmission to those with year-round transmission. While the efficacy of three doses declined after a year, a booster shot restored its effectiveness. One of its significant advantages is its cost, with a price tag of $2-4 per dose, making it comparable to other childhood vaccines and facilitating rapid scale-up a... Read More...

India’s Lithium Reserves and Its Implications

Oct 06, 2023

Where have lithium reserves been discovered in India? The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) found large reserves of lithium in Jharkhand’s Koderma and Giridih. Exploration is ongoing in East Singhbum and Hazaribagh. A Geological Survey of India (GSI) study also pointed to potential reserves in the Gawan block in Giridih and Pihra belt area in Koderma. Why is lithium important? ithium is vital for manufacturing electric batteries, which power Electric Vehicles (EVs). With the rise of EVs globally, lithium, often referred to as the “cosmic&rd... Read More...

WTO Public Stockholding Subsidies

Oct 05, 2023

1. What is the issue regarding public stockholding subsidies at the WTO? The issue revolves around developing nations' demand for a permanent solution for public stockholding subsidies. These subsidies are used to support food security programs, and developing countries, including India, have been seeking changes to existing WTO rules to provide greater flexibility in implementing these subsidies. 2. What is the stance of the European Union (EU) on this issue? The EU has expressed its readiness to negotiate on the issue of public stockhold... Read More...

India's Act Far East Policy and Vladivostok-Chennai Sea Route

Oct 05, 2023

1. What is India's Act Far East Policy? India's Act Far East Policy is a strategic approach aimed at enhancing economic and trade ties, connectivity, and cooperation with the Far East region of Russia. It seeks to strengthen India's engagement with countries in the Far East, including the development of trade routes and partnerships for mutual economic benefits. 2. What is the Vladivostok-Chennai sea route? The Vladivostok-Chennai sea route is a maritime trade route that connects the Indian port of Chennai with the Russian port of ... Read More...

Purchasing Managers' Index

Oct 05, 2023

What is PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index)? PMI stands for Purchasing Managers' Index. It is an economic indicator used to gauge the health and performance of a country's manufacturing sector. PMI provides insights into various aspects of manufacturing activity, including new orders, production levels, employment, and supplier deliveries. Who compiles PMI? PMI is typically compiled and published by independent research firms or organizations. In this specific case, the S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Ind... Read More...

Nobel Prize in Physics 2023

Oct 05, 2023

1. Nobel Prize in Physics: Pierre Agostini of France, Ferenc Krausz of Hungary and Austria, and Anne L’Huillier of France and Sweden have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking research using ultra-quick light flashes to study electrons inside atoms and molecules. 2. Attosecond Physics: The laureates' technique involves measuring pulses in attoseconds, an incredibly short unit of time, allowing them to observe extremely rapid movements and changes that were previously impossible to track. Attosecond physics has potential applications in electr... Read More...

Idital:Tribal Painting

Oct 05, 2023

Idital: Traditional Tribal Mural Artistry of Odisha's Saura Community In Odisha, particularly in the Rayagada district, various tribal communities have a rich tradition of mural painting known as "Idital." These paintings are a unique form of expression that use rice powder on a background of red oxide. Here are some important tribes in Odisha known for their Idital paintings: Saura Tribe: The article mentions the Saura community as the creators of Idital paintings. They are the primary artists known for these traditional tribal murals. The Saura ... Read More...

Bihar Caste Survey

Oct 05, 2023

Janhit Abhiyan vs. Union of India 2022 10% EWS Quota: Key Issues Summary: The Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) of the general category has raised several crucial legal and constitutional questions. The judgment, passed by a 3:2 majority, addressed various issues, including the breach of the 50% reservation ceiling, exclusion of SC/ST/OBCs from EWS provisions, and the reservation extended to private schools. Here is a summary of the key issues and the Court's positions: Read More...