UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands: Geopolitics

Sep 30, 2024

Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands: Geopolitics The islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote, situated in Japan's Yaeyama archipelago, hold a significant place in the complex geopolitical landscape of the East China Sea. While these islands boast stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage,their proximity to the disputed Senkaku Islands (known as the Diaoyu Islands in China) amplifies their strategic importance and potential for involvement in regional tensions. Key Geopolitical Factors Proximity to Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands: The close proximity of Yonaguni and Iriomote to the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands makes them strate... Read More...

FPI (FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT) VS FDI (FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT) WITH INDIA EXAMPLES

Sep 28, 2024

FPI (FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT) VS FDI (FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT) WITH INDIA EXAMPLES 1. What is FDI and FPI? • FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) refers to a long-term investment in a company or business in another country, often involving management, technology, and expertise. Investors typically hold a controlling interest and actively manage the business. • FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investment) involves investing in a country’s financial assets, like stocks and bonds, without direct control over the business. It is typically short-term and more volatile compared to FDI. 2. How are FDI and FPI regul... Read More...

ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION(ONOE): CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES for SIMULTANEOUS POLLS IN INDIA

Sep 28, 2024

ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION(ONOE): CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES for SIMULTANEOUS POLLS IN INDIA What is ‘One Nation, One Election’? One Nation, One Election refers to a proposal to hold simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies across India. This concept is aimed at synchronizing all national and state-level elections to occur at the same time, unlike the current system where they are held separately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly supported this idea, and recently, the Union Cabinet accepted the report on the subject led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. What is th... Read More...

HEZBOLLAH PAGER EXPLOSIONS: SUPPLY CHAIN AND GEOPOLITICS

Sep 28, 2024

HEZBOLLAH PAGER EXPLOSIONS: SUPPLY CHAIN AND GEOPOLITICS 1. What caused the Hezbollah pager explosions? The explosions occurred after pagers used by Hezbollah to communicate were triggered by messages that appeared to come from the group’s leadership. The exact cause is under investigation, with some experts speculating it could be a supply chain attack or a remote detonation. 2. Where and when did the explosions occur? The blasts began on September 17, 2024, in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, and spread to several other locations across the country, starting around 15:45 local time. The explosions continued... Read More...

CHANDRAYAAN-4 MISSION: INDIA’S NEXT STEP TOWARDS LUNAR EXPLORATION

Sep 28, 2024

CHANDRAYAAN-4 MISSION: INDIA’S NEXT STEP TOWARDS LUNAR EXPLORATION 1. What is the budget for the Chandrayaan-4 mission? The Chandrayaan-4 mission has been allocated a budget of ₹2,104.06 crore, which covers spacecraft development, two LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) launches, deep space network support, and specialized testing. 2. How will Chandrayaan-4 contribute to India’s space capabilities? The mission aims to make India self-sufficient in technologies crucial for manned space missions and lunar sample analysis. This includes advancements in lunar surface exploration and setting up frameworks for fut... Read More...

Shukrayaan:VENUS ORBITER MISSION: ISRO

Sep 28, 2024

Shukrayaan:VENUS ORBITER MISSION: ISRO 1. What is the primary focus of the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)? The Venus Orbiter Mission is designed to study Venus’s atmosphere, surface, and subsurface. The spacecraft will collect data on atmospheric processes, examine the planet’s geology, and investigate how the Sun affects Venus’s environment. 2. Why is studying Venus significant? Venus is of great interest because it is similar to Earth in size and composition but has evolved very differently. Understanding why Venus experienced extreme climate change—leading to its current state with a thick, ... Read More...

BRONZE AGE IN INDIA: THE AGE OF THE FIRST CITIES

Sep 28, 2024

BRONZE AGE IN INDIA: THE AGE OF THE FIRST CITIES 1. What is the Bronze Age in India? The Bronze Age in India refers to the period when humans first began using bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, to make tools, weapons, and other items. This era roughly corresponds to the timeline of the Indus Valley Civilization, from around 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. 2. Which were the first cities in India during the Bronze Age? The major cities of the Bronze Age in India were Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, and Lothal, which were part of the Indus Valley Civilization. These cities were known for their advanced urban planning, inclu... Read More...

KHAVDA POTTERY OF KUTCH: A TRADITIONAL CRAFT

Sep 28, 2024

KHAVDA POTTERY OF KUTCH: A TRADITIONAL CRAFT 1. What is Khavda pottery? Khavda pottery is a traditional form of hand-painted pottery originating from the Khavda village in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India. It is known for its intricate designs and unique clay composition. 2. What makes Khavda pottery unique? The uniqueness of Khavda pottery lies in its use of special clay called Rann ki Mitti (clay from the Rann of Kutch). The pottery is shaped by hand, then painted with traditional motifs using natural colors derived from minerals and oxides. These intricate designs often feature floral patterns, animals, and ge... Read More...

PULIKALI: THE TIGER DANCE OF KERALA

Sep 28, 2024

PULIKALI: THE TIGER DANCE OF KERALA 1. What is Pulikali? Pulikali, meaning "play of the tigers," is a traditional folk art form from Kerala, performed during the festival of Onam. Dancers, painted as tigers with vibrant yellow, black, and red body paint, mimic the movements of a tiger in a display of energetic dance and music. 2. What is the history behind Pulikali? Pulikali is believed to have originated over 200 years ago under the reign of Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, who introduced it to celebrate the spirit of the harvest festival, Onam. The performance was designed to entertain people and ... Read More...

CONSTRUCTIVE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE: UNDERSTANDING ITS MECHANISM AND IMPACT

Sep 28, 2024

CONSTRUCTIVE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE: UNDERSTANDING ITS MECHANISM AND IMPACT 1. What is the constructive vote of no confidence? The constructive vote of no confidence is a mechanism designed to prevent political instability. It allows a legislative body, like the Lok Sabha, to withdraw confidence from the council of ministers only if there is a viable alternative party or coalition ready to form the government. This variation ensures that a new government is in place before the current one is dismissed, promoting continuity. 2. How does this system work in Germany? In Germany, a constructive vote of no confidence req... Read More...

NEOLITHIC PERIOD:BEGINNING OF FARMING IN INDIA

Sep 28, 2024

NEOLITHIC PERIOD:BEGINNING OF FARMING IN INDIA 1. What is the Neolithic Period? The Neolithic Period, also called the New Stone Age, refers to the era marked by the development of agriculture, permanent settlements, and the use of polished stone tools. In India, this period spanned from around 7000 BCE to 1000 BCE. 2. How did farming begin in India during the Neolithic Period? Farming in India began when early communities transitioned from hunting and gathering to the domestication of plants and animals. They cultivated crops like wheat, barley, and lentils, and also began rearing animals such as cattle and sheep. ... Read More...

AIPUR BLUE POTTERY, KHAVDA POTTERY, LONGPI POTTERY, AND BISHNUPUR TERRACOTTA:TRADITIONAL POTTERIES OF INDIA

Sep 28, 2024

AIPUR BLUE POTTERY, KHAVDA POTTERY, LONGPI POTTERY, AND BISHNUPUR TERRACOTTA:TRADITIONAL POTTERIES OF INDIA 1. What is Jaipur Blue Pottery? Jaipur Blue Pottery is a traditional form of pottery that originated in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It is famous for its vibrant blue color, which is derived from cobalt oxide. Unlike other forms of pottery, it is made without clay. Instead, a mixture of quartz powder, glass, Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth), and natural gum is used. The pottery is glazed and features intricate floral, animal, and geometric designs. 2. What are the distinguishing features of Khavda pottery from Kutch? Read More...

Schrödinger’s Cat

Sep 28, 2024

Schrödinger’s Cat Schrödinger’s Cat is a fun way to explain something strange in science called quantum mechanics. Imagine we put a cat in a box where we can’t see it. Inside the box, there’s also a very special setup: a radioactive atom, a Geiger counter (which detects radiation), a vial of poison, and a hammer. If the Geiger counter detects radiation, it will trigger the hammer to break the vial of poison, and sadly, the cat will not survive. But if there’s no radiation, the cat stays alive. Here’s the tricky part: until we open the box, we don’t know if the cat is alive or not. In quantum mechanics, the atom... Read More...

INDUS WATERS TREATY: HISTORY, PROVISIONS, AND INDIA’S DEMANDS FOR MODIFICATION

Sep 28, 2024

INDUS WATERS TREATY: HISTORY, PROVISIONS, AND INDIA’S DEMANDS FOR MODIFICATION 1. What is the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)? The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 by India and Pakistan under the auspices of the World Bank, governs the distribution of water from the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries. The Treaty allocates the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan and the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India. 2. Why was the Indus Waters Treaty created? The treaty was established to settle water-sharing disputes between India and... Read More...

Dark Humour

Sep 28, 2024

Dark Humour Dark humor, often known as black comedy, deals with subjects that are typically considered serious, taboo, or distressing, using a comedic approach to provoke thought and challenge societal norms. It highlights the absurdities of difficult situations, offering a way to cope with tragedy, irony, or uncomfortable truths. However, it can be controversial and isn’t suitable for everyone due to its sensitive nature. COMMON ELEMENTS OF DARK HUMOR 1. Taboo Topics: Jokes often revolve around death, illness, war, or social injustice, pushing boundaries of acceptable humor. 2. ... Read More...