UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Mahatma Gandhi's and B.R. Ambedkar's visions of the Indian Constitution

Oct 04, 2023

Aspect Mahatma Gandhi's Vision B.R. Ambedkar's Vision Government Structure Decentralized, power in local communities and villages Strong central government with authority to maintain law and order Economic Model Self-sustaining villages, cottage industries Centralized economy, government control of industries Social Equality Emphasized individual change to address social issu... Read More...

Household Savings In India Today:RBI Report

Oct 04, 2023

The state of household savings in India presents contrasting narratives, one optimistic and the other pessimistic. Here's a breakdown of the key points for each perspective: Optimistic Claim: There is evidence of a shift from financial savings to physical assets among households post-COVID. The construction sector has seen significant growth, with housing loans and loans for education and vehicles experiencing substantial increases. The composition of household savings has changed, with physical assets accounting for nearly 60% of total net savings, while the share o... Read More...

IMEC vs BRI: The New Global Trade Corridors

Oct 04, 2023

#ConnectTheDotsWithSRIRAM's# Background Indian PM, US President, and Saudi Crown Prince announce IMEC at G20 summit in Delhi. Seen as counter to China’s BRI. Scale BRI is much larger, with over $1 trillion in investments and 150+ country partnerships. IMEC is still in planning. US Interests No direct material benefit but strengthens diplomatic ties and counters China’s influence. Economic Impact IMEC cou... Read More...

Andhra Pradesh Guaranteed Pension System

Oct 04, 2023

What is the Andhra Pension System? The Andhra Pradesh Guaranteed Pension System (GPS) is a hybrid model combining features of both the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS) introduced in 2004. How is it different from the previous systems? Unlike the exclusive models of OPS or NPS, GPS blends elements of both. It guarantees government employees a monthly pension amounting to 50% of their last-drawn salary, inclusive of dearness allowance relief. When was it introduced? The Andhra Prad... Read More...

Idital:Tribal Painting

Oct 04, 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 people create various types of Idital paintings ... Read More...

Bihar Caste Survey

Oct 04, 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...

All Vie for the Cup: India's World Cup Challenge

Oct 04, 2023

As cricket's grandest spectacle, the ICC World Cup, prepares for launch at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, India, the host nation, shoulders great expectations. The defending champions, England, and the 2019 runners-up, New Zealand, will clash in the inaugural fixture. The 13th edition of the World Cup promises frenetic action across diverse venues in India, concluding with the final in Ahmedabad on November 19. Mumbai and Kolkata, traditional cricketing powerhouses, now play second fiddle to Ahmedabad, reflecting India's evolving cricket landscape, a blend of commercial influence and political prominence. Unlike... Read More...

Shot in the Arm: Nobel for mRNA Vaccine Pioneers

Oct 04, 2023

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2023 went to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, and it's no surprise. Their groundbreaking work paved the way for effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, saving lives and preventing hospitalizations. This Nobel recognition aligns perfectly with the award's mission to honor discoveries that benefit humanity the most. This Nobel is also a celebration of women in science, with Katalin Karikó being one of only 13 women ever to receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine out of 225 total recipients. The broader context here is that only 62 women have won any Nobel Prize compared to 894 men. Read More...

Triumph of Justice: Vachathi's Struggle Against State Violence

Oct 04, 2023

The Madras High Court's recent verdict on the Vachathi case, Tamil Nadu, is a historic milestone. It exposed the dark reality that large-scale state-sponsored repression cannot occur without complicity from higher government levels. In 1992, Vachathi witnessed brutality as around 300 uniformed officials descended on the village under the pretext of finding smuggled sandalwood. Shockingly, this led to the rape of eighteen women, illegal confinement of 90 women, 28 children, and 15 men, and other atrocities. One significant issue was the absence of "command responsibility" in India's criminal justice system, resulting in a lengthy tr... Read More...

Afghanistan:Moscow Format

Oct 03, 2023

Kazan Meet and Afghanistan's Current Situation Q1: What was the "Moscow Format" meeting in Kazan, Russia, and who participated? A1: The "Moscow Format" meeting in Kazan included representatives from nine nations, including India, Read More...

Supreme Court of India:Permanent Constitution Bench

Oct 03, 2023

A Constitution Bench is a specialized panel of judges within the Supreme Court of India . It is set up for several crucial purposes in the Indian legal system. Why is it Set Up? Interpretation of the Constitution: The primary role of a Constitution Bench is to interpret the Constitution of India. This involves examining complex legal questions and ensuring that the Constitution's provisions are understood and applied correctly. Resolving Constitutional Disputes: It handles disputes between th... Read More...

Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities:PV Narasimha Rao case or the "JMM bribery case":1998

Oct 03, 2023

The 1998 Verdict Issue: The central issue was whether Members of Parliament (MPs) and legislative assemblies (MLAs) should have immunity from prosecution for actions taken in the House, including accepting bribes. Articles Involved: Articles 105 and 194 of the Indian Constitution, which deal with privileges and immunities of MPs and MLAs. Background: The case originated from the proceedings in Parliament on July 28, 1993, when the government led by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao... Read More...

Nagorno-Karabakh: A Land of Ethnic Conflict and Territorial Dispute

Oct 03, 2023

Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, located within the borders of Azerbaijan. However, it has a predominantly Armenian population and has been a source of ethnic and territorial conflict for decades. Here are some key characteristics of Nagorno-Karabakh: Ethnic Composition: Nagorno-Karabakh has a majority Armenian population, with historical ties to Armenia. The region is home to ethnic Armenians who have lived there for generations. Historical Conflict: The conflict over Nagorno-... Read More...

Global Innovation Index (GII), 2023 and India

Oct 03, 2023

Q1: What is the Global Innovation Index (GII)? A: The Global Innovation Index (GII) is an annual report that assesses and ranks countries' innovation capabilities and performance. It provides valuable insights into a country's innovation ecosystem, including factors such as research and development, market sophistication, and knowledge outputs. Q2: Who releases the GII report? A: The GII report is released by Niti Aayog, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (W... Read More...

Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP):

Oct 03, 2023

1 What is the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)? • ABP is a government initiative aimed at improving the quality of life in 500 of the most backward and poorest blocks in India. 2 Who is implementing the ABP? • The Niti Aayog, a federal think tank, is responsible for implementing the ABP. 3 What are the key focus areas of the ABP? • The program focuses on improving socio-economic indicators in areas like health, education, agriculture, drinking... Read More...