UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Caring for the Old in India

Sep 29, 2023

Demographic Shift India's population above 60 is set to double from 14.9 crore in 2022 to 34.7 crore by 2050, mirroring global trends. Gender Disparities Women outnumber men in the elderly population and face greater economic vulnerabilities, especially given low labor force participation rates (24%). Regional Variations Southern states report a higher share of the elderly population compared to the national average, while northern states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lag behind. Read More...

Caring for the Old in India

Sep 29, 2023

What are Self-Respect Marriages?

Sep 29, 2023

Definition: A self-respect marriage (often termed "Suyamariyathai" marriage in Tamil Nadu) is a union between two individuals that is devoid of religious rituals and ceremonies. Objective: To challenge traditional norms that uphold the caste system and patriarchal values. To grant both parties equal status in the marriage, emphasizing the partnership rather than roles defined by tradition. Features: No religious rituals or ceremonies. A simple declaration of marria... Read More...

Purana Qila, or the Old Fort

Sep 29, 2023

It symbolizes India's rich history and culture in several ways: Historical Layers: It represents over 2,500 years of continuous habitation, showcasing the dynastic changes that shaped India. Architectural Marvel: The fort's Mughal and Afghan architectural fusion stands as a testament to India's architectural diversity. Cultural Heritage: It reflects the amalgamation of Indian and Central Asian influences, showcasing India's multicultural roots. Historical Events: The fort witnessed pivotal moments in Indian history, from battles to shifts in ... Read More...

Kidney Shortage and Exchange

Sep 29, 2023

Organ Donation The Issue Problem: India faces a severe shortage of kidneys for transplantation. With over 200,000 patients needing a kidney in 2022, only about 3.4% (7,500 transplants) were actually conducted. Underlying Causes: High prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) due to factors like diabetes, malnourishment, overcrowding, and poor sanitation. Regulatory hurdles restricting innovative kidney exchange methods such as swaps and chains. The Response... Read More...

Diamond Trade & Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Guide to Sanctions & Compliance

Sep 29, 2023

Key Players Global 7 Countries (G7): United States, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, UK, Japan Russia: Specifically, Alrosa (Russian state mining company) India: Firms in Surat Ukraine: National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) Diamond Industry Certification Bodies: Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Key Issues Russia's War on Ukraine Funding for War Diamond Trade as Funding Source Sanction... Read More...

What is Zealandia?

Sep 29, 2023

Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Maui, is a recently rediscovered continent that had gone unnoticed for nearly 375 years. It is a vast landmass, covering approximately 1.89 million square miles (4.9 million square kilometers), making it about six times the size of Madagascar. Zealandia is located mostly underwater, with only a few islands, resembling the geography of New Zealand. How was Zealandia rediscovered? Geologists and seismologists used data from dredged rock samples collected from the ocean floor to refine... Read More...

WTO and India’s Non-rice Export Ban:

Sep 28, 2023

What is WTO? Q: What is the World Trade Organization (WTO)? A: The WTO is an international organization that regulates trade between countries. It provides a forum for trade negotiations and dispute resolution among its members. WTO Rules on Export Bans Q: What are the WTO rules regarding export bans? A: Under WTO rules, export bans should only be temporary and should not discriminate between trading partners. These bans must be reported to the WTO and be subject to scrutiny by other member states. Read More...

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Sep 28, 2023

What is FATF? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 with the mission to combat money laundering and terrorist financing globally. Comprising 37 member states, the FATF sets international standards aimed at preventing illegal activities in the financial sector. It achieves its objectives by issuing recommendations that serve as globally endorsed standards. These recommendations guide the national authorities in implementing legal, regulatory, and operational measures to battle money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial threats. ... Read More...

Women's Reservation Bill and Gender Equality

Sep 28, 2023

Q: What does the Women's Reservation Bill entail? Answer: The Women's Reservation Bill, recently passed in Parliament, provides one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. Q: Why is women's representation in politics important? Answer: Women's representation is vital for inclusive governance. Currently, India ranks 141 out of 193 countries in terms of women's participation in Parliament. Q: How has reservation for women in local elections affected governance? Read More...

Bihar's Second Tiger ReserveBihar's Second Tiger Reserve

Sep 28, 2023

Location: Kaimur district, Bihar. Involved Authorities: State Forest Department, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Timeline: By the end of this year or early 2024. Status: In-principle approval from NTCA obtained in July; awaiting formal approval. Tiger Stats: Current tiger population in Valmiki Tiger Reserve is 54, up from 31 in 2018. Geography: Kaimur district features hills and plains, flanked by Karmanasa and Durgavati rivers. Green Cover: The district has the highest green cover in the state at 34%. Read More...

India’s Elderly Population Projected to Double to 20% by 2050: UNFPA Report:All Round Analysis

Sep 28, 2023

Key Highlights: Demographic Change: The elderly population in India is projected to double to over 20% by 2050. By 2046, it will likely surpass the population of children up to age 15. Economic Challenges: Over 40% of the elderly belong to the poorest wealth quintile, with 18.7% living without income. Age Demographics: The population of people aged 80 and above will grow by around 279% from 2022 to 2050. Gender Differences: The life expectancy of women at the age of 60 and 80 is generally higher than men. This varies by state and region. Ge... Read More...

Sarna Code

Sep 28, 2023

The Sarna Code refers to the religious and cultural practices of certain tribal communities who are nature worshippers. These communities revere natural elements like trees, mountains, and forests and have religious practices distinct from mainstream religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Jainism. Recently, there has been a push for the official recognition of the Sarna code to protect the constitutional rights and unique religious identity of these tribes, particularly in the context of discussions around a Uniform Civil Code in India. The code gained prominence when a resolution was pass... Read More...

Swavlamban 2.0

Sep 28, 2023

"Swavlamban" is a term that signifies self-reliance or self-sufficiency in Hindi. In the context of the Indian Navy, "Swavlamban 2.0" is an updated indigenization roadmap aimed at fostering self-reliance in technological capabilities. The initiative looks to both showcase the Navy's achievements in developing new technologies and outline the course for future developments. The concept behind this initiative began as part of a broader national strategy to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and promote domestic innovation. It aligns with efforts to involve Micro,... Read More...

Norman Borlaug and Swati Nayak

Sep 28, 2023

Game-Changing' Seeds with Multiple Tolerance What is the focus of Dr. Swati Nayak's research? Dr. Nayak focuses on creating climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritious rice varieties. She recently won the Norman Borlaug Field Award for her contributions. What innovations has she brought in seed development? She has been concentrating on developing high-yield inbreeds from old seed varieties that are also climate-resilient and rich in micronutrients. Is her work localized or has i... Read More...