UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Criminal Charges Against MPs in India

Sep 27, 2023

What does it mean for an MP to have "pending criminal charges"? A: It means that the Member of Parliament (MP) is currently under investigation or facing legal action for alleged criminal activities, but no final verdict has been reached. How common is it for MPs in India to have criminal charges against them? A: While the numbers can vary over time and across different political parties, a significant percentage of MPs have had criminal charges pending against them, including serious charges such as rape or kidnapping. Ar... Read More...

Pangolins in India

Sep 27, 2023

Q: What are pangolins? A: Pangolins are small to medium-sized mammals known for their unique protective keratin scales. They are primarily nocturnal and are experts at digging. Q: Are pangolins found in India? A: Yes, India is home to two species of pangolins: the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). Q: Where can pangolins be found in India? A: The Indian Pangolin is widely distributed across the country, including the hills of South and Northeast India. Th... Read More...

Nepal-China Relations: A Balancing Act Between Development and Security

Sep 27, 2023

The recent interactions between Nepal and China as described suggest a multi-layered relationship characterized by both cautious engagement and cooperative undertakings. Below are some key points to consider: Economic Cooperation Infrastructure Development: Both countries are keen on developing cross-border connectivity projects, including railways and ports. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an overarching framework for these endeavors. Feasibility Studies: Progress has been made in studying the feasibility of various infrastructure projects, including ... Read More...

Antarctic Sea Ice Hits Record Low

Sep 27, 2023

Q: What is the current status of Antarctic sea ice? A: According to U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Antarctic sea ice reached a record low surface area of 16.96 million square kilometers on September 10, 2023, at its winter maximum. Q: How significant is this low? A: This is the lowest sea ice maximum in the recorded history from 1979 to 2023. It is 1.03 million square kilometers smaller than the previous record. Q: What is the winter maximum? A: Sea ice in Antarctica typica... Read More...

US Government Crisis

Sep 27, 2023

What is a Government Shutdown? A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to fund the federal government. Essential services may continue, but many government activities halt and federal employees are furloughed. The Legal Framework Constitutional Requirement: The U.S. Constitution requires Congress to pass laws to fund the government. Appropriations Bills: These are the specific laws that allocate money for different parts of the government. Debt Ceiling: This is the upper limit set by Congress on the a... Read More...

Saudi Arabia,Palestinian Issue and Israel

Sep 27, 2023

Q: What Happened? A: Saudi Arabia sent a delegation to the occupied West Bank for the first time in three decades. The delegation was led by Nayef al-Sudairi, the Saudi non-resident Ambassador to the Palestinian territories. This comes amid U.S.-brokered talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel to potentially normalize relations. Q: Why is This Significant? A: This is the first visit by a Saudi delegation to the West Bank since the 1993 Oslo Accords, which were designed to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The visit is also significant becaus... Read More...

Angel Tax and Its Modifications in India

Sep 27, 2023

Q: What is Angel Tax? A: Angel tax is a tax levied on the investment made into startups at a premium over their fair market value. The tax is typically paid by the startup. Q: Why is it Imposed? A: The tax is imposed to curb money laundering and to regulate the flow of investment into startups. It aims to ensure that the capital being invested is genuine and not a means to convert black money into white. Q: Who Does It Affect? A: It primarily affects startups and their investors, especially... Read More...

Basics on Uighurs: What The Aspirants Need to Know

Sep 26, 2023

Where They Live Location: Uighurs primarily live in China's Xinjiang region, located in the far west of the country. Their Demands Autonomy and Equality: They seek greater autonomy, preservation of their culture, and equal opportunities, especially amid the influx of Han Chinese in Xinjiang. Why China Fears Them Separatism: China fears the rise of separatist movements in Xinjiang, which they view as a threat to the country's territorial integrity. Read More...

Stepwells in India: A Guide

Sep 26, 2023

Architectural Marvels Unique to India Known as 'baolis' or 'vavs' Serve as a testament to India's engineering and architectural prowess Functional Aspects Designed for groundwater access and storage Useful year-round Aesthetic and Cultural Significance Intricate carvings, arches, and chambers Spiritual and social hubs Associated with temples Community gathering spaces Historical Context Read More...

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW): An Overview

Sep 26, 2023

Founding & History Established on September 21,1968 Context: Indo-China war of 1962 and India-Pakistan war of 1965 Mission Primary aim: Intelligence gathering and analysis Focus areas: National security and foreign affairs Scope of Operations Operates both within India and internationally Intelligence methods: Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) Open-Source Intelligen... Read More...

Fight Against Tuberculosis: UN's Ambitious Goals

Sep 26, 2023

UN's Declaration for TB Eradication World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis (TB) have approved a political declaration to advance efforts to end the disease by 2030. Ambitious Targets Ahead The document lays out ambitious new targets for the next five years, including reaching 90% of people with TB prevention and care services, providing social benefit packages to those with the disease, and licensing at least one new vaccine. Persisting Challe... Read More...

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in India

Sep 26, 2023

The promotion of women's entrepreneurship is a crucial pillar of India's G20 women-led development agenda. Studies suggest that if women's participation in the formal economy matched that of men, India's economy could grow by an additional 60% by 2025, adding $2.9 trillion. Currently, only about 14% of enterprises in India are led by women. Current Scenario According to the sixth economic census, women entrepreneurs make up 13.76% (approximately 8.05 million) of the total 58.5 million entrepreneurs in India. Although there has been growth in the number of w... Read More...

Zonal Councils

Sep 26, 2023

Establishment of Zonal Councils Zonal Councils in India were established to promote inter-state cooperation and coordination among different regions of the country. They play a crucial role in addressing regional challenges, fostering dialogue, and facilitating conflict resolution. Here's more on when, how, and why they were set up: When Were Zonal Councils Established? Zonal Councils were set up in India in 1957, under the States Reorganization Act of 1956. This act aimed to reorganize the country's states and Union Territories along linguistic lines for administrative efficiency. Read More...

Benefits and Concerns of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Sep 26, 2023

Benefits: Enhanced Efficiency:AI applications like virtual assistants and automation tools streamline tasks, making daily life easier and more efficient. Advanced Applications: AI powers innovations like voice and facial recognition, language translation, and grammar correction, enriching user experiences. Deep Learning:Machines can now understand user moods and sentiments, thanks to deep learning algorithms, expanding AI's capabilities. Human-Like Behavior:AI aims to create intelligent... Read More...

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

Sep 26, 2023

What is an FPO? Primary producers, e.g., farmers, beekeepers, dairy farmers, etc. form it Aggregating efforts of individual farmers Registration under various legal provisions Benefits of FPOs: Economies of scale for better bargaining Bulk procurement and lower-margin sales Better prices for produce Challenges and Sustainability: Unrealistic expectations affect participation Lack of sound business planning hinders growth Stakeholder support boosts confidence Read More...