UPSC Daily Current Affairs

UNESCO World Heritage Anticipated for Maratha Forts

Sep 26, 2023

In celebration of the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Coronation, Maharashtra eagerly anticipates the UNESCO World Heritage designation for a series of 14 Maratha forts that adorn the Western Ghats and the picturesque Konkan coast. The Western Ghats UNESCO Site The Western Ghats achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012, covering a vast green hilly expanse spanning from South Gujarat to North Kerala, with substantial portions in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Iconic Maratha Forts These 14 forts, symbo... Read More...

Non-Fungible Tokens(NFTs)

Sep 26, 2023

What is an NFT? An NFT, or Non-Fungible Token, is a unique digital asset that represents ownership of a specific digital item, such as artwork, music, videos, or virtual collectibles. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, each NFT is one-of-a-kind and cannot be exchanged on a one-to-one basis. How do NFTs work? NFTs use blockchain technology to verify and record ownership and provenance of digital assets. Each NFT has a unique identifier, and its ownership is recorded on a blockchain, making it tamper-proof and easily transferable. Read More...

India-Canada Trade Suspension

Sep 26, 2023

Why were trade negotiations suspended between India and Canada? Diplomatic Meeting: Trade negotiations were suspended following a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's return from the G20 meeting in New Delhi, Canada postponed a trade delegation's visit to India, which was set to discuss the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA). How does this suspension affect the economic interests of both countries? Economic Graph: At least for now, the suspension of trade negotiations is unlikely to ... Read More...

Foreign Portfolio Investors(FPI) and Participatory Notes(PNs)

Sep 26, 2023

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI): Foreign Portfolio Investors, often represented as mutual funds or hedge funds, are entities that invest in the financial markets of a country. They typically buy and sell financial assets like stocks and bonds. FPIs are subject to regulations and may need to register with the country's regulatory authority. Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs): Alternative Investment Funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and more, pool money from investors to invest in a wi... Read More...

South China Sea Tensions

Sep 26, 2023

Dive into today's HinduHandout for more insights, and stay tuned for our upcoming book in November 2023 on IndiaAndTheWorld. KnowledgeIsPower What is the current situation in the South China Sea? The South China Sea is witnessing escalating tensions due to China's military presence in the region, particularly in disputed waters. How has China militarized the South China Sea? China has built and fortified military bases on artificial islands in the South China Sea. These bases include runways for fighter jets, radar domes, and warehouses for m... Read More...

Project Cheetah: One-Year Milestone

Sep 26, 2023

Introduction: Project Cheetah, a groundbreaking initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, celebrated its one-year anniversary on September 17, 2022. This remarkable project marked the first-ever intercontinental translocation of African cheetahs to India, specifically to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Where were the African cheetahs brought as part of Project Cheetah? Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. What has been a significan... Read More...

Digital Public Infrastructure and Women :India

Sep 25, 2023

What's DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure)? DPI is the digital backbone offering essential services and information, enabling citizens to engage with government services and access digital resources. DPI's Impact on Women? DPI bridges the gender... Read More...

India:Gross and Net Domestic Financial Savings

Sep 25, 2023

What is Gross Financial Savings? Gross Financial Savings refers to the total amount of savings by individuals, businesses, and the government before accounting for any deductions or liabilities. What is Net Financial Savings? Net Financial Savingsvtakes into account deductions, liabilities, and debts, providing a more accurate picture of available savings after financial obligations. Why is Gross Financial Savings important? Gross Financial Savings measures the total savings in an economy, reflecting its... Read More...

Decoding the Y Chromosome: Unveiling Male Genetics

Sep 25, 2023

What is the significance of sequencing the Y chromosome? Definition: The Y chromosome sequencing is crucial for completing the human genome and understanding male-specific genetic traits. Impact: It enables the exploration of genetic variations affecting human traits and diseases related to male fertility. Process: Advanced sequencing and bioinformatic algorithms were used to decode the Y chromosome’s repetitive sequences, making it readable. Why was the Y chromosome challenging to sequence? Challenge: The Y chromosome ... Read More...

Digital Agriculture in India

Sep 25, 2023

What is digital agriculture (DA)? Digital agriculture, or DA, refers to the use of digital technologies, data-driven solutions, and advanced tools in agriculture to enhance productivity and address various challenges in the farming sector. Why is digital agriculture important? DA is crucial as it can improve crop yields, provide better access to markets for farmers, and help agriculture become more resilient to climate change. What are some examples of digital agriculture technologies? Examples include s... Read More...

1st Elephant Census with DNA Profiling Elephant Census with DNA Samples

Sep 25, 2023

For the first time in India, a census of elephants has been conducted using DNA samples. The Wildlife Institute of India conducted this census in all the country's sanctuaries, using DNA samples collected from elephant dung and camera traps to aid in the calculation. Census Report Submission The census report has been submitted to the Central government and is expected to be released soon by the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. Statement from Director Virendra Tiwari Speaking at the 34th annual two-day research workshop at the Wildlife Institute of Indi... Read More...

Global Capability Centers: The Shift to Tier-II and Tier-III Cities

Sep 25, 2023

What are GCCs (Global Capability Centers)? GCCs, also known as global in-house centers or captives, are offshore units of large multinational companies that perform designated technology operations. They serve as centers for driving innovation and delivering world-class technology solutions from countries like India. How many GCCs and employees are in India as of 2022-23? As of 2022-23, India had 1,580 GCCs with 1.66 million employees. Which cities in India are preferred for setting up GCCs? Tier-I citie... Read More...

IBSA: History, Importance, and Recent Developments

Sep 25, 2023

Brief History: IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) is a trilateral alliance aimed at fostering cooperation among emerging economies in the Global South. Established in 2003, the forum promotes inclusive development and aims to voice the concerns of the Global South in international governance matters. Importance: Political Unity: IBSA facilitates the sharing of policies and strategies among the member countries, particularly in matters like UN reforms and international security. Economic Collaboration: The for... Read More...

Global Debt Crisis

Sep 25, 2023

Why is Global Debt Rising? Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic led to economic downturns, requiring governments to spend heavily on healthcare and fiscal stimulus. This increased both public and private debt levels. Ukraine War: Geopolitical conflicts like the Ukraine war require large military and humanitarian expenditures, thus contributing to debt. Additionally, wars disrupt global trade, affecting the economy. Economic Investments: Countries borrow to invest in infrastructure, education, and other developmental projects, hoping future growth will offset the current debt. Read More...

Celebrating Teej: Lambadas' Monsoon Rituals for Harvest and Hope

Sep 25, 2023

Community: Lambadas of Telangana, also known as Banjaras, a nomadic tribe. Time: 9-day festival during the month of Sravanam in the Indian calendar. Intention: Prayers for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life. Festive Activities: Song and dance in traditional Banjara attire, relatives visiting from afar. Rituals: Young girls and women carry wheat seedlings in twig baskets, water them three times a day, and immerse them in local streams. Worship: Devotion to Sevalal Maharaj and Mera Mayadi (Goddess Parvathi), seeking blessings for good harvest ... Read More...