UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Geographical Indication (GI) Certified Products

Sep 18, 2023

What is a Geographical Indication (GI) certified product? A GI certified product is one that has a specific geographical origin and possesses unique qualities or characteristics associated with that place. It is identified by a special sign or label indicating its origin. When did India enact the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act? India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in 1999, and it came into force in 2003. Why is Prim... Read More...

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan

Sep 18, 2023

How are environmental rankings, like 'Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan,' conducted? Environmental rankings, such as 'Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan,' are typically conducted through a structured process that involves data collection, analysis, and evaluation of specific criteria related to the subject matter, in this case, air quality and environmental factors. These rankings are often overseen by government agencies responsible for environmental protection, such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Who conducts these rankings? These r... Read More...

Maritime Security

Sep 18, 2023

The Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA): DCoC: An international agreement initiated in 2009 to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean, primarily near Somalia. Objective: To enhance maritime security, promote economic development, and strengthen regional cooperation against maritime crimes. Read More...

Signs of Life on K2-18b

Sep 18, 2023

Why are the findings exciting? The discovery of chemical traces such as carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b has rejuvenated the curiosity surrounding extraterrestrial life. These chemicals are generally associated with the biological processes known on Earth, which sparks an exciting possibility of life in some form on K2-18b. What is K2-18b? K2-18b, discovered in 2015 by the Kepler Space Telescope, is a sub-Neptune exoplanet situated about 124 light-years away from Earth. It has a much larger atmosphere compar... Read More...

World Bank and its Logistics Performance Index (LPI)

Sep 18, 2023

Logistics Performance Index (LPI): Definition: The LPI is an international benchmarking tool by the World Bank to assess and rank the logistics performance of countries. Purpose: Evaluates a country's efficiency in moving goods and connecting suppliers and consumers. Publication: The World Bank periodically releases the LPI report to provide insights into the global logistics landscape. Parameters for Ranking (6): Read More...

American inflation and Indian Rupee:

Sep 18, 2023

1. What is the recent trend in American inflation? The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation rate in the US for August rose at the fastest pace in over a year, reaching 3.7%, up from 3.2% in July. 2. How is the Federal Reserve responding to this inflation? The Federal Reserve has increased its benchmark policy rate range to 5.25-5.5%, the highest in over two decades, as part of its efforts to combat inflation. Markets expect the Fed to keep the policy rate unchanged at the upcoming Septembe... Read More...

Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Sep 18, 2023

Prominent Indian-origin political leaders from around the world, including Singapore: United States: Kamala Harris: Kamala Harris made history as the first woman, first African American woman, and first Asian American woman to become the Vice President of the United States. United Kingdom: 2. Rishi Sunak: Rishi Sunak is the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, making him one of the most influential figures in British economic policy. Read More...

National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)

Sep 18, 2023

1. What is the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)? The National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) is a real-time portal that tracks the pendency of cases in all Indian courts, providing up-to-date information on pending cases. 2. Why was the Supreme Court not a part of NJDG until now? While the Supreme Court of India did publish monthly reports on judicial pendency, it was not part of NJDG. As a result, specific details such as the vintage or coram-wise distribution of pending cases were not available through NJDG. Read More...

Legend of Queen Heo" : In India-South Korea Relations

Sep 18, 2023

1. Who was Queen Heo? Queen Heo (also known as Princess Suriratna) is believed to have been a princess from the ancient city of Ayodhya in India during the 1st century CE. She is an important figure in Korean folklore and history. 2. How did Queen Heo become part of Korean history? According to legend, Princess Suriratna was married to King Kim Suro, the founder of the Karak Clan in what is now Gimhae, South Korea. She is said to have arrived on the Korean Peninsula by sea, and her marriage marked the beginning of the Karak Kingdom. &nb... Read More...

NABARD's Establishment and Agenda

Sep 18, 2023

NABARD, established in 1982. Primary Agenda: Sustainable rural development and nation-building. Interventions: Promoting agriculture and allied activities. Facilitating credit. Developing infrastructure. Building institutions. Promoting financial inclusion. Suppor... Read More...

Understanding India's Anti-Defection Law and its Implications:Reform the Law

Sep 16, 2023

1. What is the Anti-Defection Law? The Anti-Defection Law is located in the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. It was introduced to curb the frequent switching of legislators between parties. 2. How does the Anti-Defection Law operate? The law mandates that a legislator can be deemed to have defected if they voluntarily renounce their party's membership or disobey party directives without obtaining prior permission. 3. What was the historical context behind its introduction? Read More...

Unlocking the Genome of the Indian Oil Sardine: A Milestone in Marine Fisheries

Sep 16, 2023

A significant scientific achievement was reached as the genome of the Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps), a popular food fish, was successfully decoded by researchers at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). This marks the first instance of a marine fish species from the Indian subcontinent having its genome decoded. This milestone is a crucial development in Indian marine fisheries, offering valuable insights into the biology, ecology, and evolution of the oil sardine. The decoded genome is expected to aid in the development of improved conservation a... Read More...

Exploring Economic Corridors: Key Concepts and Distinctive Features

Sep 16, 2023

What are some renowned economic corridors? Historically, the Silk Road, spanning 6,400 km and connecting East and West for over a millennium, stands as an exemplary model. Apart from the Belt and Road Initiative, other notable corridors include the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Corridor, linking Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, and the corridor connecting Almaty in Kazakhstan with Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is another significant example How do economic corridors function? Economic corridors, a ... Read More...

Global Biofuels Alliance

Sep 16, 2023

Global Biofuels Alliance: The Global Biofuels Alliance is a collaborative initiative involving 19 countries and 12 international organizations. It aims to promote and define sustainable biofuels, encourage international cooperation, and facilitate the adoption of biofuels globally. Impact on India is Biofuel Production: The Alliance is expected to boost India is biofuel production by fostering international cooperation and creating a virtual marketplace for biofuels. This will likely result in increased production and trade of biofuels. Economic... Read More...

Coal Gasification

Sep 16, 2023

What Is the Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme? The Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme is a government initiative in India designed to promote and incentivize coal gasification projects. Coal gasification is a process that converts coal into fuel gas, offering a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative to burning coal directly. The scheme aims to encourage the adoption of this technology and reduce carbon emissions associated with coal use. The scheme encompasses three main components: PSU-Led Gasification Projects: This category fo... Read More...