UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Supreme Court's Ruling on Section 6A

Sep 15, 2023

What is the recent ruling of the Supreme Court regarding Section 6A? A1: The Supreme Court's Constitution Bench ruled that the 2014 verdict, which invalidated Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, will have a retrospective effect from 2003, the year the provision was introduced. What was Section 6A? A2: Section 6A stipulated that any investigation into corruption charges against officials of the rank of Joint Secretary and above could only commence after receiving approval from the Central government. This provision was introduced to rei... Read More...

Climate Change and Food Security in India: A Detailed Overview

Sep 15, 2023

How does climate change impact food security in India, and what recent phenomena have highlighted this issue? A1: Climate change is seen through a series of disruptive weather and climate phenomena in India, affecting the complex precipitation system. For instance, the Western disturbance remained active late into the summer this year, affecting the southwest monsoon and causing widespread destruction in the western Himalaya and northern India. These events have raised concerns regarding the sustainability and resilience of development projects in these regions, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change... Read More...

India-Sri Lanka Relations

Sep 15, 2023

What is the significance of India's recent statement regarding Sri Lanka? A1: India's statement highlights its ongoing interest in the situation in Sri Lanka and its commitment to addressing the concerns of the Tamil population. What are the specific commitments mentioned in the statement? A2: The commitments relate to ensuring fundamental freedoms and human rights for all citizens, especially focusing on the rights and aspirations of the Tamil community. Why is India expressing concern over the "ina... Read More...

Citizenship Through Naturalization: A Closer Look at Indian Law and the 2019 Citizenship Amendment

Sep 15, 2023

What is citizenship through naturalization? Definition: Citizenship through naturalization refers to the process by which a foreign national, who is not born in a particular country or is not an automatic citizen by descent, or other means, becomes a citizen of that country through a legal process. It typically involves fulfilling certain residency requirements, demonstrating a commitment to the country, passing language and civics tests, and complying with other legal conditions set by the host country's immigration and citizenship laws.The conditions can be waived according to the Citizenship Act 195... Read More...

Doom Loop: Hunger Crisis Explained

Sep 15, 2023

Definition: A "doom loop" is like a never-ending problem that keeps getting worse. The Problem: The World Food Program (WFP) is in trouble because governments are giving them less money to help hungry people. For every 1% less money, 400,000 more people could go hungry. This year, WFP doesn't have enough money; they're missing 60% of what they need, the most ever in 60 years. And more people are hungry. Because of this, WFP has to give less food to nearly half the places they usually help, like Afghani... Read More...

India's July Industrial Growth:IIP Clarified

Sep 15, 2023

In July, India's industries experienced a significant upswing, with a 5.7% growth rate, the highest in five months. This growth was mainly fueled by an impressive 8% increase in electricity generation and moderate progress in manufacturing at 4.6%. These positive factors helped offset a 3.3% decline in mining and a second consecutive month of reduction in the production of consumer durables. Key Points: Industrial growth at 5.7% in July, the best in five months. Electricity generation surged by 8%. Manufacturing expanded by 4.6%, contrib... Read More...

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) in India: Tax Benefits and Investment Growth

Sep 15, 2023

What are Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs)? Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) are investment funds owned and operated by a government or its entities. These funds typically manage a country's reserves, often generated from commodities or foreign exchange reserves. What's happening with SWF investments in India? SWF investments in India have been steadily increasing. The total assets of many top SWFs investing in Indian equities grew by more than 50% in a year. Which countries have the largest SWF in... Read More...

IMEC and BRI India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Sep 15, 2023

Table comparing the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Aspect IMEC BRI (Belt and Road Initiative); Objectives Enhance connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe. Stimulate economic growth and incentivize investments in the region. Establish a global trade and infrastructure network, fostering economic c... Read More...

Food Inflation in India

Sep 15, 2023

Inflate Expectations, Not Prices: Learn with SRIRAM'S IAS What is the current food inflation rate in India? A: As of August 2023, India's food inflation stands at 9.9%, down from its recent peak of 11.5% in July. Why has food inflation been on the rise? A: Adverse weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, increased transportation costs, and global commodity price fluctuations have contributed to the recent rise in food inflation. How does food inflation impact the economy? A: High food ... Read More...

Ecology and Environment

Sep 15, 2023

Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs): Conserving Vital Ecosystems Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) encompass an extensive geographical expanse, featuring diverse ecosystems such as: Mangroves: For instance, the Sundarbans mangrove forest in the Indian state of West Bengal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a critical ESA. It serves as a habitat for the Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, and numerous bird species. The preservation of this mangrove forest is vital for biodiversity conservation and protection against coastal erosion. Coral Reefs: India... Read More...

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF):Essentials

Sep 15, 2023

Introduction: The 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity concluded with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Aim: Amidst a dangerous decline in nature threatening the survival of 1 million species and impacting the lives of billions of people, the GBF aims to halt and reverse nature loss. Framework Components: The framework consists of global targets to be achieved by 2030 and beyond to safeguard... Read More...

UPI Lite X,Offline Payments and the Near Field Communications Technology

Sep 14, 2023

Introduction Launch of UPI Lite X for offline transactions by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Aims to address a market that encompasses personal consumption expenditures not spent digitally, estimated at $2 trillion. Enhancements in technology and the 5G rollout are poised to foster the digital payments ecosystem. Historical Context Digital transactions witnessed single-digit growth before 2010. Demonetization and the pandemic have boosted digital transactions; from 2... Read More...

Lothal and the `Stitched Ship`

Sep 14, 2023

The discovery of the "stitched ship" at Lothal is a significant archaeological find that dates back to the early 20th century. It was unearthed during archaeological excavations conducted at the site of Lothal in Gujarat, India, by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Here is a detailed account of this discovery and its historical importance: Background: Lothal is an ancient archaeological site located in Gujarat, India. The archaeological excavations at Lothal took place in the 1950s and were led by R.S. Bisht, an archaeologist... Read More...

irola variant of the coronavirus

Sep 14, 2023

What is known about the Pirola variant of the coronavirus? The Pirola variant, officially designated as BA.2.86, is one of seven SARS-CoV-2 variants being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO). It was first reported in Denmark in late July and officially designated as a new variant under monitoring by WHO in mid-August. As the virus continues to evolve, WHO emphasizes the importance of countries strengthening surveillance, sequencing, and reporting of variants. What is the point of concern with this variant? Read More...

Inside Kota's Academic Pressure Cooker: Balancing Academics and Well-being

Sep 14, 2023

Introduction: In the bustling city of Kota, Rajasthan, thousands of students converge each year to prepare for two of India's toughest academic tests: the Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) and the pre-medical National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This annual influx of aspirants contributes significantly to Kota's economy, generating around 5,000 crore per year . The High-Stress Environment: Read More...