UPSC Daily Current Affairs

INDIA’S DRONE ECOSYSTEM

Sep 27, 2024

INDIA’S DRONE ECOSYSTEM 1. What is the current status of the drone ecosystem in India? The drone ecosystem in India is rapidly growing, driven by government initiatives, industry involvement, and market demand. The sector has evolved in recent years with the establishment of companies such as DroneAcharya, IdeaForge, and Rattan India, contributing to advancements in drone manufacturing, research, and component infrastructure. 2. What is the government’s role in supporting the drone industry? The Indian government is actively supporting the drone industry through Producti... Read More...

SIVAKASI RIOTS OF 1899: FAQs

Sep 26, 2024

SIVAKASI RIOTS OF 1899: FAQs Synopsis The **Sivakasi Riots of 1899** were a violent series of communal clashes between the **Nadar** and **Maravar** communities in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. The riots stemmed from the Nadars' attempts to assert their social status and gain equal access to religious and civic rights, which were opposed by the Maravars and other higher-caste communities. Tensions escalated after the Nadars petitioned for participation in the management of a local Siva temple, which was rejected. The violence that ensued reflected broader caste-based conflicts and resistance to upward mobility by marginalized groups. The... Read More...

CHANNAR REVOLT: FAQs

Sep 26, 2024

CHANNAR REVOLT: FAQs Synopsis The Channar Revolt (also known as Maru Marakkal Samaram) was a historic struggle in the 19th century led by **Nadar women** in Travancore (present-day Kerala, India) for the right to wear upper-body clothes. Spanning from 1813 to 1859, the movement highlighted the oppressive caste system where lower-caste women were forbidden from covering their breasts as a symbol of their low status. This revolt challenged both caste norms and gender oppression, culminating in a royal proclamation in 1859 that granted Nadar women the right to cover their breasts, although it remained discriminatory until later reforms.... Read More...

TEMPLE ENTRY MOVEMENT

Sep 26, 2024

TEMPLE ENTRY MOVEMENT Synopsis The Temple Entry Movement was a significant social reform effort in India aimed at securing the right for marginalized communities, particularly Dalits, to enter Hindu temples. In many regions of India, lower castes were traditionally prohibited from entering temples or using temple roads due to the caste system. This movement gained momentum in the early 20th century, with leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Narayana Guru, and others advocating for equal access to places of worship. A pivotal moment came with the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936 in the princely state of Travancore (now part of Ke... Read More...

SOCOTRA: THE ALIEN ISLAND OF THE INDIAN OCEAN

Sep 26, 2024

SOCOTRA: THE ALIEN ISLAND OF THE INDIAN OCEAN 1. What makes Socotra Island unique? • Socotra Island in Yemen is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, with many species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Its unique flora and fauna, combined with its rugged landscapes, give the island an “alien” appearance. 2. Why is Socotra referred to as the ‘Alien Island’? • Socotra earns its “alien” moniker because of its endemic species, particularly the Dragon’s Blood Tree, Bottle Tree, and many unique animals like the Socotra Sunbird and chameleons, wh... Read More...

WORLD OZONE DAY 2024: WHY PRESERVING THE OZONE LAYER IS ESSENTIAL

Sep 26, 2024

WORLD OZONE DAY 2024: WHY PRESERVING THE OZONE LAYER IS ESSENTIAL 1. What is the significance of World Ozone Day? World Ozone Day is observed annually on September 16 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. This day highlights the global efforts to protect the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. 2. What is ozone, and why is it important? Ozone (O3) is a reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms, found primarily in the stratosphere. It acts as Earth’s sunscreen, protecting life by absorbing most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UVB) rays. ... Read More...

COP16,Cali, Colombia: Global Biodiversity Goals

Sep 26, 2024

COP16,Cali, Colombia: Global Biodiversity Goals Synopsis The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) dedicated to biodiversity will be held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. COP16 will focus on evaluating the progress made since the landmark agreement at COP15 in 2022,where nations committed to protecting 30% of the planet by 2030. While not expected to introduce major new initiatives,COP16 is a crucial opportunity for countries to assess their progress and collaborate on further action to conserve biodiversity and restore ecosystems. FAQs ... Read More...

Communist Movement in India: Simplifier

Sep 26, 2024

Communist Movement in India: Simplifier When did the communist movement start in India? The communist movement in India emerged in the early 1920s, inspired by the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the global spread of Marxist ideas. Early pioneers like M.N. Roy played a key role in introducing communist ideology to India. What were the key objectives of the communist movement? The movement aimed to overthrow colonial rule, establish a socialist state, and promote the rights of workers,peasants, and marginalized communities. It also sought to abolish feudal structures... Read More...

THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (CPI) SPLIT AND FORMATION OF CPI(M): FAQs

Sep 26, 2024

THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (CPI) SPLIT AND FORMATION OF CPI(M): FAQs Introduction The **Communist Party of India (CPI)**, formed in 1925, played a significant role in India's independence movement and in advocating for workers' rights. However, by the mid-20th century, ideological differences between factions within the CPI led to a split, resulting in the formation of the **Communist Party of India (Marxist)**, or **CPI(M)**, in 1964. The split was largely driven by differing views on the **Soviet Union's policies**, India's stance on global issues, and the party's strategy for socialist revolution. Read More...

PUNNAPRA-VAYALAR UPRISING:FAQs

Sep 26, 2024

PUNNAPRA-VAYALAR UPRISING:FAQs Introduction The **Punnapra-Vayalar Uprising** was a militant communist movement that took place in October 1946 in the princely state of **Travancore**, now part of Kerala, British India. The uprising was a response to the policies of the then-Prime Minister of Travancore, **C. P. Ramaswami Iyer**, and his attempts to make Travancore an independent state, separate from the Indian Union. The movement, primarily led by the **Communist Party of India**, was deeply rooted in the struggles of peasants and workers who faced severe famine and economic exploitation during World War II. The upris... Read More...

THE BREAST TAX: SYNOPSIS AND FAQs

Sep 26, 2024

THE BREAST TAX: SYNOPSIS AND FAQs Introduction The **Breast Tax** is a term often associated with a caste-based practice in the princely state of **Travancore** (now part of Kerala, India) during the early 19th century. According to local legends, lower-caste women, particularly the Nadars and Ezhavas, were **forbidden from covering their breasts in public**, a practice meant to visibly mark their lower social status. The **"breast tax" (mulakkaram)** was reportedly a tax imposed on these women if they chose to cover their breasts, a practice that was symbolic of the fight for **dignity and equality**. The legend o... Read More...

SIR M. VISVESVARAYA: CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MODERNISED INDIA

Sep 26, 2024

SIR M. VISVESVARAYA: CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MODERNISED INDIA 1. Who was Sir M. Visvesvaraya? • Sir M. Visvesvaraya was a renowned Indian engineer, statesman, and visionary, known for his innovative engineering solutions and contributions to modernizing India. Engineer’s Day in India, celebrated on September 15th, marks his birth anniversary. 2. What is Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s most famous engineering work? • He is best known for designing and implementing the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Karnataka, one of the largest reservoirs in India, which significantly boosted irrigation and agricultural dev... Read More...

Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI Funds in Limbo Over NEP 2020 and Three-Language Formula:Tamil Nadu vs Centre

Sep 27, 2024

Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI Funds in Limbo Over NEP 2020 and Three-Language Formula:Tamil Nadu vs Centre Why is T.N.’s education funding on hold? Tamil Nadu hasn't received its education funds from the central government due to a disagreement over implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Centre has made signing an MoU for the PM Schools for Rising India (PM Shri) scheme, which requires full NEP implementation, a prerequisite for the funds. Tamil Nadu has opposed certain provisions of the NEP, particularly the three-language formula, and has thus far refused to sign the unmodified MoU. Ba... Read More...

MINING TAXES:MADA V. SAIL JUDGMENT

Sep 26, 2024

MINING TAXES:MADA V. SAIL JUDGMENT 1. What was the core issue in the MADA v. SAIL case? The Mineral Area Development Authority (MADA) v. Steel Authority of India (SAIL) case revolved around whether royalty on mining can be classified as a tax or not. This classification would affect whether states have the authority to impose additional taxes or cesses on royalty in mining. 2. What did the Supreme Court decide in MADA v. SAIL? The Supreme Court, in a majority decision on 25 July 2024, ruled that royalty on mining is not a tax. This overturned the earlier ruling in India Cement v. St... Read More...

COP16,Saudi Arabia: Global Combat Desertification/Land Degradation Crisis

Sep 26, 2024

COP16,Saudi Arabia: Global Combat Desertification/Land Degradation Crisis FAQs: What is COP16? COP16 stands for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It is a major international meeting where governments, businesses, and civil society come together to discuss and address the issue of land degradation. When and where will COP16 be held? COP16 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2nd to 13th, 2024. What is th... Read More...