UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Chandrayaan-3: How Successful?

Sep 08, 2023

The Takeaways 1. What significant achievements has Chandrayaan-3 accomplished? Chandrayaan-3, launched by ISRO, has achieved groundbreaking results. The Pragyan rover equipped with LIBS has identified elements like aluminium, sulphur, calcium, iron, and more on the lunar surface. The Vikram lander recorded a 'moonquake' and detected a super-thin layer of plasma in the moon's atmosphere, revealing unique lunar phenomena. 2. How does the discovery of elements contribute to our knowledge of the moon? Read More...

Brics Expansion: New Members Lay Bricks in the Wall of Economic Diversity - Presented by SRIRAM's

Sep 08, 2023

GDP Share of New Brics Members: The six new members of the Brics group—Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—will collectively contribute only 11% to the GDP of the emerging economies grouping. Saudi Arabia's Highest Contribution: Among the new members, Saudi Arabia's GDP contribution is the highest at 4%, followed by Argentina, the UAE, and Egypt at 2% each, Iran at 1%, and Ethiopia with negligible impact. Impact on Brics' Share in Global GDP and Populat... Read More...

India-China Relations: Points of Convergence and Divergence

Sep 08, 2023

Q1: What are points of convergence in India-China relations? A1: Points of convergence refer to areas where India and China share common interests or goals. These can include economic cooperation, diplomatic engagement, and addressing global challenges. Q2: What are points of divergence between India and China? A2: Points of divergence are areas where India and China have disagreements or conflicting interests. These can include unresolved territorial disputes, strategic competition, and differing geopolitical ambitions. Read More...

Where Do Farmers Get Their Income From?:Read On

Sep 08, 2023

In the wake of the year 2000, a discernible transformation has taken place in the primary income sources for agricultural households in India. Extracted from the Situation Assessment Surveys (SAS) conducted during 2003, 2014, and 2019, the data portrays a shifting landscape in income distribution across crucial categories—crop production, livestock farming, non-farm activities, and wages/salaries. This analysis offers a glimpse into the changing patterns of income allocation, emphasizing the significance of crop production, the role of livestock farming, the influence of non-farm activities, and the growing reliance on wages and salaries. The dataset pro... Read More...

Public Private Partnerships(PPP) for Infrastructure

Sep 08, 2023

NHAI's Road Development Strategies: BOT, HAM, and EPC Models What is NHAI planning for the next fiscal year? The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) intends to allocate approximately one-tenth of its road awards for the upcoming fiscal year through the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) route. This initiative was highlighted by Union road minister as an efficient model for infrastructure development. What is the BOT model? In BOT projects, private investors undertake the responsibility of ... Read More...

Mahendragiri and Project 17A Frigates:

Sep 07, 2023

What is the significance of Mahendragiri? Mahendragiri represents a milestone in indigenous manufacturing of complex defense systems, showcasing India's advanced naval capabilities. How is Mahendragiri related to the Eastern Ghats? Mahendragiri is named after a mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats in Odisha. Which class does Mahendragiri belong to? Mahendragiri is the seventh ship of the Project 17A Frigates, succeeding the Project 17 Class Frigates. &... Read More...

Gabon Coup and Its Implications

Sep 07, 2023

The recent coup attempt in Gabon marks a significant shift in the nation's political landscape. With President Ali Bongo placed under house arrest, the event raises questions about the stability and future governance of the country. Strategic Location: Gabon, located in Central Africa with a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, holds a pivotal position for control over maritime activities in the Gulf of Guinea. Oil Reserves: As an OPEC member, Gabon's oil assets are crucial to major global economies. Producin... Read More...

Collection of Statistics Act, 2008:

Sep 07, 2023

1. What is the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008? The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 is a central law that facilitates the collection of statistics on various subjects including economic, demographic, social, scientific, and environmental aspects. 2. What does the term "appropriate government" mean in this Act? The "appropriate government" refers to any ministry or department in the central government, state government, or Union territory administration. It also encompasses local governments, including panchayats and m... Read More...

Fragility of the Himalayas and Ongoing Challenges

Sep 07, 2023

1. What is the current situation in the Himalayas during the monsoon season? There have been devastating landslides in Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season, leading to extensive damage to roads and infrastructure. Several areas, including national highways, have been badly affected, causing estimated losses of over Rs 10,000 crore. 2. What are the primary causes of landslides in the Himalayan region? Landslides are triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall, seismic activity, and anthropogenic factors. The geological framework of the Hi... Read More...

Understanding GDP Growth and Economic Trends

Sep 07, 2023

Q1: How is GDP calculated, and what drove GDP growth in April-June? GDP is calculated by adding up private consumption expenditure, investment, government expenditure, and net exports. In Q1, GDP was ₹40.4 trillion, 7.8% higher than the previous year. Economic growth in this quarter has been influenced by the base effect, where the low GDP numbers from Q1 2020 due to the pandemic-induced lockdown contribute to the apparent growth. Q2: How has real GDP growth looked over the past four years? Real GDP, adjusted for inflation, has grown at an a... Read More...

Ethics and Integrity:Ethical Dilemma Case Study

Sep 07, 2023

Dilemma in the Hills: Balancing Development and Environment The Situation: As a young assistant collector in a hilly region, I face the challenge of an infrastructure project that entails: Tree felling Potential environmental harm Displacement of local communities Significant economic prospects Political expectations with upcoming ele... Read More...

Ethics and Integrity:Ethical Dilemma Case Study

Sep 07, 2023

Inequality in Educational Opportunities The Emotional Turmoil: Confusion: Why am I treated differently? Disappointment: The realization of unequal opportunities. Hurt: Feeling of being undervalued. Possible Courses of Action: Open Communication: Pro... Read More...

Ethics and Integrity:Ethical Dilemma Case Study

Sep 07, 2023

College Student's Draw to Civil Services for Power & Privileges A college student aiming to become a civil servant in India shares with a senior officer that they are drawn to the position by a desire for power and privileges. How can the senior officer guide the student in this situation? Provide a range of advice options and recommend the best course of action along with the reasons. Analysis: Civil services are built on the foundation of public welfare and ethical behavior. While power and privilege... Read More...

Ethics and Integrity:Ethical Dilemma

Sep 07, 2023

CASE STUDY: Caste Discrimination in a Modern Workplace Background: In a well-established IT firm, Priya, a competent software engineer, feels marginalized due to her lower-caste heritage. This prejudiced behavior, evident during official discussions and casual interactions, is affecting her sense of inclusion and overall job satisfaction. A significant incident highlighting this bias was during a brainstorming session where Priya's innovative idea was sidelined only to be reintroduced by a senior member, gaining accolades from the team. Read More...

Ethics and Integrity:Ethical Dilemma

Sep 07, 2023

CASE STUDY: Sexism in Civil Services and Their Dealings Background: Maya, an astute female civil servant in a government department, is faced with implicit sexist behavior impeding her career progress. A glaring instance was during a pivotal project discussion where, after suggesting an innovative solution, she was overruled by a senior male counterpart who presented her idea as his own. Maya is now contemplating the best route to tackle this issue. Potential Solutions: Read More...