UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Chennai Desalination Plant:Need and Alternatives

Aug 31, 2023

Q: What is the purpose of the fourth desalination plant in Chennai? The fourth desalination plant in Chennai, located in Perur on East Coast Road, aims to convert seawater into drinking water. It is intended to cater to the water supply needs of areas falling under Tambaram Corporation, Greater Chennai Corporation, and 20 village panchayats near the city, serving a population of around 22.67 lakh people. Q: Who is overseeing the construction of the desalination plant? The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) is respons... Read More...

Q: What is the significance of the Mayiladumparai excavation in Tamil Nadu?

Aug 31, 2023

The excavation in Mayiladumparai, Tamil Nadu, revealed that the Iron Age in southern India began as early as 2172 BCE, which is approximately 4,200 years ago. This finding challenges previously held timelines and sheds light on the early use of iron in the Indian subcontinent. Q: How was the antiquity of iron in India previously understood? Earlier, the antiquity of iron in India was thought to date back to around 1000 BCE, but this understanding was pushed back to 1800 BCE based on excavations in sites like Malhar, Raja Nala ka Tila, Dadupur, and Lauhradewa in Uttar Pradesh fr... Read More...

Bharat National Museum

Aug 31, 2023

Q: What is Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum? A: Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum is set to become the world's largest museum. It will showcase India's civilisational culture spanning over 5,000 years. Q: Where will the museum be located? A: The museum will be built in Delhi. Q: What will the museum cover? A: The museum will have eight thematic segments, including ancient Indian knowledge, ancient to medieval periods, medieval period, modern India, c... Read More...

Iron Pillar of Udayagiri

Aug 31, 2023

The Iron Pillar of Udayagiri is a remarkable ancient artifact located in Udayagiri, near Vidisha, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is an intricately crafted iron pillar that dates back to the 4th or 5th century CE, during the Gupta period. Key features of the Iron Pillar of Udayagiri: Composition: The pillar is made of nearly pure iron and stands approximately 23 feet (7 meters) tall. It weighs over 6 tons and has a diameter of about 16 inches at the base. Inscripti... Read More...

Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and FIDE Chess World Cup

Aug 30, 2023

In an impressive achievement, young Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa's runner-up finish at the FIDE Chess World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, was hailed by various dignitaries. Praggnanandhaa's remarkable tournament run ended with a tie-break loss to world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, following a draw in the classical games. His exceptional skills and challenging match against Carlsen were acknowledged. Carlsen managed to secure victory in the tie-breaks after facing a tough challenge. FIDE stands for the "Fédération Internationale des Échecs," which is French for the Internationa... Read More...

Controversy Around Declaring Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What is the controversy surrounding the declaration of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) as a tiger reserve? A: The 'in-principle' approval to declare Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve has sparked controversy due to concerns from indigenous tribes like Bhil, Garasia, and Raika pastoralists. They fear displacement, and there is no documented history of tiger presence in the area. Q: Why are indigenous tribes and communities against the idea of a tiger reserve in KWS? A: The indigenous tribes and communities such as... Read More...

Managing Dams: Ensuring Safety and Preparedness Dam Safety Act, 2021

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What's the current concern regarding dam management? A: Recent floods in Punjab, caused by excess water release from Bhakra and Pong dams due to heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh, have raised questions about water discharge timing and regulation. The spotlight is on the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which aims to prevent dam failure-related disasters. Q: What does the Dam Safety Act entail? A: The Act mandates surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of dams to ensure safe functioning. Dam owners, often state governments and public sec... Read More...

School Exam Reforms: Shaping Holistic Education

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What's the focus of the New Curriculum Framework (NCF)? A: The NCF, aligned with the New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, aims to address long-standing gaps in the school education system and adopt global best practices. Q: What are the shortcomings of the current assessment framework? A: The current system promotes rote learning and relies heavily on annual exam performance, neglecting holistic development. Board exams for classes X and XII have become stressful for students. Q: How does the n... Read More...

Green Hydrogen:Concepts and Prospects

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What is green hydrogen? A: Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, using renewable energy sources like wind or solar power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. It's considered environmentally friendly as it emits no greenhouse gases during production or combustion. Q: Why is green hydrogen significant? A: Green hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuels in various sectors, contributing to decarbonization and reducing carbon emissions. It can be used as a clean fuel for industries, transportation, and energy storage.... Read More...

Reits and InvITs:Sebi Changes

Aug 30, 2023

Q: What are Reits and InvITs? A: Reits (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and InvITs (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) are investment vehicles that pool funds from investors to invest in real estate and infrastructure projects, respectively. They operate similarly to mutual funds but focus on these specific asset classes. Q: How do Reits and InvITs function? A: Reits invest in income-generating real estate properties, such as office parks and shopping malls. InvITs invest in infrastructure projects like transportation, energy, and communication.... Read More...

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Water Release:Clarified

Aug 30, 2023

Imagine a big building that makes electricity using a special kind of energy called nuclear energy. This building is called the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and it's in Japan. Now, sometimes, this kind of plant creates something called "radioactive water." This water needs to be carefully taken care of because it has some stuff in it that can be harmful to nature. But here's the thing: the plant has too much of this water, and they need to make space for it to keep the place safe. So, they decided to release this water into the nearby ocean, but they're doing it in a very careful ... Read More...

BRICS Summit Johannesburg Declaration

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the BRICS Summit Johannesburg Declaration? The Johannesburg Declaration is a statement made by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa during the BRICS Summit. It highlights their shared views and commitments on important global issues. 2. What did the Declaration say about terrorism? The Declaration condemns terrorism in all forms and says that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. The leaders are committed to working together to prevent and counter terrori... Read More...

Growth-Inflation Trade Off: Soft Landing and Hard Landing

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the Growth-Inflation Trade Off? The Growth-Inflation Trade Off refers to the relationship between economic growth and inflation. When an economy experiences high growth, it can also lead to higher inflation. Balancing these two factors is a challenge for policymakers. 2. What is a Soft Landing? A Soft Landing is an economic scenario where the economy transitions smoothly from a period of high growth to a more sustainable and stable growth rate. In this situation, inflation remains under control, and the risk of economic overheating ... Read More...

Sovereign Wealth Funds

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)? A Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is a state-owned investment fund that accumulates and manages financial assets, such as foreign exchange reserves on behalf of a country's government. 2. What is the Purpose of a Sovereign Wealth Fund? The primary purpose of a Sovereign Wealth Fund is to preserve and grow a country's wealth for future generations. These funds often aim to diversify a nation's revenue sources, stabilize its economy, and provide a financial cushion during times of economic uncert... Read More...

Gulf States' Shifting Global Strategies

Aug 30, 2023

1. What is the recent focus of Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE in terms of global relationships? Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are increasingly turning their focus towards building ties with Asian powers, including China and India, and diversifying their international relationships beyond their traditional alliances. 2. Why are Gulf states looking towards Asia? Gulf states are seeking new growth opportunities and partnerships in Asia due to shifting trade patterns, economic diversification goals, and advancement... Read More...