UPSC Daily Current Affairs

The Tax Base Expansion and the Zero Tax Payers

Aug 28, 2023

Introduction of New Income Tax Regime: Over the past four years, India has undertaken reforms in its personal income tax structure to achieve two key goals: broaden the tax base and simplify tax compliance for taxpayers. These reforms involve the implementation of a new income tax rebate scheme, adjustments to exemption and deduction policies, and the introduction of wider slab rates. Increase in Zero-Tax Filers: The number of income tax filers has risen from 6.47 crore in 2019-20 to 7.40 crore in 2022-23. Simultaneously, the proportion of zero-tax filers has notably increased, surging from constit... Read More...

Lasalgaon,Asia's largest onion market

Aug 28, 2023

Q1: What is the significance of Lasalgaon? Lasalgaon holds the distinction of being Asia's largest onion market, playing a pivotal role in onion trading and distribution across the region. Q2: What recent development has occurred in Lasalgaon's onion market? Currently, an indefinite strike is underway in Lasalgaon's onion market, with traders suspending onion auctions in protest against the imposition of a 40% duty on onion exports by the government. Q3: Why are onion traders partic... Read More...

India's Foreign Trade 2023 H1(January-June):Goods and Services

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the total foreign trade value of India during the first half of 2023? A: The total foreign trade value of India during the first half of 2023 exceeded $800 billion. Q: How did exports of goods and services perform during this period? A: Exports of goods and services increased by 1.5% to $385.4 billion from January to June, compared to the same period in 2022. Q: What about imports during this period? A: Imports experienced a decline of 5.9%, reaching... Read More...

G20 Pandemic Fund and India

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the purpose of the G20 Pandemic Fund? A: The G20 Pandemic Fund aims to enhance pandemic prevention and response in countries, particularly those with lower incomes. Q: How much funding did India receive from the fund? A: India's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying received approval for a $25 million proposal from the G20 Pandemic Fund. Q: What is the focus of India's approved proposal? A: India's proposal centers on strengthening ... Read More...

Polygamy,Doctrine of Essential Religious Practice and Constitution of India

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the legal background related to the legislative authority regarding marriage? A: As per the Indian Constitution, both the Union and States hold the power to legislate on specific subjects. Marriage falls under the Concurrent List, granting both levels of government the ability to create laws related to it. Q: What is the Doctrine of Repugnancy? A: The Doctrine of Repugnancy, found in Article 254 of the Constitution, stipulates that if a state law contradicts a central law, the state law will be invalidated unless it has prior approv... Read More...

EPFO Payroll Data

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What is the EPFO? A: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a government agency in India responsible for managing the social security funds of employees in the organized sector. It administers the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), which is a retirement savings scheme for workers. Q: What is the EPF? A: The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) is a savings scheme established under the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. It is designed to provide financial security to employees after their retirement. Both employee... Read More...

India's Transition to Trading in Rupees Instead of Dollars

Aug 28, 2023

Q: What recent development involves India trading with the UAE in Indian Rupees instead of US Dollars? A: India recently took a significant step by conducting trade with the UAE in Indian Rupees instead of US Dollars. This involved Indian Oil Corp purchasing oil from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company using Indian Rupees. Q: Why did India make this move to trade in Rupees? A: India's move to trade in Rupees is driven by the desire to reduce its dependence on the US Dollar and increase the use of its own currency for international trade. Th... Read More...

Pre-Lily Thomas , Lily Thomas and Lok Prahari :Disqualification of Sitting legislators

Aug 28, 2023

Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 - Pre Lily Thomas Case Disqualification Provisions for Sitting Legislators and Others:om The provisions of Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, before the Lily Thomas case, introduced a notable distinction between sitting legislators and other citizens in terms of disqualification: Disqualification Criteria for Conviction: Citizens convicted of an offense and sentenced to imprisonment for a minimum duration of two years would fa... Read More...

India's Skill Development Initiatives:Critical Perspective

Aug 28, 2023

Q1: What is the 'Skill India Mission'? A1: The 'Skill India Mission' is an initiative launched by the Indian government on July 15, 2015, aimed at enhancing the nation's skill development efforts. It focuses on transforming the country's labor-based economy into a skill-based one by imparting relevant training to the workforce. Q2: How has India progressed in skill development? A2: Over the years, India has taken steps to accelerate skill development. Initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission and Incubation Centre we... Read More...

Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)

Aug 28, 2023

1. What is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)? The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) refers to the swing in sea-surface temperatures from warm to cool in the Indian Ocean basin to the south of Sri Lanka. 2. What does a positive IOD event indicate? A positive IOD event occurs when sea-surface temperatures are warmer in the western side of the Indian Ocean basin. It can impact weather patterns and has been associated with boosting the performance of India's South-West monsoon. 3. How is the IOD index measured? Read More...

Jan Aushadhi Kendras and Generic Medicines

Aug 28, 2023

1. What are Jan Aushadhi Kendras? Jan Aushadhi Kendras are outlets that provide affordable generic medicines to consumers. They were initiated to make quality medicines accessible at lower prices. 2. What is the objective of Jan Aushadhi Kendras? The primary objective of Jan Aushadhi Kendras is to supply less expensive, generic drugs to consumers and promote the use of affordable alternatives to branded medicines. 3. What are generic medicines? Generic medicine... Read More...

Rohini Commission Report and OBC Sub-Categorization

Aug 28, 2023

1. What is the Rohini Commission Report? The Rohini Commission Report is a document submitted by the Rohini Commission, a government-appointed body, that addresses the issue of sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India. The report focuses on the equitable redistribution of reservation and other benefits among different OBC communities. 2. What is the purpose of sub-categorization of OBCs? Sub-categorization involves classifying OBCs into different groups based on factors like economic status and social backwardness within th... Read More...

India's Role in Representing the Global South

Aug 28, 2023

1. What is the Global South? The Global South refers to developing countries primarily located in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These nations face economic, social, and political challenges and are distinct from the economically advanced countries of the Global North. 2. How is India fulfilling its promise to represent the Global South? India actively advocates for the concerns of developing countries on the international stage. It participates in forums like the United Nations, engages in initiatives such as its G20 presidency, and h... Read More...

Article 371 and the North Eastern States

Aug 28, 2023

Article 371 of the Indian Constitution includes special provisions for certain states in the northeastern region of India. These provisions are designed to address the unique historical, cultural, and social circumstances of these states while ensuring their integration with the Indian Union. Here's an overview of Article 371 and its application to the northeastern states: Background: Article 371 is a set of provisions that aim to provide specific safeguards and autonomy to certain states within India. The provisions under Article 371 are tailored to each state's distin... Read More...

Prime Minister Modi's Possible Visit to Indonesia for East Asian Summit

Aug 28, 2023

1. What event might bring Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping face-to-face again? Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping could meet again at the East Asian Summit (EAS) and meetings with the ASEAN countries in Indonesia, following the BRICS summit. The dates under consideration are September 6-7. 2. What is the East Asian Summit (EAS)? The East Asian Summit (EAS) is an annual forum that brings together leaders from the ASEAN countries and its partners to discuss regional and global issues. It includes discussion... Read More...