UPSC Daily Current Affairs

From BIMARU to Aspirational Districts

Aug 25, 2023

The transition from the "BIMARU" terminology to the concept of "Aspirational Districts" represents a shift in India's development narrative. While "BIMARU" categorized certain states as economically backward during the 1980s, the "Aspirational Districts" initiative, launched much later, seeks to focus on individual districts that have shown relatively lesser progress in key development areas. Here's a breakdown of this transition: From BIMARU to Aspirational Districts BIMARU: Con... Read More...

Animal Husbandry in India

Aug 25, 2023

Why is animal husbandry becoming a more reliable source of livelihood than crop cultivation in India? Animal husbandry provides consistent food and income, even during adverse weather conditions affecting crops. Additionally, the demand for animal products, such as milk, meat, and eggs, is growing faster than plant-based foods due to rising income and changing food habits. How does animal husbandry contribute to household food and income security? Even when crops fail, animals continue to provide food and income through products like milk, egg... Read More...

Indian Carbon Market (ICM) :Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2023

Aug 25, 2023

What is the Indian Carbon Market (ICM)? The Indian Carbon Market (ICM) is an initiative to develop a national framework for carbon credit trading in India. What is the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2023? It's a recent notification that outlines the specifics of how carbon credit trading will be conducted within the ICM. How does the carbon credit trading system work? The system rewards entities that transition to low-carbon practices by assigning a value, te... Read More...

REITs and InvITs

Aug 25, 2023

What are REITs? REITs, or Real Estate Investment Trusts, are investment vehicles that allow individuals to invest in portfolios of real estate assets. These trusts own or finance income-producing real estate in various property sectors. What are InvITs? InvITs, or Infrastructure Investment Trusts, are similar to mutual funds and provide a way for investors to invest in infrastructure projects like roads, highways, and power transmission assets. How do REITs and InvITs differ from traditional in... Read More...

Law of the Sea:differences between territorial seas, archipelagic waters, and the high seas:

Aug 24, 2023

table { border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; } th, td { border: 1px solid black; padding: 8px; text-align: left; } th { background-color: #f2f2f2; } Aspect Territorial Seas Archipelagic Waters High Seas Extent Up to 12 nautical miles from baseline Enclosed by the outermost points of islands Beyond territorial seas, archipelagic waters, and other national jurisdictions Sovereignty Full sovereignty of coastal state Read More...

Export Duty on Onions

Aug 24, 2023

1. What is the recent action taken by the Indian government regarding onion exports? The Indian government has imposed a 40% export duty on onions to stabilize domestic onion prices and ensure an adequate supply in the local market. 2. Why was this export duty imposed? The export duty aims to control the sharp rise in onion prices and increase the availability of onions in the domestic market, especially in preparation for the upcoming festival season. 3. What is the expected impact of this export du... Read More...

UDAN Scheme and Viability Gap Funding(VGF)

Aug 24, 2023

1. What is the UDAN scheme? UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) is a regional connectivity scheme launched by the Government of India to promote affordable air travel to underserved and remote areas of the country. 2. What is the objective of the UDAN scheme? The primary goal of the UDAN scheme is to make air travel more accessible and affordable for the common people by connecting unserved and underserved airports across India. 3. How does the UDAN scheme work? Unde... Read More...

Archaeological Discovery in Nagaparamba(Kerala) and the Megalithic Period

Aug 24, 2023

Q1: What was the recent archaeological discovery in Nagaparamba? A recent archaeological salvage excavation conducted by the Kerala State Archaeology Department at Nagaparamba, near Tirunavaya in Malappuram district, revealed a large number of megalithic "hat stones." These hat stones, known as Thoppikkallu in Malayalam, were used as lids on burial urns during the megalithic period. Q2: What is the significance of the discovery? The discovery of a significant number of megalithic hat stones is crucial in understanding the burial prac... Read More...

'Namoh 108' Flower

Aug 24, 2023

Q1: What is 'Namoh 108' flower? 'Namoh 108' is a variety of lotus flower discovered in Manipur, India. It is named after its unique feature of having exactly 108 petals. The flower holds religious significance in Hinduism due to the number 108. Q2: Why is the number 108 significant? The number 108 is considered sacred and holds spiritual significance in Hinduism. It is believed to represent the universe, with each digit symbolizing individual elements – 1 for the divine, 0 for emptiness or completeness, and 8 for infinity... Read More...

Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)

Aug 24, 2023

What is the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)? The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) is a network managed by the World Health Organization (WHO) aimed at promoting equitable access to digital health solutions worldwide. It is a key deliverable of India's G-20 Presidency and focuses on consolidating evidence, amplifying past gains, and strengthening mutual accountability in the realm of global digital health. What is the Purpose of GIDH? The GIDH seeks to address challenges related to digital health by avoiding duplication... Read More...

Ajnala Massacre and Descendants Research

Aug 24, 2023

What was the Ajnala Massacre? The Ajnala Massacre was a tragic event during India's First War of Independence in August 1857, involving the mass killing of soldiers by British forces. What happened in the Ajnala Massacre? During the Ajnala Massacre, soldiers were killed en masse. This event was a significant part of the larger conflict during India's First War of Independence. What were the remains found in Ajnala? In 2014, remains of 282 soldiers were ... Read More...

BRICS Summit 2023 :Curtain Raiser

Aug 24, 2023

1. What is the BRICS Summit 2023 about? The BRICS Summit 2023 is a meeting of the leaders of the BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It focuses on economic cooperation, development, and global issues. 2. What is the main agenda of the summit? The main agenda includes discussions among BRICS leaders, BRICS-Africa Outreach, and BRICS Plus Dialogue. The major topic is the expansion of BRICS, with discussions on new member countries, such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran. Read More...

Blasphemy laws in Pakistan

Aug 24, 2023

Q: What are blasphemy laws in Pakistan? A: Blasphemy laws in Pakistan are legislation that make insulting or showing contempt for religious beliefs, deities, or sacred symbols a punishable offense. These laws aim to protect religious sentiments and maintain respect for religious beliefs. Q: How are blasphemy laws enforced in Pakistan? A: Blasphemy laws in Pakistan are enforced through the legal system. If someone is accused of blasphemy, they can be arrested, charged, and prosecuted under the relevant sections of the law. Punishments for blasp... Read More...

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna

Aug 24, 2023

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna, known for his progressive stance, recently led a bipartisan congressional delegation to India. During his visit, he attended Independence Day celebrations, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussed various issues including human rights, minorities' treatment, trade ties, technology transfer, and defense cooperation. Khanna, a member of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, represents California's Silicon Valley constituency, which is predominantly Asian American. His evolving stance on various matters, including his engagement with India's leadership, reflects the complex balancing act of address... Read More...

Impact of Climate Change on Glaciers and Ecosystems

Aug 24, 2023

1. What is the potential impact of climate change on glaciers? A recent study published in Nature suggests that under a high-emissions scenario, glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets could lose up to half of their area by the end of the century. This could have significant ecological and societal consequences, leading to the emergence of new ecosystems to fill the vacant habitats left by melting glaciers. 2. How will different emissions scenarios affect glacier loss? The study indicates that under a high-emissions scenario, w... Read More...