UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Surat, India's Diamond City Is Facing Challenges

Aug 22, 2023

1. Why is Surat known as India's Diamond City? Surat, located in Gujarat, holds the title of India's Diamond City because it plays a central role in processing a significant portion of the world's diamonds. About 90% of all diamonds purchased globally undergo cutting and polishing in Surat. The city is home to over 6,000 units that handle rough diamonds sourced from various parts of the world. 2. What is the economic impact of the diamond industry in Surat? The diamond industry in Surat employs over a million craftsmen and workers.... Read More...

Indigenous Advancements in India's Naval Capabilities: 'Vindhya-giri'

Aug 22, 2023

1. What is the significance of the P17A ships? The P17A ships are guided missile frigates that mark a substantial advancement in India's naval capabilities. Each ship is 149 meters long, with a displacement of 6,670 tonnes and a speed of 28 knots. These ships are equipped with various advanced systems and weaponry. 2. How much of the equipment for P17A ships is sourced from indigenous firms? Approximately 75% of the equipment and systems used in the P17A ships are sourced from indigenous firms, including micro, small, and medium enterprise... Read More...

Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA)

Aug 22, 2023

1. What is RERA? The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) is a legislation enacted by the Indian government to regulate the real estate sector and protect the interests of homebuyers. It aims to bring transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the real estate industry. 2. Which regions have yet to establish or notify RERA Rules? The states of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, and West Bengal, along with the Union Territory of Ladakh, have either not established the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) ... Read More...

Himachal and Uttarakhand Disaster

Aug 22, 2023

Leveraging Technology and Support Systems for Disaster Mitigation: 1. Landslides and Earthquakes: Technology: Seismic sensors and monitoring stations are deployed in regions like Kinnaur, Solan, and Pithoragarh to detect seismic activities and provide early warnings about potential earthquakes. Landslide detection systems are installed in areas like Mandi and Chamoli, using geospatial data to identify locations prone to landslides and ensure timely evacuation. 2. Floods: Technology: In t... Read More...

Expansion of Digital India Program: Fortifying Cybersecurity and Digital Services

Aug 21, 2023

Enhancing Digital Accessibility and Cybersecurity The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a five-year extension and expansion of the Digital India program. This comprehensive program, now bolstered with a budget of ₹14,903 crore, aims to further digital accessibility, cybersecurity, and upskilling across various sectors. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of affordable cybersecurity tools for small businesses, schools, hospitals, and individuals. The program focuses on ensuring easy access to cybersecurity resources and low-cost solutions. Key Elemen... Read More...

Controversial Withdrawal of 'Deemed Forests' Order in Odisha

Aug 21, 2023

What was the controversial order issued by the Odisha government? The Odisha government issued an order on August 11, which stated that the category of 'deemed forests' would cease to exist under the amended Forest Act. What is meant by 'deemed forests'? 'Deemed forests' are areas that have not been officially classified as forests by the government in their records. These areas are identified based on their conformity to the dictionary meaning of forests, irrespective of ownership. Read More...

Navigating India's Data Act: Balancing Digital Landscape and Privacy

Aug 21, 2023

Exploring the Intersection of Data Protection and State Control In August 2017, a chilling assertion that the state refuses to forget its citizens even if they seek anonymity was firmly dismissed by the Supreme Court of India in the inaugural Puttaswamy decision. Fast forward to 2023, and the nation finds itself grappling with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, also known as the Data Act. This legislation, far from safeguarding citizens, harbors provisions that undermine transparency and accountability, ultimately chipping away at the bedrock of these principles, as argued by experts. Read More...

El Nino Strengthens: Southwest Monsoon Faces Record Dry Spell

Aug 21, 2023

• El Nino Impact: The ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon is causing a stronger impact on the southwest monsoon in India, resulting in a substantial deficiency in rainfall during the first half of August. This stands in contrast to the 6% monsoon surplus observed by the end of July. • Dry Spell and Deficit: The Indian Meteorological Department noted an unusual 11-day dry spell in the core areas of central India, contributing to a 6% deficit in nationwide rainfall. This dry spell is projected to persist for an additional 3-4 days. Read More...

Disinvestment

Aug 21, 2023

Promoting Transparency: Understanding Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Offer for Sale (OFS) Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Offer for Sale (OFS) are regulatory mechanisms aimed at maintaining market transparency and encouraging wider public participation in company ownership. Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS): SEBI mandates that companies must have a certain percentage of their shares held by the public. This ensures market liquidity, prevents manipulation, and promotes investor confidence. Companies often use Offer for Sale (OFS) to comply wi... Read More...

Discovery of 'Demon Particle' Could Revolutionize Superconductor

Aug 21, 2023

Discovery of the 'Demon Particle' and Room Temperature Superconductors Q: What is the significance of the "demon particle" discovery? A: The discovery of the "demon particle" is a significant breakthrough in the field of superconductors. Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance, but traditionally require extremely low temperatures. The "demon particle" could potentially lead to the development of superconductors that operate at room temperature, revolutionizing various technologies like MRI machines, computers... Read More...

Shadow Banks in India

Aug 21, 2023

1. What are shadow banks and how do they operate? Shadow banks are non-banking financial institutions that offer financial services similar to traditional banks, such as lending and investing, but are not subject to the same level of regulatory oversight. They often rely on short-term borrowing to fund their operations. 2. How significant is the shadow banking sector in India? The shadow banking sector in India has grown substantially in recent years and plays a crucial role in providing credit to various sectors, including small busines... Read More...

Prescription of Generic Drugs Exclusively by Doctors:Debate

Aug 21, 2023

1. What are generic drugs, and what benefits do they offer in medical treatment? Generic drugs are medications containing the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs. They provide similar therapeutic effects and are often more affordable, making healthcare more accessible and cost-effective for patients. 2. What is the recent regulation introduced by the National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding generic drug prescriptions? The NMC's new regulation mandates doctors to prescribe generic drugs exclusively instead of branded ones. This m... Read More...

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Consumer Confidence Index:The whole Story

Aug 21, 2023

1. What is Consumer Confidence? Consumer Confidence refers to the collective sentiment and outlook of consumers regarding the current and future economic conditions of a country. It reflects their perceptions of economic stability, employment prospects, income growth, inflation, and overall financial well-being. 2. How Does RBI Estimate Consumer Confidence? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) calculates the Consumer Confidence Index by conducting surveys that capture the opinions and attitudes of consumers. These surveys gather data on households&... Read More...

UPI and e-Rupee: Shaping India's Digital Money Scene

Aug 21, 2023

The Rise of UPI and the Emergence of e-Rupee in India's Digital Economy Introduction: Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a homegrown digital payment system, has gained widespread acceptance both domestically and internationally. As UPI continues to thrive, the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) of India, known as e-Rupee, has also entered the scene. This article explores the coexistence of UPI and e-Rupee, highlighting their significance and potential impact on India's economy. Growing Acceptance of UPI: UPI has achieved popular... Read More...

2023: Understanding Extreme Weather Events in India

Aug 21, 2023

Defining Extreme Weather Events: Characteristics and Impacts Climate change is making its presence felt globally, leading to an increase in extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, landslides, excessive rainfall, heat waves, and sea-level rise. Denying the reality of climate change can only result in catastrophic consequences. Over the last two decades, India has experienced shifts in its climate patterns during summer, monsoon, and winter seasons, with unprecedented heat waves becoming a common occurrence. Illustrative ... Read More...