UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India-UAE: Local Currency Trade

Aug 18, 2023

What significant trade agreement was signed between India and the UAE? A: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on trade in national currencies was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This agreement aimed to facilitate trade transactions using the local currencies of both countries. Q: What was the outcome of the MoU implementation? A: As a result of the MoU, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) successfully conducted the... Read More...

India and Bioecomy

Aug 18, 2023

What is Bioeconomy? Bioeconomy refers to an economic system that utilizes renewable biological resources, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, to produce sustainable products, energy, and services. It involves harnessing the power of biology and biotechnology to create value-added products while minimizing environmental impacts. Bioeconomy aims to replace traditional, fossil-based industries with more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives, thereby contributing to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and resource conservation. India's Bioeconomy Vision:... Read More...

Coral Reefs: Great Barrier Reef's Deterioration

Aug 18, 2023

1. What is the Great Barrier Reef, and why is it significant? The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is renowned for its incredible marine biodiversity and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting tourists from around the world. 2. What is coral bleaching, and how does it affect the reef? Coral bleaching occurs when coral polyps expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing the corals to turn white. This happens due to stress, often caused by warmi... Read More...

Spike in Retail Inflation and Its Implications:Explainer

Aug 18, 2023

1. What is causing the surge in retail inflation? The surge in retail inflation is attributed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which contains a significant share of food items. A rise in food inflation directly contributes to an escalation in overall retail inflation. Over the past year, food inflation reached 11.51%, predominantly due to a substantial 37.34% surge in vegetable prices. Tomato prices, for instance, skyrocketed by a staggering 201.54%, while items like ginger, garlic, and green chili also witnessed notable price hikes. 2. What factors are driving persistently high f... Read More...

Balochistan Violence:causes and Effects

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What drives the insurgency in Balochistan? A: The insurgency's complexity stems from various factors. The primary driver is the Gwadar port project funded by China. While strategically crucial, it has marginalized Balochs from development, fostering resentment. Natural gas exploration, including the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, has led to targeted attacks on infrastructure due to federal exploitation. The influx of refugees and militants from the Afghan war has marginalized Balochs numerically and increased military presence, escalating tensions. Q: How does the Gwadar port ... Read More...

Baloch Violence:India's Concerns

Aug 17, 2023

lochistan, a province in southwestern Pakistan, stem from several factors: Human Rights and Humanitarian Concerns: Reports of human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and suppression of dissent, in Balochistan have raised humanitarian concerns. India, like other nations, is concerned about the well-being and rights of people affected by such violence and repression. Ethnic and Nationalist Movements: Balochistan has a history of ethnic and nationalist movements seeking greater autonomy or ev... Read More...

Post Office Bill 2023

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What is the Post Office Bill 2023 proposing? A: The Post Office Bill 2023, introduced in the Rajya Sabha, aims to empower post office employees for national security interests. They can intercept, open, or detain items during transmission. Immunity from liability is provided to these employees, with conditions. Officers can deliver items suspected of duty evasion to customs authorities. The bill emphasizes the post office's exclusive privilege of issuing postage stamps and sets provisions for addressing standards and usage of postcodes. It repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, adapting to the evolving functions of ... Read More...

Goods & Services Tax (GST) and Its Share in the GDP

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What is the current status of GST's contribution to GDP? A: A Finance Ministry report indicates that GST's share in GDP has reached 3.1% in FY23, while personal income tax also stands at 3.1%. This indicates a significant role of GST in indirect taxes. Q: How do economists explain this trend? A: Economists attribute this trend to factors like consumption demand, compliance improvements, and the impact of inflation. The sustained increase in GST is seen as a result of transparent tax administration and economic growth. ... Read More...

Ethanol vs Food: The Trade Off

Aug 17, 2023

Q: What is the current situation regarding India's ethanol blending target? A: India aimed to achieve 20% ethanol blending in fuel by 2025 but is facing challenges in arranging sufficient feedstock, particularly food grains, for ethanol production. Q: Why has the supply of rice to ethanol-makers been halted? A: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) supplied 13 lakh tonnes of rice to ethanol-makers between December 2022 and June 2023, but halted further supplies from July to conserve stocks due to concerns about food security. ... Read More...

Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 (DPDP Bill)

Aug 17, 2023

"The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 (DPDP Bill) presents several positive aspects in its approach to data privacy and protection" Elaborate. 1. Transition to Specific Legitimate Uses: The DPDP Bill moves away from the concept of deemed consent and focuses on specific legitimate uses of personal data. This approach ensures that data processing is more transparent and aligned with specific purposes, enhancing user privacy. 2. Elimination of "Public Interest" Clause: Unlike the previous draft, the DPDP... Read More...

Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 vs Right to Information Act

Aug 17, 2023

Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and Deemed Consent The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 has generated considerable attention due to its potential impact on data privacy and regulation. The act introduces several significant changes compared to previous drafts, aiming to establish a robust framework for safeguarding personal data in India. Shift from Deemed Consent to Specific Legitimate Uses One major shift in the act is the move from deemed consent to specific legitimate uses of personal data. Unlike the previous dra... Read More...

Microfinance Sector in India:Introduction

Aug 17, 2023

Q1: What is the microfinance sector? A1: The microfinance sector encompasses financial services, including loans, savings, and insurance, provided to low-income individuals and underserved communities who lack access to traditional banking services. Q2: How do microfinance institutions (MFIs) operate? A2: MFIs are organizations that offer small-scale financial services to marginalized populations. They utilize social collateral, such as community trust, to provide loans and promote entrepreneurship among women. Read More...

Malnutrition in India

Aug 17, 2023

table { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; } th, td { border: 1px solid #dddddd; text-align: left; padding: 8px; } th { background-color: #f2f2f2; } Protein Deficiency Problems and Solution Protein deficiency is a prevalent issue in India, with nearly 80% of the population failing to meet their daily protein requirements. Additionally, a lack of awareness about protein needs is widespread, as around 90% of Indians are unaware of their daily protein requirements. This deficien... Read More...

Generative AI (Bard/ChatGPT):Winners and Losers

Aug 17, 2023

The growth of generative AI is expected to lead to the creation of new job roles and opportunities, but individuals need to upskill to be prepared for these changes. Jobs at Risk: • Content Creators, Artists, and Media Persons: These roles involve creating written, visual, or multimedia content, which can be automated by generative AI tools. • Coders: Coding and software development tasks that involve repetitive or routine coding patterns can be automated using AI. Read More...

Artificial Intelligence(AI): Reshape Can India's Economy -Productive and Inclusive

Aug 17, 2023

1. Enhancing Productivity and Efficiency: AI can optimize processes in various sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. By predicting crop patterns, automating manufacturing processes, assisting in medical diagnostics, and offering personalized customer service, AI can increase efficiency and output. 2. Creating New Job Roles: While AI might automate some tasks, it also creates opportunities for new roles. Jobs in data science, machine learning engineering, AI safety, and ethical oversight will be in demand. Upskilling and reskilling programs will pla... Read More...