UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India-UAE Ties: Simplifier

Sep 20, 2024

India-UAE Ties: Simplifier Shared Vision and Values ● Both countries share a commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond. ● They both value a rules-based international order and multilateralism. ● They both advocate for tolerance, inclusivity, and the empowerment of women and minorities. Economic Cooperation Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): Signed in 2022, the CEPA aims to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion within five years. Read More...

Montelukast

Sep 20, 2024

What is Montelukast? Montelukast is a medication used to prevent wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing caused by asthma. It's also used to prevent breathing difficulties during exercise. Why is it considered overused and dangerous? Overuse: It's often prescribed for short-term conditions like the common cold, which is not its intended use. It is also combined with antihistamines, increasing its price and potential for side effects. Dangerous Side Effects: Stu... Read More...

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)

Sep 20, 2024

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) What is the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)? The Vibrant Villages Programme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated by the Indian government to foster comprehensive development in select villages along the northern borders of India. This includes areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. The program aims to improve quality of life, generate livelihood opportunities, and reverse outmigration by enhancing local infrastructure and connectivity. What is the financial commitment for the VVP? The government has all... Read More...

Pacific Ring of Fire

Sep 20, 2024

Pacific Ring of Fire 1. What is the Pacific Ring of Fire? The Pacific Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped region around the rim of the Pacific Ocean, known for its high concentration of volcanic activity and earthquakes. It is approximately 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles) long and up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) wide. 2. Why is it called the "Ring of Fire"? The region is called the "Ring of Fire" because it contains a large number of volcanoes, estimated to be around 75% of the world's total. These volcanoes, along with the frequent earthquakes in... Read More...

Deep Tech in India and Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Sep 20, 2024

Deep Tech in India and Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) What is deep tech? Deep tech refers to technological innovations that are rooted in significant scientific advancements or meaningful engineering breakthroughs. These technologies include advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, advanced materials, biotechnology, and robotics. Why is deep tech crucial for India’s future? Deep tech is vital for India as it provides a competitive edge in global markets, addresses complex national challenges, and drives economic growth through job creation and fore... Read More...

SRO-FT :Self-Regulatory Organization for Fintech

Sep 20, 2024

SRO-FT :Self-Regulatory Organization for Fintech What is SRO-FT? An SRO-FT (Self-Regulatory Organization for Fintech) is an industry-led entity that sets and enforces regulatory standards, promotes ethical conduct, ensures market integrity, resolves disputes, and fosters transparency and accountability among its members. It operates under the oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and aims to guide members through regulatory priorities, facilitate communication with the RBI, and support innovation and consumer protection. Why is self-regulation considered best for fintechs? Self-regulation is deemed beneficia... Read More...

Nano Urea

Sep 20, 2024

Nano Urea What is Nano Urea? Nano urea is a liquid fertilizer innovation where nitrogen is delivered to plants in nano-sized particles. It’s designed to enhance nutrient absorption more efficiently than conventional urea, which comes in larger granular form. How does Nano Urea work? Nano urea delivers nitrogen, a vital nutrient for plant growth, through nanoparticles that penetrate plant leaves and tissues more effectively than the larger particles of traditional urea. This method facilitates direct uptake by plants, leading to potentially reduced nitrogen loss through environmental routes such as volatilizat... Read More...

Black Sand Phenomenon on Visakhapatnam Beach:Explained

Sep 19, 2024

Black Sand Phenomenon on Visakhapatnam Beach:Explained The phenomenon of black sand washing up on Visakhapatnam beach is primarily linked to the unique geological features of the region and the powerful forces of nature at play. Geological Context: Mineral-Rich Sand: The black sand is rich in minerals, specifically heavy minerals like magnetite, ilmenite,garnet, and monazite. These minerals are denser and darker than the usual quartz sand, giving it the characteristic black color. Source of the Sand: These heavy minerals originate from the weathering and erosion of rocks in the East... Read More...

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and India

Sep 19, 2024

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and India What is the FATF? Definition: The FATF is an intergovernmental body established in 1989 by the G7 to combat money laundering. Its mandate expanded in 2001 to include combating terrorist financing and proliferation financing. Objective: To set international standards and promote the effective implementation of legal, regulatory, and operational measures to counter these threats to the integrity of the global financial system. Structure: The FATF comprises 39 member ju... Read More...

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)1.

Sep 19, 2024

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)1. What is NADA? NADA is India's national organization responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring anti-doping activities in sports. It ensures compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and aims to create a doping-free environment in Indian sports. 2. What are NADA's key functions? Educating athletes and support personnel about anti-doping rules. Conducting doping control tests both in and out of competition. Investigating anti-doping rule violations. Read More...

BAL GANGADHAR TILAK & SARVAJANIK GANESH UTSAV

Sep 19, 2024

BAL GANGADHAR TILAK & SARVAJANIK GANESH UTSAV 1. Who initiated the Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav and why? Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer, initiated the Sarvajanik (public) Ganesh Utsav in 1893. The primary reason was to unite Indians across different social and religious backgrounds under the guise of a religious celebration. It served as a platform to foster nationalist sentiments and encourage participation in the freedom movement against British rule. 2. How did the Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav contribute to the Indian freedom struggle? The public celebration created a sense of uni... Read More...

The Coolie-Begar Movement: A Struggle for Dignity in Kumaon, 1921

Sep 19, 2024

The Coolie-Begar Movement: A Struggle for Dignity in Kumaon, 1921 In the early 20th century, a significant social movement emerged in the Kumaon region of present-day Uttarakhand, India, known as the Coolie-Begar Movement. This movement was led by Badri Dutt Pandey and Hargovind Pant in 1921 and targeted the oppressive practice of begar. Begar was a form of forced labor where local laborers, referred to as "coolies," were compelled to carry luggage and provide other services to British officials and tourists without any form of compensation. The genesis of the Coolie-Begar Movement can be traced back to the widespread discontent among the laborers over... Read More...

INDIA & OECD TAX DEAL: TWO-PILLAR FRAMEWORK

Sep 19, 2024

INDIA & OECD TAX DEAL: TWO-PILLAR FRAMEWORK 1. What is the OECD two-pillar tax framework? The OECD two-pillar framework is an international tax reform plan aimed at addressing tax challenges arising from the digital economy and ensuring that multinational enterprises (MNEs) pay a fair share of taxes where they operate. • Pillar One: Reallocates taxing rights of MNEs, especially digital companies, to market jurisdictions where the consumers are based, even if they lack physical presence there. • Pillar Two: Establishes a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% to ... Read More...

INTEGRATED THEATRE COMMANDS IN INDIA

Sep 19, 2024

INTEGRATED THEATRE COMMANDS IN INDIA 1. What was the primary focus of the Joint Commanders’ Conference held recently? The main focus of the Joint Commanders’ Conference was to discuss the progress in reforms aimed at integrating India’s military services. These discussions primarily revolved around the roadmap for establishing Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs), designed to improve synergy and operational efficiency among the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. 2. What are Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs)? ITCs are military formations that combine units from the Army, Navy, and Air... Read More...

CYBERCRIME HUBS IN INDIA: DEEG, JAMTARA, AND NUH

Sep 19, 2024

CYBERCRIME HUBS IN INDIA: DEEG, JAMTARA, AND NUH 1. What is Deeg and why is it in the news? Deeg is a newly formed district in Rajasthan, India, that gained infamy as a major cybercrime center, overtaking other regions as the “cybercrime capital of India.” It drew attention due to the high volume of fraud cases reported from the area in early 2024. 2. How does Deeg compare to other cybercrime hotspots in India? Deeg has surpassed several well-known cybercrime hubs, including: • Jamtara and Deoghar (Jharkhand) • Nawada and Nalanda (Bihar) • Nuh ... Read More...