UPSC Daily Current Affairs

FPO-FARMER PRODUCER ORGANISATIONS PROMOTION SCHEME: EXPLAINER

Oct 30, 2024

FPO-FARMER PRODUCER ORGANISATIONS PROMOTION SCHEME: EXPLAINER 1. What is the FPO Promotion Scheme? The Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Promotion Scheme is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in 2020 to support the formation and promotion of FPOs. With a budget of Rs. 6,865 crore, the scheme aims to create 10,000 FPOs by 2025 to enhance farmers’ incomes through the aggregation of agricultural produce and collective bargaining power. FPOs are typically registered as companies or cooperatives and provide small and marginal farmers a platform for better market access, financial assistance, and sustaina... Read More...

Digital Fraud: Explainer

Oct 30, 2024

Digital Fraud: Explainer Digital fraud, especially in a rapidly digitizing society like India, has become a pressing issue, affecting various aspects of life—from financial transactions to identity verification, and even public service access. As digital platforms become increasingly integrated into daily life, the need for robust countermeasures against fraud is essential. Here’s a 360-degree view of digital fraud, its challenges, and preventive strategies. 1. What is Digital Fraud? Digital fraud encompasses fraudulent activities conducted through digital platforms, which include: • Phishin... Read More...

MAHARASHTRA’S KAJWA MAHOTSAV, FIREFLIES FESTIVAL: CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AND NATURAL WONDER

Oct 30, 2024

MAHARASHTRA’S KAJWA MAHOTSAV, FIREFLIES FESTIVAL: CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AND NATURAL WONDER 1. What is the Fireflies Festival? The Fireflies Festival, celebrated mainly in Maharashtra’s Bhandardara and Kalsubai regions, showcases the bioluminescent beauty of fireflies in the weeks leading up to the monsoon. This natural light show peaks during the mating season, when thousands of fireflies gather to attract mates, creating a synchronized display of flickering lights. Locally known as Kajwa Mahotsav, the festival highlights the mystical allure of these insects, symbolizing purity, hope, and the connection between humans and nature . Read More...

SOUTH INDIA:POPULATION DYNAMICS,CONCERNS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Oct 30, 2024

SOUTH INDIA:POPULATION DYNAMICS,CONCERNS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS 1. What is the current population trend in South India? South Indian states, like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, have successfully controlled population growth over recent decades, resulting in lower fertility rates than the national average. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is about 1.4-1.6 in South India, below the replacement rate of 2.1, while the all-India average is around 2.0-2.1. This has led to concerns about an aging population and a smaller future workforce. 2. Why are South Indian leaders advocating for larger families? P... Read More...

PM SURYA GHAR: STOCKTAKE

Oct 30, 2024

PM SURYA GHAR: STOCKTAKE 1. What is PM Surya Ghar Yojana? The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a government initiative launched in February 2024 aimed at promoting residential rooftop solar installations. It supports households in adopting solar energy to reduce electricity costs and increase renewable energy capacity in India. 2. What has been the progress of rooftop solar installations? Since the scheme’s launch, rooftop solar capacity in India has grown by over 50% in six months, with around 400,000 new installations adding 1.8 gigawatts (GW). As of March 2024, the country’s total rooftop solar cap... Read More...

CENSUS IN INDIA:2025

Oct 30, 2024

CENSUS IN INDIA:2025 FAQs 1. What is the purpose of the Census in India? The Census is a national exercise to count the population and gather demographic data. It aids in policy-making, resource allocation, and planning at various levels of government. Conducted every decade, it also influences political boundaries and seats in legislative bodies. 2. Why has the recent Census been delayed? The Census, originally due in 2021, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It could not proceed in 2022 either, leading to expectations of it taking place in 2023 or 2024. 3. What is the... Read More...

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Explained

Oct 30, 2024

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Explained What are APIs? APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, are tools that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. Imagine them as “messengers” that help various apps or websites share information and work together. APIs make it possible for applications to use features or data from other systems without needing to understand all the technical details behind them. Example: When you check the weather on an app, the app isn’t doing its own weather analysis. Instead, it connects to a weather API that pr... Read More...

CYBERSQUATTING AND LEGAL REMEDIES IN INDIA

Oct 30, 2024

CYBERSQUATTING AND LEGAL REMEDIES IN INDIA 1. What is cybersquatting? Cybersquatting is the practice of registering domain names similar to established businesses with the intent to sell them at a premium. Often considered a form of extortion, cybersquatters rely on businesses’ willingness to pay to prevent confusion among customers and safeguard their goodwill. However, if a similar domain is registered without malicious intent, it may not be considered cybersquatting. 2. What is the legal position on cybersquatting in India? India does not have specific laws against cybersquatting. However, courts have rule... Read More...

SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND ISRO

Oct 29, 2024

SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND ISRO 1. What is space situational awareness (SSA), and why is it important? Space Situational Awareness (SSA) involves tracking and predicting the movement, size, and location of objects in space, including satellites and debris. With an increasing number of satellites and space debris in low-Earth orbit, SSA is critical to prevent collisions and manage satellite safety. It helps protect valuable space assets from accidental collisions, which could lead to further debris and operational hazards . 2. How is ISRO enhancing its SSA capabilities? ISRO is ... Read More...

GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS ATLAS AT COP16: A LANDMARK TOOL FOR ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

Oct 29, 2024

GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS ATLAS AT COP16: A LANDMARK TOOL FOR ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT FAQs 1. What is the Global Ecosystems Atlas, and why was it launched at COP16? The Global Ecosystems Atlas, introduced at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on October 22, 2024, is an innovative tool developed by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). It is designed to map, monitor, and evaluate ecosystems across the globe, offering valuable insights to support biodiversity, address climate change impacts, and manage land degradation. ... Read More...

PINDARI GLACIER & GLOBAL WARMING : CONCERNS AND CONSEQUENCES

Oct 29, 2024

PINDARI GLACIER & GLOBAL WARMING : CONCERNS AND CONSEQUENCES FAQs 1. How has the Pindari Glacier been affected by global warming? The Pindari Glacier in Uttarakhand has receded by over half a kilometer in the past 60 years. Global warming has accelerated the melting process, transforming once-snow-covered areas into barren, eroding mountains. 2. What is the ecological impact of the glacier’s retreat on local wildlife? The shrinking glacier has disrupted the habitats of various species like the Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, sambar, a... Read More...

NATIONAL MISSION FOR MANUSCRIPTS (NMM): ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW

Oct 29, 2024

NATIONAL MISSION FOR MANUSCRIPTS (NMM): ALL THAT AN ASPIRANT SHOULD KNOW 1. What is the primary objective of the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM)? The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was established in 2003 with the core objective of documenting, conserving, digitizing, and disseminating India’s manuscript heritage. This includes preserving rare and ancient manuscripts, promoting access to them for researchers and the public, and ensuring their survival for future generations. The mission’s efforts span across India, collaborating with multiple Manuscripts Resource Centres (MRCs) and Manuscripts Conservation Centres (MCCs) . Read More...

EARTH’S 7 LAYERS

Oct 29, 2024

EARTH’S 7 LAYERS 1. How many layers does the Earth have? The Earth is structured into 7 main layers that vary in composition, temperature, and state (solid or liquid). These layers include the crust, upper mantle, transition zone, lower mantle, outer core, inner core, and another transition layer at specific boundaries within the mantle. Each layer has distinct properties and a specific role in Earth’s geological processes . 2. What is the Earth’s crust, and what are its features? The crust is Earth’s outermost layer, forming a thin, rigid shell on which all ... Read More...

Kuroshio Ocean Current in the Pacific Ocean

Oct 29, 2024

Kuroshio Ocean Current in the Pacific Ocean The Kuroshio Current is a warm ocean current in the Pacific Ocean. It flows eastward from the Philippines, along the east coast of Japan, and eventually into the North Pacific Current. Here are some of its key characteristics: Origin: The Kuroshio originates in the Pacific North Equatorial Current, near the Philippines. Warmth: It is a warm current, with an average surface temperature of about 24 °C (75 °F). Speed: The current flows at a speed of about 1.5 meter... Read More...

Global Coral Bleaching Event: The Fourth Alarm

Oct 29, 2024

Global Coral Bleaching Event: The Fourth Alarm What is coral bleaching? Coral bleaching happens when corals lose their vibrant colors and turn white. This occurs because they expel the tiny algae living within their tissues, which provide them with food and color. What causes coral bleaching? The main cause is rising ocean temperatures due to climate change. Other factors like pollution, extreme low tides, and too much sunlight can also contribute. Why is coral bleaching a problem? Coral death: Severe or prolonged bleaching can kil... Read More...