UPSC Daily Current Affairs

VISHANU YUDH ABHYAS (VIRUS WAR EXERCISE): ASSESSING PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS IN INDIA

Sep 16, 2024

VISHANU YUDH ABHYAS (VIRUS WAR EXERCISE): ASSESSING PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS IN INDIA 1. What is the Vishanu Yudh Abhyas? Vishanu Yudh Abhyas, also known as ‘Virus War Exercise’, is a pioneering mock drill conducted in India to assess the nation’s readiness for pandemics. It was carried out from August 27 to August 31 in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. 2. Under which initiative was this exercise conducted? The exercise operated under the National One Health Mission (NOHM), which is designed to evaluate the preparedness and responsiveness of the National Joint Outbrea... Read More...

RISC-V CHIP TECHNOLOGY: FAQs

Sep 16, 2024

RISC-V CHIP TECHNOLOGY: FAQs 1. What is RISC-V technology? RISC-V (Reduced Instruction Set Computer-V) is an open-standard instruction set architecture (ISA) used for designing processors. Unlike proprietary ISAs, RISC-V is free and open to all, which allows developers to design custom processors without the need for licensing fees. It is widely adopted in fields like computing, mobile devices, artificial intelligence, and more. 2. What are the benefits of RISC-V over traditional chip architectures? RISC-V offers several advantages over traditional architectures like ARM and x86. Si... Read More...

DESIGN LINKED INCENTIVE (DLI) SCHEME: A FOCUS ON SEMICONDUCTOR DESIGN

Sep 16, 2024

DESIGN LINKED INCENTIVE (DLI) SCHEME: A FOCUS ON SEMICONDUCTOR DESIGN The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for semiconductor chip design in India. The scheme is a part of the broader effort to strengthen India’s semiconductor industry, which is essential for boosting the country’s technological self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports. Key Components of the DLI Scheme: 1. Chip Design Infrastructure Support: Under this component, the Centre for Devel... Read More...

NAXALISM IN INDIA: ON DECLINE

Sep 16, 2024

NAXALISM IN INDIA: ON DECLINE 1. What is Naxalism, and how did it originate? Naxalism, also referred to as Maoism, is a communist insurgency that began in 1967 in the Naxalbari village of West Bengal, where peasants revolted against local landlords. The movement was inspired by Maoist ideologies, advocating for armed revolution to overthrow the state. It spread across rural and tribal areas in states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh, where marginalised communities faced exploitation and poor living conditions. 2. Why did Naxalism grow in certain regions of India? Naxalism gained momentum in r... Read More...

INDIA-MALDIVES RELATIONS: STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Sep 16, 2024

INDIA-MALDIVES RELATIONS: STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 1. What is the historical context of India-Maldives relations? India and the Maldives share a deep historical and cultural relationship, marked by mutual cooperation in areas like trade, tourism, and defence. India has consistently supported the Maldives in times of need, such as providing military assistance during political unrest (Operation Cactus in 1988) and offering financial aid during economic crises. India is one of the Maldives’ most significant partners, helping in sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. 2. Why is the Maldives... Read More...

CYBORGS AND NEURALINK:MERGING MAN AND MACHINE

Sep 16, 2024

CYBORGS AND NEURALINK:MERGING MAN AND MACHINE 1. What Are Cyborgs in Today’s World? Cyborgs refer to individuals who integrate technology into their bodies to enhance or restore physical or sensory functions. Today, advanced prosthetics, implants, and sensory enhancement devices are increasingly blurring the line between human and machine. People with cochlear implants to restore hearing or robotic prosthetics controlled by neural signals are prime examples of modern-day cyborgs. 2. What Is Neuralink’s Vision? Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, aims to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that... Read More...

NSE EMERGE & BSE SME:SME EXCHANGES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES

Sep 16, 2024

NSE EMERGE & BSE SME:SME EXCHANGES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES What are NSE Emerge and BSE SME? NSE Emerge and BSE SME are platforms provided by the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange, respectively. These platforms are tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India, allowing them to list their shares without a traditional Initial Public Offering (IPO). This facilitates easier access to capital markets, helping SMEs connect with a broader investor base. Why are more SMEs choosing to list on these platforms? SMEs are opting for these platforms due to the simpler list... Read More...

TALIBAN’S MORALITY LAW: IMPACT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Sep 16, 2024

TALIBAN’S MORALITY LAW: IMPACT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS 1. What is the Taliban’s new “morality law”? The Taliban’s morality law, recently enacted by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue, is a formal set of restrictions targeting women and other groups in Afghanistan. It mandates that women must cover their entire bodies, avoid any appearance in public without male guardians, and prohibits women from being seen, heard, or mixing with men in public spaces. The law also includes provisions that restrict LGBTQ rights and various minority groups. 2. How are women being affected by the morality law? Read More...

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore

Sep 15, 2024

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore 1. Initial Problem: - Boeing's Starliner capsule was meant to be a new spacecraft for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). - The capsule has faced numerous issues since its development. 2. Early Setbacks: - In 2019, the first uncrewed test flight failed due to software problems. - A second attempt in 2022 also faced issues. 3. Recent Test Flight: - In June... Read More...

NATIONAL BLOCKCHAIN FRAMEWORK: VISHWASYA INITIATIVE

Sep 14, 2024

NATIONAL BLOCKCHAIN FRAMEWORK: VISHWASYA INITIATIVE 1. What is the ‘Vishwasya’ initiative? ‘Vishwasya’ is a blockchain-based framework introduced by the Indian government to promote trust and transparency in public records and databases. It is part of the National Blockchain Framework aimed at leveraging blockchain technology to secure data and decentralize information storage. 2. What are the main aims of Vishwasya? The initiative seeks to establish trust and transparency in public records, such as legal documents, land registries, and government databases. It aims to provide a secure and t... Read More...

GLOBAL LEGALLY BINDING PACT ON AI:SIMPLIFIER

Sep 14, 2024

GLOBAL LEGALLY BINDING PACT ON AI:SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the global legally binding pact on AI? This is the first international treaty focusing on regulating artificial intelligence (AI). Signed by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and others under the Council of Europe, the treaty aims to regulate both public and private AI systems while prioritizing human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. 2. What does the pact aim to achieve? The treaty seeks to ensure that AI systems are used responsibly, protecting human rights and preventing misuse. It establishes global standards for AI use, ensuring the... Read More...

SWACHH BHARAT MISSION: OBJECTIVES, IMPACT, AND CHALLENGES

Sep 14, 2024

SWACHH BHARAT MISSION: OBJECTIVES, IMPACT, AND CHALLENGES 1. What is the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)? The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a nationwide cleanliness campaign launched by the Government of India on October 2, 2014. It aims to eliminate open defecation, improve sanitation, and promote hygiene practices across rural and urban areas. SBM focuses on building household and community toilets, raising awareness about sanitation, and fostering behavioural changes to ensure a cleaner environment. 2. What are the key provisions of the Swachh Bharat Mission? The key provisions of SBM include: • Constru... Read More...

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION & ITS MEGACITIES

Sep 14, 2024

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION & ITS MEGACITIES The book Discovering India Anew: Out of Africa to its Early History by Alan Machado (Prabhu) provides a detailed overview of India’s ancient history, particularly focusing on the Indus Valley Civilization. This civilization featured five major urban sites that were strategically positioned across a vast area, resembling a grid system. 1. Mohenjo-Daro: Located in central Sindh on the Indus River, Mohenjo-Daro was the largest city, pivotal for controlling key trade routes. The city was densely populated and featured a citadel and a lower city laid out in a grid pattern. The cita... Read More...

SATURN’S RINGS DISAPPEARANCE IN 2025: SIMPLIFIER

Sep 14, 2024

SATURN’S RINGS DISAPPEARANCE IN 2025: SIMPLIFIER 1. What are Saturn’s rings? Saturn’s rings are made of billions of ice and rock particles, ranging from tiny dust grains to large mountains. These rings are one of the most iconic features in the Solar System, spanning a massive distance around Saturn and stretching nearly five times the diameter of Earth. 2. Why will Saturn’s rings “disappear” in 2025? In March 2025, Saturn’s rings will appear to “disappear” when viewed from Earth due to an optical illusion. This happens every 13-15 years when Saturn’s ring... Read More...

PM MODI VISIT: INDIA-SINGAPORE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Sep 14, 2024

PM MODI VISIT: INDIA-SINGAPORE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP 1. What is the significance of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore? Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Singapore marked an important moment in India-Singapore relations, elevating their partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This visit is part of India’s broader Act East policy, which aims to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations and increase India’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit reinforced the importance of cooperation across key sectors like technology, healthcare, and education, ensuring that both countries can address... Read More...