UPSC Daily Current Affairs

ISRO's Aditya-L1 Mission: Understanding the Basics

Sep 13, 2024

ISRO's Aditya-L1 Mission: Understanding the Basics What is Aditya-L1? Aditya-L1 is India's pioneering mission to study the Sun. The spacecraft is equipped with seven special instruments to observe different layers of the Sun. It is currently orbiting a special point in space called Lagrange Point 1 (L1), which is about 1.5 million km from Earth. Why is it called Aditya-L1? "Aditya" is the Sanskrit word for the Sun. "L1" refers to the Lagrange Point 1, where the spacecraft is positioned. What are the key instruments... Read More...

Offer For Sale (OFS) :Simplifier

Sep 13, 2024

Offer For Sale (OFS) :Simplifier 1. What is an Offer For Sale (OFS)? An OFS is a mechanism through which promoters or major shareholders of a listed company can sell their shares directly to the public on the stock exchange platform. 2. Who can participate in an OFS? Both retail and non-retail investors can participate in an OFS. Retail investors are individuals who apply for shares worth up to ₹2 lakhs. Non-retail investors include institutions, mutual funds, and high-net-worth individuals applyin... Read More...

FAME-INDIA SCHEME:FAME-I & FAME-II

Sep 13, 2024

FAME-INDIA SCHEME:FAME-I & FAME-II What is the FAME-India Scheme? FAME-India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India) is a government initiative launched in 2011 to promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. The scheme supports manufacturers and buyers through incentives, aiming to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, cut air pollution, and mitigate climate change effects. What are the key objectives of the FAME-India Scheme? The scheme's objectives include increasing the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles by making them... Read More...

SATELLITE-BASED HIGHWAY TOLL COLLECTION: UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Sep 13, 2024

SATELLITE-BASED HIGHWAY TOLL COLLECTION: UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS 1. What is the new software for toll monitoring? • The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has introduced a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based software to monitor real-time congestion at toll plazas. It tracks lane-specific wait times to ensure smooth traffic flow. Developed by the Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL), this software will be first tested at 100 toll plazas identified based on congestion reports from the National Highway Helpline (1033). 2. How does the new monitoring system work? • The softwar... Read More...

GENOME MAPPING OF CHANDIPURA VIRUS: KEY FINDINGS

Sep 13, 2024

GENOME MAPPING OF CHANDIPURA VIRUS: KEY FINDINGS 1. What is Chandipura Virus (CHPV)? • CHPV is a viral infection primarily causing encephalitis, fever, convulsions, headaches, and in severe cases, coma and death. It often affects children below the age of 15 and is transmitted by sandflies, ticks, and mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti, which also spreads dengue and chikungunya. 2. Why is genome mapping of CHPV significant? • Genome mapping helps in determining the location of genes on chromosomes, providing insights into the virus’s origin, mutations, and evolution. It is crucial for developing vaccines... Read More...

Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack and Related Initiatives

Sep 13, 2024

Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack and Related Initiatives The Government of India has recently taken a significant step forward in enhancing digital governance and trust through the launch of the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), aims to promote security, transparency, and trust in digital transactions and services across various sectors. Overview of the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack and Related Initiatives 1. Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack: Introduced as Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS), this plat... Read More...

FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE: LEARNING THROUGH EXPLANATION

Sep 13, 2024

FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE: LEARNING THROUGH EXPLANATION 1. What is the Feynman Technique? • The Feynman Technique is a learning method developed by physicist Richard Feynman. It involves teaching a concept to someone else in simple terms, which helps deepen your understanding of the topic. The process breaks complex ideas into more manageable parts, making it easier to grasp and remember. 2. How does the technique begin? • The first step is to choose a topic and pretend to explain it to a child. Simplify the concept as much as possible, using plain language and avoiding jargon. This step helps break down the info... Read More...

Negative and Positive Liberty

Sep 13, 2024

Negative and Positive Liberty Isaiah Berlin’s concepts of negative and positive liberty provide a framework to analyze the freedoms and constraints within a society. Understanding these concepts can help illustrate how a diverse and populous nation like India navigates the delicate balance of individual freedoms and societal welfare. Negative Liberty: Negative liberty refers to the freedom from interference by others. Essentially, it means having the space to act without being obstructed by external constraints. Negative liberty is concerned with the absence of external limits or coercion, allowing individuals to pursue their action... Read More...

DRONE DIDIS: EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN AND REVOLUTIONIZING AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

Sep 13, 2024

DRONE DIDIS: EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN AND REVOLUTIONIZING AGRICULTURE IN INDIA The “NAMO Drone Didi” initiative is a pioneering program aimed at empowering rural women while enhancing agricultural efficiency. By integrating drone technology into farming, this initiative not only reduces costs but also makes women key contributors to agricultural progress in their communities. KEY FEATURES OF THE NAMO DRONE DIDI SCHEME 1. PROGRAM DETAILS: • The scheme focuses on training rural women to operate drones for spraying fertilizers on crops. • It aims to involve women as essential... Read More...

ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE (AGI)

Sep 12, 2024

ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE (AGI) 1. What is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)? Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to a type of artificial intelligence that can perform any intellectual task that a human being can do. Unlike narrow AI, which is designed for specific tasks like playing chess or recommending movies, AGI has the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a wide range of tasks, much like a human. The ultimate goal of AGI is to create machines that possess the same cognitive abilities as humans, including reasoning, problem-solving, and even creativity. 2. How is... Read More...

NAVRATNA PSUs:SIGNIFICANCE OF NHPC, SJVN, RAILTEL, AND SECI BECOMING NAVARATNAS

Sep 12, 2024

NAVRATNA PSUs:SIGNIFICANCE OF NHPC, SJVN, RAILTEL, AND SECI BECOMING NAVARATNAS 1. What is a Navratna PSU? A Navratna PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) is a central government enterprise in India that has been granted enhanced financial and operational autonomy due to its outstanding performance. This status allows these companies greater flexibility in making strategic decisions, investing in projects, and expanding operations without requiring extensive government approvals. 2. What are the benefits of being a Navratna PSU? Navratna PSUs enjoy several key benefits, including: ... Read More...

RANSOMWARE: AN OVERVIEW AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA

Sep 12, 2024

RANSOMWARE: AN OVERVIEW AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that blocks access to a user's system or files, demanding a ransom payment to restore access. It typically encrypts files or locks the entire system, leaving the victim unable to retrieve their data unless they pay the ransom, often in cryptocurrency. Who Launches Ransomware Attacks and Why? Ransomware attacks are carried out by cybercriminals, ranging from individuals to organized groups. Motivated by financial gain, they often target businesses, government institutions, healthcare providers... Read More...

PHOSPHORUS POLLUTION IN INDIAN WATER BODIES: SOURCES, EFFECTS, AND REMEDIES

Sep 12, 2024

PHOSPHORUS POLLUTION IN INDIAN WATER BODIES: SOURCES, EFFECTS, AND REMEDIES 1. What are the main sources of phosphorus in Indian water bodies? In India, significant sources of phosphorus include natural deposits like rock phosphate, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Additionally, phosphorus enters water bodies through agricultural runoff, wastewater from treatment plants, and improper disposal of animal manure. 2. How does phosphorus affect aquatic ecosystems in India? High levels of phosphorus can lead to eutrophication, where increased nutrient levels cause excessive growt... Read More...

THE TEESTA WATER TREATY BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH

Sep 12, 2024

THE TEESTA WATER TREATY BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH 1. What is the Teesta River and its significance? The Teesta River is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra, originating from the Tso Lhamo Lake in Sikkim. It flows through Sikkim and West Bengal in India before entering Bangladesh, where it is crucial for agriculture, supporting 8.5% of Bangladesh’s population and 14% of its crop production. 2. What happened to the Teesta water-sharing agreement? In 2011, a proposed agreement suggested that India would receive 42.5% of Teesta’s water and Bangladesh 37.5% during the dry season (December to March). Howe... Read More...

FOREST FIRES IN UTTARAKHAND: CAUSES, IMPACT, AND MANAGEMENT

Sep 12, 2024

FOREST FIRES IN UTTARAKHAND: CAUSES, IMPACT, AND MANAGEMENT 1. HOW SERIOUS IS THE FOREST FIRE PROBLEM IN UTTARAKHAND? Uttarakhand has been experiencing an increasing frequency of forest fires in recent years. The fires are becoming more intense and widespread, causing damage to large tracts of forest land and threatening human settlements. In 2023, the region witnessed over a thousand large fires, making it one of the worst-affected states in India. 2. WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF FOREST FIRES IN UTTARAKHAND? Forest fires in Uttarakhand are largely caused by human activities. The main cau... Read More...