UPSC Daily Current Affairs

GIFT CITY an IFSC

Sep 12, 2024

GIFT CITY an IFSC 1. What is an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and how does it work? An International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is a designated area that provides financial services to customers outside the domestic economy. IFSCs handle cross-border transactions, such as fund-raising, asset management, and insurance. For example, GIFT City in Gujarat, India, is an IFSC that offers services like wealth management and risk management to global clients. 2. What is GIFT City, and how has it performed so far? Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is India’s first operational IF... 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...

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...

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...

FOREST FIRES IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW

Sep 12, 2024

FOREST FIRES IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW 1. WHAT IS A FOREST FIRE? A forest fire is an uncontrolled and rapidly spreading combustion that consumes natural fuels in a forest ecosystem. When such a fire burns out of control, it is referred to as a wildfire. Forest fires have been a significant factor in shaping the development and management of forests worldwide. While some ecosystems have adapted to frequent fires, others are highly susceptible to their destructive effects. 2. HOW DO FOREST FIRES IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY? Forest fires can have varied impacts depending on the ecos... Read More...

2G Ethanol Production in India: FAQs

Sep 12, 2024

2G Ethanol Production in India: FAQs 1. What is 2G ethanol? 2G ethanol, or second-generation ethanol, is a type of biofuel produced from non-food sources like agricultural residues (e.g., sugarcane bagasse, corn stover, rice straw). This contrasts with 1G ethanol, which is derived from food crops like sugarcane and corn. 2. Why is India focusing on 2G ethanol production? India aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) by 2025-26, reducing its reliance on imported fossil fuels and improving energy security. 2G ethanol offers a sustainable solution by u... Read More...

NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING (NLP):SIMPLIFIER

Sep 11, 2024

NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING (NLP):SIMPLIFIER 1. What is Natural Language Processing (NLP)? • NLP is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on enabling computers to understand, interpret, and respond to human language. It combines linguistics with computer science to allow machines to process and analyze large amounts of natural language data, like text or speech. 2. How does NLP work? • NLP works by breaking down language into smaller parts, like words and sentences, and then analyzing these parts using algorithms. It involves tasks like tokenization (splitting text into words), parsing (underst... Read More...

NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEYS IN INDIA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sep 11, 2024

NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEYS IN INDIA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. What is the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)? • The NFHS is a large-scale survey conducted in India to gather data on health and demographic indicators across different states and districts. It provides crucial information on topics like family planning, maternal and child health, and population statistics. 2. How has the NFHS changed over time? • Initially, the NFHS focused on providing data at the state level. However, due to the need for more detailed information, it was later expanded to include district-level estimates. For ex... Read More...

Financialization

Sep 11, 2024

Financialization What is financialization? Financialization refers to the growing influence of financial markets, institutions, and actors on the economy, where financial considerations increasingly dominate economic policy and outcomes. What are the key characteristics of financialization? The expansion of financial services The rise in complexity and variety of financial instruments The growing importance of the stock market in economic decisions The emphasis on shareholder value as a key measure of corporate success How does financialization impact the economy? Read More...

CHEETAH CORRIDOR BETWEEN MADHYA PRADESH AND RAJASTHAN

Sep 11, 2024

CHEETAH CORRIDOR BETWEEN MADHYA PRADESH AND RAJASTHAN Intro Madhya Pradesh, the current host of translocated cheetahs from Africa, is in discussions with Rajasthan to establish a designated “cheetah corridor” between the two states. This initiative aims to expand the habitat of these wild cats, ensuring their protection across state borders. The corridor would link Kuno Palpur National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh with several protected areas in Rajasthan. Analysis The creation of a cheetah corridor is crucial for enhancing the survival and adaptability of t... Read More...

SMART INDUSTRIAL CITIES IN INDIA

Sep 11, 2024

SMART INDUSTRIAL CITIES IN INDIA 1. What is the purpose of creating 12 smart industrial cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)? The initiative aims to transform India’s manufacturing sector, create jobs, and boost the country’s integration into global value chains (GVCs). It is also intended to support sustainable industrial growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance India’s overall economic competitiveness. 2. How will these smart industrial cities boost India’s manufacturing sector? The cities are designed to provide high-grade industrial facilities, i... Read More...

East China Sea:Japan and China's Maritime Dispute:Senkaku/Diaoyu and the Danjo Islands

Sep 11, 2024

East China Sea:Japan and China's Maritime Dispute:Senkaku/Diaoyu and the Danjo Islands What are territorial waters? Territorial waters refer to the belt of coastal waters extending up to 12 nautical miles from the shore of a state. Within these waters, the coastal state exercises sovereignty, including over the airspace above and the seabed below. Recent Incidents between Japan and China: Recently, tensions escalated when a Chinese naval ship entered Japanese territorial waters near Kuchinoerabu Island. Additionally, Japan scrambled fighter jets in response to a two-minute incursion by a Chinese Y-9 surveillance aircr... Read More...

INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS AND PARKS: INDIA’S MANUFACTURING REVOLUTION

Sep 11, 2024

INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS AND PARKS: INDIA’S MANUFACTURING REVOLUTION 1. What is the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)? • The NICDP is a government initiative aimed at creating a network of large-scale industrial regions interconnected by advanced infrastructure. This program is designed to elevate India as a global manufacturing powerhouse by developing greenfield industrial smart cities. Recently, 12 new projects were approved under this program, further expanding its reach. 2. Which are some key industrial corridors being developed under the NICDP? • Delhi-Mumbai Indus... Read More...

NEURAL NETWORKS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: SIMPLIFIER

Sep 11, 2024

NEURAL NETWORKS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is a neural network? • A neural network is a type of computer program that mimics the way the human brain works. It is made up of layers of interconnected nodes, or “neurons,” that process data and make decisions. Neural networks are commonly used in AI for tasks like recognizing images, understanding speech, and making predictions. 2. How do neural networks work? • Neural networks work by passing data through layers of neurons. Each neuron processes the data and sends it to the next layer. This process continues until the network ... Read More...

COMPUTER VISION:HOW DO COMPUTERS “SEE”?

Sep 11, 2024

COMPUTER VISION:HOW DO COMPUTERS “SEE”? 1. What is computer vision? • Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence that enables computers to interpret and make decisions based on visual information, like images or videos. It’s like giving computers the ability to “see” and understand the world. 2. How does computer vision work? • Computer vision works by processing images or video frames to recognize patterns, objects, or other details. It uses algorithms and neural networks to analyze visual data and make sense of it, similar to how humans recognize objects in a pic... Read More...