UPSC Daily Current Affairs

AI/ML in the Indian Financial Services

Sep 05, 2024

AI/ML in the Indian Financial Services Q: How is AI/ML expected to impact financial services in India? A: According to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, AI/ML is poised to revolutionize financial services in India in unprecedented ways. It's expected to transform various aspects of the industry, from fraud detection to customer service. Q: What are some current applications of AI in Indian financial services? A: AI applications in Indian financial services currently focus on fraud detection, offering more efficient identification and prevention of fraudulent activities compared to traditional methods. For e... Read More...

SOLAR PARABOLOID TECHNOLOGY: A GAME CHANGER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

Sep 05, 2024

SOLAR PARABOLOID TECHNOLOGY: A GAME CHANGER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY Solar paraboloid technology is gaining attention as a powerful alternative for generating solar energy more efficiently. Here’s a simplified breakdown focusing on key public policy points: 1. What Is Solar Paraboloid Technology? This technology uses curved mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver tube, which heats fluid to produce electricity or heat for industrial use. It works at higher temperatures than regular solar panels, making it more efficient for large-scale applications. 2. Why Does It Matter for Policy?... Read More...

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM: 2024 SUMMIT IN TONGA

Sep 05, 2024

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM: 2024 SUMMIT IN TONGA 1. What is the Pacific Islands Forum? The Pacific Islands Forum, founded in 1971, is a regional organization that brings together 18 member states to discuss and coordinate responses to the challenges faced by the Pacific region. The forum includes nations with some of the world’s smallest populations, as well as Australia and New Zealand, and plays a crucial role in regional diplomacy and cooperation. 2. What are the main issues discussed at the Pacific Islands Forum? The forum addresses a wide range of issues critical to the Pacific region, includ... Read More...

Australia's "Right to Disconnect" Law

Sep 05, 2024

Australia's "Right to Disconnect" Law Q: What is the "Right to Disconnect" law in Australia? A: The "Right to Disconnect" law allows Australian workers to ignore work-related communications, like calls and emails, outside of their normal working hours. This means employees can refuse to respond to their bosses after work,unless their refusal is deemed "unreasonable." Q: Who benefits from this law? A: This law primarily benefits employees in larger companies (with more than 15 employees). It empowers them to reclaim their personal time and est... Read More...

ULI: India's New Digital Lending Platform

Sep 05, 2024

ULI: India's New Digital Lending Platform What is ULI? ULI stands for Unified Lending Interface. It's a digital platform proposed to be created by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to make it easier for people to get loans. It works by securely collecting and sharing financial and non-financial information between borrowers and lenders. How does ULI work? Borrower applies for a loan: The borrower initiates a loan request through the ULI platform. Consent-based data sharing: The borrower gives permission for ULI to access their relevant information from different sources like ban... Read More...

Legal fiction

Sep 05, 2024

Legal fiction Q: What is legal fiction? A: Legal fiction is a concept in law where something is assumed to be true for legal purposes, even though it may not be factually true. It's a tool used to help apply laws in certain situations or to achieve specific legal outcomes. Here are some examples of legal fiction in Indian law: 1. Adoption: In Indian law, an adopted child is considered to be the biological child of the adoptive parents. This is a legal fiction because it's not biologically true, but it's treated as true for all legal purposes. ... Read More...

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Sep 05, 2024

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Introduction The criminal justice system is the foundation for addressing crime through its legal, institutional, and infrastructural mechanisms. It involves mul- tiple stakeholders like police, prosecution, judici- ary, witnesses, and correctional facilities, aiming to deliver justice, deter crime, and enhance public confidence in legal processes. Malimath Committee In 2003, the Malimath Committee proposed re- forms to improve India’s criminal justice system, aiming to balance judicial efficiency with rights protection. Recommendations Summary Read More...

NEW US-INDIA DEFENCE AGREEMENTS

Sep 05, 2024

NEW US-INDIA DEFENCE AGREEMENTS 1. What are the two new US-India defence agreements signed in August 2023? • The two new agreements are the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and the Memorandum of Agreement on the Assignment of Liaison Officers. These agreements aim to enhance defence cooperation, focusing on priority supply chains and the integration of liaison officers between the two nations. 2. What is the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA)? • SOSA is an agreement under which the US and India will provide each other with priority access to defence products and services during ti... Read More...

PM JAN DHAN YOJANA,TEN YEARS -FAQs

Sep 05, 2024

PM JAN DHAN YOJANA,TEN YEARS -FAQs 1. What is the PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and why was it launched? PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a national mission launched on August 28, 2014, aimed at ensuring access to financial services, such as banking, savings and deposit accounts, remittances, credit, insurance, and pensions, in an affordable manner. The initiative was launched to address the issue of financial exclusion among the economically weaker sections of society. By bringing millions of unbanked Indians into the formal financial system, PMJDY seeks to provide them with financial security and empower them to participate more fully in th... Read More...

PM-WANI:SIMPLIFIER

Sep 05, 2024

PM-WANI:SIMPLIFIER 1. What is PM-WANI? The Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) is a government initiative launched in December 2020 to provide widespread public Wi-Fi access across India. It aims to enhance internet penetration, especially in rural and underserved areas, by setting up Wi-Fi hotspots through Public Data Offices (PDOs). 2. How does PM-WANI work? PM-WANI operates through a network of PDOs, which are local shops, kiosks, or small businesses that set up and manage Wi-Fi hotspots. These PDOs purchase internet bandwidth from Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) or Internet Service ... Read More...

HIMACHAL PRADESH RAISES MARRIAGE AGE FOR WOMEN: CRITICAL REVIEW

Sep 05, 2024

HIMACHAL PRADESH RAISES MARRIAGE AGE FOR WOMEN: CRITICAL REVIEW What Happened? The Himachal Pradesh Assembly recently passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, which raises the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. The Bill was introduced by Women Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil and passed by a voice vote. Why Was the Bill Introduced? The primary objective of the Bill is to promote gender equality and support higher education for women. Early marriages often hinder women’s progress, both in terms of their educational and career aspirations, and c... Read More...

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: FAQs

Sep 05, 2024

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: FAQs 1. What is protein synthesis? Protein synthesis is the process by which cells produce proteins, essential molecules that perform various functions within the body. It involves converting genetic information from DNA into functional proteins. 2. What are the main stages of protein synthesis? Protein synthesis occurs in two main stages: • Transcription: The process where DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus. • Translation: The process where the mRNA is translated into a protein at the ribosome in t... Read More...

WEST VS. CHINA TRADE AND TECH WAR: IMPLICATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA :FAQS 1. What is the West vs. China trade and tech war? The West vs. China trade and tech war refers to the escalating conflict between Western countries, primarily the U.S. and

Sep 05, 2024

WEST VS. CHINA TRADE AND TECH WAR: IMPLICATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA :FAQS 1. What is the West vs. China trade and tech war? The West vs. China trade and tech war refers to the escalating conflict between Western countries, primarily the U.S. and its allies, and China. This conflict involves tariffs, trade barriers, and restrictions on technology exports, driven by concerns over China’s state-directed economic policies, industrial overcapacity, and technological dominance. 2. Why are Western countries imposing tariffs and restrictions on China? Western nations, led by the U.S., argue t... Read More...

REPLACE FASTAG WITH GNSS TECHNOLOGY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR TOLL COLLECTION

Sep 05, 2024

REPLACE FASTAG WITH GNSS TECHNOLOGY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR TOLL COLLECTION The Indian government is planning a major upgrade in its toll collection system by replacing the existing FASTag system with the advanced Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Here’s everything you need to know about this transition: 1. What Is GNSS Technology? GNSS is a satellite-based toll collection system that tracks vehicles as they travel on toll roads. Unlike FASTag, which uses RFID tags and requires toll booths, GNSS calculates the toll fee based on the actual distance traveled by the vehicle. The amount is automatically deducted as the vehicle exits... Read More...

*FARAKKA BARRAGE AND TIPAIMUKH DAM: INDIA-BANGLADESH WATER DISPUTES AND COOPERATION**

Sep 05, 2024

*FARAKKA BARRAGE AND TIPAIMUKH DAM: INDIA-BANGLADESH WATER DISPUTES AND COOPERATION** 1. Farakka Barrage: A Strategic Necessity The construction of the Farakka Barrage in 1975 was essential for India’s objectives, primarily to improve the navigability of the Hooghly River and revive the Kolkata port, a key economic hub. While it did lead to concerns from Bangladesh, the Ganga Water Treaty signed in 1996 under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina established a fair and transparent water-sharing mechanism, demonstrating India’s commitment to addressing Bangladesh’s concerns through dialogue and cooperation. Read More...