UPSC Daily Current Affairs

BASE YEAR FOR THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI):NEED FOR REVISION

Sep 04, 2024

BASE YEAR FOR THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI):NEED FOR REVISION 1. What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)? • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices of a basket of goods and services commonly consumed by households, tracking inflation at the retail level. It plays a critical role in economic analysis and policy decisions. 2. What is meant by the “base year” in CPI? • The base year in CPI is the reference year against which current price levels are compared. The index for the base year is set to 100, and all subsequent years’ price changes ... Read More...

Pragyan Rover: Unveiling the Moon's Ancient Secrets

Sep 04, 2024

Pragyan Rover: Unveiling the Moon's Ancient Secrets Q: What is Pragyan and what was its mission? A: Pragyan is a small, six-wheeled rover that was part of India's Chandrayaan-3 mission. It successfully landed on the Moon's south pole on August 23, 2023. Its mission was to explore the lunar surface, analyze the soil, and send valuable data back to Earth. Q: What significant finding did Pragyan recently make? A: Pragyan discovered a type of rock called ferroan anorthosite in the lunar soil. This finding supports the theory that the moon was once... Read More...

MANGROVE RESTORATION WITH BIO-SHIELDS

Sep 04, 2024

MANGROVE RESTORATION WITH BIO-SHIELDS Tamil Nadu is making significant strides in coastal conservation by restoring and expanding its mangrove cover. Villagers are at the core of these efforts, contributing to the creation of ‘bio-shields’ that protect against floods, erosion, and climate change. Here are some key details about the initiative: 1. What Is Tamil Nadu’s Bio-Shield Initiative? The state government’s initiative involves planting mangroves to create natural barriers, or bio-shields, along the coastline. These bio-shields are essential for safeguarding coastal communities from disasters while revi... Read More...

CLIMATE CHANGE & THE PANAMA CANAL

Sep 03, 2024

CLIMATE CHANGE & THE PANAMA CANAL Q1: What is the Panama Canal? The Panama Canal is a 82-kilometer waterway in Central America that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It allows ships to save time by avoiding a long journey around South America. Q2: How does the Panama Canal work? The canal uses a system of locks to lift and lower ships as they travel between the oceans. Freshwater from nearby Lake Gatun fills these locks, helping ships move smoothly along the canal. Q3: Why does the canal need so much freshwater? Each time a ship passes through, ove... Read More...

Rotavirus

Sep 03, 2024

Rotavirus What is rotavirus? Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea, primarily in young children. It's one of the leading causes of diarrhea-related deaths in children under 5 years old worldwide. How does rotavirus spread? It spreads easily through the fecal-oral route, meaning that tiny particles of feces containing the virus are ingested. This can happen through contaminated food, water, or surfaces. What are the symptoms of rotavirus infection? - Severe watery diarrhea - Vomiting - Fever - Abdomin... Read More...

China-Philippines South China Sea Disputes

Sep 03, 2024

China-Philippines South China Sea Disputes Q: What are the main points of contention between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea? A: The main issues include: 1. Territorial disputes over islands and reefs, particularly the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal 2. Conflicting claims over maritime rights and resources 3. China's construction and militarization of artificial islands 4. Fishing rights and access to marine resources 5. Freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed areas Q: What is the significance of Scarborough Shoal? A: Scarborough Shoal is a ... Read More...

PHILIPPINES’ DISPUTE WITH CHINA IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: SIMPLIFIER

Sep 03, 2024

PHILIPPINES’ DISPUTE WITH CHINA IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the core issue in the Philippines-China dispute? The dispute centers around China’s claim to over 90% of the South China Sea, which overlaps with the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. Key contested areas include the resource-rich Spratly Islands and waters near the Sabina Shoal, both critical for fishing, shipping, and potential energy resources. 2. What is the significance of the 2016 international tribunal ruling? The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Ha... Read More...

WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2024: SIMPLIFIER

Sep 03, 2024

WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2024: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024? The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 is an update to the original 1974 Act. It addresses certain gaps in the earlier law, modernizing the regulatory framework. The amendment focuses on decriminalizing minor offenses and replacing them with a penalty-based system, aiming to reduce the legal burden on businesses while promoting compliance through financial penalties rather than criminal prosecution. 2. Why was the 20... Read More...

NEW SPACE AGE and INDIA

Sep 03, 2024

NEW SPACE AGE and INDIA The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s South Pole on August 23, 2023, marks a milestone in India’s space exploration journey. The site, named Station Shiv Shakti, symbolizes the nation’s perseverance, technological advancements, and collective will. INDIA’S SPACE PROGRAMME: A VISIONARY BEGINNING India’s space program began in the early years of independence, driven by visionaries like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who saw space exploration as a way to address societal challenges. Despite limited resources, India focused on practical applications of space technology,... Read More...

VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL RESERVATIONS IN INDIA: EXPLAINED

Sep 03, 2024

VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL RESERVATIONS IN INDIA: EXPLAINED What are Vertical and Horizontal Reservations? In India, reservations are a means of affirmative action designed to improve the representation of underrepresented communities in education, employment, and politics. The Supreme Court has provided clarifications on two types of reservations, namely vertical and horizontal reservations, which are used to ensure equity and social justice. Vertical Reservations: What Are They? Vertical reservations refer to the allocation of seats or positions reserved for specific backward communities such as Sche... Read More...

COMBINATION DRUGS: BANS

Sep 03, 2024

COMBINATION DRUGS: BANS What are Combination Drugs? Combination drugs are medications that contain more than one active ingredient to treat multiple symptoms or conditions. These drugs are designed to simplify treatment regimens by combining the effects of typically two or more drugs into one pill, potentially enhancing patient adherence to treatment protocols. Why Were They Banned? The Indian government recently implemented a ban on 156 drug combinations. This action was taken after a thorough review by an expert committee appointed by the Central Government, which found these fixed-dose combinatio... Read More...

SANDSTONE AND GRANITE FORMATIONS

Sep 03, 2024

SANDSTONE AND GRANITE FORMATIONS The phrase “The sandstones tell us ‘when’ and the granite tells us ‘how’” highlights the distinct roles that different rock types play in understanding Earth’s geological history. • Sandstones Tell Us ‘When’: Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formed through the accumulation of sand particles over millions of years, typically in riverbeds, deserts, or coastal regions. The layers of sandstone act as a historical record, offering insights into the relative timing of events such as ancient environments, climatic changes, and the deposition of materials.... Read More...

BAY OF BENGAL: STRATEGIC FLASHPOINT AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Sep 03, 2024

BAY OF BENGAL: STRATEGIC FLASHPOINT AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE Q1: What is the Bay of Bengal (BoB)? The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world, covering 2.6 million square kilometers. It borders countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Located in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, it has significant strategic and economic importance. Q2: Why is the Bay of Bengal gaining strategic attention? The BoB is becoming a hotspot due to rising geopolitical competition, especially between the US, China, and regional powers like India. China’... Read More...

NEW DRUG APPROVAL PROCESS IN INDIA: CLINICAL TRIALS

Sep 03, 2024

NEW DRUG APPROVAL PROCESS IN INDIA: CLINICAL TRIALS How has the Approval Process for New Drugs Changed? The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules in India mandate that the safety and efficacy of any new drug must be demonstrated through clinical trials before it can be approved for marketing in the country. Typically, these trials begin with Phase I conducted within India even if the drug was discovered outside of the country. However, a recent shift in the approval process allows for some drugs developed in certain countries (like those in the European Union, the US, UK, Australia, and Canada) to skip local Phase I trials. This expedited process aims to ma... Read More...

INDIA AND BRAZIL RESOLVE DISPUTE AT WTO

Sep 03, 2024

INDIA AND BRAZIL RESOLVE DISPUTE AT WTO Background and Settlement India and Brazil, two of the world’s largest sugar producers, have settled a long-standing trade dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The dispute centered around allegations that India’s subsidies to its sugar producers were inconsistent with global trade rules, which could potentially lead to a surplus of global sugar supply. The settlement marks a significant step towards resolving issues that could have escalated into a broader trade conflict between the two nations. The Basis of the Dispute The dispute began ... Read More...