UPSC Daily Current Affairs

E-COMMERCE REGULATIONS IN INDIA:CONTROVERSY

Sep 02, 2024

E-COMMERCE REGULATIONS IN INDIA:CONTROVERSY 1. What concerns did the Indian government raise about e-commerce platforms? The government, through Minister Piyush Goyal, expressed concerns that global e-commerce giants are using corporate loopholes to offer predatory pricing. These practices harm small retailers, making it difficult for them to compete. 2. Why are deep discounts by e-commerce platforms an issue? While deep discounts attract consumers, they distort the market by drawing customers away from small retailers. Such pricing strategies are considered anti-competitive by many and can undermine the loca... Read More...

INDIA’S STRATEGIC AUTONOMY IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: SIMPLIFIER

Sep 02, 2024

INDIA’S STRATEGIC AUTONOMY IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: SIMPLIFIER 1. What is strategic autonomy? Strategic autonomy refers to a nation’s ability to make independent decisions in global affairs based on its own interests, free from external pressures or alliances. It allows for a flexible foreign policy where the country can engage with multiple partners while safeguarding its sovereignty. 2. How does India practice strategic autonomy? India maintains balanced relations with major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s stance has been neutral, with decisions... Read More...

Spacewalk

Sep 02, 2024

Spacewalk 1. What is a spacewalk? A spacewalk, or extravehicular activity (EVA), is when an astronaut leaves their spacecraft to work in space. 2. How long does a typical spacewalk last? Usually 5-8 hours. 3. What do astronauts wear during spacewalks? Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) or spacesuits, which provide oxygen, temperature control, and protection from radiation. 4. Why do astronauts perform spacewalks? To conduct repairs, installations, experiments, and maintenance on spacecraft or satellites. 5. How do... Read More...

Sister Planets:Earth, Venus, and Mars

Sep 02, 2024

Sister Planets:Earth, Venus, and Mars Q: Why are Venus, Mars, and Earth considered "sister planets"? A: Venus, Mars, and Earth are often referred to as "sister planets" due to their similarities in several key aspects: They are all terrestrial (rocky) planets located in the inner solar system. They have similar sizes compared to the gas giants in the outer solar system. They share a common origin, forming from the same protoplanetary disk around 4.5 billion years ago. All three have (or had) active geological processes, including volcanism and tecton... Read More...

GE-F404 ENGINES AND MQ-9B PREDATOR DRONES: INDIA-US DEFENSE TIES:

Aug 31, 2024

GE-F404 ENGINES AND MQ-9B PREDATOR DRONES: INDIA-US DEFENSE TIES: 1. Significance of Rajnath Singh’s Visit to the US: • From August 23 to 27, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will visit the US to bolster India-US defense relations. • The visit lays the groundwork for Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024. • The backdrop includes strained India-US ties over alleged plots involving Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and India’s growing ties with Russia. 2. Focus on GE-F404 Engines and ... Read More...

UN SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE

Aug 31, 2024

UN SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE • WHAT IS THE SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE? The Summit of the Future is a global gathering scheduled for 22-23 September 2024, aimed at addressing both ongoing and emerging global challenges. The summit will bring together world leaders to discuss and agree on solutions that enhance international cooperation and strengthen global governance. • WHY WAS THE SUMMIT PROPOSED? The idea of the Summit emerged from the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda report, which responded to calls for innovative strategies to handle current and future global challenges. The report emphasized the n... Read More...

Carbon Capture and Storage in India:

Aug 31, 2024

Carbon Capture and Storage in India: What is CCS? CCS stands for Carbon Capture and Storage, also sometimes referred to as Carbon Capture and Sequestration. It's a technology designed to prevent large amounts of CO2 from entering the atmosphere by capturing it at the source, typically large industrial facilities. The process involves three main steps: capture, transport, and long-term storage of CO2. Why India needs CCS: 1. Coal reliance: - India is the world's second-largest coal consumer after China. - As of 2021, coal accounts for about... Read More...

LATERAL ENTRY IN BUREAUCRACY: ISSUES AND NEED FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE

Aug 31, 2024

LATERAL ENTRY IN BUREAUCRACY: ISSUES AND NEED FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE • Overview and Purpose Lateral entry refers to recruiting experts from the private sector or academia into senior government positions, bypassing the traditional civil services recruitment process. This approach gained momentum after the 2014 elections, driven by the belief that the inclusion of domain specialists and professionals would enhance government efficiency. The aim is to inject fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and specialized skills into governance. • Rationale Behind Lateral Entry The government often cites lateral entry as... Read More...

INFLATION TARGETING IN INDIA – HISTORY,PROS & CONS

Aug 31, 2024

INFLATION TARGETING IN INDIA – HISTORY,PROS & CONS 1. What is inflation targeting? Inflation targeting is a monetary policy strategy where a central bank, like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), sets an explicit target for the inflation rate. The primary goal is to maintain price stability while supporting economic growth. In India, this involves keeping the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at a central target of 4%, with a tolerance band of +/- 2 percentage points, meaning inflation can range between 2% and 6%. 2. Why was inflation targeting introduced in India? Before 2015, India faced persistent high... Read More...

ETHANOL BLENDING PROGRAMME IN INDIA: DETAILED EXPLAINER

Aug 31, 2024

ETHANOL BLENDING PROGRAMME IN INDIA: DETAILED EXPLAINER India’s ethanol blending programme aims to achieve a 20% ethanol blend in petrol by 2025-26, aligning with the government’s push for energy security, reduced dependence on crude oil imports, and environmental sustainability. However, this ambitious target brings various challenges, ranging from food security concerns to fuel efficiency in existing vehicles. Here’s a deep dive into the key aspects, challenges, and implications of this programme. The Basics of Ethanol Blending • Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel produced primarily from crops such as sugarc... Read More...

SUNITA WILLIAMS AND THE ISS MISSION

Aug 31, 2024

SUNITA WILLIAMS AND THE ISS MISSION What is the ISS? The International Space Station (ISS) is a large space laboratory that orbits Earth, where astronauts from different countries live and conduct experiments. It’s a unique place where gravity is almost nonexistent, allowing astronauts to study things in ways that are impossible on Earth. Who are Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore? Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are experienced astronauts who were sent to the ISS to test the Boeing Starliner, a new spacecraft designed to carry people to space. Their mission was originally meant to last just eight days... Read More...

JUPITER- JUICE MISSION

Aug 31, 2024

JUPITER- JUICE MISSION What is the JUICE Mission? The JUICE mission is a special space project by the European Space Agency (ESA) to explore Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, and its icy moons. The spacecraft is named “JUICE,” which stands for Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer. Why is the JUICE Mission Important? Scientists believe that some of Jupiter’s moons might have hidden oceans under their icy surfaces. These oceans could possibly support life! The JUICE mission will study three of these moons—Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede—to learn more about them ... Read More...

EUTHANASIA IN INDIA:CONSTITUTION AND CASE LAW

Aug 31, 2024

EUTHANASIA IN INDIA:CONSTITUTION AND CASE LAW Understanding Euthanasia: Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve suffering. It is broadly classified into two types: 1. Passive Euthanasia: • Involves the withdrawal of medical treatment or life-support systems that are keeping a terminally ill or comatose patient alive. This allows the patient to die naturally. • Example: Disconnecting a ventilator or stopping feeding tubes. 2. Active Euthanasia: • Involves directly causing the death of a patient th... Read More...

VIKSIT BHARAT( $30 TRILLION ) ECONOMY: PRODUCTIVITY IS THE KEY

Aug 31, 2024

VIKSIT BHARAT( $30 TRILLION ) ECONOMY: PRODUCTIVITY IS THE KEY To realize the ambitious goal of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047, India must prioritize productivity enhancements across key sectors. Here’s how this can be achieved, supported by concrete examples: 1. Enhancing Workforce Efficiency: • Example: The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) offers financial incentives for skill training in industries like automotive and electronics. This helps bridge the skill gap by aligning education with industry demands, thus increasing productivity. • The push for specialized training pr... Read More...

CHANDRAYAAN-3 MISSION: FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Aug 31, 2024

CHANDRAYAAN-3 MISSION: FIRST ANNIVERSARY 1. What made Chandrayaan-3’s landing so significant? Chandrayaan-3 was the first mission to successfully soft land near the lunar South Pole, a region of immense scientific interest for its potential frozen water reserves. This success cemented India’s position in the global space race, especially after several other countries failed in similar attempts. 2. How did Chandrayaan-3 differ from the failed Chandrayaan-2 mission? The Chandrayaan-3 mission incorporated crucial design changes, including improved control software to handle any issues during landing.... Read More...