UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Base effect in GDP/Inflation Estimates

Aug 27, 2024

Base effect in GDP/Inflation Estimates Base effect refers to the impact of comparing current economic data against data from a year ago, particularly when there were unusual circumstances or extreme values in the previous year. This concept is important in understanding year-over-year changes in economic indicators like GDP growth or inflation rates. Here's a brief explanation of base effect in the context of GDP and inflation: 1. GDP: When calculating GDP growth rates, we typically compare the current period's GDP to the same period in the previous year. If th... Read More...

GREY ZONE WARFARE: FOCUS ON INDIA

Aug 27, 2024

GREY ZONE WARFARE: FOCUS ON INDIA Grey Zone Warfare operates between the defined states of peace and war, involving a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic tactics that avoid crossing the threshold into overt military conflict. This strategic approach is increasingly relevant for India, facing multiple such challenges on its borders and within the digital realm. Here’s how grey zone warfare manifests around India, including examples: 1. Border Skirmishes and Standoffs: India’s prolonged border tensions with neighboring countries like China and Pakistan often involve tactics that are typical of grey zone warfare. For instance, the Doklam s... Read More...

MASS CORAL BLEACHING AND THE FUTURE OF REEFS

Aug 27, 2024

MASS CORAL BLEACHING AND THE FUTURE OF REEFS 1. What is coral bleaching? • Definition: Coral bleaching occurs when corals, stressed by environmental factors like high water temperatures, expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues. These algae provide corals with their vibrant colors and most of their nutrients. Without them, corals turn white (bleach) and, if the stress continues, can die. 2. Why is coral bleaching a significant problem? • Global Scale: The ongoing heat-stress event is the most widespread on record, impacting ... Read More...

MITRA SHAKTI JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE:INDIA and SRI LANKA

Aug 27, 2024

MITRA SHAKTI JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE:INDIA and SRI LANKA 1. What is MITRA SHAKTI’s goal? • To enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations under UN Chapter VII. 2. Who are the participants? • 106 personnel from India’s Rajputana Rifles and Sri Lanka’s Gajaba Regiment. 3. Where is it held? • At Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. 4. What activities are included? • Tactical drills like anti-terrorist actions and special heliborne operations.... Read More...

METHANE-EATING BACTERIA IN WESTERN GHATS

Aug 27, 2024

METHANE-EATING BACTERIA IN WESTERN GHATS 1. What has been discovered in the Western Ghats and Vetal Tekdi Quarry? • Scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune, led by Monali Rahalkar, have discovered India’s first indigenous methane-mitigating bacteria, known as methanotrophs. These bacteria were found in the wetlands of the Western Ghats and the Vetal Tekdi Quarry in Pune. 2. What are methanotrophs? • Methanotrophs are methane-eating bacteria that thrive in environments where both methane and oxygen are present. They mitigate methane by oxidizing it, thereby reduc... Read More...

Furlough, Parole, and Remission: Comparison

Aug 27, 2024

Furlough, Parole, and Remission: Comparison Read More...

Collision avoidance systems (CAS)in transportation:Kavach

Aug 27, 2024

Collision avoidance systems (CAS)in transportation:Kavach 1. What is a collision avoidance system (CAS)? Read More...

Distributed Denial-of-Service:DDoS Attack

Aug 27, 2024

Distributed Denial-of-Service:DDoS Attack Q: What is a DDoS attack? Read More...

SPACE FORCES AND THEIR STRATEGIC IMPACT

Aug 27, 2024

SPACE FORCES AND THEIR STRATEGIC IMPACT 1. What is a Space Force? A Space Force is a military branch organized to conduct space warfare and operations. It is tasked with the defense of a nation’s interests in space, including satellites and other space assets. 2. Why are countries establishing Space Forces? Countries are establishing Space Forces to secure their assets in space, ensure operational capabilities during conflicts, and enhance their technological advancements in space technologies. 3. What are the potential risks of militarizing space? Read More...

MICROPLASTICS POLLUTION IN INDIA

Aug 26, 2024

1. What are microplastics? • Microplastics are tiny plastic particles no larger than 5 millimeters in size. They are generated from the breakdown of larger plastic items, as well as from sources like tyre abrasion, synthetic clothing, and plastic pellets used in manufacturing. 2. Why are microplastics a concern? • Microplastics pose a serious environmental and health threat. They accumulate in water bodies, enter the food chain, and release harmful chemical additives that can cause neurotoxicity, inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cancer in humans and animals. 3. How much microplastic pollutio... Read More...

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER

Aug 26, 2024

The Perseid meteor shower is an annual astronomical event that delights skywatchers with a spectacular show of meteors streaking across the night sky. Here’s a clear explanation of what it is and why it happens: What is the Perseid Meteor Shower? The Perseid meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through a cloud of debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. This comet, which takes 133 years to orbit the Sun, sheds particles and fragments that linger in its path. When Earth intersects this debris trail, the particles enter our planet’s atmosphere and burn up due to friction with the air, creating the glowing streaks we see as meteors. ... Read More...

POLITICAL PARTIES and PMLA:PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING ACT (PMLA)

Aug 26, 2024

1. What is the PMLA? The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is legislation aimed at preventing money laundering and related criminal activities in India. The act allows for the prosecution of individuals or entities suspected of converting illegally obtained money into legitimate assets. 2. Can political parties be charged under the PMLA? Typically, the PMLA targets individuals or corporate entities involved in financial transactions linked to proceeds from crime. The inclusion of political parties under this act is unprecedented and legally complex. Current interpretations suggest that political parties, as they are not p... Read More...

109 NEW SEED VARIETIES INTRODUCED By PM MODI

Aug 26, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent launch of 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified seed varieties marks a significant advancement in Indian agriculture. Developed collaboratively by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various state agriculture universities, these seeds are designed to cater to diverse agricultural needs across India, from enhancing farm productivity to improving farmers’ incomes. Key Benefits of the New Seed Varieties: 1. Enhanced Yield and Farmer Income: The new seed varieties are engineered to produce higher yields. This not only promises to boost agricultural output but also aims to ... Read More...

SAINT MARTIN’S ISLAND:STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY

Aug 26, 2024

Saint Martin’s Island is a small but geopolitically significant coral island located in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. With a surface area of just 3 square kilometers, it is situated approximately 9 kilometers south of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula in Bangladesh and about 8 kilometers west of the Myanmar coast at the mouth of the Naf River. Key Points: • Geographical Location: The island is the southernmost part of Bangladesh, close to Myanmar, and serves as a crucial fishing hub for its 7,000 residents. The island is also known as Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) and Daruchini Dwip (Cinnamon Island). • Histo... Read More...

Core Inflation and Its Implications for RBI Policy Targeting

Aug 26, 2024

Core Inflation :Should RBI Target? Definition of Core Inflation: Core inflation is a measure of the underlying long-term price movement within an economy, excluding categories that are considered volatile, such as food and fuel. This exclusion is based on the premise that food and fuel prices are susceptible to temporary shocks that may not reflect broader economic conditions. Suggestion for RBI: It is suggested that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) consider targeting core inflation rather than headline inflation as a focus for its monetary policy framework. This approach could potentially pro... Read More...