UPSC Daily Current Affairs

INTRODUCTION TO THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION SUMMIT 2024: KEY OUTCOMES AND STRATEGIC DYNAMICS

Aug 26, 2024

SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (SCO)SUMMIT 2024: KEY OUTCOMES AND STRATEGIC DYNAMICS The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, held from July 3-4, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan, served as a crucial platform for discussing important global issues including multipolarity, counter-terrorism, energy security, and regional stability. Here’s a simplified overview to help understand the significant discussions and outcomes of the SCO summit: 1. India’s Role and Concerns: India, represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, highlighted ongoing border tensions with China, underscoring the need for adheren... Read More...

WARM NIGHTS and HUMAN HEALTH

Aug 26, 2024

WARM NIGHTS and HUMAN HEALTH Warm nights are increasingly becoming a public health concern, particularly in regions like India where high night-time temperatures exacerbate the health risks associated with daytime heat. Insights from various studies and health experts highlight the severe impacts and necessary responses to this growing issue. Health Risks of Warm Nights: • Increased Mortality: Analysis by the Gujarat-based Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) links high night-time temperatures directly to increased mortality rates. In Ahmedabad, mortality rates nearly doubled during... Read More...

KEELADI: DISCOVERY OF 2,600-YEAR-OLD TERRACOTTA PIPELINE IN INDIA

Aug 26, 2024

KEELADI: DISCOVERY OF 2,600-YEAR-OLD TERRACOTTA PIPELINE IN INDIA 1. What is Keeladi, and why is it significant? • Keeladi: Keeladi is an ancient archaeological site located in Tamil Nadu, India, approximately seven miles southeast of Madurai. It has gained immense significance due to its connection with the Sangam period, which is crucial to understanding the early history and civilization of the Tamil people. • Significance: The site has revealed more than 20,000 antiquities and artifacts over the last decade, offering valuable insights into a sophisticated society that existed along the banks of the Vaigai Ri... Read More...

WARM NIGHTS IN INDIA:THE RISING CHALLENGE

Aug 26, 2024

WARM NIGHTS IN INDIA:THE RISING CHALLENGE This summer, India has experienced an alarming rise in night-time temperatures, causing significant discomfort and health risks for many, especially the vulnerable populations like the homeless. Key Insights: • Record-Breaking Temperatures: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded unprecedented high minimum temperatures across the country, with places like Alwar experiencing a minimum of 37°C — the highest since records began 55 years ago. • Consistent Highs: In Delhi, night temperatures remained 4... 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...

Core inflation and headline inflation are two important measures used to understand price changes in an economy. Here's an explanation of both

Aug 26, 2024

Core inflation and headline inflation Core inflation and headline inflation are two important measures used to understand price changes in an economy. Here's an explanation of both: 1. Headline Inflation: - This is the total inflation within an economy, including all aspects of the consumer price index (CPI). - It measures the rate of price change for all goods and services. - Headline inflation includes prices of food and energy, which can be volatile. - This is typically the figure reported in the media and used by most central banks for policy decisions. 2. Core Inflation: Read More...

UNDERSTANDING REITS IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW

Aug 26, 2024

REITS IN INDIA: SIMPLIFIER What are REITs? • Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allow individuals to invest in large-scale real estate properties without having to directly own or manage them. They function by pooling funds from numerous investors, which are then used to purchase, operate, or finance real estate that generates income. Introduction of REITs in India: • REITs were introduced in India to provide a structured avenue for investments in real estate, making it accessible not just to large institutional investors but also to the general public who might want to invest in this ... Read More...

RANSOMWARE in INDIA

Aug 26, 2024

RANSOMWARE in INDIA What is Ransomware and Why is it Spreading? 1. What is ransomware? • Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts the data on a victim’s system, rendering it inaccessible. The attackers then demand a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key. 2. Why is ransomware spreading? • Emergence of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): RaaS has made it easier for cybercriminals to launch ransomware attacks without needing advanced technical skills. These platforms provi... Read More...

HYBRID WARFARE

Aug 26, 2024

HYBRID WARFARE Hybrid warfare represents a blend of military and non-military strategies, exploiting the full spectrum of modern warfare tactics. This form of warfare is notably complex, as it transcends traditional battlegrounds, encompassing economic pressure, disinformation campaigns, and cyber-attacks alongside conventional military actions. China, as a prominent global player, provides a clear example of how such strategies can be deployed: 1. Cyber Operations: China has extensively invested in cyber capabilities, targeting government networks, critical infrastructure, and influential corporations worldwide. These operation... Read More...

ANCIENT ROCK ART IN RATNAGIRI : ‘PROTECTED MONUMENTS’

Aug 26, 2024

ANCIENT ROCK ART IN RATNAGIRI : ‘PROTECTED MONUMENTS’ 1. What has the Maharashtra government recently notified as ‘protected monuments’? • The Maharashtra government has designated ancient geoglyphs and petroglyphs in Ratnagiri as ‘protected monuments’ under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. These include rock carvings that date back to the Mesolithic era, roughly 20,000-10,000 years ago. 2. What are geoglyphs and petroglyphs? • Geoglyphs: These are large designs or motifs ... Read More...

ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN CHILIKA LAKE

Aug 26, 2024

ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN CHILIKA LAKE What is an artificial reef? An artificial reef is a man-made underwater structure, typically built to promote marine life in areas with generally featureless bottoms, to control erosion, block ship passage, block the use of trawling nets, or improve surfing. Why are artificial reefs important? Artificial reefs help to enhance marine biodiversity by providing habitats for various marine organisms. They can also protect shorelines from wave erosion and potentially increase local fish stocks, thereby benefiting fishing communities. What materials are used to crea... Read More...

PERIODIC LABOUR FORCE SURVEY (PLFS)

Aug 26, 2024

PERIODIC LABOUR FORCE SURVEY (PLFS) & THE PROPOSED CHANGES What is the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)? The PLFS is a survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) since April 2017. Its primary goal is to collect data on the labor force in India, providing key employment and unemployment indicators to help understand the dynamics of the labor market. What are the main objectives of the PLFS? 1. Urban Areas (Quarterly): To estimate key employment and unemployment indicators, such as Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, and Unemployment Rate every thr... Read More...

21ST LIVESTOCK CENSUS IN INDIA

Aug 26, 2024

21ST LIVESTOCK CENSUS IN INDIA 1. What is the purpose of the 21st livestock census? The census aims to provide updated data on the livestock and poultry populations in India. It helps in policy formulation, productivity enhancement, and infrastructure development in the sector. 2. When will the 21st livestock census take place? The census is scheduled from September to December 2024. 3. How is the census conducted? The census will involve doorstep visits to households, home-based enterprises, and commercial farms to count and identify breeds of domesticated an... Read More...

SDG INDIA INDEX 2023-24: PROGRESS IN KEY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Aug 26, 2024

SDG INDIA INDEX 2023-24: PROGRESS IN KEY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, released annually by NITI Aayog since 2018, serves as a comprehensive tool to track the progress of Indian states and union territories (UTs) towards achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023-24 edition highlights significant improvements in several key areas, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to meet these global targets. Progress in Key Goals The SDG India Index 2023-24 reports marked advancements in several goals: • Goal 1: Read More...

Philippines and China in the South China Sea

Aug 25, 2024

Scarborough Shoal The dispute over the South China Sea has deep historical roots, but modern tensions began to escalate in the latter half of the 20th century: 1. 1940s-1950s: Following World War II, various countries began to make claims on islands and waters in the South China Sea. 2. 1970s: The discovery of oil and gas reserves in the region intensified interest and competing claims. 3. 1980s-1990s: China began to assert its "nine-dash line" claim, encompassing most of the South China Sea. 4. 2012: A ... Read More...