UPSC Daily Current Affairs

ICE ON THE MOON: SIMPLIFIER

Aug 23, 2024

HOW CAN THERE BE ICE ON THE MOON IF IT IS EXPOSED TO THE SUN’S HEAT? The Moon has areas that are permanently shadowed, particularly in deep craters near its poles. These regions never receive sunlight and can reach extremely low temperatures, as cold as -300°F (-184°C), which allows ice to exist. HOW WAS WATER ON THE MOON DISCOVERED? Water on the Moon was first suspected after the Apollo missions brought back rock samples that were dry. Howe... Read More...

Neuralink: Simplifier

Aug 23, 2024

Neuralink is a company that makes a special computer chip for your brain. Here's how it works: 1. What it is: A tiny computer chip, about the size of a coin, that goes in your brain. 2. What it does: It lets you control computers or phones just by thinking. 3. How it works: - Tiny wires in the chip "listen" to your brain signals. - The chip... Read More...

INDIA’S AI IN MILITARY OPERATIONS

Aug 23, 2024

India is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in its defense operations, especially along its borders with Pakistan and China. The Indian Army has deployed 140 AI-based surveillance systems, incorporating high-resolution cameras, sensors, UAV feeds, and radar, aimed at enhancing border security by detecting and classifying potential intrusions. EXPANSION OF AI APPLICATIONS • Counter-Terrorism Operations: AI is being used in real-time monitoring software for intelligence genera... Read More...

HOW AI CAN STRENGTHEN DIGITAL SECURITY

Aug 23, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool in the fight against cyber threats. Here’s how AI can enhance digital security: REVERSING THE “DEFENDER’S DILEMMA” Read More...

Nankai Trough

Aug 23, 2024

The Nankai Trough is a significant geological feature located off the southern coast of Japan, where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate. This subduction zone extends roughly 700 km (435 miles) along the Japanese coastline and is a well-known source of major earthquakes and tsunamis, posing a substantial threat to the region. Here are key aspects of the Nankai Trough: Read More...

JAPAN’S MEGAQUAKE ADVISORY:SIMPLIFIER

Aug 23, 2024

JAPAN’S MEGAQUAKE ADVISORY:SIMPLIFIER

Aug 23, 2024

1. What triggered Japan’s first-ever “megaquake advisory”? • The advisory was issued after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s southern coast, increasing concerns about the potential for a larger earthquake in the Nankai Trough region. 2. What is the Ring of Fire? • The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped area in the Pacific Ocean where multiple tectonic plates meet. This region is characterized by frequent eart... Read More...

NEW DISABILITY QUOTA RULES:

Aug 23, 2024

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN DISABILITY CERTIFICATION? The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has proposed amendments to the disability certification process. The changes include: • Exclusive Authority: Only medical authorities will be allowed to issue the Unique Disability Identification (UDID) card, excluding other historically involved institutions like blind schools and hospitals. • Colour-Coded UDID Cards: Introduction of... Read More...

India’s Role in Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence

Aug 23, 2024

India played a pivotal role in the Bangladesh War of Independence, which led to the creation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan in 1971. Below are the key aspects of India’s involvement: 1. POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR BANGLADESH’S CAUSE • India extended strong diplomatic support to the Bengali nationalist movement led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League, which sought independence from Pakistan. • Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi garnered international support for the Bangl... Read More...

PROPOSED MALWA CANAL IN PUNJAB

Aug 23, 2024

KEY DETAILS OF THE MALWA CANAL • Purpose: The Malwa Canal aims to alleviate water scarcity in Punjab’s southern regions. Read More...

QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY

Aug 22, 2024

Indian scientists have made a significant discovery in the field of quantum cryptography, which is a way to keep information safe using the principles of quantum mechanics (the science of the very small). What is Quantum Cryptography? Quantum cryptography is a method used to secure communication by transforming data into a secret code that only the intended receiver can read and process. It relies on the laws of quantum mechanics, which are the rules that govern how particles like photons (light particles) behave. ... Read More...

We, the People of India”:Preamble

Aug 22, 2024

Introduction “We, the People of India” is the opening phrase of the Preamble to the Constitution of India, underscoring the essence of democracy and the sovereign nature of the Indian state, established by the constituent power of its citizens. Here’s a closer look at what this powerful phrase represents and its implications. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What do... Read More...

Popular Sovereignty and the Preamble

Aug 22, 2024

Introduction Popular sovereignty is a key principle in democracies where the government’s power comes directly from the people. It’s foundational for ensuring that the government listens to and acts according to what the people want. Easy-to-Understand FAQs 1. What is popular sovereignty? • Answer: It’s the idea that the power of a government comes from its c... Read More...

AMBEDKAR’S IDEAS THAT SHAPED INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Aug 22, 2024

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, made profound contributions that have significantly influenced the Indian constitutional discourse. His ideas continue to resonate in India’s legal and social frameworks. Key Contributions of Ambedkar: Read More...

KEY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS FOR OZONE PROTECTION

Aug 22, 2024

• Montreal Protocol (1987): A groundbreaking global agreement to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). It is hailed as one of the most successful environmental treaties. • Copenhagen Amendment (1992): This amendment to the Montreal Protocol set stringent deadlines for the phase-out of CFCs and introduced measures to control hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have a lower ozone-depleting potential but still pose environmental risks. • Kigali A... Read More...