UPSC Daily Current Affairs

JAPANESE YEN AND CARRY TRADE: SUPER SIMPLIFIED

Aug 16, 2024

**What is the Japanese Yen?** The Japanese Yen is the money used in Japan, just like rupee in India and dollars are used in the USA. **What is Carry Trade?** Imagine you have a piggy bank with very low interest, so you don’t earn much money by keeping your savings in it. Now, suppose you find another piggy bank where you can earn more money from your savings. Carry trade is similar: it's like borrowing money fro... Read More...

INDUSTRIAL PARKS IN INDIA: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Aug 16, 2024

WHAT IS AN INDUSTRIAL PARK? An industrial park is a designated area developed to facilitate industrial activity. It offers a range of common facilities, including: • Infrastructure: Roads, electricity, water supply, and sewage treatment. • Services: Effluent treatment plants, security, and basic amenities like housing and offices. • Specialized Features: Some parks provide a Single Window System to streamline various processes, such as obtaining necessary clearances and permits. Read More...

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BANGLADESH POLITICAL CRISIS ON INDIA

Aug 16, 2024

1. How has the political crisis in Bangladesh affected India’s trade with the country? • The crisis may disrupt trade flows, with potential decreases in Bangladesh’s demand for Indian goods due to economic inst... Read More...

GROUND-LEVEL OZONE CONCENTRATION

Aug 16, 2024

1. What is ground-level ozone? • Ground-level ozone is a highly reactive gas formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react in the ... Read More...

WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE MEETING IN DELHI

Aug 16, 2024

1. What was the purpose of the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Delhi? • The meeting aimed to discuss and evaluate the protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites worldwide. It also focused o... Read More...

1925 KAKORI TRAIN ROBBERY

Aug 16, 2024

The Kakori Train Robbery, which took place on August 9, 1925, is one of the most memorable episodes in the history of India’s struggle for independence from British rule. This daring act was carried out by members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), a revolutionary group that sought to overthrow the British government in India through armed rebellion. Key Details of the Robbery: • Location and Date: The robbery occu... Read More...

KEYNESIAN STIMULUS: SIMPLIFIER

Aug 16, 2024

1. What is Keynesian Stimulus? • Keynesian stimulus refers to government policies aimed at increasing economic activity through public spending and lower taxes. It’s based on the ideas of economist John Maynard Keynes, who argued that during a recession, the government should increase spending to offset decreased private spending and stimulate economic growth. 2. How does Keynesian Stimulus work? • The core idea is to boost demand by injecting money into the economy. When the government spends more or cuts taxes, people ... Read More...

BOND MARKET IN INDIA: SIMPLIFIER

Aug 16, 2024

1. What is the bond market in India? • The bond market in India refers to the financial market where participants can issue new debt, known as the primary market, or buy and sell debt securities, known as the secondary market. This includes government bonds, corporate bonds, and other types of debt instruments. 2. Who are the major participants in the Indian bond market? • Major participants include the government (issuing government bonds), corporations (issuing corporate bonds), institutional investors, banks, insurance companies, and retail investors. 3. What types of bo... Read More...

RECESSION VS STAGFLATION: SIMPLIFIER

Aug 16, 2024

1. What is a Recession? • A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months. It is typically visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. A recession begins after the economy reaches a peak of activity and ends when the economy reaches its trough. 2. What is Stagflation? • Stagflation is an economic condition characterized by s... Read More...

India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Project:Phase-2

Aug 14, 2024

Q1: What is the Cheetah Reintroduction Project? A: The Cheetah Reintroduction Project is an initiative by the Indian government to bring cheetahs back to India after they were declared extinct in the country in 1952. The project involves sourcing cheetahs from other countries and releasing them into designated wildlife reserves. Q2: When did the project begin? A: The project officially started in September 2022. Q3: How many cheetahs have been brought to India so far? A: A total of 20 cheetahs have been brough... Read More...

FINTECH IN INDIA and SELF-REGULATORY ORGANISATIONS(SRO)

Aug 14, 2024

What is Fintech? Fintech, or financial technology, involves using innovative technologies to streamline and enhance financial services. This sector includes everything from digital payments to online lending, investment platforms, and the application of blockchain technologies. Current Landscape of Fintech in India India's fintech sector is flourishing, thanks to strong regulatory support and rapid technological advancements. Notably, India... Read More...

Sedition Laws: IPC 124A & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act 150

Aug 14, 2024

Comparison of the Laws: 1. Scope and Language: - Section 124A (IPC): This section targets acts intended to incite "hatred," "contempt," or "disaffection" towards the Government of India. It broadly encompasses "words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise." - Section 150 (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act): While it removes the term 'sedition,' it introduce... Read More...

Cloudbursts in India: Disaster Management Perpsective

Aug 14, 2024

Q: What are the key characteristics of cloudbursts and why are they considered a significant threat in India? How does the current relief mechanism address the challenges posed by cloudbursts? A: Cloudbursts are extreme rainfall events characterized by a sudden and intense downpour concentrated over a small area. These events, often accompanied by hail and thunder, can unleash a massive amount of water in a very short period,sometimes exceeding 100 millimeters per hour. This sudden deluge can lead to flash floods, landslides, and wides... Read More...

New Criminal Laws in India:For the Digital Age

Aug 14, 2024

The new criminal laws in India—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)—mark significant changes to the legal landscape, especially regarding technology-driven crimes like cybercrime. These laws have specifically adapted to address the challenges of the digital age, enhancing how cybercrimes are handled legally. 1. Organized Crime and Cybercrimes: The BNS categorizes cybercrimes as a form of organized crime, which includes actions by groups or syndicates. This classification means harsher ... Read More...

CLIMATE CHANGE & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY/YIELDS IN INDIA

Aug 14, 2024

Introduction: Climate change significantly impacts agricultural productivity in India, leading to fluctuations in crop yields. These changes are primarily driven by variations in temperature, humidity, and other climatic factors, affecting the sustainability and output of the agricultural sector. Q1: How does climate change affect rice production in India? A1: Rice production is influenced by a 51% variation due to climatic factors, particularly relative humidity. Increased humidity over the past three decades has generally had ... Read More...