UPSC Daily Current Affairs

LANDSLIDES IN KERALA : CAUSES and IMPACT

Aug 09, 2024

Concept Clarity: Landslides involve the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope, often caused by natural events like rainfall or human activities. Key factors include geological conditions, soil characteristics, and water accumulation. Understanding these elements helps in assessing and mitigating landslide risks. Key Factors in Wayanad Landslide • Geological Characteristics: • Fractured Rocks: The Vellarimala region’s geological structure includes fractured rocks. These fractures, or breaks in the rocks, can fill with water, leading to slope instabi... Read More...

QUARRYING& LANDSLIDES IN THE WESTERN GHATS

Aug 09, 2024

Q: How did the recent disasters in the Western Ghats, such as landslides, relate to quarrying activities? • The recent disasters in the Western Ghats, particularly the devastating landslides, have been closely linked to extensive quarrying activities in the region. Scientific research, including case studies by the River Research Centre, highlights that the removal of hard rock through quarrying destabilizes the slope structures, significantly increasing the susceptibili... Read More...

IRAN-ISRAEL TENSIONS AND INDIA’S DILEMMA

Aug 09, 2024

1. What is the current issue between Iran and Israel? • The current issue involves the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which has escalated tensions between Iran and Israel. Haniyeh, who played a significant role in negotiating with Israel and other countries, was a key figure in Hamas, a group that carried o... Read More...

DIVERSITY RATIOS IN INDIAN IT FIRMS

Aug 09, 2024

The recent report by Xpheno reveals a concerning trend in the Indian IT sector, where a significant number of women employees have exited major companies over the past year. This has resulted in fluctuating diversity ratios, which reflect the proportion of female employees within the workforce. Read More...

VADHAVAN PORT PROJECT:THE ISSUES

Aug 09, 2024

INTRODUCTION The proposed Vadhavan port project in Maharashtra’s Palghar district has stirred significant controversy and concern among local communities and environmentalists. This all-weather offshore deep-draft facility, backed by the Union government and spearheaded by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), aims to become one of the world’s top ten ports in terms of capacity. Despite its potential economic benefits, including handling 23.2 million TEUs annually and boosting infrastructure, the pro... Read More...

EMPLOYMENT LINKED INCENTIVE (ELI) SCHEME

Aug 09, 2024

The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme is a new initiative by the Indian government aimed at encouraging companies to hire more employees by providing financial incentives. It represents a shift from traditional economic policies that prioritized GDP growth and production incentives to a more direct approach focused on job creation and social equity. Overview 1. Objective: • The primary objective of the ELI scheme is to reduce the capital-labor imbalance and address the job deficit in India. By offering incentives for employme... Read More...

ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS (ESAs) IN THE WESTERN GHATS

Aug 09, 2024

1. What are Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs)? Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are regions designated for environmental protection due to their significant ecological importance and vulnerability. Activities that could harm the environment, such as mining, quarrying, and large infrastructure projects, are restricted in these areas to preserve their biodiversity and natural resources. 2. Why are certain areas in the Western Ghats classified as ESAs? The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot with unique flora and fauna. They also play a crucial ... Read More...

Neural Networks: All That An Aspirant Should Know

Aug 09, 2024

Q1: What is a neural network? A: A neural network is a computing system inspired by the human brain, designed to recognize patterns and solve complex problems through machine learning. Q2: What are the main components of a neural network? A: The main components are neurons (nodes), weights, biases, and activation functions. These are organized into layers: an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. ... Read More...

India’s Digital Revolution & Poverty Reduction

Aug 09, 2024

Q: How have smartphones helped reduce poverty in India? • Smartphones have played a pivotal role in reducing poverty in India by enhancing digital connectivity and financial inclusion. This technology has allowed rural populations and small-scale entrepreneurs to access banking services, receive direct benefit transfers, and engage in digital commerce, which boosts their incomes and financial stability. Q: What are some key initiatives that facilitated this transformation? Read More...

Moon’s Drifting Away: Simplifier

Aug 09, 2024

Q: Why is the Moon moving away from Earth? • The Moon is moving away from Earth due to gravitational forces between the Earth and the Moon. This involves tidal forces, which are similar to the tides caused by the Moon on our oceans. As these forces work, they also cause the Moon to slowly drift further away from the Earth. Q: How fast is the Moon moving away from Earth? • The Moon drifts away from Earth at approximately 3.8 centimeters (about 1... Read More...

PREETI SUDAN:NEW UPSC CHAIRPERSON

Aug 08, 2024

1. Who is Preeti Sudan? Preeti Sudan is a former Union Health Secretary and a 1983-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre. She has served in various significant capacities within the government, including a three-year tenure as the Union Health Secretary until July 2020. 2. What is her new role? Preeti Sudan has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission ... Read More...

INDIA-CHINA BORDER TALKS:30TH ROUND

Aug 08, 2024

The 30th round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) represents a significant ongoing effort to manage and resolve disputes along the India-China border. Here’s a detailed background and an overview of the key points of dispute: Historical Context: - The India-China border dispute covers several regions along their 3,488 km boundary, primarily focusing on Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh in India. - The Line of Actual Contro... Read More...

ENDOGENOUS RETROVIRUSES (ERVs): SIMPLIFIER

Aug 08, 2024

1. What are Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs)? Read More...

RANSOMWARE ATTACK ON SMALL BANKS IN INDIA

Aug 08, 2024

A ransomware attack targeting C-Edge Technologies has halted essential banking services for approximately 300 small lenders across India. This incident underscores the vulnerability of financial institutions to cyber threats and highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. Read More...

INDIAN AIR FORCE'S TARANG SHAKTI EXERCISE

Aug 08, 2024

**1. What is Tarang Shakti?** Tarang Shakti is the largest multilateral exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It involves participation from multiple countries and includes a significant display of air assets from both the IAF and foreign nations. Read More...