UPSC Daily Current Affairs

PLUG AND PLAY’ INDUSTRIAL PARKS IN 100 CITIES

Aug 01, 2024

BUDGET 2024-25 The government has announced plans to develop “plug and play” industrial parks in 100 cities across India. This initiative will be carried out in partnership with states and p... Read More...

PARETO OPTIMALITY & INDIAN PUBLIC FINANCE

Aug 01, 2024

Definition of Pareto Optimality Pareto Optimality, named after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, is an economic concept where a resource allocation is deemed optimal if no individual can be made better off without making at least one individual worse off. It represents a state of efficiency in which resources are allocated in the most efficient manner possible. Key Characteristics of Pareto Optimality 1. No Waste: Reso... Read More...

POWER OF GOVERNOR TO PROMULGATE ORDINANCES

Aug 01, 2024

1. What is the purpose of Article 213? • Purpose: Article 213 grants the Governor the power to issue ordinances when the state legislature is not in session, ensuring that urgent legislative action can be taken when necessary. 2. When can the Governor issue an ordinance? • Conditions: The Governor can issue an ordinance only when the Legislative Assembly (or both Houses, in states with a Legislative Council) is not in session and immediate action is required. 3. What is the dura... Read More...

PARTICIPATORY NOTES (P-NOTES):SIMPLIFIER

Aug 01, 2024

Participatory Notes (P-Notes) are financial instruments used by foreign institutional investors to invest in the Indian stock market without registering with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Here is a detailed overview of P-Notes: 1. Definition and Purpose • Definition: P-Notes are offshore derivative ins... Read More...

BHARAT SMALL REACTORS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE

Aug 01, 2024

What Are Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)? • Definition: Bharat Small Reactors are compact nuclear reactors designed to generate electricity on a smaller scale compared to traditional large nuclear power plants. • Technology: They utilize India’s proven 220-megawatt Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology, with 16 operational units already in the country. • Innovation: A significant change is the involvement of the private sector ... Read More...

Assam's New UNESCO World Heritage Site

Aug 01, 2024

1. What are the Charaideo Moidams? They are royal burial sites of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, India. 2. When did the Ahom dynasty rule? From 1228 to 1826 AD, ruling much of Assam and the North East. 3. Where are the Moidams located? About 30 km from Sivasagar town in eastern Assam. 4. What's special about these sites? T... Read More...

CRYPTOGRAPHY

Aug 01, 2024

Definition of Cryptography Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for securing communication and data in the presence of adversaries. It involves creating written or generated codes that allow information to be kept secret. Types of Cryptography 1. Symmetric-Key Cryptography • Description: Uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. • Examples:... Read More...

Climate finance taxonomy:Budget 2024-25

Aug 01, 2024

The Budget 2024-25 addresses climate finance through the development of a climate finance taxonomy, which is a significant step towards channeling investments into climate-friendly projects. Here's an expanded explanation: 1. Definition: A climate finance taxonomy is a classification system that defines and categorizes economic activities that are considered environmentally sustainable or climate-friendly. 2. Purpose: It aims to provide clear guidelines for investors, companies, and policymakers on what qualifies as a green or sustaina... Read More...

KARGIL WAR AND INDIA’S DEFENCE REFORMS

Aug 01, 2024

What was the significance of the Kargil War in 1999? • The Kargil War of May-July 1999 with Pakistan was a significant conflict in India’s history due to its high casualties, intensity of operations, and geopolitical impact. It was a “mini-war” that marked a turning point in India-Pakistan relations and had substantial strategic implications. What were the primary reasons behind the Kargil conflict? • The conflict arose from P... Read More...

OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT CHALLENGES OF MALNUTRITION IN INDIA

Aug 01, 2024

What are the current statistics on obesity and overweight in India? • According to the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) conducted from 2016-2018, 1.3% of children aged 5-9 years and 1.1% of adolescents aged 10-19 years were classified as obese. The prevalence of obesity among adult females (18+ years) increased from 2.3% in 2000 to 5.1% in 2015. Why is obesity a growing concern in India? • Obesity leads to several non-commu... Read More...

WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT IN UNION BUDGET 2024

Jul 31, 2024

### Key Announcements: 1. Substantial Allocation for Women and Girls: - More than ₹3 lakh crore allocated for schemes benefiting women and girls. - Consideration for further lowering duties for properties purchased by women. 2. New Pension Scheme - ‘Vatsalya’: - A contributory pension scheme with contributions from parents and guardians. - Converts seamlessly into a regular National Pension System (NPS) accou... Read More...

₹10 Lakh Education Loan @ 3% Interest Subvention

Jul 31, 2024

### What: As part of the new loan scheme announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, e-vouchers will be given to one lakh students every year to secure loans up to ₹10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions. The annual interest subvention will be 3% of the loan amount. ### Key Details: 1. Education Loan Scheme: - Loan Amount: Up to ₹10 lakh. - Interest Subvention: Annual 3% interest subvention. - Target Beneficiaries:... Read More...

ALLOCATIONS FOR SCIENCE MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS

Jul 31, 2024

### Overview: The Union Budget 2024, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has seen varying allocations for the traditional science Ministries and departments. While some have received marginal increases, others have seen cuts, reflecting a mixed picture when compared to the previous year's figures. Read More...

Digital Infrastructure: Revolutionizing Agriculture in India

Jul 31, 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Budget for the financial year 2024-25, proposed the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector, aiming to bring over six crore farmers into the formal land registry system. Agristack, one of the core components of this initiative, aims to revolutionize agriculture by providing a comprehensive digital framework similar to Aadhaar for payments and ONDC for e-commerce. What is Agristack? Agristack is a digital repository of all farmer information, including ide... Read More...

MASTER PLANS FOR CITIES

Jul 31, 2024

A master plan is a statutory document that outlines the development framework for a city. It determines land use, reserves areas for public purposes, and sets regulations for land use and buildings. Effective master plans are essential for sustainable urban growth and managing the challenges of rapid urbanization. Key Points: 1. Historical Context and Current Issues: • India’s outdated master plans, inherited from colonial times, fail to address modern issues like climate change and rapid ... Read More...