UPSC Daily Current Affairs

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 Historical Context and Current Issues: • India’s outdated master plans, inherited from colonial times, fail to address modern issues like climate change and rapid ...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...

NEP 2020: Revolutionizing Exam Reforms

Jul 31, 2024

Introduction to NEP 2020 The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a landmark initiative aimed at overhauling India's education system to meet the needs of the 21st century. It emphasizes a holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary approach to education, ensuring inclusivity and access for all. The policy spans all levels of education from early childhood to higher education. Key Features of NEP 2020 Holistic and Mul... 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...

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...

EMISSION TARGETS FOR POLLUTING INDUSTRIES

Jul 30, 2024

### Key Announcements: 1. Emission Targets for Polluting Industries: - For the first time, the Budget speech has signaled that industries such as iron, steel, and aluminium will have to conform to emission targets rather than just energy efficiency targets. - A roadmap will be formulated to transition these industries from energy efficiency targets to emission targets. 2. Regulatory Changes: - The Budget proposes appropriate regulations for transitio... Read More...

Customs Duty Cut on Mobiles, Chargers & Components

Jul 30, 2024

### What: The Union government has announced a reduction in basic customs duties on mobile phones, chargers, and various electronic components as part of the Union Budget. ### Key Changes: 1. Reduction in Duties: - Mobile Phones and Chargers: Duties reduced from 20% to 15%. - Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs): Duties reduced from 20% to 15%. - Oxygen Free Copp... Read More...

CLEAN ENERGY SCHEMES IN UNION BUDGET 2024-25

Jul 30, 2024

### Key Highlights: 1. Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna: - Objective: Provide subsidized rooftop solar installations to one crore households. - Allocation: Nearly ₹10,000 crore, more than double the ₹4,970 crore spent last year. - Benefits: Offers 300 units of free electricity per household. - Cost to Households: Households pay a minimum of ₹20,000 depending on the power capacity, which can be defrayed by a low-interest, collater... Read More...

INTRODUCTION:

Jul 30, 2024

India’s journey as the first country to mandate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by law has significantly impacted social and economic development over the past decade. This law requires companies meeting certain profitability criteria to allocate 2% of their average net profits over the preceding three years to social responsibility initiatives. SUMMARY: • CSR Evolution: Since its inception in April 2014, CSR in India has evolved from voluntary efforts to a strategic approach alig... Read More...

NATIONAL CRITICAL MINERALS MISSION

Jul 30, 2024

The introduction of the National Critical Minerals Mission is set to address the entire supply chain of critical minerals, from domestic production to recycling, in line with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India). This mission is pivotal in ensuring that India has the necessary resources to drive its clean energy goals and reduce dependency on imports. MISSION OBJECTIVES 1. Supply Chain Management: - The mission aims to streamline the supply chain of critical min... Read More...

UNION BUDGET 2024-25

Jul 30, 2024

The Union Budget 2024-25 reaffirms its commitment to empowering citizens, especially the poor and marginalized. Building on the foundation laid since 2014, this budget focuses on strengthening the abilities of all Indians to seize opportunities in the journey towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). This year’s budget demonstrates a strong resolve to boost employment, enhance skilling initiatives, support MSMEs, and uplift the middle class. Furthermore, it outlines nine key priorities that encompass critical areas from agriculture to next-generation reforms. These priorities refl... Read More...

PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATIYA UNNAT GRAM ABHIYAN

Jul 30, 2024

1. What is the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan? • It is a government initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities in India. 2. What is the goal of this scheme? • The scheme aims to provide comprehensive support to tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts through a saturation approach. 3. How many villages will be covered under this... Read More...

DECLINE IN INDIAN PASSPORT RANKING

Jul 30, 2024

1. What is the current status of the Indian passport on the Henley Passport Index? • As of July 2024, the Indian passport ranks 82nd on the Henley Passport Index, down from 80th earlier this year, offering visa-free access to only 58 destinations. 2. Why are wealthy Indians seeking to move out of India? • Wealthy Indians are seeking global investment migration opportunities to enhance their travel freedom, secure better educational prospects for their children... Read More...

MANGROVES AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Jul 30, 2024

FAQs: 1. What are mangroves? • Mangroves are coastal forests found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in intertidal zones where saltwater and freshwater mix. 2. Why are mangroves referred to as the “green lungs” of the coast? • Mangroves are called the “green lungs” because they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and act as ... Read More...

ISRO’S HYPERSONIC TEST

Jul 30, 2024

1. What is a scramjet engine? • A scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) engine is a type of air-breathing engine that uses atmospheric oxygen for combustion, significantly reducing the need to carry oxidizers onboard. It operates efficiently at high speeds (Mach 5 and above). 2. Why is ISRO developing scramjet technology? • ISRO aims to reduce the size and cost of launch vehicles, increase payload capacity, and facilitate cheaper access to space. Scramjets o... Read More...