UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Just Transition in India:Climate change

Jul 19, 2024

Introduction: A "just transition" refers to the process of moving towards a more sustainable, low-carbon economy while ensuring fairness and equity for workers, communities, and regions currently dependent on carbon-intensive industries. 1. What does "just transition" mean in India's context? In India, a just transition involves shifting away from fossil fuels and other environmentally unsustainable practices while ensuring that th... Read More...

GINI COEFFICIENT and INDIA

Jul 19, 2024

The Gini coefficient, or Gini index, is a measure of income distribution inequality. It ranges from 0 to 1, with 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing perfect inequality. Developed by Italian statistician Corrado Gini, it quantifies inequality on a scale from 0 to 1, where higher values signify greater inequality. WHAT DOES THE GINI COEFFICIENT MEASURE? • Range: The Gini coefficient ranges from 0 (perfect equality, where everyone has the same income) to 1 (perfect inequality, where one p... Read More...

INDIA'S EMPLOYMENT CRISIS

Jul 19, 2024

What are the primary employment challenges facing India, and what potential solutions have been proposed to address these issues? A: India faces a significant employment challenge due to a rapidly growing number of young job seekers and the changing nature of the economy, which increasingly requires fewer workers due to technological advancements. Recent studies, including the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) and the ILO's India Employment Report, highlight several issues: a stagnant manufacturing sector, reverse ... Read More...

KARNATAKA STATE EMPLOYMENT OF LOCAL CANDIDATES BILL, 2024

Jul 19, 2024

PROPOSALS AND PROVISIONS Key Mandates: - Management Positions: 50% reserved for local candidates. - Non-Management Positions: 70% reserved for local candidates. RATIONALE Government's Justification: - Job Opportunities: Ensure locals receive more ... Read More...

STATES AND SCHEDULED CASTES LIST

Jul 19, 2024

What did the Supreme Court rule regarding the Scheduled Castes List, and what are the implications of this ruling? A: The Supreme Court of India ruled that states cannot alter the Scheduled Castes List, a power reserved exclusively for the Parliament under Article 341 of the Constitution. This ruling came in response to a challenge by Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Vichar Manch, Patna, against a 2015 notification by the Bihar government. The notification sought to merge the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) of Tanti-Tantwa with the Scheduled Caste of Pan/... Read More...

CHANDIPURA VIRUS IN GUJARATQ:

Jul 19, 2024

What is the Chandipura virus, how has it affected Gujarat, and what measures are being taken to control its spread? A: The Chandipura virus (CHPV) is a rare but deadly virus that causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. It is primarily transmitted through the bite of sandflies and predominantly affects children. Symptoms of the virus include high fever, seizures, altered mental status, and rapid progression to neurological complications. Recently, Gujarat has reported an outbreak of the Chandipura virus, with sev... Read More...

YSMS TECHNOLOGYand MILITANCY IN JAMMU

Jul 19, 2024

What is YSMS technology, how is it used by militants, and what challenges does it present to security forces? A: YSMS (You-Send-My-Message) technology is a communication method that allows messages to be sent without using traditional cellular networks, making it difficult to trace. It operates by transmitting messages through short-range communication methods such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, bypassing conventional cellular networks and avoiding detection by security forces. Militants use YSMS technology to maintain co... Read More...

RESERVATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Jul 19, 2024

Q: What are the constitutional challenges to state laws that reserve private sector jobs for local residents, and what was the recent court ruling on such a law in Haryana? A: Some states in India, like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Haryana, have introduced laws that reserve private sector jobs for local residents. For example, the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2021, requires that 75% of private-sector jobs with salaries under ₹30,000 per month be given to local residents for ten years. The aim is to reduc... Read More...

RUPEE DEVALUATION AND THE J-CURVE EFFECT

Jul 19, 2024

WHAT IS RUPEE DEVALUATION? • Definition: Rupee devaluation refers to a deliberate downward adjustment of the value of the Indian Rupee against other currencies. Read More...

LAFFER CURVE

Jul 19, 2024

WHAT IS THE LAFFER CURVE? The Laffer Curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between tax rates and tax revenue. It illustrates the concept that there is an optimal tax rate that maximizes revenue without discouraging... Read More...

TOBIN TAX

Jul 19, 2024

WHAT IS THE TOBIN TAX? The Tobin Tax is a tax proposed by economist James Tobin on short-term currency transactions. It aims to reduce the volatility of financial markets by discouraging speculative trading. Read More...

PHILLIPS CURVE

Jul 19, 2024

WHAT IS THE PHILLIPS CURVE? The Phillips Curve is an economic concept that depicts an inverse relationship between the rate of unemployment and the rate of inflation in an economy. It suggests that with lower unemployment, inflation... Read More...

INDIA and INVESTOR-STATE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT (ISDS)

Jul 18, 2024

Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) allows foreign investors to file claims against a host state globally for alleged treaty violations. India has faced several ISDS disputes and has reformed its bilateral investment treaty (BIT) regime to balance investor protection and national interests. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE • Early Engagement: India began using ISDS mechanisms in the 1990s to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), signing its first BIT with the United Kingdom in 1994. • Expansion: Between 19... Read More...

BORDER MANAGEMENT

Jul 18, 2024

INTRODUCTION The rising fatalities among security personnel in the Jammu region have highlighted the critical need for balancing human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT) in border management. The shift towards TECHINT and the reduction in HUMINT, combined with technological advancements by terrorist groups and deviations from standard operating procedures (SOPs), have contributed to the increased casualties. SHIFT TOWARDS TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE Read More...

INDIA’S DONATION TO UNRWA:SIMPLIFIER

Jul 18, 2024

WHAT IS UNRWA? The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) is a UN agency established in 1950 to support the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. It operates in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, providing services such as education, healthcare, and social services. WHAT IS THE AMOUNT DONATED BY INDIA? India has donated $2.5 million to UNRWA as part of its ... Read More...