UPSC Daily Current Affairs

2023: Understanding Extreme Weather Events in India

Aug 21, 2023

Defining Extreme Weather Events: Characteristics and Impacts Climate change is making its presence felt globally, leading to an increase in extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, landslides, excessive rainfall, heat waves, and sea-level rise. Denying the reality of climate change can only result in catastrophic consequences. Over the last two decades, India has experienced shifts in its climate patterns during summer, monsoon, and winter seasons, with unprecedented heat waves becoming a common occurrence. Illustrative ... Read More...

UPI and e-Rupee: Shaping India's Digital Money Scene

Aug 21, 2023

The Rise of UPI and the Emergence of e-Rupee in India's Digital Economy Introduction: Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a homegrown digital payment system, has gained widespread acceptance both domestically and internationally. As UPI continues to thrive, the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) of India, known as e-Rupee, has also entered the scene. This article explores the coexistence of UPI and e-Rupee, highlighting their significance and potential impact on India's economy. Growing Acceptance of UPI: UPI has achieved popular... Read More...

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Consumer Confidence Index:The whole Story

Aug 21, 2023

1. What is Consumer Confidence? Consumer Confidence refers to the collective sentiment and outlook of consumers regarding the current and future economic conditions of a country. It reflects their perceptions of economic stability, employment prospects, income growth, inflation, and overall financial well-being. 2. How Does RBI Estimate Consumer Confidence? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) calculates the Consumer Confidence Index by conducting surveys that capture the opinions and attitudes of consumers. These surveys gather data on households&... Read More...

Prescription of Generic Drugs Exclusively by Doctors:Debate

Aug 21, 2023

1. What are generic drugs, and what benefits do they offer in medical treatment? Generic drugs are medications containing the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs. They provide similar therapeutic effects and are often more affordable, making healthcare more accessible and cost-effective for patients. 2. What is the recent regulation introduced by the National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding generic drug prescriptions? The NMC's new regulation mandates doctors to prescribe generic drugs exclusively instead of branded ones. This m... Read More...

Shadow Banks in India

Aug 21, 2023

1. What are shadow banks and how do they operate? Shadow banks are non-banking financial institutions that offer financial services similar to traditional banks, such as lending and investing, but are not subject to the same level of regulatory oversight. They often rely on short-term borrowing to fund their operations. 2. How significant is the shadow banking sector in India? The shadow banking sector in India has grown substantially in recent years and plays a crucial role in providing credit to various sectors, including small busines... Read More...

Discovery of 'Demon Particle' Could Revolutionize Superconductor

Aug 21, 2023

Discovery of the 'Demon Particle' and Room Temperature Superconductors Q: What is the significance of the "demon particle" discovery? A: The discovery of the "demon particle" is a significant breakthrough in the field of superconductors. Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance, but traditionally require extremely low temperatures. The "demon particle" could potentially lead to the development of superconductors that operate at room temperature, revolutionizing various technologies like MRI machines, computers... Read More...

Disinvestment

Aug 21, 2023

Promoting Transparency: Understanding Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Offer for Sale (OFS) Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Offer for Sale (OFS) are regulatory mechanisms aimed at maintaining market transparency and encouraging wider public participation in company ownership. Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS): SEBI mandates that companies must have a certain percentage of their shares held by the public. This ensures market liquidity, prevents manipulation, and promotes investor confidence. Companies often use Offer for Sale (OFS) to comply wi... Read More...

El Nino Strengthens: Southwest Monsoon Faces Record Dry Spell

Aug 21, 2023

• El Nino Impact: The ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon is causing a stronger impact on the southwest monsoon in India, resulting in a substantial deficiency in rainfall during the first half of August. This stands in contrast to the 6% monsoon surplus observed by the end of July. • Dry Spell and Deficit: The Indian Meteorological Department noted an unusual 11-day dry spell in the core areas of central India, contributing to a 6% deficit in nationwide rainfall. This dry spell is projected to persist for an additional 3-4 days. Read More...

Navigating India's Data Act: Balancing Digital Landscape and Privacy

Aug 21, 2023

Exploring the Intersection of Data Protection and State Control In August 2017, a chilling assertion that the state refuses to forget its citizens even if they seek anonymity was firmly dismissed by the Supreme Court of India in the inaugural Puttaswamy decision. Fast forward to 2023, and the nation finds itself grappling with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, also known as the Data Act. This legislation, far from safeguarding citizens, harbors provisions that undermine transparency and accountability, ultimately chipping away at the bedrock of these principles, as argued by experts. Read More...

Controversial Withdrawal of 'Deemed Forests' Order in Odisha

Aug 21, 2023

What was the controversial order issued by the Odisha government? The Odisha government issued an order on August 11, which stated that the category of 'deemed forests' would cease to exist under the amended Forest Act. What is meant by 'deemed forests'? 'Deemed forests' are areas that have not been officially classified as forests by the government in their records. These areas are identified based on their conformity to the dictionary meaning of forests, irrespective of ownership. Read More...

Expansion of Digital India Program: Fortifying Cybersecurity and Digital Services

Aug 21, 2023

Enhancing Digital Accessibility and Cybersecurity The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a five-year extension and expansion of the Digital India program. This comprehensive program, now bolstered with a budget of ₹14,903 crore, aims to further digital accessibility, cybersecurity, and upskilling across various sectors. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of affordable cybersecurity tools for small businesses, schools, hospitals, and individuals. The program focuses on ensuring easy access to cybersecurity resources and low-cost solutions. Key Elemen... Read More...

Vishwakarma Scheme: Empowering Artisans and Craftspersons

Aug 19, 2023

Supporting Traditional Skills and Craftsmanship In a bid to empower and uplift traditional craftspeople and artisans, the Indian government has introduced the "PM Vishwakarma" scheme. This scheme, with an impressive outlay of ₹13,000 crore, was officially approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled this initiative during his Independence Day speech, emphasizing its focus on preserving the "Guru-Shishya parampara" and enhancing traditional skills. The scheme aims to provide credit support at a concessional interest rate of 5%, skill enhancement, and ... Read More...

Interpol"s Notices and their Colours

Aug 19, 2023

Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, issues different types of notices to assist law enforcement agencies around the world in locating and apprehending individuals wanted for various reasons. These notices are color-coded based on the nature of the request. As of my last update in September 2021, the following are the colors of Interpol notices along with their meanings: 1. Red Notice: This is the most well-known Interpol notice. It's issued to seek the location and provisional arrest of a person pending extradition. It's used for individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve... Read More...

Land Subsidence in India: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Aug 19, 2023

Defining Land Subsidence Contributing Factors to Land Subsidence 1. Groundwater Extraction: Over-pumping of groundwater for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes can lead to a drop in the water table. As underground sediments compact, the land's surface may sink. 2. Urbanization and Construction: Rapid urban development, construction projects, and infrastructure creation can disrupt weight distribution, contributing to subsidence. ... Read More...

Keeladi excavation site in Tamil Nadu

Aug 19, 2023

Q: What was discovered by archaeologists at the Keeladi excavation site in Tamil Nadu? A: Archaeologists at the Keeladi excavation site in Tamil Nadu discovered a crystal quartz weighing unit from the Sangam era. Q: How would you describe the design of the crystal unit? A: The crystal unit has a unique design and somewhat spherical shape. Q: What is the significance of this discovery? A: The discovery of the crystal quartz weighing unit is significant because i... Read More...