UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Mitigating Urban Floods in India

May 13, 2024

1. What causes urban flooding in Indian cities? Urban flooding in India is primarily caused by heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage systems, rapid urbanization without adequate planning, and encroachment on wetlands and water bodies. Poor maintenance of stormwater drains, rampant construction in flood-prone areas, and climate change exacerbating weather extremities also contribute significantly to the problem. 2. Can y... Read More...

Urban Wetlands Governance in India

May 13, 2024

1. What are the benefits of urban wetlands in India? Urban wetlands in India provide several ecological services including flood control, water purification, and biodiversity conservation. They act as natural sponges that absorb and store excess rainfall, reducing flooding in urban areas. Moreover, wetlands help in maintaining local climate, preserving flora and fauna, and supporting recreational activities. 2. What are the main threats to urban wetlands in India? Read More...

Digital Lending in India: Innovation & Consumer Protection

May 13, 2024

Background: The rise of digital lending has revolutionized access to financial services, but it has also brought challenges like mis-selling, data breaches, and unethical practices. While it currently doesn't pose a significant risk to financial stability, its rapid growth demands proactive regulation to ensure consumer protection and orderly growth.Technological innovations have led to marked improvements in efficiency, productivity, quality, inclusion and compe... Read More...

Undertrial Prisoners in India

May 13, 2024

Q1: Who are undertrial prisoners? A1: Undertrial prisoners are individuals who have been arrested and detained in jail while awaiting trial for the crimes they are accused of. They have not been convicted of any offense. Q2: Why are there so many undertrial prisoners in India? A2: Several factors contribute to the high ... Read More...

Climate Change's Impact on Health & Nutrition in India

May 13, 2024

1. What is the impact of climate change on public health in India? Climate change affects public health in India through increased heatwaves, deteriorating air quality, and greater prevalence of vector-borne diseases. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns also exacerbate chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among the population. 2. How does climate change threaten nutrition security in India? &nbs... Read More...

Global Humanitarian Challenges and India's Role

May 13, 2024

What are the current global humanitarian challenges? Global challenges include increased aid demand due to conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change. Food scarcity, health emergencies, and displacement are further concerns. How is the need for humanitarian aid changing? The need is growing rapidly, more than doubling in five years due to new and ongoing crises. How does India contribute to addre... Read More...

DigiLocker: India's Digital Document Solution

May 13, 2024

What is DigiLocker? DigiLocker is a digital storage service launched by the Indian government in 2015 as part of its Digital India initiative. It allows users to store and access digital versions of their important documents, such as Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, driving licenses, and educational marksheets. The platform aims to facilitate easy verification and sharing of documents across government and private entities, reducing dependency on physical documents. ... Read More...

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN INDIA: CURRENT SCENARIO AND HISTORY

May 13, 2024

Current Housing Scenario in India: India is grappling with a significant housing shortage, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and population growth. According to a 2012 government report, India needed an additional 18.78 million houses to meet the demand. This figure rose to 29 million by 2018, indicating a severe urban housing crisis. Despite this, there are millions of vacant housing units, suggesting that many newly constructed houses do not meet the affordability ... Read More...

Global Green Industrial Revolution & India's Role

May 13, 2024

1. What is the Green Industrial Revolution, and why is it crucial? ● A global shift towards sustainable industrial practices, embracing clean energy, efficient technologies, and sustainable resource use. ● It's essential to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and create a more equitable and prosperous future. 2. Why are critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and graphite essential? Read More...

FERTILITY RATES AND DEVELOPMENT: BEYOND RELIGIOUS LINES

May 13, 2024

Recent discussions and data analysis have reignited conversations about fertility rates among different religious groups in India, particularly focusing on the Muslim population. Here, we break down the significant factors influencing these rates and look at broader socio-economic impacts. 1. What does recent data say about the fertility rates among Mus... Read More...

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES: INDIA-EFTA TRADE AGREEMENT

May 13, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions About Investment Lessons from the India-EFTA Trade Deal 1. What makes the India-EFTA Trade Agreement unique? Read More...

RAT-HOLE MINING IN MEGHALAYA

May 13, 2024

What is Rat-Hole Mining? Rat-hole mining is a method used primarily in the northeastern parts of India, like Meghalaya, where small tunnels are dug just large enough for a person to crawl through and extract coal. This form of mining is typically done manually by local workers. Causes of Rat-Hole Mining: 1. Economic Necessity: In re... Read More...

India's Defence: Achievements & Challenges in Self-Reliance

May 13, 2024

The Indian defence industry has seen significant reforms and progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership through initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India). These initiatives aim to transform India from being the world’s largest arms importer to becoming a major exporter of defence equipment. Achievements of India’s Defence Industry: 1. Increase in Production and Exports: There has been a noticeable increase in dome... Read More...

VIBRANT VILLAGE PROGRAMME

May 13, 2024

1. What is the Vibrant Village Programme? The Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) is an initiative by the Indian government to improve connectivity and infrastructure in border villages along the China border. This includes the construction of roads and bridges to facilitate easier access and mobility. 2. Why was the VVP introduced? The VVP was introduced to p... Read More...

SOLAR STORMS AND THEIR EFFECTS

May 13, 2024

1. What is a solar storm? A solar storm occurs when the Sun emits a stream of charged particles into space, which can impact Earth. This phenomenon, often associated with periods of intense solar activity, includes events such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares. These storms are part of what scientists call space weather. 2. How do the Northern Lights occur? The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are caused by interactions b... Read More...