Current affairs

World Health Day 2024, Theme, History and Significance

Context: World Health Day is observed annually on April 7. More In News The COVID-19 pandemic, environmental disasters, and widening socio-economic divides have underscored a significant gap in healthcare access. Despite health being a constitutional right in over 140 countries,...

Cancer Cases in India as per Lancet Commission Report

Context: As per the Lancet Commission report, cases of prostate cancer are projected to double from 1.4 million per year in 2020 to 2.9 million per year by 2040 worldwide, with low and middle-income countries predicted to see the highest...

Current Affairs 5th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Measuring Indices Context: The V-Dem Institute’s recent democracy index termed India as “one of the worst autocracies” More In News India's Democracy Ranking by International Indices: Freedom House: Downgraded India to "partly free." The Economist Intelligence Unit: Classified India as...

World Bank’s-South Asia Development Update

Context The World Bank forecasted a robust 6.0-6.1% economic growth for the region in 2024-25 in its "Jobs for Resilience" update. Additionally, it cautioned that South Asia, including India, is not capitalising on its demographic dividend due to job creation...

Reservation in Tamil Nadu and 103rd Constitutional Amendment

Context: The Tamil Nadu government informed the Madras High Court that since 89% of its population qualifies for the existing 69% reservation in education and public jobs, it cannot be obligated to apply the extra 10% reservation for the Economically...

Current Affairs 4th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Nuclear Power and India's Development Context: A study by IIM Ahmedabad suggested prioritising nuclear energy and infrastructure expansion to help India achieve developed status by 2047 and net zero emissions by 2070. Details And Findings of the Study Nuclear energy...

Editorial of the Day (4th Apr): Fiscal Federalism-Kerala’s Case

Context Kerala filed a lawsuit challenging the Central Government's decisions to curtail its borrowing limits. The Court referred the case to a Constitution Bench without granting an interim order to revert to the pre-limit imposition status but will examine the...

What is Kallakkadal Coastal Flooding: Cause and Mechanism

Context Recently, Kerala, India, experienced coastal flooding known as Kallakkadal, induced by remote oceanic storms. This instance, set off by a South Atlantic Ocean low-pressure area, led to the inundation of numerous homes across the districts of Alappuzha, Kollam, and...

Current Affairs 3rd April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

ED Powers to Summon Context: The Supreme Court upheld the Directorate of Enforcement's extensive authority, allowing it to summon "anyone for information," while criticising four Tamil Nadu District Collectors for ignoring its summons. About Enforcement Directorate Establishment: 1956 Nodal Ministry:...

Editorial of the Day (3rd Apr): GST-A Reform Window

Context: Net direct tax collections rose by 19.9% by mid-March, reaching 97% of revised budget targets. Robust GST Performance Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection reached ₹20.18 lakh crore, a significant achievement. Gross GST revenue in March (transactions from February)...