Current affairs

Current Affairs 19th March 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Dengue Vaccine Context: Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL) has finished the first phase of clinical trials to determine the safety of the dengue vaccine. The company is also developing a vaccine for the Zika virus and for the Kyasanur Forest Disease...

Editorial of the Day (19th Mar): Agni 5 MIRV and Deterrence

Context: The Agni-5 is significant not only for its range but also for its advanced capabilities, marking a pivotal moment for India's nuclear deterrent strategy. Strategic Importance of Agni-5 Test This missile has a range of over 5,000 kilometres, making...

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) Test for Diabetes Management

Context: According to a nationwide study published in 2023, India's population of individuals with diabetes is estimated at 101.3 million, with an additional 136 million categorised as pre-diabetic. HbA1C Test: A Key Tool for Diabetes Management What it is: A...

Editorial of the Day (18th March): Agriculture Productivity-Punjab’s Case Study

Context: Despite high productivity of rice and wheat, Punjab ranks low (13th) in agri-GDP per hectare (ha) compared to other states like Andhra Pradesh (AP), West Bengal (WB), and Tamil Nadu (TN). Why the Disparity? Focus on Staples: Punjab relies...

Current Affairs 18th March 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) Context: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) invested over 5000 crore into the Indian stock market in March 2024. Comparison Between FPIs and FDIs Aspects Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Definition Investment in a country's...

Competition Commission of India (CCI), Composition, Function and Challenges

Context: The Competition Commission of India ordered a probe after finding Google’s user choice billing (UCB) system to be prima facie anti-competitive. About Competition Commission of India What it is: A statutory body set up by the Indian government in...

President’s Veto on State Bills

Context: Kerala is set to present a legal challenge in the Supreme Court regarding President Droupadi Murmu's decision to withhold approval of bills passed by the state legislature. Background of President's Veto on State Bills The President had withheld assent...

Apache Helicopters, Features, India’s Procurement

Context: The Indian Army Aviation Corps inaugurated the first unit to operate Apache helicopters in Jodhpur. AH-64E Apache Helicopter or Apache Guardian About: AH-64E Apache, the world's first multi-role combat helicopter. AH-64E represents the most recent evolution of the Apache...

Editorial of the Day (16th Mar): AI, Elections and Disinformation

Context: In the evolving landscape of AI and social media, concerns about disinformation impacting elections have grown. Impact of AI on Electoral Politics Three-Way Trouble in Disinformation Through AI Scale Amplification: AI's capability to exponentially increase the volume of disinformation...

New Electric Vehicle Policy, Objectives and Limitation

Context: India reduced the 15% import duty for Electric Vehicles (EV) to attract manufacturers like Tesla. New Electric Vehicle Policy Import Duty Reduction: The Indian government has slashed the import duties for electric vehicles (EVs) that are imported as completely...