Current affairs

Current Affairs 18th Sep 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Windfall Tax Context: Recently the Union government has slashed windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil to ‘Zerol’ per tonne with effect from September 18. About Windfall Tax It refers to higher tax levied by the government on specific industries...

What is a Pager? Features, Types and Benefits

Context: Recently a deadly incident took place in Lebanon where hundreds of pagers that were allegedly used by the members of militant group Hezbollah detonated simultaneously across the country. The explosions resulted in the deaths of around 9 people and...

Women In Medicine, Enrollment, Challenges and Systemic Barriers

Enrollment of Women in Medicine In 2020-21, for every 100 men, there were 100 women enrolled in medical colleges, compared to 88 per 100 men in 2011-12 and 110 per 100 men in 2019-20 (slightly affected by the pandemic). Women...

Supreme Court Halts Bulldozer Demolitions, Deals a Blow to State Practices

In a significant legal intervention, the Supreme Court of India has ordered a halt to all property demolitions, including those targeting individuals accused of crimes, until October 1, 2024, without explicit permission from the court. This decision marks a major...

Level Playing field in Elections

The debate around Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has persisted in Indian public life for over 15 years, despite changes like the introduction of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail). This ongoing debate has fostered suspicion about the electoral process, distracting...

Current Affairs 17th Sep 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Precision Farming Context: The Central Government is planning  to invest Rs 6,000 crore in Precision Farming/ Smart farming to boost crop yields. What is Precision Farming ? It is a farming management approach that uses technology (Internet of Things, Artificial...

Evolution of District Mineral Foundations

District Mineral Foundations Introduction The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) was established as part of the 2015 amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of involving local communities in resource-led development....

Agriculture Reforms, Key Initiatives and Growth

Key Agricultural Initiatives PM-KISAN Continuation: The government distributed ₹20,000 crore under PM-KISAN to continue direct cash transfers of ₹6,000 per year to agricultural households, although expected adjustments for inflation were not made. Seven New Agriculture Schemes: The government approved seven...

Editorial of the Day (16th Sep): Realising the Rural-Urban Continuum

Context India's rapid urbanisation is leading to a blurring of lines between urban and rural areas. Current policies often treat urban and rural areas as separate entities, hindering effective problem-solving. What are the Challenges? Over-Centralisation and Financial Decentralisation: Financial decentralisation,...

Current Affairs 16th Sep 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Operation Sadbhav Context: India has launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam which have been hit by severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi. About Operation Sadbhav India has committed $1 million...