Category: current affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05/12/2023 One-third of all 2022 suicides were of daily wage earners, farmers: NCRB report (General Studies- Paper II) Source : TH India reported a total of over 1.7 lakh suicides in 2022, according to the National Crime Record Bureau’s (NCRB) Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) 2022 report. Notably, nearly one-third of these suicides were among daily wage earners, agricultural laborers, and farmers. Key Highlights The ADSI 2022 report, alongside the NCRB’s annual Crime in India (2022) report, was released on December 3. Suicide Statistics Across States The ADSI 2022 report provided a breakdown of suicides…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 04/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 04/12/2023 A.P. braces for heavy rainfall as Michaung intensifies (General Studies- Paper III) Source : TH A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is intensifying and expected to evolve into Cyclone Michaung by December 3 morning. The India Meteorological Department predicts winds with a maximum sustained speed of 80 to 90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph. Key Highlights Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are bracing for heavy rainfall. As of December, the deep depression is located about 420 km southeast of Chennai. The cyclonic storm is expected to reach the waters off…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 01/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 01/12/2023 Broadcast regulation 3.0, commissions and omissions (General Studies- Paper II) Source : TH The recent Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, released in November by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), marks the latest effort in a series of endeavors to regulate broadcasting comprehensively. Previous attempts include the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill in 2007 and the Broadcasting Bill of 1997, reflecting the evolving landscape of cable and satellite broadcasting in India.   Key Highlights Positive Propositions with Refinement Needs The Bill mandates broadcasting network operators and broadcasters to maintain subscriber data records, subjected to periodic external audits—an…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/11/2023 Journey of a vote — how EVMs, postal ballots make their way to voters and back (General Studies- Paper I) Source : The Indian Express The two key aspects of the electoral process in India are: postal ballots and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Understanding the Process Postal Ballots: Postal ballots are a method of voting in which eligible voters can cast their votes by mail rather than physically visiting a polling station. The categories of individuals entitled to use postal ballots, include service voters, absentee voters (those above 80 years, those with benchmark disabilities, or…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29/11/2023 Irish author Paul Lynch’s ‘Prophet Song’ wins Booker Prize 2023 (General Studies- Paper I) Source : The Indian Express Irish author Paul Lynch clinched the prestigious Booker Prize in 2023 for his novel “Prophet Song.” The book triumphed over the debut novel “Western Lane” by London-based Indian-origin author ChetnaMaroo. The awards ceremony took place in London, adding Lynch to the esteemed roster of Irish Booker Prize winners. Key Highlights Dystopian Vision of Ireland: “Prophet Song” unfolds a dystopian narrative, presenting a vision of Ireland under totalitarian rule. Lynch, 46, characterized his work as “an attempt at…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28/11/2023 Favourable Fiscal Trends in First Half (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express The Union government’s fiscal performance in the initial half of the year demonstrates positive trends, with notable growth in revenue receipts compared to expenditure. Despite a widening fiscal deficit, robust capital spending compensates, and the government appears on track to meet its fiscal deficit target for the year. Key Highlights In the first half, provisional data from the Controller General of Accounts reveals a substantial 20% growth in the government’s revenue receipts. This surge is notably supported by a 50% increase…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27/11/2023 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) to be called ‘AyushmanArogyaMandir’ (General Studies- Paper II) Source : TH The Union Government has decided to rename the existing Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) to ‘AyushmanArogyaMandir’ with the tagline ‘ArogyamParmamDhanam.’ The Union Health Ministry has communicated this decision to all States and Union Territories, urging them to complete the rebranding process by the end of 2023. Key Highlights The rebranding initiative aims to further the transition from illness-focused healthcare to a holistic approach emphasizing wellness. The National Health Mission (NHM) logo is to be retained in…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/11/2023 Need for climate-smart agriculture in India (General Studies- Paper I and III) Source : TH Climate change and food insecurity emerge as the two most critical challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. The consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events and disruptions to agriculture, exacerbate food shortages. Increasing population and changing dietary habits further strain the demand for food, creating a complex scenario. Key Highlights Climate Change’s Impact on Agriculture The southern continents, in particular, face severe droughts due to climate change, negatively affecting agricultural production and farmers’ livelihoods. Traditional farming practices are…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24/11/2023 Governor holds no veto power over Bills (General Studies- Paper II) Source :TH The Supreme Court has provided a significant ruling on the power of a Governor to withhold assent to Bills forwarded by a State Legislature. The case involves a petition filed by the Punjab government against its Governor’s decision to withhold crucial Bills. The judgment has broader implications and is likely to impact similar cases, including one in Tamil Nadu where the Governor withheld assent to 10 Bills. Key Highlights Governor’s Obligation to Send Bill Back for Reconsideration: The Supreme Court emphasized that if…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23/11/2023 Rare metal found in Sutlej sands (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express Tantalum, a rare metal with the atomic number 73, was discovered by Swedish chemist Anders GustafEkenberg in 1802 in minerals obtained from Ytterby, Sweden. Key Highlights Properties of Tantalum: Tantalum is grey, heavy, and very hard, possessing high corrosion resistance. When exposed to air, it forms an oxide layer that is challenging to remove, even in strong acid environments. Pure tantalum is ductile, allowing it to be stretched into a thin wire without breaking. It is almost completely immune to chemical…