Category: current affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05/02/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05/02/2024 L.K. Advani to get Bharat Ratna (General Studies- Paper I) Source : TH Former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, has been awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. About L.K. Advani Lal Krishna Advani, born on November 8, 1927, is a prominent Indian politician and a key figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004 and is recognized as one of the co-founders of the BJP and a member of the RashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh (RSS). Advani played a pivotal role in the remarkable rise…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 03/02/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 03/02/2024 Exposing India’s financial markets to the vultures (General Studies- Paper III) Source : TH In September 2023, J.P. Morgan announced plans to include Indian local currency government bonds (LCGBs) in its Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) Global index suite, effective from June 2024. Bloomberg followed suit in January 2024 by proposing the addition of India’s “fully accessible route (FAR)” bonds to the Bloomberg Emerging Market Local Currency Index, set to take effect in September 2024. FTSE Russell also retained India on its watchlist for a potential upgrade, emphasizing the need for reforms in the government bond…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/02/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/02/2024 Committee will study ‘fast population growth’ and demographic changes: FM (General Studies- Paper II) Source : TH Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the formation of a high-powered committee to address challenges arising from “fast population growth and demographic changes” in India. The committee’s mandate is to make recommendations that comprehensively address these challenges, aligning with the goal of developing India (Viksit Bharat). Key Highlights Backdrop of Census Postponement: The announcement comes amid the indefinite postponement of the Census, leading to a lack of reliable data supporting claims of “fast” population growth. Existing data, including the…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 01/02/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 01/02/2024 Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 (General Studies- Paper II) Source : The Indian Express India secured the 93rd position out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023, as per Transparency International’s latest report. Key Highlights India’s Score and Fluctuations: The CPI evaluates perceived public sector corruption on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate cleaner practices. In 2023, India’s score was 39, a slight dip from 2022’s score of 40. Notably, India ranked 85th in 2022. India’s minor score drop raised concerns, especially in light of the narrowing civic space…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31/01/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 31/01/2024 What some nations have paused UNRWA funding? (General Studies- Paper II) Source : The Indian Express UN officials on January 28 urged countries to reconsider the suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). The appeal comes in response to the funding cut by the US and eight other Western countries, which collectively contributed over half of UNRWA’s 2022 budget. The decision followed Israel’s accusation that some UNRWA staff members were involved in an October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Key Highlights UN officials assured that strict action…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/01/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/01/2024 The Burden of Malnutrition (General Studies- Paper II) Source : The Indian Express Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), a common condition affecting children and women, is often linked to nutritional deficiencies. Haematologists, specializing in blood disorders, emphasize the bidirectional relationship between nutrition and certain disorders, highlighting the impact of consistent poor nutrition on health. Key Highlights Two-Way Relationship Between Nutrition and Disorders: Regular examination of patients with anaemia reveals a connection between nutritional deficiencies and disorders. Inadequate intake of micronutrient-rich food can lead to IDA, Vitamin A, and zinc deficiency, impairing immunity. Conditions like celiac disease, H.…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29/01/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29/01/2024 India, France agree on surveillance ties (General Studies- Paper II) Source : TH During French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, both India and France reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying cooperation in the Southwest Indian Ocean region. Building upon previous joint surveillance missions conducted from the French territory of La Reunion in 2020 and 2022, the two nations aimed to bolster their collaboration in maritime security. Key Highlights India and France acknowledged the success of their joint surveillance missions and expressed their intention to expand these efforts. Indian Navy P-8I maritime patrol aircraft were deployed to…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27/01/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27/01/2024 What is the legal dispute over AMU’s minority status? (General Studies- Paper II) Source : TH A seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, is currently engaged in a pivotal hearing regarding the 57-year-long dispute over the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Key Highlights Understanding ‘Minority Character’: The core of this legal discourse revolves around Article 30(1) in Part III of the Constitution, which bestows upon religious and linguistic minorities a fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The second clause of…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/01/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/01/2024 India’s problem — different drugs, identical brand names (General Studies- Paper III) Source : TH Recently, oncologist Dr. Vincent Rajkumar expressed concern about the identical brand names ‘Linamac’ being used for two different drugs treating entirely different conditions. One variant, ‘Linamac 5,’ is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (a type of cancer), while the other ‘Linamac’ is a diabetes medication. This issue is not new in India, as the medical community has long complained about the use of identical trade names for drugs with distinct active ingredients. Key Highlights Historical Perspective: The problem of…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24/01/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24/01/2024 WEF meeting in Davos (2024): 5 key takeaways (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express Every year, leaders from diverse fields convene in the Swiss town of Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) to deliberate on global challenges and chart paths for the future. Despite criticism for its elite and expensive nature, the Davos summit continues to be relevant, offering insights into the perspectives of the rich and powerful on pressing global issues. Key Highlights Artificial Intelligence in the Spotlight: The predominant theme of this year’s WEF meeting was Artificial Intelligence (AI). Discussions…