Category: current affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16/12/2023 Opportune moment to rediscover Chennai’s hydrology (General Studies- Paper I and II) Source : TH The recent surge in heavy rainfall, attributed to climate change, has intensified the frequency of floods in India, notably affecting Chennai. The city faced severe flooding in 2005, 2015, and 2023, with the latest being deemed the worst in 47 years. Despite the uniqueness of each event, the cumulative impact has escalated over time, raising concerns about the adequacy of learned lessons and implemented corrective measures Key Highlights Human Errors and Flood Causes: Learning from past The extent to which historical…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15/12/2023 COP28: Much done, but still not enough (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express COP28 delivered some significant outcomes, including a first-time acknowledgment of the need to move away from fossil fuels. A promise to reduce methane emissions was made, along with the operationalization and capitalization of the loss and damage fund. An agreement on a framework for the global goal on adaptation was achieved. Key Highlights Unfulfilled Expectations: Despite these achievements, COP28 fell short of expectations, particularly in galvanizing more ambitious climate action in the short term. The meeting was considered a critical…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14/12/2023 Aging Workforce and High Wages Impact MGNREGS Participation in Kerala (General Studies- Paper II) Source : The Indian Express The state of Kerala faces a unique challenge under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) due to its high daily wages for younger unskilled workers. This has led to a disproportionate participation of elderly workers in the program, affecting both workforce dynamics and the quality of output. Key Highlights Elderly Dominance in MGNREGS Participation: Kerala has the highest percentage of elderly workers (61-80 years) under MGNREGS, with 28.47% employed in this age group. Only…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13/12/2023 Key aspects of Supreme Court’s Article 370 verdict (General Studies- Paper II) Source : The Indian Express A Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud upheld the constitutional validity of two Presidential Orders—CO (The Constitution (Application To Jammu and Kashmir) Order) 272 and 273 of August 5 and 6, 2019, respectively. These orders made the entire Constitution of India applicable to Jammu and Kashmir and rendered all provisions of Article 370 inoperative. Key Issues and Court’s Responses: Sovereignty of Jammu and Kashmir: Petitioner’s Argument: J&K retained an element of sovereignty distinct…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12/12/2023 The future of healthcare is in our Genes (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express The Indian healthcare system is facing significant challenges, particularly in dealing with genetic disorders and the formidable burden of diseases like Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. Traditional treatments involve lifelong management, such as regular blood transfusions, but a paradigm shift towards gene therapy is considered imperative for addressing the root cause — genetic mutations. Key Highlights Genetic Disorders in India: Over 40 million individuals in India suffer from haemoglobinopathies, including Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. These conditions have a…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/12/2023 Europe agrees landmark AI regulation deal (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express Europe reaches a provisional deal on landmark European Union rules governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The EU aims to become the first major world power to enact comprehensive laws governing AI, covering aspects like government biometric surveillance and regulations for AI systems, including models like ChatGPT. The proposed AI Act is set for a vote in the European Parliament in early 2024, with potential enforcement by 2025. The EU’s legislation holds significance as global leaders, including the US, UK,…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 09/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 09/12/2023 Farm dos and don’ts (General Studies- Paper I and III) Source : The Indian Express The Narendra Modi government is credited with effectively managing the volatility in international fertilizer prices over the past two years, particularly for urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). Despite fluctuations in global prices, the maximum retail prices (MRPs) for urea and other fertilizers in India have remained stable, insulating farmers from external shocks. Key Highlights Impact of Price Controls: While these price controls ensured stable fertilizer supplies and shielded farmers from global price shocks, they come at a significant cost. The fertiliser…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08/12/2023 Regulating deepfakes and generative AI in India (General Studies- Paper III) Source : TH Last month, a deepfake video featuring an actor went viral, raising concerns about the misuse of technology. Deepfakes involve the use of AI to manipulate digital media, posing risks such as reputation damage, fabrication of evidence, and erosion of trust in democratic institutions. The technology has even infiltrated political messaging, with instances of deepfake videos surfacing during elections. Key Highlights Political Manipulation Through Deepfakes In 2020, AI-generated deepfake videos targeted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoj Tiwari during Delhi elections, showcasing the…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07/12/2023 India’s CO2 emissions likely to register biggest rise for second year (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express The annual study by the Global Carbon Project reveals that, for the second consecutive year, India is poised to experience the most substantial growth in carbon dioxide emissions among major economies. Key Highlights The study suggests a 50% chance that the world could consistently breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold within the next seven years if current emission trends persist. Daily or weekly breaches are already occurring, and at least one annual breach is highly likely…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 06/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 06/12/2023 Over half of FY23 bank loan write-offs linked to large industries, services sector (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express In the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), Scheduled Commercial Banks in India wrote off a total of Rs 2.09 lakh crore in loans. Of this amount, 52.3% (approximately Rs 1.09 lakh crore) were associated with large industries and the services sector. Key Highlights Comparison with Previous Years: In the preceding year, FY22, the total written-off loans were Rs 1.75 lakh crore, with 39.8% linked to large industries and services. Over the last five years, the…
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