Daily Current Affairs for IAS PCS (UPSC CSE)

  Introduction A recent UNICEF report on climate change and education highlights a growing global crisis, particularly in developing nations. The report reveals that extreme climate events in 2024 disrupted schooling for millions of students across 85 countries. The most affected regions included South Asia (128 million students impacted, with 55 million in India) , East Asia, the Pacific, and Africa, where El Niño-induced floods and droughts severely affected education systems. Key Findings of the UNICEF Report Major Climate Hazards Affecting Education Heatwaves : The biggest threat to schools in 2024, affecting countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Multiple Climate Hazards : Countries like Afghanistan faced both heat waves and floods, leading to significant school closures. El Niño Impact : In Africa, El Niño caused a double crisis of floods and droughts, severely damaging school infrastructure. Impact on School Infrastructure and Accessibility Damage to sch...

Context: Two major volcanic eruptions have been reported recently: Mount Etna (Italy) erupted, spewing lava and drawing thousands of tourists, raising safety concerns. Mount Dukono (Indonesia) erupted, releasing a 2,000-meter ash cloud, prompting aviation warnings and public safety advisories. Mount Etna (Italy) Location & Type: Located in Sicily, Italy , Mount Etna is Europe’s highest and most active stratovolcano (~3,350 meters). A stratovolcano is a tall, conical volcano characterized by explosive eruptions and lava flows. Recent Eruption Details: The eruption originated from the Bocca Nuova crater , also known as the “new mouth.” Lava interactions with snow have increased the risk of phreatomagmatic explosions , where rapid steam expansion can trigger rock explosions. The eruption led to ash plumes affecting local air traffic and causing temporary flight disruptions. Geological Significance: Mount Etna is situated on the convergent boundary between the African and Eurasian ...

  Context Amid rising tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu, India and Pakistan’s brigade commanders recently held a meeting at Chakkan-Da-Bagh (Poonch District), located in the Pir Panjal Valley . The meeting aimed to ease border tensions and reaffirm the ceasefire agreement between the two nations. About Pir Panjal Range Geographical Significance The Pir Panjal Range is part of the Lesser Himalayas and stretches across India and Pakistan-administered Kashmir . It is one of the most important mountain ranges in the Indian subcontinent. Location : It extends across Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in India. Length : Approximately 288 km long. Elevation : Peaks range between 1,400 m to 6,000 m above sea level. Major Peaks in the Pir Panjal Range Deo Tibba (6,001 m) Indrasan (6,221 m) Pir Panjal Peak (4,100 m) Key Rivers Originating from the Pir Panjal Range Chenab River (major tributary of the Indus). Beas and Ravi Rivers , flowing towards the Punjab r...

Context: The Ministry of Railways provided ₹10 lakh ex-gratia payments to the families of 18 deceased in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede, distributing the amount entirely in cash. This highlights the role of ex-gratia payments as a relief measure in emergencies. What is Ex-Gratia? Ex-gratia is a payment made as a goodwill gesture without any legal obligation. It is typically granted by the government, corporations, or institutions to provide financial assistance in cases of: Accidents (railway, road, or industrial mishaps) Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, cyclones) Death or injury during public service (armed forces, police personnel) Special cases requiring financial aid (COVID-19 ex-gratia relief) Ex-gratia payments aim to provide immediate relief and support to affected individuals or their families but do not replace legally mandated compensation. Legal Framework Governing Ex-Gratia Payments Unlike compensation, ex-gratia payments are not governed by any specific stat...

  Introduction The Supreme Court of India recently stayed a Lokpal order bringing High Court judges under its jurisdiction, calling the interpretation “very disturbing.” This has reignited debates on the powers and jurisdiction of Lokpal in fighting corruption at the highest levels. What is Lokpal? Lokpal is an independent anti-corruption body established to investigate corruption allegations against public officials, including the Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), and government employees. Background and Establishment Concept Origin: The idea of an ombudsman was first introduced in Sweden (1809). India’s Proposal: The term “Lokpal” was coined by Dr. L.M. Singhvi in 1963 and was first proposed in Parliament in the 1960s by former Law Minister Ashok Kumar Sen. Legislation: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 was passed after widespread public protests led by Anna Hazare during the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement. Structure of Lokpal Compositi...

  Context India’s Composite Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 60.6 in February 2025 , marking an increase after three consecutive quarters of decline. This reflects strong expansion in both manufacturing and services sectors . What is the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)? The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an economic indicator that provides insights into business activity levels in an economy. Unlike the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) , which tracks actual industrial output , PMI measures economic health at the purchasing/input stage through survey-based data from business executives . Types of PMI: Manufacturing PMI – Tracks industrial production and factory output . Services PMI – Measures growth in the services sector such as retail, IT, finance, and hospitality. Composite PMI – A combined measure of both manufacturing and services activity . Interpreting PMI Values: PMI above 50 → Economic expansion (increased business activity). PMI below 50 ...

  Introduction The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a $10 billion USD/INR buy/sell swap auction to inject ₹86,000 crore into the banking system. This strategic move aims to manage liquidity, stabilize currency volatility, and support economic growth. In this blog, we will explore the concept of rupee-dollar swap auctions, their mechanism, impact on the economy, and their significance in India’s financial landscape. What is a Rupee & Dollar Swap Auction? A rupee-dollar swap auction is a foreign exchange (forex) tool used by the RBI to regulate liquidity and maintain currency stability. This mechanism involves banks selling US dollars to the RBI in exchange for Indian rupees (INR) and agreeing to repurchase the dollars at a later date. Who Conducts It? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) , as part of its monetary policy interventions, executes the swap auctions. It is used as an alternative to traditional monetary tools like repo operations. How Does a Rupee-Dollar Swap Work...

  Introduction The Bharat Tech Triumph Program (TTP) is a groundbreaking initiative launched under the Create in India Challenge Season 1 to highlight India’s growing gaming industry on a global stage. This program aims to promote Indian game developers, startups, and tech companies , providing them with international exposure. The winners of this prestigious program will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco and the WAVES Summit in India . What is the Bharat Tech Triumph Program (TTP)? The Bharat Tech Triumph Program is a national initiative focused on nurturing gaming talent and strengthening India's position in the global gaming ecosystem . It provides mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to game developers and tech firms, ensuring they gain visibility on international platforms. Key Features of the Bharat Tech Triumph Program 1. Ministry & Organizers Ministry of Information ...