Daily Current Affairs for IAS PCS (UPSC CSE)

Introduction   Environmental conservation has become a global priority, and grassroots efforts play a vital role in fostering sustainability. In Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram district, the NGO Pasumai Vidhaigal is leading the way by creating a mini-forest at Ullavoor Government School. This initiative, involving students and the local community, highlights the importance of afforestation and biodiversity conservation. The Mini-Forest Initiative:  An Overview   Pasumai Vidhaigal, an NGO dedicated to environmental preservation, has planted over 1,000 fruit tree saplings at Ullavoor Government School. This effort aims to instill environmental consciousness among students while offering tangible ecological benefits. Over the past decade, the NGO has distributed 2.7 lakh saplings and developed 28 Miyawaki forests across the region. Key Features of the Mini-Forest Project Environmental Awareness Through Education The project serves as an educational tool for students, teaching them...

Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, from healthcare to finance and governance. However, regulating AI is proving to be a complex challenge due to geopolitical rivalries, inconsistent legal frameworks, and ethical concerns. Without robust oversight, AI could pose risks such as bias, security vulnerabilities, and privacy violations. Therefore, a balanced regulatory approach that fosters innovation while ensuring accountability is essential. Complexities in AI Regulation Geopolitical Tensions: Countries like the US, China, and the UK aim to dominate AI innovation, often prioritizing national security and economic benefits over global cooperation. Divergent Development Goals: Advanced nations focus on AI leadership, while developing economies such as India, Brazil, and South Africa emphasize AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, and economic development. Inconsistent Legal Frameworks: The EU AI Act imposes strict regulations on high-risk...

Introduction India’s business environment faces several regulatory challenges, including corruption, frequent compliance updates, and inefficiencies in governance. Despite reforms such as the Jan Vishwas Act (2023) and the proposed Jan Vishwas 2.0, businesses continue to struggle with complex compliance systems. Establishing a unified compliance identity system and ensuring predictable regulations is essential for improving India's ease of doing business and attracting investments. Key Challenges in India’s Compliance Framework 1. Pervasive Corruption in Regulatory Compliance The India Business Corruption Survey 2024 highlights that 66% of businesses admitted to paying bribes, with 54% coerced into making payments for obtaining permits, licenses, or approvals. Corruption increases operational costs, making compliance expensive and inefficient. 2. Excessive and Frequent Compliance Updates In 2024 alone, India witnessed 9,420 compliance updates , averaging 36 daily regulatory chan...

Introduction In the face of rising income inequality and unemployment, discussions around Universal Basic Income (UBI) have gained traction in India. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has highlighted concerns over jobless growth , a phenomenon worsened by automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) . As a potential solution, UBI is being explored to provide a financial safety net, ensuring basic economic security for all citizens. Background and Evolution of UBI in India The concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI) gained prominence in India after the 2016-17 Economic Survey , which proposed it as an alternative to inefficient welfare schemes . The evolution of the JAM (Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) infrastructure has further strengthened the feasibility of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) , making UBI a more viable policy option. UBI aims to provide a fixed income to all individuals without any preconditions, ensuring a minimum level of financial security. While it does not ...