Daily Current Affairs for UPSC / State PCS Exam

To The Point Notes

1.Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

• Concern: Potential collapse could have devastating and irreversible impacts.
• Impact Region: Particularly on Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden).
• Expected Changes: Extreme weather events, significant cooling, southward shift of tropical monsoon systems.
• What is AMOC? A large system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Part of: Thermohaline circulation (THC), a large-scale ocean circulation driven by global density gradients.
• Function: Distributes heat and nutrients throughout the world’s oceans.
• Process: Warm surface waters from the tropics move north, cool, and sink, transporting heat to the Northern Hemisphere.

 

2.75 Years of Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh (BAJSS)

• Event: President Droupadi Murmu attended the 75th anniversary celebration in New Delhi.
• Founded: October 24th, 1948 by Thakkar Bapa (Amritlal Vithaldas Thakkar).
• Objective: Promote the welfare of tribal and marginalized communities in India.
• Founder-President: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
• Focus Areas: Poverty, illiteracy, and poor health in tribal society.

Thakkar Bapa (Amritlal Vithaldas Thakkar)

• Social Reformer & Freedom Fighter: Dedicated to uplifting tribal communities.
• Early Life: Engineer, later inspired by Gandhi’s principles.
• Freedom Struggle: Advocate for underprivileged communities.
• Key Achievements:
  • Presented Compulsory Primary Education Bill (1918).
  • Involved in setting up Harijan Sevak Sangh (1932).
  • Authored “Tribes of India” (1950).

 

 

3.Kartarpur Corridor

• Purpose: Facilitate visa-free travel for Indian pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan.
• Significance: Religious significance for Sikhs, strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Pakistan.
• Key Points:
  • Operates on a daily basis, throughout the year.
  • Pilgrims must return on the same day.
  • No restriction on the faith of pilgrims.

 

 

4.Amazon Future Engineer Program (Phase 3)

• Goal: To create computer awareness among tribal students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
• Focus Areas: Blockchain, artificial intelligence, coding, and block programming.
• Implementation: In 50 EMRS across various states in India.
• Organization: National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)
• Objective: To foster technological literacy and prepare tribal students for careers in STEM fields.

 

 

5.Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955

• Origin: Assam Accord of 1985
• Key Provisions:
  • Cut-off date: March 25, 1971
  • Migrants before 1966: Granted citizenship
  • Migrants between 1966 and 1971: Citizenship with voting rights after 10 years
  • Migrants after 1971: Classified as foreigners, subject to deportation
• Supreme Court Ruling: Upheld the constitutionality of Section 6A, citing unique historical context of Assam.

 

 

6.Cobenfy: A New Drug for Schizophrenia

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approval: U.S. FDA approved Cobenfy for treating schizophrenia.
• Mechanism of Action: Combination of xanomeline and trospium chloride.
• Potential Benefits: May improve all symptoms of schizophrenia.
• Side Effects: Nausea, indigestion, hypertension, tachycardia, and dizziness.
• Schizophrenia: A serious mental disorder characterized by:
  • Positive symptoms: Delusions, hallucinations
  • Negative symptoms: Apathy, reduced emotional expression
  • Cognitive impairments: Difficulty in thinking, learning, and problem-solving

Note: Schizophrenia has a complex etiology, involving genetic and environmental factors.

 

 

7.Fourth Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)

• Launch: India launched its fourth SSBN, S4.
• Current Status: India has two operational SSBNs: INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
• Significance: Enhances India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities and strengthens its strategic posture.
• Key Features:
  • Nearly 75% indigenous content
  • Equipped with K-4 nuclear ballistic missiles

 

 

8.Discovery of New Genus of Jumping Spiders ‘Tenkana’

• New Genus: Tenkana, found in southern India and northern Sri Lanka.
• Key Features:
  • Belongs to the Plexippina subtribe
  • Prefers drier habitats and ground areas
• New Species: Tenkana jayamangali, discovered in Karnataka
• Reclassification: Two previously classified Colopsus species (Tenkana manu and Tenkana arkavathi) have been reclassified into the Tenkana genus.

 

 

9.5th National Water Awards

• Purpose: To recognize and honor individuals and organizations for their contributions to water conservation and management.
• Categories: Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best Water User Association, and Best Civil Society.
• Significance: Encourages innovative water management practices and promotes water conservation efforts.

 

 

10.Spraying Diamond Dust to Cool Earth

• Concept: Spraying diamond dust into the Earth’s upper atmosphere to reflect sunlight and cool the planet.
• Goal: Mitigate the effects of global warming.
• Geoengineering: Large-scale manipulation of Earth’s climate system.
• Concerns: Potential unintended consequences and environmental risks.
• Alternative Approach: Solar Radiation Management (SRM), which involves deploying materials in space to reflect sunlight.