2020 Archives | UPSC Current Affairs

Editorial Analysis: Why Indian SAT is answer to rising grade inflation

Indian SATApprox Read Time: 4 min Indian SAT Grade inflation in India: The practice of 'grade inflation' - awarding of higher grades than students deserve - is seen as quite common in India.This is because of over-reliance on senior-secondary (class XII) scores for entry into higher education in India, with many colleges posting very very high cut-offs.For instance, while the economics honours programme had a cut-off of 90% in top-rung…

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January 26, 2021

Current Affairs / Economics

PM Inaugurates the New Bhaupur- New Khurja Section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor

New Bhaupur - New Khurja Section of Eastern Dedicated Freight CorridorApprox Read Time: 5 min In News: Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 351-km ‘New Bhaupur- New Khurja section’ in Uttar Pradesh of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC).He also inaugurated the EDFC’s Operation Control Centre (OCC) at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.The OCC will be the command centre for the entire route of the EDFC and will control and monitor all systems, including train operation and power supply…

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January 3, 2021

Current Affairs / International Relations

Jaishankar meets Qatar leaders, talks economic and security ties

Jaishankar meets Qatar leadersApprox Read Time: 5 min Jaishankar meets Qatar leaders In News: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently visited Qatar. On his visit, Mr. Jaishankar met Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani as well as other top leaders of the Gulf country. Highlights of the visit: The agenda of the visit to Qatar included discussions on bilateral, regional as well as international issues.Discussions were held on ways to strengthen…

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January 3, 2021

Current Affairs / Environment and Ecology

How biofuels can double farm incomes

Advantages of biofuels for farmersApprox Read Time: 5 min Advantages of biofuels for farmers India's per-capita energy consumption is low: India currently consumes only one-third of the global average consumption of energy. Increased consumption will come with new challenges: As India moves towards more robust energy consumption figures, the country faces the unique challenge of merging together often-conflicting needs:Addressing a fast increasing demand while cutting dependence on importsGreening the grid…

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January 3, 2021

Current Affairs / Science and Technology

What is Winter Solstice, which made December 21st the shortest day of the year?

What is Winter Solstice?Approx Read Time: 4 min In News: December 21st is the day of Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere, and it is the shortest day (day with the shortest day-time) of the year.This year, the day-time of December 21st in Delhi was approximately 10 hours 19 minutes long. About: Winter and Summer Solstices The winter solstice, hiemal solstice or hibernal solstice occurs when one of the Earth's poles has…

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December 27, 2020

Current Affairs / Miscellaneous

Singapore’s hawkers gets recognised by UNESCO

Intangible Cultural HeritageApprox Read Time: 4 min In News: Singapore’s street hawker food culture has been designated as 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' by the UNESCO.Hawker culture refers to the community of vendors who cook and sell meals in the 114 hawker centres across Singapore. News Summary: Singapore’s street hawker food culture, one of its most popular attractions, has been designated as 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' by the UNESCO.The award took place at a virtual…

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December 27, 2020

Current Affairs / Science and Technology

Jupiter and Saturn will meet again — but the Great Conjunction is still on

The Great Conjunction between Jupiter and SaturnApprox Read Time: 3 min In News: For the last several days, a rare cosmic event is taking place - the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn.During this event, Jupiter and Saturn appear to merge in the night sky.The planets appeared closest to each other on the night of December 21. About: Great Conjunction Astronomers use the word conjunction to describe pairing of planets and other objects in the…

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December 27, 2020

Current Affairs / Economics / Polity and Governance

How Vadodara corporation plans to raise money via municipal bonds

Municipal BondsApprox Read Time: 4 min In News: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is expected to launch municipal bonds in January, 2021.VMC will become the third Urban Local Body (ULB) in Gujarat to use this method to raise money to fund development work sanctioned under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).Ahmedabad was the first city in south Asia to launch a municipal bond of Rs 100 crore in 1998. Surat…

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December 27, 2020

World food price index rises for seventh straight month in Dec.
World food prices, as measured by the UN FAo’s Food Price Index, rose for a seventh consecutive month in December.
PM’s inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently delivered the inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave 2021.
3.04 Crore New Connections provided under National Jal Jeevan Mission
Jal Shakti Ministry’s data shows that over 3 crore rural households have been provided tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) since it started in 2019.
Jaishankar asks Lanka to fulfil hopes of Tamils
The Indian External Affairs Minister is visiting Sri Lanka for his first overseas visit of the year.
India-Germany Leaders’ Video-Teleconference
The two leaders discussed key issues of mutual importance, including the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral ties, regional and global issues, particularly India-EU relations.
Sex ratio up from 918 in 2014-15 to 934 in 2019-20
As per the ministry of women and child development (WCD), there has been an improvement in sex ratio at birth 934 girls per 1,000 boys in 2019-20.
India slips 6 spots to 86th rank on corruption index
The index released annually by Transparency International, ranks 180 countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and business people.
India proposes to expand research, tourism in the Arctic
India has released a new draft Arctic policy titled ‘Roadmap for Sustainable Engagement’ that focuses on enhancing India’s engagement with the region.
Gulf leaders sign deal to end years-long dispute
Gulf leaders have signed a “solidarity and stability” deal to restore diplomatic relations between Qatar and four Arab states, and end the three year embargo against Qatar.
V-Shaped Economic Recovery Due to Mega Vaccination Drive
The Union Minister for Finance recently presented the Economic Survey 2020-21 in the Parliament. The Survey underlines that the year 2020 was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic downturn.
1.1 crore Houses approved under PMAY(U) so far
The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) has sanctioned the construction of 1.68 lakh new houses under the scheme.
Raise govt-spending to cut out-of-pocket expenditure
The Survey observed how the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of healthcare sector and its inter-linkages with other sectors, showing how a health crisis transforms into an economic and social crisis.
India must continue to focus on Economic Growth to Alleviate Poverty: Economic Survey 2020-21
As per the Economic Survey, India’s GDP is projected to record a growth of 11% in 2021-22. The estimate reflects the growth potential, with the continued normalization...
Eco Survey introduces a bare necessities index
The Economic Survey 2020-21 has highlighted the improvement in access to bare necessities like housing, water, sanitation, electricity etc. and their importance.
Global Updates: Iran starts enriching Uranium up to 20%, seizes tanker in strait
Iran has again begun enriching uranium to levels unseen since its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
To boost industries in J&K, centre clears Rs 28,400 crore scheme
The Union Government has formulated a New Industrial Development Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir (J&K IDS, 2021) as Central Sector Scheme for the development of industries in Jammu & Kashmir.
GDP to contract 7.7% in current fiscal, advance estimates show
The National Statistical Office (NSO) has released the First Advance Estimates (FAE) for the current financial year (2020-21).
75m Indians above 60 suffer from chronic disease: Survey
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently released the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI).
What is bird flu, and how severe is the latest outbreak in India?
Recently, thousands of birds were found dead in various parts of the country.
Extra Bytes: Why lightning still kills so many Indians?
As per a report published recently, lightning strikes have caused 1,771 deaths in India from April, 2019 to March, 2020.
Science policy draft: 30% top posts for women, spousal benefits for LGBTQ+
The draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020 was recently released by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Once finalized, STIP 2020 will replace the STI policy of 2013.
PM unveils project for affordable housing
Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of six Light House Projects (LHPs) in six cities across six States as part of the Global Housing Technology Challenge-India (GHTC-India) initiative.
Editorial Analysis: Why Indian SAT is answer to rising grade inflation
The practice of ‘grade inflation’ – awarding of higher grades than students deserve – is seen as quite common in India. This is because of over-reliance on senior-secondary (class XII) scores for entry into higher education in India, with many colleges posting very very high cut-offs.
Renewed interest in Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the Sun
Astronomers with the “Breakthrough Listen Project” are investigating a mysterious radio wave signal from the direction of Proxima Centauri, the closest star to Earth’s Sun.
PM Inaugurates the New Bhaupur- New Khurja Section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor
Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 351-km ‘New Bhaupur- New Khurja section’ in Uttar Pradesh of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC).

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World food price index rises for seventh straight month in Dec. February 26, 2021
PM’s inaugural address at the National Metrology Conclave February 25, 2021
3.04 Crore New Connections provided under National Jal Jeevan Mission February 24, 2021
Jaishankar asks Lanka to fulfil hopes of Tamils February 16, 2021
India-Germany Leaders’ Video-Teleconference February 16, 2021