Heatwaves: Causes, Effects, Prediction and Mitigation | UPSC Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced above-average heat wave days for India. Total duration of heatwaves in India has increased by about three days during the last 30 years and a further increase of 12-18 days is expected by 2060. Analysis What is a Heatwave? […]
Heatwaves: Causes, Effects, Prediction, Mitigation | UPSC Read More »
Kachchatheevu Island Dispute Context: The encroachment by Tamil Nadu fishermen in Sri Lankan waters in search of profitable catch and their detention by the Sri Lankan Navy have often caused friction in Indo-Sri Lankan ties. In order to maintain amiable bilateral relations, concurrent with India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, resolving this fishing dispute has assumed greater
Kachchatheevu Island Dispute: Causes & Solutions | UPSC Read More »
Arctic Amplification: Causes, Effects, Solutions Context: While the Earth’s surface as a whole has warmed by around 1.2*C since the industrial revolution, temperatures are not rising at the same rate in all corners of the world. One difference is the faster pace that land areas are warming compared to the ocean. But perhaps the biggest
Arctic Amplification: Causes, Effects, Solutions | UPSC Read More »
Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) Context: The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was extended in parts of Arunachal, Nagaland for six more months. Analysis The AFSPA is used to maintain public order in “disturbed areas” with the help of the armed forces. In case an area is declared “disturbed” in the Official Gazette, a
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India Employment Report 2024 The India Employment Report 2024 was recently released by the Institute for Human Development and International Labour Organisation (ILO). There have been “paradoxical improvements” in labour market indicators such as the labour force participation rate, workforce participation rate, and unemployment rate in India in recent years after long-term deterioration from 2000-2019.
India Employment Report 2024 | UPSC Read More »
Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) Context: The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in its Global Seasonal Climate Update for March-April-May 2024 has reported that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) index is predicted to stay positive but is anticipated to return to near normal. Analysis The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) refers to the swing in sea-surface temperatures from
Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): Meaning, Phases, Impacts | UPSC Read More »
What are El Nino and La Nina? El Nino is an abnormal warming of water (at least 0.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the long-term average) in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean off the northern coast of South America every two to seven years. In the case of a strong El Nino event as
ENSO Dynamics: El Niño, La Nina, and Modoki Variations | UPSC Read More »
Anthropocene Epoch: Meaning and Debates Context: Scientists recently proposed to formalise an ‘Anthropocene Epoch’ on the geologic time scale, triggering several debates. Analysis Background The Geologic Time Scale is the “calendar” for events in Earth history. All 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history are split into—in descending order of duration—Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs and Ages
The Anthropocene Epoch: Definition, Significance, and Controversies | UPSC Read More »
Virtual Reality vs. Augmented Reality vs. Mixed Reality Context: When Apple unveiled its Vision Pro in June 2023, it called the device a “revolutionary spatial computer”. It also told the developers to call their apps ‘spatial computing apps’ — not augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) apps. But most tech enthusiasts
Virtual Reality Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality | UPSC Read More »
Planetary Boundaries Framework: Concept and Significance Context: The 2024 Tyler Prize for environmental achievement was awarded to Johan Rockstrom for his pioneering work in the development of the Planetary Boundaries Framework. He had led the team of international researchers who originated the planetary Boundary Framework in 2009. The prestigious Tyler Prize is often described as
Planetary Boundaries Framework: Concept and Significance | UPSC Read More »
