Current affairs

Editorial of the Day (14th May): Impact of Vaccination Worldwide

Context A new study published in the Lancet highlighted the remarkable impact of vaccinations in saving the lives of an estimated 150 million children over the past 50 years. Measles vaccination alone has been responsible for saving 60% of these...

DigiLocker, Features, Use Cases and Legal Validity

Context: Students can check their board exam results, and access their scores and official mark sheets via the Indian government’s DigiLocker platform. What is Digilocker? About: DigiLocker is a digital storage platform launched in 2015 as part of the Indian...

Current Affairs 14th May 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Xenotransplantation Context Richard "Rick" Slayman, the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, passed away two months after the groundbreaking surgery. While the cause of death is not linked to the transplant, the case highlights both the potential...

India’s Top Trade Partner and Trade Deficit Concerns

Context: In FY24, China overtook the US to become India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totalling $118.4 billion. Comparison with the United States US Trade: India-US bilateral trade stood at $118.3 billion in FY24. Indian exports to the US...

Current Affairs 13th May 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Lessons From India-EFTA Context India's FTA negotiations with the UK and EU are on hold due to elections. However, a significant agreement was finalised with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Investment Chapter...

Making Export Policy Farmer Friendly: Boosting Agricultural Trade & Farmer Income

Context India's agricultural exports decreased to $48.9 billion in 2023-24, an 8% drop from $53.2 billion in the previous year. This decline is notably below the target of $60 billion set by the government for 2022. Key Facts The growth...

World’s First Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Transplanted

Context: Richard "Rick" Slayman, 62, passed away nearly two months after receiving a groundbreaking genetically edited pig kidney at Massachusetts General Hospital. Check Details. More In News A 62-year-old man with end-stage renal disease received a kidney transplant from a...

AlphaFold 3, Working, Potential Impact and Challenges

Context: The emergence of AlphaFold, developed by DeepMind, marks a significant milestone in unravelling the mystery of protein folding. AlphaFold: A Game-Changer in Protein Structure Prediction In 2018, DeepMind introduced AlphaFold, a groundbreaking AI tool designed to predict the intricate...

Current Affairs 11th May 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Kharkiv Context: Russian forces launched an armoured ground attack near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Strategic Location: Kharkiv lies in the northeast of Ukraine and is the largest city in the historic Slobozhanshchyna region. Its geographical position makes it a crucial...

Orangutan Diplomacy: Historical Precedents and Consequences

Context: Malaysia is planning to give orangutans as gifts to countries that buy its palm oil as part of an “orangutan diplomacy” strategy to ease concerns over the environmental impact of the commodity. Idea of Orangutan Diplomacy In the realm...