Current affairs

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...

Editorial of the Day (11th May): Churn in the Middle East

Context: The United States is trying to forge a mutual defence treaty with Saudi Arabia, and help Israel in its conflicts with Hamas and Iran, potentially leading to a strategic shift where Israel and Saudi Arabia align. The Middle East...

Non Market Economy, Criteria, Implications and Impact

Context: Vietnam wants the United States to change its designation as a "non-market economy" to a "market economy." This change would help Vietnam reduce the high tariffs placed on its goods imported into the US. Overview of Non Market Economy...

Reservation within Constitutional Bounds

Context: Political conflict has erupted over reservation policy. Constitutional Basis of Affirmative Action for Reservation Social Justice and Equality: The Indian Constitution seeks social justice alongside equality (Articles 15 & 16) but allows the state to make special provisions for...

India’s Agri Trade, Import Trends and Policy Effects

Context: India's agricultural exports dropped by 8.2%, totalling $48.82 billion, down from a record $53.15 billion in 2022-23 and $50.24 billion the previous fiscal year. More In News This decline follows a previous downturn where exports fell from $43.25 billion...

Editorial of the Day (10th May): AI and Cybersecurity

Context: An incident where AI-generated voices were used to mimic a kidnapping scenario, misleading a frantic mother and sparking concern in the U.S. Senate about the dangers of AI in creating sophisticated cyber threats. The Rising Threat of Generative AI...