Daily Current Affairs for UPSC

Science and Technology

1. GSAT 20 Successfully Launched: A Boost to India’s Communication and Digital Infrastructure

Subject and UPSC Paper

• Subject: Science and Technology
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Science and Technology – Developments and their Applications)

Why in News?

• ISRO successfully launched GSAT 20, India’s most advanced high-throughput communication satellite, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from the United States.
• The satellite is expected to revolutionize broadband and satellite-based communication in India, bridging the digital divide in remote and rural areas.
• Source: The Hindu

About GSAT 20

• Definition/Description:
  • GSAT 20 is a high-throughput satellite (HTS) developed by ISRO to provide advanced broadband services and satellite-based communication across India.
  • It features Ka-band transponders, ensuring faster data transmission and greater efficiency compared to previous satellites.
• Background:
  • The GSAT series began with the goal of enhancing India’s satellite communication capabilities.
  • Preceding satellites like GSAT 11 and GSAT 19 laid the foundation for HTS technology, enabling better bandwidth and coverage.
  • GSAT 20 is the latest in the series, offering unprecedented data capacity and advanced features.

GSAT-20

• Key Aspects:
  • High Bandwidth: Provides over 100 Gbps data throughput, significantly enhancing internet connectivity.
  • Coverage: Ensures connectivity in remote and underserved regions, crucial for government schemes like BharatNet and Digital India.
  • Technology: Features advanced electric propulsion, increasing fuel efficiency and operational lifespan.
  • Applications: Supports high-speed internet, telemedicine, e-governance, education, and disaster management.
• Regulatory or Legal Framework:
  • Governed by the Department of Space under India’s Space Policy 2023.
  • Commercial applications facilitated by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).
• Current Challenges/Issues:
  • Launch Dependency: Reliance on foreign launch vehicles like SpaceX due to limited indigenous heavy-lift capacity.
  • Infrastructure Needs: Requires robust ground infrastructure, such as earth stations, for optimal utilization.
  • Global Competition: Faces challenges from global HTS providers like SpaceX Starlink and Amazon Kuiper.
  • Security Concerns: Vulnerable to cyber threats and space debris.
• Global or Indian Context:
  • Global Impact: Enhances India’s competitiveness in the global satellite market and supports international communication services.
  • Indian Impact: Aligns with government initiatives like Digital India, BharatNet, and Gaganyaan.
  • Improves national security communication and disaster management capabilities.
• Future Prospects:
  • Indigenous Development: Development of indigenous heavy-lift launch vehicles like GSLV Mk IV.
  • Commercialization: Expanding satellite services to neighboring countries and Africa.
  • Technology Integration: Supports next-generation technologies like 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) in rural areas.
  • Space Economy: Strengthens India’s ambition to become a $10 billion space economy by 2030.

Source: The Hindu, ISRO Official Website

Environment

2. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Notified as India’s 56th Tiger Reserve

Subject and UPSC Paper

• Subject: Environment and Ecology
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Conservation, Environmental Pollution, and Degradation)

Why in News?

• Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla in Chhattisgarh has been notified as the 56th Tiger Reserve of India.
• This designation plays a vital role in wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection in central India.
• Source: The Hindu

About Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve

• Definition/Description:
  • The reserve combines Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, covering approximately 2,000 square kilometers.
  • It lies in the Sarguja and Korba districts of Chhattisgarh and forms part of the Eastern Ghats ecosystem.
• Background:
  • Initially proposed in 2011, it became a key candidate under India’s Project Tiger initiative.
  • Serves as a crucial wildlife corridor connecting Kanha Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) and Palamau Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand).
  • Chhattisgarh’s second tiger reserve after Udanti-Sitanadi.
• Key Aspects:
  • Biodiversity: Home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and several endemic species of flora and fauna.
  • Tribal Coexistence: Involves the participation of local tribes, promoting sustainable conservation practices.
  • Critical Habitat: Supports conservation of endangered species while maintaining ecological balance.
• Regulatory or Legal Framework:
  • Governed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • Monitored by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Current Challenges/Issues:
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict: Encroachment and resource dependency by nearby tribal communities.
  • Funding Limitations: Lack of adequate financial resources for monitoring and anti-poaching measures.
  • Climate Change Impact: Altering habitat patterns, threatening long-term sustainability.
• Global or Indian Context:
  • Global Context: Aligns with global conservation goals under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
  • Indian Context: Strengthens India’s leadership in tiger conservation, contributing to its status as home to 70% of the world’s wild tigers.
• Future Prospects:
  • Community Engagement: Greater involvement of indigenous communities in conservation efforts.
  • Ecotourism: Development of eco-friendly tourism projects to support local economies and conservation.
  • Technological Solutions: Use of GPS collars, drones, and AI for better wildlife monitoring.

Source: The Hindu, NTCA Reports

3. World Toilet Day 2024 Observed on 19th November

Subject and UPSC Paper

• Subject: Environment and Sanitation
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Social Justice)

Why in News?

• World Toilet Day, observed on 19th November, emphasizes the importance of sanitation as a human right.
• The 2024 theme is "Accelerating Access to Safe Toilets to Achieve SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)."
• Source: The Hindu

About World Toilet Day

• Definition/Description:
  • A UN-designated observance aimed at addressing the global sanitation crisis and promoting hygiene awareness.
  • Focuses on reducing open defecation and improving waste management.
• Background:
  • Initiated in 2001 by the World Toilet Organization and adopted by the UN in 2013.
  • India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a landmark initiative, achieving significant progress in eradicating open defecation.
• Key Aspects:
  • Global Scenario: Over 3.6 billion people globally lack access to safely managed sanitation facilities.
  • Impact in India: SBM has led to the construction of over 110 million household toilets, transforming sanitation behavior in rural areas.
  • Health Benefits: Reduces waterborne diseases, maternal mortality, and child malnutrition.
• Current Challenges/Issues:
  • Maintenance of sanitation infrastructure remains a concern, with limited access to water in some areas.
  • Behavioral change to ensure sustained toilet usage.
  • Urban sanitation issues, such as untreated sewage affecting water bodies.
• Global or Indian Context:
  • Global Context: SDG 6 targets universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
  • Indian Context: SBM is recognized globally as a successful sanitation campaign, but the focus now shifts to sustainability under SBM Phase II.
• Future Prospects:
  • Adoption of eco-friendly sanitation technologies like bio-digester toilets.
  • Strengthening waste management infrastructure in urban and peri-urban areas.
  • Public-private partnerships to ensure scalability and sustainability.

Source: The Hindu, UN Reports

Economy

4. India Leads G20 with 7% GDP Growth Forecast for 2024

Subject and UPSC Paper

• Subject: Economy
• UPSC Mains Paper: GS3 (Economic Development)

Why in News?

• India is projected to achieve a GDP growth rate of 7% in 2024, the highest among G20 nations.
• This growth highlights India's resilience amid global economic challenges like inflation, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions.
• Source: The Economic Times

About India’s GDP Growth

• Definition/Description:
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total monetary value of goods and services produced within a country.
  • A 7% growth rate reflects strong domestic demand and robust policy frameworks.
• Background:
  • India emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies after 2014, with significant reforms such as GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), and the PLI Scheme.
  • The economy rebounded quickly post-pandemic, driven by policy interventions like Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Key Aspects:
  • Sectoral Growth:
    • Services: IT, fintech, and healthcare saw high growth.
    • Manufacturing: Boosted by initiatives like Make in India and PLI schemes.
    • Agriculture: Improved productivity through government schemes like PM-KISAN and focus on agri-tech.
  • Export Growth: Robust exports in