💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (August Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Prelims Only

  • GPT-4o: A Free AI Model with Vision, Text, and Voice

    Why in the News?

    • OpenAI has launched GPT-4o- a version of the GPT-4 model which powers its ChatGPT.
    • It offers enhanced speed, intelligence, and efficiency across text, vision, and audio, revolutionizing human-to-machine interaction and opening up new possibilities for users worldwide.

    About GPT-4o:

    • GPT-4o offers GPT- 4 level intelligence with improved speed and efficiency, making human-to-machine interaction more natural and seamless.(focuses on emotional aspects)
    • It integrates transcription, intelligence, and text-to-speech functionalities seamlessly, eliminating latency and enhancing voice mode capabilities.

    Features of GPT-4o

    • Free Access for All: Previously available only to paid users, GPT-4o now provides advanced tools to all users, unlocking over a million GPTs from the GPT store and expanding possibilities for developers.
    • Multilingual and Vision Capabilities: GPT-4o supports over 50 languages and includes vision capabilities, enabling users to upload photos, documents, and access real-time information during conversations.
    • Real-time Conversations: It is able to understand user emotions and provide emotive styles of conversation in real-time.
    • Vision and Coding Support: GPT-4o can solve complex math problems, assist with coding queries, interpret complex charts, and analyze facial expressions in real-time.
    • Translation and Efficiency: GPT-4o offers live real-time translation capabilities and is two times faster, 50% cheaper, and offers 5 times higher rate limits compared to GPT-4 Turbo.

    PYQ:

    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
    3. Disease diagnosis
    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2, 4 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • Preserving Rajasthan’s Semal Trees 

    Why in the News?

    Despite its ecological importance, rampant harvesting of Semal Trees for bonfires poses a grave threat to their existence, undermining biodiversity and cultural heritage alike.

    About Semal/ Silk Cotton Trees

    • The Semal tree, scientifically known as Bombax ceiba, is a deciduous tropical tree.
    • It is native to India, South-East Asia, and Northern Australia.
    • It can grow up to 60 meters tall. It has a distinctive straight trunk, often with spiky thorns, and a wide, spreading canopy.
    • It produces vivid red flowers that are large and attractive, making it quite conspicuous when in bloom.
    • The fruit of the Semal tree is a capsule that contains several seeds surrounded by a fibrous, cotton-like substance which is wind-dispersed.

    Commercial Uses

    • The fibers extracted from the fruit, known as kapok, are used for stuffing pillows, mattresses, and life jackets due to their buoyancy and insulating properties.
    • The wood is soft and is often used for making paper, while in rural areas, it is used as fuelwood and for making cheap furniture.

    Ecological Significance

    • Members of tribal communities consume the tree’s reddish root for food during the monsoons.
    • Larvae of the moth Bucculatrix crateracma feed on its leaves.
    • The golden-crowned sparrow weaves the lining of its nests with white cotton from its seeds.

    Felling of a Semal Tree: Which laws are violated?

    1. Rajasthan Forest Act 1953: This act prohibits various activities in reserved forests without prior permission. Specifically, it bars any unauthorized person from felling, uprooting, damaging, or otherwise harming trees. Violating these prohibitions can lead to penalties including imprisonment, fines, or both, depending on the severity of the offence. Semal tree is not recorded in the state’s list of ‘rare, threatened, and endangered’ species. (Trees on this list enjoy priority conservation efforts.) (Indian Kanoon)​
    2. Forest (Conservation) Act 1980: This act is more comprehensive at the national level and was enacted to provide for the conservation of forests and to regulate deforestation. It requires that any non-forest use of forest land must have prior approval from the Central Government. This includes clearances for felling trees, which are only granted under specific conditions that ensure the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources.​ (UNEPLawEnvAssistantPlat)​

    PYQ:

    [2015] In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?

    (a) Tropical moist deciduous forest

    (b) Tropical rainforest

    (c) Tropical thorn scrub forest

    (d) Temperate forest with grasslands

  • India, Iran sign 10-year contract for Chabahar Port Operation

    Why in the news?

    • India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement for the operation of the Chabahar port, marking a significant milestone in their cooperation.

    Back2Basics: Chabahar Port

    • The port is located in southeastern Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province, on the Gulf of Oman and at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
    • It is called the “Golden Gate” to Central Asian land-locked countries of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
    • It serves as Iran’s only oceanic port and consists of two separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
    • It is only about 170 km west of the Gwadar port if Pakistan.
      • The development of Chabahar port was initiated by India with a MoU in 2015 and executed in 2016 during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Iran.

    About the Agreement

    The contract, signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran, involves substantial investment and development initiatives.

    • IPGL will invest approximately $120 million in equipping the Shahid-Behesti terminal, enhancing the port’s efficiency and capacity.
    • India has extended a credit window of $250 million for mutually identified projects aimed at improving Chabahar-related infrastructure, emphasizing its commitment to regional development.

    Strategic Importance of Chabahar Port to India

    • Chabahar port will boost India’s access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor that has sea, rail and road routes between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.
    • Chabahar port will be beneficial to India in countering Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea which China is trying to ensure by helping Pakistan develop the Gwadar port.
    • India can bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan.

    Economic Significance

    • Chabahar Port is at an important point on the Arabian Sea, with easy access from India’s west coast.
    • Kandla port in Gujarat is the closest port at 550 nautical miles, while the distance between Chabahar and Mumbai is 786 nautical miles.
    • Since 2019, the port has handled more than 80,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic and more than 8 million tonnes of bulk and general cargo.
    • The port also offers an alternative route from the Strait of Hormuz for cargo traffic between Central Asian countries and Afghanistan.

    PYQ:

    [2017] What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

    (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.

    (b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.

    (c) India will not depend on Pakistan to access Afghanistan and Central Asia.

    (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the gas pipeline installation between Iraq and India.

  • [pib] Exercise Shakti

    Why in the news?

    The 7th edition of the India-France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI begins at Umroi, Meghalaya, signalling the start of a biennial training event aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation.

    About Exercise Shakti

    • Shakti Exercise is a joint military exercise between the armies of India and France.
    • It is a biennial training event conducted alternatively in India and France
    • It started in 2011, and since then, the armies of both countries have undertaken it to promote defence cooperation and interoperability.
    • Objectives:
    1. To bolster joint military capabilities for multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
    2. To operate in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, focusing on achieving a high degree of physical fitness and refining tactical drills.

    Major Defence Exercise between India and France:

    • Garuda: It is the joint air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force.
    • Varuna: It is the joint naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.
    • Desert Knight-21: It was a bilateral air exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur from January 20-24, 2021. It was unique as it involved the fielding of Rafale aircraft by both sides.
    • FRINJEX: It was the maiden joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the French Army conducted at Pangode Military Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on March 7-8, 2023.

     

    Tap to read more about:

    Various Defence Exercises in News

  • [pib] Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayaloka-Locana enter ‘UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific regional register’

    Why in the news?

    The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra and Sahrdayaloka-Locana have been included in ‘UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific regional register’.

    About UNESCO’s ‘Memory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific regional register’

    Details
    History and Establishment Initiated in 1992 by UNESCO.

    Asia-Pacific Regional Committee (MOWCAP) was set up in 1998.
    Parent Organization Overseen by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
    Objective To safeguard, preserve, facilitate access to, and increase awareness of documentary heritage. Focuses specifically on the Asia-Pacific region.
    Examples of Inscribed Items Includes items like Japan’s “Sugihara’s Visas for Life”, Australia’s “Mabo Case Manuscripts”, and Vietnam’s “Ba Chuc Massacre Archives”.
    Impact and Outreach Supports preservation, digitization, accessibility of documents; provides grants and organizes workshops, meetings, and exhibitions to promote knowledge sharing. 
    Reference

    About the Texts

    • Ramcharitmanas:

    • Written by Tulsidas in the 16th century, the Ramcharitmanas is an epic poem in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, and is a retelling of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana.
    • It narrates the life of Lord Rama, his virtues, the ideals of Dharma, and his reign during Ram Rajya.
    • Hanuman Chalisa is a combination of 40 verses from the same epic.

    • Panchatantra:

    • The Panchatantra is a collection of ancient Indian animal fables that dates back to at least the 3rd century BCE. 
    • Originally written in Sanskrit by Vishnu Sharma.
    • Its stories are crafted as simple yet vibrant narratives that aim to impart practical life lessons through the interactions of anthropomorphized animals.

    • Sahrdayaloka-Locana

    • The Sahrdayaloka-Locana is a Sanskrit treatise on poetics written by Jagannatha Paṇḍitaraja in the 17th century.
    • It is considered one of the most important works of Sanskrit literary criticism.
    • The text discusses the concept of “Sahrdaya“, which refers to a sensitive or discerning reader or critic.

     

    PYQ:

    [2016] With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorising of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who among the following?

    (a) Shramana

    (b) Parivraajaka

    (c) Agrahaarika

    (d) Maagadha

  • Species in news: Himalayan Magpies 

    Why in the news?

    Blue magpie species are frequently observed from Kashmir to Myanmar.

    About Himalayan Magpies

    • Magpies belong to the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, jays, and ravens.
    • These birds are typically noisy and inquisitive, often featured as omens in folklore around the world.
    • Species Distribution and Habitat:
      • Gold-billed Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris): Also known as the yellow-billed blue magpie, this species inhabits high altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, thriving in the high-altitude zones of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Myanmar.
      • Red-billed Magpie: Found at slightly lower altitudes than the gold-billed magpie.
      • Blue Magpie: Occupies lower altitudes and is more likely to be found near human settlements. It builds nests in rhododendron trees.
    • IUCN Status: ‘Least Concerned’

    Observations:

    • The best sightings of yellow and red-billed magpies are along a trekking corridor in Western Sikkim, which spans from tropical forests at lower altitudes to Alpine landscapes.
    • Over 250 species of birds have been documented in this region, with significant bird activity around 2,500 meters.

    PYQ:

    [2014] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses.

    Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?

    1. Painted Stork
    2. Common Myna
    3. Black-necked Crane

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) 3 only

  • Decoding C. Elegans Worm: A Remarkable Discovery

    Why in the news?

    Researchers at Princeton University found that Caenorhabditis elegans can inherit the ‘knowledge’ to avoid a disease-causing bacterium, Pseudomonas vranovensis, across several generations after initially consuming it.

    C. Elegans: Breakthrough made in Scientific Research

    • C. elegans can inherit the ‘knowledge’ to avoid a disease-causing bacterium, Pseudomonas vranovensis, across several generations after by consuming it.
    • The study revealed that the worms ingested small RNA (sRNA) molecules from P. vranovensis, which then altered their feeding behaviour to avoid the bacteria.
    • This sRNA interacts with the worm’s gene maco-1, affecting its neurological functions.
    • These sRNAs are passed down to at least four subsequent generations, demonstrating a form of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

     

    About C. Elegans Worm

    • C. elegans, or Caenorhabditis elegans, is a small, transparent nematode (roundworm) widely used in scientific research.
    • It is about 1 mm in length, making it easy to study under a microscope.
    • It has a simple body plan, which simplifies many types of biological research.
    • C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced in 1998.

    Key Features of C. Elegans Worm

    • Short lifespan and quick regeneration: It has a short lifespan of about 2-3 weeks and develops from an egg to an adult in just 3-5 days. This allows for quick generation turnover and facilitates studies on genetics and developmental biology.
    • Transparency:  It allows researchers to easily observe its internal structures and developmental processes in real time.
    • Genetic information: This has provided a wealth of genetic information and made it a powerful tool for genetic studies.
    • Consistent Somatic Cell Count: Adult C. elegans have exactly 959 somatic cells, and their lineage has been fully mapped, providing a consistent model for studying cell development and death.

    PYQ:

    [2021] Consider the following:​

    1. Bacteria​

    2. Fungi​

    3. Virus​

    Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?​

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Aurora Borealis: What are Northern and Southern lights? Why do they occur?

    Why in the news?

    • In a rare event, the night sky over Hanle village in Ladakh was illuminated by the northern lights or aurora borealis.
      • Concurrently, the southern lights, or aurora australis, were observed in New Zealand and Australia.

    What are Auroras?

    • Auroras are natural light displays that appear as bright, swirling curtains in the night sky.
    • They are typically seen near the Poles but can occasionally be observed at lower latitudes.
    • These lights can display a range of colors, including blue, red, yellow, green, and orange, due to the interaction of solar particles with different gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.
    • The phenomenon is known as:
    1. Aurora borealis in Northern Hemisphere and
    2. Aurora australis in Southern Hemisphere

    What causes Auroras?

    • Interaction with Earth’s Magnetic Field: As the solar wind approaches Earth, it interacts with the planet’s magnetic field, causing some charged particles to enter the atmosphere near the poles.
    • Interaction with Gases: These particles interact with gases in the upper atmosphere, producing colourful flashes of light. Collision with oxygen produces green light, while interaction with nitrogen results in shades of blue and purple.

    Reasons for Aurora in Ladakh:

    • Intense Solar Activity: Auroras can extend to lower latitudes during periods of intense solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
      • The CMEs are from the AR13664 region of the sun that has produced several high-energy solar flares
    • Localized magnetic anomalies: Variations in Earth’s magnetic field could potentially influence the occurrence of auroras in specific areas, including regions at lower latitudes.

    Impact on Tech Infrastructure 

    • Auroras can pose challenges to space-dependent technologies and operations.
    • Disruptions in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), radio communications, flight operations, power grids, and space exploration endeavors may occur during such events.

    PYQ:

    [2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?

    1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
    2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
    3. Power grids could be damaged.
    4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
    5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
    6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
    7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over Polar Regions could be interrupted.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
    (b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
    (c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

     

  • India backs Palestine’s bid for full UN membership

    Why in the news?

    India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution recommending Palestine’s admission as a full member of the United Nations.

    Arab push for Palestine’s Membership

    • The emergency special session was convened by the Arab Group, with the UAE presenting the resolution in support of Palestine’s full membership.
    • The resolution calls for the Security Council to “reconsider” Palestine’s membership favourably, based on its determination that Palestine is qualified for UN membership.
    • The resolution received overwhelming support, with 143 votes in favour, including India’s, nine against, and 25 abstentions.
    • As an observer state, Palestine currently lacks voting rights in the General Assembly and cannot nominate candidates to UN organs.

    India’s Stance on Palestine:

    • In 1988, India recognized the State of Palestine.
    • In 1996, India opened its Representative Office to the Palestine Authority in Gaza, later relocating it to Ramallah in 2003.

    About United Nations

    Details
    Background  Resulted from the devastation of World War I and II

    Highlighted the need for a more effective international body to maintain peace and prevent future conflicts.
    Predecessor The League of Nations, created in 1919 after World War I, aimed at peacekeeping but failed during World War II.
    The Atlantic Charter Issued in August 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA) and Prime Minister Winston Churchill (UK), this document outlined principles for a post-war world and set the stage for the UN’s creation.
    Naming The term “United Nations” was coined by President Roosevelt in 1941 to describe the allied nations opposed to the Axis powers.
    Declaration by United Nations On January 1, 1942, representatives from 26 Allied nations, including India under British colonial rule, signed this declaration in Washington DC, formalizing their alliance and war objectives.
    Official Formation UN was officially established on October 24, 1945, when its Charter was ratified by 51 member countries

    It included 5 permanent Security Council members: France, Republic of China, Soviet Union, UK, and US.
    First General Assembly The inaugural meeting of the UN General Assembly took place on January 10, 1946.
    Core Goals
    1. To maintain international peace and security.
    2. To foster friendly relations among nations.
    3. To cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights.
    4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these common ends.
    India’s Role India was a founding member of the United Nations, having signed the initial Declaration alongside 25 other Allied nations during World War II.

     

    Rights and Privileges:

    • The rights and privileges of member states in the United Nations are designed to ensure that all members can effectively participate in the organization’s activities and benefit from its resources.

    PYQ:

    [2022] With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:

    1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
    2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year
    3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 3 only
    (b) 1 and 3
    (c) 2 and 3
    (d) 1 and 2

  • What is Interim Bail?

    Why in the news?

    The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case till to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

    What is Interim Bail?

    • Interim bail in India is a temporary release granted to an accused person from custody under Section 439 Cr.
    • It can be granted to address urgent matters such as medical emergencies, family crises, or other significant personal issues.

    Legal Provisions for Interim Bail

    Interim bail in India is NOT explicitly defined under a specific statute but is derived from the discretionary powers granted to courts under various legal provisions.

    The most relevant laws and principles include:

    1. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC): While the CrPC does not explicitly mention “interim bail,” it provides the framework for granting bail in general. Sections like 437 (bail in non-bailable cases by Magistrate), 438 (anticipatory bail), and 439 (special powers of High Court or Court of Session regarding bail) are used by courts to grant bail, including interim bail, based on judicial discretion.
    2. Constitutional Provisions: The Constitution of India under Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, is often interpreted to include the right to bail as part of the fair and just legal process.

     

    Back2Basics: What is Bail?

    • Bail is the conditional release of a defendant with the promise to appear in court when required.
    • The term also means the security that is deposited in order to secure the release of the accused.
    • In India’s legal world, the term offense has been categorized as bailable offenses and non-bailable under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

    Why need Bail?

    • Bail is a fundamental aspect of any criminal justice system.
    • A person can defend himself/herself better when he/she is free, thus ensuring free trial.
    • The practice of bail grew out of the need to safeguard the fundamental right to liberty.
    • Liberty is the right of one whose guilt has not yet been proven.

    Types of Bail in India

    • Depending upon the sage of the criminal matter, there are commonly three types of bail in India:
    1. Regular Bail: Granted to a person who has already been arrested and is in custody. This type of bail is provided under Sections 437 and 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). It allows the accused to be released from custody while the trial is ongoing.
    2. Anticipatory Bail: Under Section 438 of the CrPC, anticipatory bail is a pre-arrest legal process. It is granted when a person apprehends arrest on an accusation of having committed a non-bailable offence. This type of bail ensures that the accused will be released on bail in the event they are arrested.
    3. Interim Bail: This is temporary bail granted for a short period. Interim bail is often granted to allow the accused some relief until a final decision on their regular or anticipatory bail plea is made.

    Conditions for Grant of Bail in Bailable Offences

    • Section 436 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, lays down that a person accused of a bailable offense under IPC can be granted bail if:
    1. There are sufficient reasons to believe that the accused has not committed the offence.
    2. There is sufficient reason to conduct a further inquiry in the matter.
    3. The person is not accused of any offence punishable with death, life imprisonment or imprisonment up to 10 years.

    Conditions for Grant of Bail in Non-Bailable Offences

    • Section 437 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 lays down that the accused does not have the right to apply for bail in non-bailable offences.
    • It is discretion of the court to grant bail in case of non-bailable offences if:
    1. The accused is a woman or a child, bail can be granted in a non-bailable offence.
    2. There is a lack of evidence then bail in non-Bailable offenses can be granted.
    3. There is a delay in lodging FIR by the complainant, bail may be granted.
    4. The accused is gravely sick.

     

    PYQ:

    [2021] With reference to India, consider the following statements :​

    1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked up in police station, not in jail.​

    2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court.​

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?​

    1. 1 only ​
    2. 2 only​
    3. Both 1 and 2 ​
    4. Neither 1 nor 2​