January 24, 2024 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
The Mauryan Empire | Explained
The Mauryan Empire, one of the most illustrious dynasties in ancient Indian history, played a pivotal role in shaping the subcontinent's political landscape. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 322 BCE, the Mauryan Empire endured for over 50 years, leaving an indelible mark on India's cultural, political, and economic spheres. In this blog, we will delve into the rise, accomplishments, and legacy of the Mauryas, shedding light on their monumental contributions to the Indian subcontinent.
Highlights of the Day
1.Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur: BJP's Strategic Move in Bihar Politics
The Indian government celebrates the centenary of the birth of Karpoori Thakur, a prominent leader from Bihar. Thakur, known as the "Jan Nayak" (people's leader), served as Bihar's Chief Minister and implemented a groundbreaking reservation regime in 1978. The decision to posthumously award him the Bharat Ratna is applauded by Prime Minister Modi, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, and others. The move is seen as the BJP's strategic attempt to claim Thakur's legacy ahead of elections and counter the social justice narrative of rivals JD(U) and RJD in Bihar. The government also plans to release a postal stamp and coin in his honor[1].
2. Maldives Permits Chinese Research Vessel Amid Diplomatic Sensitivities
The Chinese Research Vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 has been permitted by the Maldivian government to make a port call for replenishment, with assurances from the Maldivian foreign ministry that no research will be conducted in its waters. While the ministry emphasizes the tradition of welcoming vessels from friendly nations, India is closely monitoring the ship's movements. This development follows Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's recent criticism of India for "bullying" and his deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel by March 15[2].
3.India AI Program Seeks Rs 10,000 Crore for GPU-Based Servers in Public-Private Partnership
The Ministry of Electronics and IT plans to seek cabinet approval for the India AI program, allocating over Rs 10,000 crore for GPU-based servers in a public-private partnership. The program aims to establish a three-tier compute infrastructure with 24,500 GPUs, fostering AI development. The initiative involves collaboration with private data centers and CDAC-run facilities. The demand for GPU-based servers has surged globally. India, with only three supercomputers, lags behind the US and China. The proposed AI program targets enhanced computing power, with recommendations for an Inference Farm and Edge Compute systems. NVIDIA, holding an 88% market share, faces high global demand, causing delays.[3].
4.India Surpasses Hong Kong to Become Fourth-Largest Equity Market Amid Global Economic Shifts
Indian stock market has surpassed Hong Kong to become the world's fourth-largest equity market, with a combined value of $4.33 trillion. Hong Kong's decline, losing nearly 36% from its peak, is attributed to an eroding China appeal. The trend reflects the underperformance of China and the outperformance of India in global economic growth. Despite a 1.5% fall in domestic indices, India's resilience, 20% rally in 2023, and positive economic prospects have boosted investor confidence, marking a significant milestone and highlighting India's emergence as a key player in the international financial arena[4].
5. Interim Budget 2024-25: Balancing Fiscal Goals and Capex Moderation Amidst Elections
The upcoming Interim Budget for 2024-25 is expected to witness a moderation in public capital expenditure (capex) growth plans as the government aims to achieve fiscal consolidation, targeting a fiscal deficit of 4.5% of GDP by 2025-26. India Ratings predicts a slowdown in capex growth to 12% in 2024-25, down from 37.4% in the current year, citing factors such as private capex revival, impending elections, and fiscal consolidation goals. Balancing higher capex with fiscal prudence will be crucial, with the government likely to prioritize the fiscal course-correction glide path while avoiding populist spending[5].
Source: The Hindu | TOI
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1: Which of the following statements about the Kigali Amendment is correct?
I. The Kigali Amendment is related to the Montreal Protocol on Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes.
II. It aims to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
III. India is not a party to the Kigali Amendment.
a) Only I
b) I and II
c) Only II
d) II, and III
Q2: Which of the following statements about the Bonn Challenge is correct?
I. The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to restore 350 million hectares of the world's deforested and degraded land by 2030.
II. It is a joint initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
III. India is not a participant in the Bonn Challenge.
a) Only I
b) I and II
c) I and III
d) I, II, and III
Q3: Consider the following statements about the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:
I. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is designated as both a cultural and natural World Heritage Site.
II. The Sundarbans National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the category of mixed heritage.
III. India has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I, II, and III
d) None of the above
Q4: The ‘CERN’ (European Organization for Nuclear Research) is famous for:
a) Studying climate change
b) Particle physics experiments
c) Astronomy research
d) Genetic engineering
Q5: The Kalahari Desert spans across which African countries?
a) South Africa, Namibia, Botswana
b) Nigeria, Niger, Mali
c) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
d) Egypt, Sudan, Libya
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Identify and analyze the key factors that led to the decline of the Mauryan Empire. Discuss the internal and external challenges faced by the Mauryan rulers and their impact on the empire's eventual downfall.
Need help in writing or evaluation?
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