UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Key Highlights from India's Q2 GDP Growth Data 2025

Economic Growth Metrics:

• GDP Growth: India recorded an 8.2% GDP growth for Q2 (July-September) 2025, the highest in six quarters, outpacing economists' expectations of 7.3% to 7.8%.
• Sectoral Growth:
  • Services Sector: Grew over 9%, driven by:
    • Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services: Inc

India-Russia Defence Cooperation Meeting

1. Meeting Details:

   • Date: December 4
   • Location: New Delhi
   • Participants: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov.
   • Context: Occurring during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit.

2. Agenda:

   • Review ongoing defence cooperation.
   • Discuss timely delivery and additional

NISAR Satellite Mission Highlights:

1. Launch and Development:

   • The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite was launched on July 30, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
   • It is the first satellite developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA.

2. Phases of NISAR Mission:

   • The mission is categorized into disti

Summary of Key Points from the Article on Death Penalty Cases in India

Constitutional and Legal Context

• Supreme Court Involvement: The Supreme Court of India has not confirmed a single death sentence for three years. In 2023, it has acquitted nine prisoners on death row and commuted five death sentences to life imprisonment.
• Judicial Findings: The Supreme Court emphasized gra

Supreme Court Judgment on Governors' Role and Constitutional Interpretation

Constitutional Context:

• Adoption of Constitution: November 26, 1949.
• Article 153: Provides for the appointment of Governors for each state by the President.
• Constitutional Debate: Concerns raised about the impartiality and powers of Governors, reflecting apprehensions about them being similar to

Transforming India's Army: A Three-Phase Roadmap

1. Overview:

   • Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, presented a three-phase plan to transform the Indian Army into a future-ready force by 2047 during the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025.
   • The initiative aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat and the government’s broader reform agenda.

2. **Phases of Transformation

Mumbai Air Pollution Control Measures: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

1. Stop Work Notices:

   • 53 construction sites in Mumbai received 'stop work' notices for violating air pollution control guidelines.
   • Main areas affected:
     • Siddharth Nagar, G South zone: 17 sites
     • Mazgaon, E zone: 5 sites
     • Malad (West), P North zone: 31 sites

2. **Air

Mumbai Air Pollution Control Measures and Construction Site Regulations

1. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Actions:

   • Issued ‘stop work’ notices to 53 construction sites in Mumbai for violating air pollution control guidelines.
   • Warned construction project owners of strict actions for guideline non-compliance.

2. Air Quality Monitoring:

   • BMC has installed a to

Summary of Key Facts and Data

Municipal Actions and Guidelines

• Entity: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
• Action: Issued ‘stop work’ notices to 53 construction sites for violating air pollution control guidelines.
• Official Statement: Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Ashwini Joshi emphasized strict actions against non-compliance with air quality measur

Summary of Key Facts and Insights on Bats in Bengaluru

Constitutional and Environmental References:

• The film highlights the urban environment's biodiversity, aligning with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) under Article 48A, which emphasizes the protection and improvement of the environment and safeguarding the forests and wildlife.

Documentary Highlights:

Constitution Day of India - Key Highlights

Historical Context

• Date of Adoption: November 26, 1949
• Enforcement Date: January 26, 1950 (Republic Day)
• Duration of Drafting: 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days
• Sessions Held: 11 sessions totaling 165 days
• Amendments Submitted: Approximately 7,600 amendments

Major Resolutions (November 26, 1949)

1. Adoption of t

Summary of Key Points on the Electoral Rolls Scrutiny

1. Election Commission of India (ECI) and the SIR:

   • The Systematic Identification of Residents (SIR) is being executed in 12 States and Union Territories (UT).
   • The methodology of the SIR is under judicial scrutiny due to concerns about its implementation and effects on the electorate.

2. Judicial Context:

   • Ongoing S

Summary of Health Crisis in South Asia Linked to Colonial History

Key Facts and Statistics

• Health Burden: South Asians have four times the rate of heart disease and diabetes, and double the risk of metabolic syndrome compared to other populations.
• Age of Onset: Health issues manifest about 5-10 years earlier in South Asians than in other groups.
• Historical Context: Capt

Constitution Day of India Highlights

Key Dates and Events

• November 26, 1949: Adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly.
• January 26, 1950: Constitution came into effect, celebrated as Republic Day.
• November 26, 2015: Initiated as Constitution Day or Samvidhan Divas.

Constituent Assembly Process

• Duration: Took 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days to

Summary of Digital Sovereignty and Geopolitical Implications

1. Geopolitical Context:

• The global power dynamics have shifted from traditional military and resource control (oil and sea routes) to domination through data and digital technology.
• Established models of digital governance can lead to either ascendancy (e.g., the U.S. model) or capitulation (e.g., Indonesia and Malays

Exam-Focused Notes on Digital Sovereignty and Geopolitical Dynamics

Geopolitical Shifts

• Data as the New Currency: Control over data has become a pivotal determinant of global power, replacing traditional focuses like oil and military might.
• Digital Ascendancy Model: U.S. dominance in global digital infrastructure leads to economic coercion, influencing other nations' policy

Summary Notes on Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption

1. Event Overview:

   • Location: Hayli Gubbi volcano, northeastern Ethiopia.
   • Eruption Date: November 23, 2023.
   • Dormancy: Had been dormant for 12,000 years.

2. Type of Eruption:

   • Characterized as explosive, resulting in thick plumes of ash and gas instead of lava.
   • Volcanic Eruption Factors:
     • Visco

Economic Growth Projections and Data Summary (FY 2025-26)

1. GDP Growth Estimates:

   • Q2 FY 2025-26 (July-September):
     • Real GDP Growth Rate: Estimated at 8.2%.
     • Nominal GDP Growth Rate: Estimated at 8.7%.
   • Comparison:
     • Q2 FY 2024-25: Real GDP growth rate was 5.6%.

2. Sectoral Contributions to Growth:

   • Secondary Sector:

Summary of Antigravity Security Vulnerabilities

Overview of Antigravity

• Launch: November 18, 2023
• Function: AI agent-driven software development platform allowing autonomous task execution across code editors, terminals, and browsers.

Security Vulnerabilities Identified

• Security researchers flagged vulnerabilities within 24 hours post-launch.
• Risk: Potential backdoor attacks

Exam-Focused Notes

Health Crisis in South Asians

• Incidence of Disease: South Asians face:

  • Four times the rate of heart disease.
  • Double the risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
  • Early cardiac events occur 5-10 years earlier than in other populations.

• Colonial Era Context:

  • Famines: Between the 1760s and 1940s, tens of millions died due to famines exacerb

Exam-Focused Notes on South Asian Health Crisis and Historical Context

Key Facts and Statistics

• South Asians experience a dramatic health burden:
  • Four times the rate of heart disease.
  • Double the risk of metabolic syndrome.
  • Rates of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic diseases occurring 5-10 years earlier than in other populations.

Histor

Space Technology Advancements in India

1. Vikram-I Rocket:
   • Developed by Skyroot Aerospace, it is India’s first private orbital-class launch vehicle.
   • Named after Vikram Sarabhai, a prominent space pioneer.
   • Height: 20 meters, Diameter: 1.7 meters.
   • Thrust: 1,200 kN using an all-carbon composite structure for improved efficiency.
   • Capabilities:

Summary of Key Information on Vikram-I Rocket and Skyroot Aerospace

1. Space Technology Developments:

• Prime Minister's Initiative: Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vikram-I rocket and Skyroot Aerospace’s new Infinity Campus via video conference, emphasizing India's technological advancements in space and the government's support for youth research through the National Research Fou

• Government Initiative: The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 7,280-crore rare earth manufacturing program titled the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets’.

• Objective: The initiative aims to reduce reliance on imports for critical rare earth elements essential for various sectors including electric vehicles (EVs), aerospace, defence, and electron