UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Summary of Cyclone Montha Impact in Andhra Pradesh

Overview of the Cyclone

• Name: Cyclone Montha
• Landfall Timing: Crossed Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapuram between 11:30 PM (October 28) and 12:30 AM (October 29)
• Wind Speed: Reached up to 90 km/h near Machilipatnam coast
• Weakening: Transitioned to a cyclonic storm by 2:30 AM and further into a deep depression by

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 2 Implementation

1. Context: GRAP Stage 2 is activated in Delhi-NCR to address worsening air quality.

2. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Initiatives:

   • Additional Train Trips: Introduction of 40 additional train trips per day on weekdays.
   • Objective: Encourage public transport use over private vehicles to improve air quality

Air Quality Issues in Delhi: Summary of Facts and Current Efforts

1. Current Situation:

   • Delhi continues to experience severe air pollution, worsened after Diwali celebrations.
   • The air quality remains unhealthy for residents, indicative of a long-standing challenge.

2. Cloud Seeding Attempt:

   • The Delhi government conducted cloud seeding using silver iodide and salt parti

Summary Notes on Electric Bus Implementation in Chennai

1. Transport Initiative:

   • The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is expanding its transportation initiative to enhance first and last mile connectivity to Metrorail stations in Chennai.

2. Consultation and Planning:

   • A pre-tender meeting is scheduled for November 3, involving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)

• Incident Overview: A reported massacre occurred at Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, North Darfur, with over 460 fatalities, including patients and their companions, as Sudanese paramilitary forces (Rapid Support Forces) seized control of the city.

• Context: The incident comes after a 500-day siege of el-Fasher, highlighting the severe humanitarian and security crisis in the regio

Bihar Political History Summary: Binodanand Jha's Tenure (1962-1963)

1. Political Background:

   • Bihar Congress historically divided into two factions:
     • A.N. Sinha's camp (Rajput lineage).
     • Shri Krishna Sinha’s camp (Bhumihar lineage).
   • Post 1961, factionalism intensified after the deaths of key leaders.

2. Binodanand Jha’s Ascendancy:

   • Jha became leader of the

India-Taliban Engagement Overview

Context and Rationale

• India’s recent engagement with Afghanistan's Taliban-led authorities reflects the balancing act between moral conviction and strategic interests in foreign policy.
• Engagement aims to ensure a stable Afghanistan that does not harbor anti-India militants, influenced by the historical context of cross-border terrorism particularly

Scientific Overview of Comet 3I/ATLAS

1. Perihelion Event:

   • Date: October 30, 2023.
   • Distance from Sun: 1.35 astronomical units (125 million miles/202 million kilometers).
   • Significance: Perihelion is the closest approach of the comet to the Sun, crucial for studying its activity and composition.

2. Orbital Characteristics:

   • 3I/ATLAS has a highly eccentric

Key Highlights:

Judicial Appointment:

• Justice Surya Kant appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), effective November 24.
• Succeeds Justice B R Gavai, who will retire on November 23.
• Justice Kant's tenure as CJI will last until February 9, 2027.

Educational Background:

• Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana.
• Completed graduation f

Summary of Key Developments in Science and Technology in India

Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards

• Purpose: To recognize young scientists (up to 45 years) for exceptional contributions in science and technology.

Awardees and their Contributions

1. Dr. Satendra K Mangrauthia (Agricultural Science)
   • Institution: Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad.

Supreme Court Hearing on Seniority in Higher Judicial Services

Context:

• A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India, lead by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, is hearing arguments regarding the criteria for determining seniority in the Higher Judicial Services.
• The case concerns the promotion criteria for judges entering the District Judge cadre through two pathways: direct

Ministry of Coal: 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions

1. Overview of Auctions:
   • Launch of 14th Round of Auctions to enhance India's energy self-sufficiency.
   • 41 coal mines offered, with 21 mines featuring Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) potential.
   • Previous 12 rounds resulted in 133 successfully auctioned coal mines with a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of approximately

Summary of the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions

Date of Launch: Not specified.

Overview:

• The Ministry of Coal launched the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, with 41 coal mines offered.
• Peak Rated Capacity (PRC): Ongoing auctions have yielded a total PRC of ~276 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from previous rounds.

New Initiatives:

• Introduction o

Maritime Sector Developments in India

Key Highlights from Maritime Leaders Conclave:

• Event: Held during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, attended by representatives from over 85 countries.
• Objectives: To discuss sustainable maritime growth, resilient supply chains, green shipping, and inclusive blue economy strategies.

Government Initiatives and Achievements:

1. **Le

Chhath Puja Festival Overview:

• Date & Location: Chhath Puja concluded on a Tuesday morning at Vasudev Ghat, Yamuna river, Delhi.
• Attendance & Activities: Thousands of devotees participated, engaging in traditional rituals, chanting, and paying respects to the Sun God.

Devotee Sentiments:

• Community Representation: A significant portion of Delhi's electorate consists of P

Summary of Urban Planning in India for Sustainable Development

Economic Goals

• Viksit Bharat Mission: Targeting a $30 trillion economy by 2047, necessitating a focus on urban growth.
• Need for job creation especially for the youth, predominantly in urban areas.

Climate Commitments

• Commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070.
• Reduction targets for signifi

Summary Notes: Cloud Seeding Trial in Delhi

Event Overview:

• A cloud seeding trial was conducted in Delhi on October 28, using a Cessna 206H aircraft.
• The aircraft operated from IIT-Kanpur and covered regions such as Burari, Mayur Vihar, and North Karol Bagh.
• This trial is noted as potentially the first significant attempt in India to use cloud seeding scientifically to

Summary of Article on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls

Context & Purpose:

• Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a nationwide effort to update electoral rolls in India.
• Originally criticized for its approach, the process has reportedly improved yet retains exclusionary features.

Key Observations:

1. Electoral Roll Defects:
   • Existing electoral rolls are

Cyclone Montha Overview

• Affected Regions: Several districts in Andhra Pradesh, including Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema, Krishna, West Godavari, and Vizianagaram.
• Wind Speeds: Up to 80 km/h were recorded.
• Expected Landfall: Anticipated on the night of October 28, between Kakinada and Machilipatnam.
• Evacuations: Approximately 10,000 people displaced and relocated to

• Cyclone "Montha":

  • Intensified into a severe cyclonic storm in the central Bay of Bengal.
  • Expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam (near Kakinada) on the evening/night of October 28.
  • Predicted maximum sustained wind speeds: 90–100 km/h.

• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Preparedness:

  • Deployed 25 teams across Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,

Summary of JWST Findings on Cosmic Chemistry

1. Research Overview:

   • Researchers utilized the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study a nascent star called ST6 located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a dwarf galaxy approximately 160,000 light-years away from Earth.
   • The study aims to understand how life’s building blocks formed in the universe's early stages.

2. **Signific

Exam-Focused Notes on Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Project

Overview:

• Project Name: Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Project
• Objective: Bridge the digital divide in rural India through a phygital services model integrating physical and digital services.

Key Implementations:

• Department: Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
• Partners: Telecom Centr

Key Highlights from Meeting between HP CM and Union Minister

Weather and Disaster Preparedness Infrastructure

• Doppler Weather Radar Installation: Installed in Himachal Pradesh to significantly improve weather prediction accuracy and early warning capabilities.
• Request for Expansion: The Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, requested the installation of additional Doppler R

Summary Notes on India’s Power Sector Milestone

1. Milestones Achieved:

   • Total installed electricity capacity has surpassed 500 GW, reaching 500.89 GW as of September 30, 2025.
   • Renewable energy sources exceed 50% of the total demand for electricity.

2. Break-up of Power Capacity:

   • Non-Fossil Fuel Sources: 256.09 GW (over 51%)
     • Solar Power: **127.33