UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Exam-Focused Notes on Parliamentary Accountability and the Election Commission of India

Constitutional Framework:

• Separation of Powers: The three arms of the state are the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
• Election Commission of India (ECI): Operates under the executive but has quasi-judicial powers.

Parliament's Role:

• Parliament has constitutional authority to dis

Summary of Parliamentary Accountability and the Election Commission of India

Constitutional Framework

• Parliament's Role: The Constitution mandates that the government is accountable to Parliament, which in turn is accountable to the public.
• Executive Responsibility: The Election Commission of India (ECI), while part of the executive, possesses quasi-judicial powers.
• **Parli

Summary Notes on St. George's Cathedral Renovation

Background

• Establishment: St. George’s Cathedral, Madras, was established in 1816, initiated by a request from Rev. Richard Hall Kerr in 1807.
• Construction: Funded through a lottery, the construction cost totaled 41,709 Pagodas, with an additional 57,225 Pagodas for furnishings and design; both local and E

Supreme Court Ruling on Environmental Clearance

1. Case Overview:
   • In a 2:1 ruling, the Supreme Court of India has recalled its May 2025 judgment that struck down a 2017 notification and a 2021 office memorandum from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). These allowed projects that commenced without prior environmental clearance to seek **ex

Exam-Focused Notes on Pharmacogenomics

Definition and Importance:

• Pharmacogenomics: Study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs, transitioning medication prescribing from a trial-and-error method to a precision approach.

Key Genetic Components:

• Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Enzymes: Essential for drug metabolism, with variants affecting drug efficacy and safety.
  • 7

Summary of Key Points on Scams and Fraud in India

Introduction to the Issue of Scams

• Scams in India manifest in various forms such as digital fraud, e-commerce blunders, and credit card deception.
• The book "Scamlands: Inside the Asian Empire of Fraud That Preys on the World" by Snigdha Poonam explores the intricacies and evolution of scamming as a skill within communities pri

Summary of Key Facts and Insights

Vaccine Development and WHO Pre-Qualification

• Product: Pneubevax 14 (BE-PCV-14)

  • Manufacturer: Biological E.
  • Type: 14-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

• WHO Pre-Qualification Status:

  • This status allows for broader global immunization efforts, ensuring enhanced access to high-quality pneumococcal vaccines, particularly for

Mental Health Issues in India

Key Statistics

• Prevalence of Mental Disorders: Approximately 14% of India's population experiences some form of mental disorder (National Mental Health Survey, 2015–16).
• Treatment Gap: Only 10% of individuals with mental health disorders receive treatment.
• Suicide Rates: Suicide among men is 2.6 times higher than among women. In 2021, 118,9

Mental Health Crisis in India: Key Highlights

Prevalence and Statistics

• National Mental Health Survey (NMHS, 2015-16): Approximately 14% of India’s population lives with a mental disorder; only 1 in 10 receives treatment.
• Suicide Rates: In 2021, 118,979 men and 45,026 women died by suicide, revealing a stark gender disparity with men at 2.6 times the rate

• Genome Editing Technology: Indian scientists have developed an indigenous genome-editing technology using Transposon-associated proteins (TnpB) as an alternative to CRISPR-Cas proteins, aimed at modifying plant DNA for enhanced agricultural outcomes.

• Patent Details: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was granted a patent for this technology (Systems and Methods for Tar

Political Context: Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina's Verdict

• Bangladesh is undergoing a significant political transformation following the death sentence pronounced on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 student protests.
• Hasina’s political legacy is deeply intertwined with Bangladesh's independence, as she is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahma

Summary of Key Points on Pigeon Feeding Controversy in Mumbai:

1. Legal Action:

   • A petition was filed in the Bombay High Court by advocate Sagar Kantilal Devre against the BMC's decision to allow controlled pigeon feeding at four locations, including Airoli-Mulund creekside.

2. Health and Safety Concerns:

   • The petition cites grave risks to public health, road safety, and the

COP30 Climate Talks Summary - Key Notes

1. Event Background:

   • Venue: COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
   • Purpose: Climate negotiations for global climate action.

2. Key Delegates and Groups:

   • Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC): Coalition of oil and gas-producing nations including Saudi Arabia.
   • India included in LMDC; emphasizes renewable energy despite being a non-petro-st

Climate Change and COP30 Conference Highlights:

1. COP30 Overview:

   • Location: Belém, Brazil (Formerly an airport venue).
   • Ongoing discussions focus on climate finance, fossil fuel dependency, and emissions reduction strategies.

2. Coalition of Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC):

   • Member countries primarily include oil and gas producers, notably Saudi Arabia.
   • Cou

Summary of Cryptocurrency Regulatory Challenges and Data

Regulatory Challenges and Criminal Activities

• The rise of cryptocurrencies has resulted in significant regulatory challenges, including fraud and money laundering activities.
• Noteworthy incidents include:
  • 2022: Collapse of FTX; founder Sam Bankman-Fried convicted for fraud and conspiracy to launder money.
  • 2023:

International Relations and Security

• The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission presented a report to the US Congress highlighting a disinformation campaign led by China after the recent India-Pakistan border conflict in May 2025.
• China allegedly propagated fake narratives regarding the destruction of French Rafale aircraft using AI-generated images, aiming to promote its J-35

Summary of Key Facts and Developments

1. Border Conflict and Military Relations:

• A border conflict occurred between India and Pakistan from May 7-10, 2025, triggered by terror attacks in Pahalgam.
• The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission's report, submitted to Congress, states China allegedly aided Pakistan through "live inputs" on Indian military positions during the conf

Summary of Metro Rail Projects in Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore and Madurai

Constitutional and Policy Framework:

• Metro Rail Policy 2017: Stipulates cities must have a minimum population of 2 million to qualify for a Metro Rail transit system.

Population Data:

• Coimbatore Population (2011 Census): 1.58 million
• Madurai Population (2011 Census): 1.5 million

Governmen

Exam-Focused Notes on the Bengal Famine Memorial Event

Historical Context and Background:

• 1943 Bengal Famine: A significant humanitarian crisis during British colonial rule in India, resulting in an estimated 3 million deaths. Official records initially estimated 1.5 million.
• Events Leading to Famine:
  • The onset of World War II in 1939 shifted British prioritie

Regulatory Challenges of Cryptocurrencies: Exam-Focused Notes

Key Cases and Legal Challenges

• FTX Collapse (2022): Founder Sam Bankman-Fried convicted for fraud and conspiracy to launder money.
• Binance Violation (2023): Founder Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Impact

• **Fines and Penalties Globa

Environmental Situation in India

Air Quality and Pollution

• Air Quality Index (AQI): On November 12, 2025, Delhi recorded a severe AQI of over 400, marking the air quality as distinctly unbreathable.
• Protests: On November 9, citizens of Delhi protested against deteriorating air quality, with many being detained.

Environmental Disasters

• Flash Floods in Uttarkashi:

Summary of Key Facts and Developments on Maoist Activities and Government Response

Maoist Leadership and Operations:

• The killing of Madvi Hidma, a prominent Maoist leader, marks a significant development in anti-Maoist operations by the Telangana Police's Greyhounds in the Maredumilli forest of Alluri Sitarama Raju district.
• This event indicates a potential decline in Maoist activitie

Groundwater Contamination Crisis in India

Overview

• Groundwater Dependency: 600 million people in India rely on groundwater for drinking and irrigation.
• Contamination Statistics:
  • Annual Groundwater Quality Report (2024): Nearly 1/5 of samples from 440 districts exceed safe contamination limits.
  • Over 30% of samples in Punjab show uranium levels above permissible

Summary of Air Pollution in India and China: Comparative Analysis

Current Situation of Air Pollution in India

• Persistent air pollution, particularly in northern cities like Delhi, worsens during winter months due to meteorological factors and external triggers such as stubble burning and fireworks.
• Coastal cities, including Mumbai, also face high pollution levels attributed to indust