UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Judicial Proceedings: Enforcement Directorate (ED) Inquiry into TASMAC

Background:

• Case involves allegations of a liquor retail scam linked to the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).
• Supreme Court is extending the stay on ED's probe concerning money laundering cases against TASMAC.

Key Judicial Authorities:

• Chief Justice of India: B.R. Gavai
• Justice K. Vinod Chan

Summary of the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV (TACTV) Development and Constitutional Context

Historical Context and Legislative Attempts

1. 1990s Cable TV Boom:

   • The cable TV business in Tamil Nadu surged post-globalisation, often influenced by political affiliations.

2. Initial Legislative Measures:

   • In May 2002, Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the **Tamil Nadu Exhibition TV

Uttar Pradesh Urban Redevelopment Policy

Announcement and Objectives:

• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath announced a comprehensive Urban Redevelopment Policy for holistic rejuvenation of cities in Uttar Pradesh.
• Focus: Transforming old, dilapidated, and unused areas with modern urban infrastructure, public amenities, and environmental balance.

Key Principles:

• Emphasis

Caste-Based Violence and Societal Discrimination in India

Constitutional Framework

• Constitutional Promises: Articles ensuring equality and non-discrimination for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Aimed at preventing atrocities and discrimination against

Summary of Key Updates on the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

1. Withdrawal Policy Changes:
   • The Central Board of Trustees of the EPFO has approved major changes in withdrawal conditions during its 238th meeting.
   • New categories for fund withdrawal have been streamlined into three:
     • Essential needs (illness, education, marriage)
     • Housing needs

Key Highlights from Nicholas Stern's Analysis on India's Economic Growth and Renewable Energy Transition

Economic Growth Potential:

• Current GDP Growth Rate: Approximately 6.5%.
• Potential Future GDP Growth Rate: Forecasted increase to 7.5-8% through aggressive investments in renewable energy.
• Investment-to-GDP Ratio: Requires an increase by *5 percentage points

Summary of Key Facts and Developments in the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement:

1. Background of the Conflict:
   • The conflict intensified following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 captives taken by Hamas.
   • Israel's military response led to over 67,000 casualties, per Gaza's Health Ministry, which is linked to Hamas and is viewed as a reli

Economic Growth and Innovation

• Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: Awarded to economists Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their contributions to understanding the relationship between innovation and economic growth.

Key Findings:

1. Mokyr’s Contribution:
   • Focuses on technological progress as a prerequisite for sustained growth.
   • Identifies a historic

Indian Railways' Green Transition Overview

Goal and Targets:

• Target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, aligning with India's broader sustainability objectives (National target: 2070).
• Aims to decarbonise major operations with significant implications for national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Technological Advancements:

• Successful trial of

Summary of Key Points on India's Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Initiatives

Early Warning Systems

• Significance: Early warning systems are described as strategic investments in resilience, not just technological luxuries.
• Integrated Alert System: India has developed a multi-agency architecture that incorporates meteorological, hydrological, seismic, and oceanographic instituti

Summary of Key Economic Indicators and Policies

1. Retail Inflation Data:

• CPI Inflation Rate: Fell to 1.54% in September, an over-eight-year low, primarily driven by a decrease in vegetable prices.
• Historical Context: This is the second-lowest recorded inflation, slightly above the all-time low of 1.46% in June 2017.
• Food Inflation: Negative at *-2.28%

Summary of Key Points

Proposal Overview

• The U.S. government has proposed a cap on international student enrollment at nine major universities to 15% of total admissions, with a limit of 5% from any single country.
• This affects a significant number of Indian students, as around 270,000 (28% of total international students) are currently enrolled in U.S. institutions.

Universitie

Snow Leopard Conservation and Genetic Diversity: Key Points

• Species Overview: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), referred to as the “ghost of the mountains,” is found in 12 Asian countries, including India. It is noted for possessing the lowest genetic diversity among all big cat species, even lower than that of the endangered cheetah.

• Genetic Findings:

  • A Stanford University

• Supreme Court Order & National Task Force (NTF):
  • The Supreme Court of India constituted a National Task Force to tackle issues of student suicides and mental well-being in higher educational institutes, with specific focus on addressing caste discrimination and establishing support mechanisms for students.
  • The initiative stems from petitions by parents of students from Scheduled Cas

Summary of Landslide Disaster in West Bengal, India

Incident Overview

• Date of Incident: Night of October 4–5, 2025.
• Location: Mirik, Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India.
• Impact: Over 110 landslides triggered by 261mm of rainfall within 12 hours.
• Casualties: 32 confirmed dead, 40 injured, and many missing.
• Evacuations: Thousands left stranded, with famili

Exam-Focused Notes on Great Nicobar Island Development and Environmental Law

Ecological Significance

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, crucial for carbon storage and climate regulation.

Current Projects

• Government plans for Great Nicobar Island include:
  • Power Plant
  • Township
  • Transshipment Port
  • **Airport

United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave - Delhi, October 14-16, 2025

Event Overview:

• The UNTCC Chiefs Conclave hosted by India is scheduled from October 14 to 16, 2025.
• High-level participation includes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean Pierre Lacroix.
• The co

Summary of Key Facts and Developments Regarding COP30 Preparations

1. Event Context:
   • Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav will attend the pre-COP meeting in Brasília on October 13-14, in preparation for COP30, scheduled in Belém, Brazil, in November.
   • The pre-COP gathers climate ministers and negotiators to build consensus on sensitive topics ahead of the main conference.

International Events & Agreements

1. Peace Summit on Gaza:

   • Scheduled for October 13, 2025, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
   • Co-hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
   • Objective: Discuss ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
   • Key negotiators: U.S., Egypt, and Qatar.

2. Participants:

   • Over 20 world leaders invited, includin

Summary of Facts and Data

Environmental Overview

• Singanallur Tank, Coimbatore:
  • Despite pollution from sewage and plastics, the tank is attracting migratory birds.
  • Presence of shorelines and shallow water areas makes it unique among Coimbatore’s waterbodies.

Bird Species Observed

• Recent Sightings:
  • Notable bird species include:
    • Red-necked Phalarope:

Summary of Key Findings on Naked Mole Rats and Longevity Research

Species Overview

• The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber), a rodent native to East Africa, has a lifespan of approximately 37 years, significantly longer than other mammals of similar size.

Biological and Genetic Insights

• Research indicates that naked mole rats have evolved adaptations that contribute to DNA st

Summary of the Social and Educational Survey Challenges in Bengaluru

Digital Divide Among Enumerators:

• Technology Issues: Enumerators face frequent app freezing after KYC checks and inaccurate location pins, leading to inefficiencies in completing surveys.
• Generational Gap: Younger staff adapt more easily to digital tools, while older enumerators, aged 50 and above, struggle d

• Background: Clashes erupted on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, intensifying tensions after a Pakistani airstrike in Kabul targeting a leader of the Pakistani Taliban. The crossfire occurred in multiple locations along the 2,600 km border.

• Security Incident:

  • Afghan Taliban attacked Pakistani military posts, prompting a response from Pakistani forces described as “full force” due

Exam-Focused Notes on Senior Citizens and Digital Engagement

Aging Population and Technology Usage

• Senior citizens are increasingly engaging with digital platforms, particularly in urban areas, for:
  • Communication
  • Entertainment
  • Banking
  • Healthcare

Statistics and Digital Engagement

• Senior demographic represents less than 1% of IT service users, highlighting a digit