UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Key Highlights on Soliga Tribe and Wildlife Conservation

Research Findings:

• The article published in Ecosystems and People critiques the "fortress conservation approach" which often alienates indigenous rights and leads to social distress.
• It presents the Soliga tribe in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRTWS) as a case study of effective coexistence with wild

Summary of Research on the Decline of Harappan Civilization

Research Context:

• The study investigates the reasons behind the decline of the Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley Civilization - IVC), focusing on climatic changes around 5100 to 4000 years BP (Before Present).

Key Findings:

• The decline was correlated with a weakened Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM), which led to the migrati

Delhi High Court Directives on Teacher Deployment for Electoral Rolls

Constitutional References:

• Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009
  • Section 27: Prohibits teachers from non-educational duties except during population census, disaster relief, and election-related work.

Judicial Rulings:

• The Delhi High Court emphasized the need for the E

Summary of Supreme Court Petitions and Allegations Regarding Police Detention During Protests

Constitutional References:

• Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, alleged violations cited in petitions regarding unlawful detentions.
• Article 22(1): Specifies the right to be informed of grounds of arrest, critical in the context of detentions during protests.

National Ocean Observation Network Enhancement

Overview: The Indian government has significantly strengthened the National Ocean Observation Network to enhance ocean monitoring and forecasting capabilities.

Key Components:

1. Ocean Observation Moorings:
   • 19 subsurface moorings established (16 in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and 3 in the equatorial Indian Ocean).
   • Co

Long-Term Weather Forecasting System by IMD

1. Institutional Framework:

   • Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

2. Methodology:

   • Since 2021, IMD has adopted an advanced Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) approach for long-term forecasting.
   • This has resulted in a significant improvement in forecast accuracy, with all forecas

Exam-Focused Notes on PM Shri Scheme and NEP 2020

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Article Reference: NEP 2020 emphasizes the integration of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in school education.
• Section 4.24: Highlights the planning of coordinated curricula and teaching initiatives to develop essential skills among students across all leve

• Cross-Border Terrorism: India has accused Pakistan of continuing its state policy of promoting cross-border terrorism, highlighting decades of support for terrorism against India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Statements by MEA: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized that the Indian youth, including the Gen Z demographic, are awar

International Tiger Day Observations and India's Commitment to Tiger Conservation

1. Significance of International Tiger Day: Celebrated to raise awareness about tiger conservation and the importance of preserving biodiversity.

2. Tiger Population in India:

   • India is home to approximately 70% of the global tiger population.
   • This statistic highlights India's pivotal role

India’s Tiger Conservation and TOTR Initiative: Key Points

1. Project Tiger: Launched in 1973, aimed at tiger conservation in India.

   • Expansion from 9 reserves (18,278 sq km) to 58 reserves (84,488 sq km), covering ~2.6% of India's landmass.
   • Significant increase in tiger population from 1,411 (2006) to 3,682 (2022).

2. Global Significance: India is home to over 70% of the wo

PM SHRI Scheme Overview

• Objective: Strengthen over 14,500 schools across India under the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) initiative.
• Current Status: 13,092 schools selected as PM SHRI schools, including those from states, Union Territories, KVS, NVS, and NCERT.

Key Features

• Alignment with NEP 2020: The scheme demonstrates all components of the National Educatio

Summary Notes on the Palace Theatre Privatization Proposal

Background Information

• Palace Theatre: Located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, built in 1915 under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. It holds significant cultural heritage status.
• Fire Incident: The theatre was damaged in a fire on August 8, 2024. It is set to reopen on August 9.
• Renovation Costs: The Kolhapur Municipal Corpo

• Situation Overview: 15 sailors trapped at Ukraine's Chornomorsk port due to missile and drone attacks, including 13 Indians aboard M.V. AMIR1. The sailors are experiencing a life-threatening situation, leading to urgent appeals for safety and repatriation from the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI).

• Casualties and Incidents: During a prior incident on July 25, a Palau-flagged carg

Supreme Court Interim Orders on Student Protests and Police Investigations

1. Context:

• Allegations of police excesses during student protests across Delhi and other states following the NEET examination paper leak incidents.
• Protests included a notable demonstration near the Parliament on July 20, 2026.

2. Supreme Court Directives:

• The court indicated the establishment

Supreme Court and Delhi Police Control Context during NEET-UG Protests

1. Judicial Precedents:
   • Ramlila Maidan Incident Judgment (Feb 2012): Stressed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is informed on public order matters by the Delhi Police, as they must “preserve law and order in the capital” (Article 239AA of the Constitution).
   • Prakash Singh Judgment (2006): Warned

West Bengal's Aranya Saptaha & Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Initiatives: Summary Notes

Objectives & Targets:

• West Bengal Chief Minister announced a target to plant 7.2 crore saplings by 2026 as part of the Aranya Saptaha and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiatives.
• This initiative is a competitive response to Uttar Pradesh’s pledge of 26 crore saplings, highlighting inter-State camarader

Exam-Focused Notes on "YUVIKA 2026"

Program Overview:

• YUVIKA (Young Scientist Program): Aimed at promoting space science and technology among students.
• Duration: 11 to 22 May 2026.
• Locations: Conducted at nine ISRO centers:
  1. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
  2. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR)
  3. National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
  4. U.R. Rao Satell

Summary Notes: Bab el-Mandeb Strait Maritime Blockade

Geopolitical Context:

• Yemen’s Houthi movement declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, targeting Saudi-linked vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
• This escalation follows ongoing conflicts, including a recent attack on Sanaa International Airport on July 13, attributed to Saudi Arabia by the Houthis, leading to

Summary of India's Proposed Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) III Norms

Key Facts and Figures:

• Target Emissions Reduction: Current average emissions target of 113 gCO2/km proposed to reduce to 77 gCO2/km by FY2031-32.
• International Comparisons:
  • China: 55% of new vehicle sales were electric in 2025; introduced Dual Credit System in 2018.
  • European Union: Approxi

Export Performance of India FY 2025-26

Key Statistics:

• India’s total exports reached a record $863.1 billion in FY 2025-26.
  • Goods Export: $441.8 billion
  • Services Export: $421.3 billion

Trade Agreements and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs):

• India’s exports have benefited significantly from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with various countries, enhancing access to glo

Summary of Tiger Conservation Efforts in India

Current Status of Tigers in India:

• India is home to approximately 70% of the world's wild tiger population, with an estimated 3,682 tigers as per the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation.
• The global tiger population has increased from about 3,200 in 2010 to approximately 5,711 in 2022, marking a 78% growth.

**Constitutional and Legal Framewor

Summary Notes on Public Sector Banks and Economic Indicators

1. Performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs)

• Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA):
  • Reduced to a historic low of 1.9% by FY 2025-26.
• Net Profit:
  • Reached an all-time high of ₹1.98 lakh crore.
• Total Business:
  • Surpassed ₹283 lakh crore.

2. **Financial Progress O

• Research Publication: The Concordance of the Indus script will be published by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, utilizing a novel technique that incorporates additional study material.

• Indus Script Seals: Over 9,000 seals featuring signs and symbols of the Indus script have been discovered at archaeological sites such as Mohenjo Daro and Harappa in Pakistan, as well

Supreme Court Observations on Right to Protest: Key Points

1. Constitutional Protections:

   • The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed under the Indian Constitution, highlighting Articles related to fundamental rights.
   • Police conduct during protests may be subject to uniform guidelines ensuring the protection of both protesters and police personnel.

2. **Judicial Bench Compositi