UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Key Highlights from the 21st East Asia Summit

International Maritime Security

• Maritime Safety: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that global maritime channels must remain safe and unimpeded, aligning with international law.
• Regional Stability: India advocates for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in the Gulf region and Myanmar amidst evolving global

Summary of India-Romania Business Forum Address by President Droupadi Murmu

Date and Event: President Droupadi Murmu addressed the India-Romania Business Forum in Bucharest on July 24, 2026.

Key Highlights:

1. Strategic Partnership:
   • Romania is positioned as a natural and significant partner for India due to its strategic location, skilled workforce, and strong integration

Kargil Vijay Diwas - Key Highlights

• Date of Commemoration: Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 annually to honor India's victory in the Kargil War of 1999.

• Purpose: The day serves to remember the valor of armed forces personnel who exhibited exceptional courage and dedication in defending India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

• Tribute to Martyrs: Th

National Family Health Survey - 6 (NFHS-6) Highlights

1. Institutional Deliveries: Increased from 88.6% (NFHS-5) to 90.6% (NFHS-6).
2. Antenatal Care (ANC) Coverage: Rose from 92.6% to 95.9%. The proportion of mothers receiving at least four ANC visits increased from 58.5% to 65.2%.
3. Skilled Birth Attendance: Increased from 89.4% to 91.3%.
4. Contraceptive Use Rate: Increase

Summary of Key Facts and Developments Related to the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project and Protests in Madhya Pradesh

1. Protest Details:
   • Activist Amit Bhatnagar led an 18-day hunger strike against the Ken-Betwa river linking project, advocating for better rehabilitation of affected individuals.
   • The project amounts to ₹44,000 crore and has been a focal point of protests by tribal

Flood Situation in Assam - Key Facts and Updates

1. Impact of Floods:

   • Over 7.21 lakh individuals affected.
   • Death toll: 47 reported fatalities.
   • Affected districts: Fluctuating between 10 and 16; most severely hit: Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat.
   • 883 villages submerged; 24,124 people in 103 relief camps.

2. Recent Developments:

   • In

Summary of Relevant Information:

1. U.S. Tariffs Imposition:

• The U.S. imposed a 10% tariff on goods purchased from India and 16 other countries due to concerns regarding forced labor in production.
• Tariffs apply to a total of 60 countries under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, announced by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer.

**2. Background

Summary of India's Space Launch Program Developments (July 2023 - June 2026)

Achievements in Space Launches:

1. Total Missions: 12 launch vehicle missions and 11 national satellites launched, along with 9 satellites for international clients.
2. Chandrayaan-3: India became the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon's south pole.
3. Aditya-L1: First solar observa

Exam-Focused Notes on NEET Protest and Education System in India

Context of the Protest:

• Location: Jantar Mantar
• Demand: Resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for accountability over the NEET exam paper leak.
• Government Response: Commitment to strict action against those responsible; successful conduct of NEET retest emphasized.

*Educational Challenges:

Geopolitical Threats and Maritime Security in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb

1. Background Context:
   • Recent tensions stem from Iran's engagement with the Houthis in Yemen regarding potential closure of the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb if attacked by the U.S.
   • The Strait of Bab el-Mandeb is crucial as it constitutes a significant trade route, with implications for one-third of India's trad

Exam-Focused Summary on Teesta Stage-VI Hydro Electric Project Incident

Project Overview

• Project Name: Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project
• Capacity: 500 MW
• Location: Namchi district, Sikkim, India

Incident Details

• Date of Explosion: July 20, 2026
• Casualties: At least 15 workers killed
• Context: Explosion suspected due to flammable gas (methane)

• Freedom Fighter Tribute: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes to Thiru Subramania Siva on his death anniversary at the Vice President's residence (Uprashtrapati Bhawan).

• Historical Context: Thiru Subramania Siva was a significant figure in the Indian independence movement from the small town of Vattalagundu in Tamil Nadu. His efforts were instrumental in rallying pe

Summary of Aerosol Study and Its Implications for Climate Change

Key Findings from the Study

• Aerosol Types Identified: Seven types of aerosols were classified:

  1. Pure Dust (PD)
  2. Dust-Dominant Mixture (DDM)
  3. Pollution-Dominant Mixture (PDM)
  4. Weakly Absorbing (VWA)
  5. Moderately Absorbing (MA)
  6. Strongly Absorbing (SA)

• Geographical Distribution:

  • **Sou

• Authority in Dharma: The Vedas are considered the ultimate authority for understanding dharma, with additional relevance given to other sacred texts, indicating a complex hierarchy of spiritual literature.

• Types of Sacred Texts:

  • Vedas: Composed of revelations to ancient sages, regarded as foundational texts.
  • Smriti Texts: Include works like Parasara Smrti and Yajnaval

Cauvery Water Management Authority Meeting Overview

Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA):

• Apex body for monitoring compliance with Supreme Court directives regarding Cauvery water distribution.

Rainfall and Storage Situation:

• Karnataka Rainfall Deficit:

  • Overall: ~35%
  • Kodagu Region (key catchment area): ~45%

• Reservoir Storage as of now:

  • Combined s

Summary of India's Philanthropic Landscape and Regulatory Framework

Recent Trends in Philanthropy:

• Domestic private philanthropy has risen significantly, reaching over ₹1.18 lakh crore annually, markedly outpacing foreign philanthropic inflows, which stand around ₹22,000 crore.
• There are approximately 600,000 voluntary organizations in India, with only about 14,500 possessing active F

Cultural Significance of Nataraja Idols in Thanjavur

Overview

• The Nataraja (Shiva as the Lord of Dance) is a central motif in South Indian bronze sculpture, symbolizing cosmic activity.
• The Thanjavur Palace complex houses an important collection of bronze idols, showcasing the diversity in form and style from the 11th to the 19th centuries.

Collection Details

• The Nataraja Hal

Exam-Focused Notes on Seismic Activity in Kangra-Chamba Region

Earthquake Risk Assessment

• The Kangra-Chamba-Dharamshala region is classified as Seismic Zone V, indicating a high risk for earthquakes.
• The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences monitors seismic activities across India through the National Seismological Network.

Earth

Indian Railways Electrification Overview:

1. Global Leadership: India has achieved 99.6% electrification of its broad gauge railway network, ranking second globally after Switzerland.

2. Diesel Consumption Reduction:

   • Diesel consumption reduced from 293 crore liters in 2015-16 to 108 crore liters in 2024-25.
   • This reduction has led to significant savings in foreign exchange

Energy Transition in India: Key Highlights and Updates

1. Decarbonisation and Electrification:

   • India's energy transition is focused on decarbonisation and electrification, supported by both public and private finance.
   • The aim is to rely on sustainable energy sources while ensuring grid stability.

2. Technical Challenges:

   • Major technical challenges include the develop

Mission Mausam Overview

• Launch Date: January 14, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Objective: To develop a nation that is 'weather-ready and climate-aware'.
• Key Goals:
  • Strengthen Earth system observation components.
  • Establish an early warning system for seamless weather and climate services.
  • Enhance understanding, modeling, and forecasting of weather and clim

India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Summary Notes

Agreement Overview:

• Inception Date: Came into force on July 15, 2026.
• Significance: Marks a crucial development in India-U.K. bilateral relations beyond a typical tariff-reduction pact; reflects strategic alignment amidst changing global dynamics.

Key Objectives:

• Part of the broader **India-U.K.

Jammu and Kashmir Floods - Key Facts and Data

1. Nature of the Disaster:

   • Ongoing wet weather led to flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir.
   • At least 22 civilians have reportedly died, with many others missing.

2. Government Response:

   • The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Administration has decided to close all educational institutes until July 26, 2025.

Nuclear Energy Mission for Developed India

Overview

• Objective: Support India's vision for a developed nation and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
• Target: Achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
• Budget Announcement: Nuclear Energy Mission declared in the Union Budget for 2025-26.

Key Targets and Developments

• **Indigenous Small Modular Reactors