UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Summary of SEIAA Decision on Brigade Enterprises Ltd. Project in Pallikaranai Marshland

1. Regulatory Actions:
   • The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) revoked the Environmental Clearance (EC) for the Brigade Morgan Heights project by Brigade Enterprises Ltd.
   • The revocation followed the commencement of construction without necessary permissions from the Tamil Na

Key Highlights from G7 Summit on Artificial Intelligence

1. Event Context:

   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an outreach session on "Ensuring a Safe, Rapid, and Efficient Rollout of Artificial Intelligence" at the G7 Summit in Evian, France.

2. Transformative Power of AI:

   • AI is recognized as a transformative force capable of redefining human civilization.
   • Emphasis

Summary of Updates on Crocodile Conservation in Andhra Pradesh

1. Expert Involvement: Dr. H.R. Bustard, a specialist from FAO (UNDP), has been assigned by the Government of India to assist Andhra Pradesh in crocodile conservation and farming.

2. Crocodile Species at Risk:

   • Gharial: Found in Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi rivers; critically endangered.
   • Maggar: Also

• Global Recognition of Yoga: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an article by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, highlighting the global spread and enduring legacy of yoga.

• Cultural and Spiritual Roots: The article emphasizes that yoga is deeply rooted in India's spiritual and cultural heritage, tracing its influence from ancient scriptures to i

Exam-Focused Notes on India's Water Initiatives

1. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

• Objective: To provide tap water connection to every rural household in India.
• Launch Year: 2019.
• Current Coverage: Over 15.8 crore rural households (81% of rural India) have tap water connections, up from 3.23 crore (17%) at inception.
• Target: Achieve 100% coverage by 2028.
• Impact: Saves m

Exam-Focused Notes on Indian Innovation and Technology

Key Event:

• Bharat Innovates 2026: An event held in Nice, France, supported by the Ministry of Education, showcasing innovations achievable in India and the strength of Indian-origin technology leaders.

Constitutional References:

• Article 15 (Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or pla

International Agreements and Trade Relations:

1. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU):
   • The EU will sign the FTA with India by the end of 2026.
   • Announcement made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.
   • The FTA regarded as a historic achiev

• International Resolution: The International Oil Pollution Conference has passed a resolution that proposes a limit of 50 to 150 miles from the coasts of maritime nations to prohibit the discharge of oil or mixtures causing pollution.

• Governmental Responsibility: Each government is required to ensure that ships flying its flags do not discharge oil near the shores of other countries.

• Cultural Heritage Preservation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote India's cultural heritage, highlighting a renewed vigor in these initiatives.

• Vision Statement: The approach is guided by the vision of "Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi" (Heritage and Development), which seeks to integrate cultural preservation with developmental goals.

• **Key

Exam-Focused Notes on ICAR-IIOR Smart Seed Coating Technology

Overview

• Institute: Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad.
• Innovation: Development of a biopolymer-based smart seed coating technology aimed at enhancing seed quality and crop establishment to promote climate-resilient agriculture.

Key Features

Case Summary: Shishupal @ Shish Ram vs Surjeet

Judgment Highlights:

• Court: Supreme Court of India
• Judges: Justices Sanjay Karol and N.K. Singh
• Case Origin: Revision of compensation awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) for a 2001 road accident.

Compensation Details:

• Initial Award: ₹2.42 lakh by MACT.
• Revised Award: ₹8.43 lakh by Punjab and Haryana

Water Management and Scarcity in India: Key Points

1. Current Status:

   • India is facing a projected 35% deficit in rainfall due to the influence of El Niño, exacerbating water scarcity, particularly in metropolitan areas.

2. Challenges:

   • Depletion of Groundwater: Serious reductions in aquifer levels due to overexploitation.
   • Urban Vulnerability: Major cities

Global Partnerships and Trust

• PM Narendra Modi emphasized "mutual trust" as the fundamental strategic asset for global partnerships during his address at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. He stated that the future of international relations hinges on rebuilding trust.

Maritime Security Concerns

• Noted the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, especially the Strait of

Exam-Focused Notes on Monsoon and El Niño Impact on India

Weather and Rainfall Statistics

• Current Rainfall Status: As of June 16, India faces a 35% deficit in monsoon rainfall.
• Regional Deficits:
  • Maharashtra and Konkan: Significant deficit as monsoon stalled.
  • Northwest India: Received 5% above normal rainfall.
  • East and Northeast India: 43% deficit; Cen

Key Points on India's Power Sector Achievement and Challenges

Historic Peak Demand and Grid Strength

• India has achieved a record-breaking peak demand of 270 GW, exceeding previous records by over 10% compared to last year.
• The national grid successfully managed this load without shortages, showcasing resilience in the sector.

Evolution of India's Power Sector

• Transitioned

Defence Production in India - FY 2025-26 Highlights

1. Annual Defence Production:

   • Reached a record high of ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
   • Represents a 15.6% increase from ₹1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
   • A 110% growth compared to ₹84,643 crore in FY 2020-21.

2. Indigenous Production:

   • Increased nearly fourfold from ₹43,746 crore in FY 2013-14.
   • Public S

Summary of Key Points:

1. Bilateral Trade Agreement (FTA):

   • India aims to secure a steel export quota worth approximately $900 million in the UK as part of the FTA signed in July 2025.
   • The FTA was concluded a year prior but is delayed due to disputes over proposed steel quotas by the UK.

2. Export Quotas and Industry Impact:

   • Indian steel industry advocates for a

• Solar Energy as a Transformative Force: The article emphasizes the potential of solar energy to revolutionize energy consumption, particularly in the agricultural sector.

• India's Clean Energy Model: India’s approach to utilizing clean energy for agriculture is presented as a scalable model for Africa. This model aims to enhance shared prosperity, empower communities, and ensure food s

Centre of Excellence for Persons with Autism

• Establishment: Launched on December 5, 2024, located at the Government Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, K.K. Nagar.
• Current Enrollment: Over 1,050 children have enrolled in the center within 18 months, serving nearly 100 persons daily with 8-10 new patients registering each day.
• Initial Support: Funded by the National

Chhattisgarh Water Conservation Initiatives

1. Policies and Models:

• 5% Model:
  • Launched in Korea district promoting groundwater recharge through community engagement.
  • Involves dedicating 5% of agricultural land for soak pits.
  • Resulted in the construction of approximately 30,000 soak pits in 2025, a 15-fold increase from the previous year.
• *30-40 Model:

Delhi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam - Delhi Mega Plantation Drive 2026'

Overview

• Objective: The Delhi government plans to plant 70 lakh saplings as part of the initiative titled 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam - Delhi Mega Plantation Drive 2026'.
• Launch Date: Scheduled for June 22, 2026.

Key Features

• Public Participation:
  • Citizens can participate through the **'e-For

Summary of Land Governance Reforms Discussion between Department of Land Resources and World Bank

Key Facts and Figures:

• Date of Meeting: 15 June 2026
• Location: New Delhi
• Participants:
  • Department of Land Resources (DoLR): Secretary Narendra Bhushan
  • World Bank: Country Director Paul Prossi and delegation, including Lead Economist Klaus W. Deininger.

• Kumia System: A form of slavery mentioned as prevalent in Bengal and Chota Nagpur; also referred to as "Kamiauti" in Bihar.
• Legislative Context: Existing legislation in Bihar and Orissa aims to regulate such forms of agreement, indicating recognition and some level of legal framework addressing the issue.
• Government Response: Earl Winterton's statement indicated a lack of widesp

Summary of Findings on Surface Ozone and Health Risks in India

1. Study Overview:

   • Published in npj Clean Air, the study findings highlight the impact of surface ozone levels during heatwaves in India.
   • Conducted by researchers from Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies and IIT Kharagpur.

2. Ozone Levels:

   • Surface ozone measured during heatwaves reached 85-