UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Summary of Pahalgam Attack Investigation

Background

• Incident: Pahalgam attack occurred on April 22, 2025, resulting in 26 casualties.
• Investigation Agencies: National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Key Findings

• Cellphones Used: Two Xiaomi cellphones (RedMi 9T and Note 12) were recovered from the attackers.
  • RedMi 9T: Imported into

Exam-Focused Notes on the "Maha Jal Mission" and ANRF Initiatives

Overview

• Maha Jal Mission: Launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with a budget of ₹200 crores to address critical water-related challenges through technology development, field verification, and implementation.
• National Research Foundation (ANRF): Aims to democratize research funding and expand opportunities f

Summary of the 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' Launch

Event Overview:

• The 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (Save the Fields Campaign) was launched by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
• The campaign aims to promote soil health, sustainable farming practices, and women's empowerment in agriculture.

Key Messages:

• Emphasis on the importance of healthy soil fo

National Zoological Park Mission Life and Cleanliness Fortnight 2026

Overview:

• Event: Cleanliness Fortnight 2026
• Duration: June 1, 2026 - June 15, 2026
• Objective: To promote cleanliness, environmental protection, sustainable lifestyle, and public participation in line with the Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission Life.

Key Activities:

• Inauguration: The program

Summary of Key Points from the Article on Nepal-India Border Dispute

Constitutional and Legal Context

• Constitutional Reference: The border dispute involves amendments made during K.P. Sharma Oli’s tenure, when the Nepalese constitution was amended to include Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani in Nepal's official map.
• Historical Treaties and Agreements: The dispute dates bac

Summary of Research Study on Majuli Island's Climate History

Key Facts:

• Location: Majuli Island, Assam, India - the world's largest inhabited river island.
• Cultural Significance: A center for neo-Vaishnavism and home to several indigenous tribes.
• Research Duration: Covers approximately 4,000 years of climate and vegetation history.

Study Highlights:

• Conducted by

Supreme Court Directives on CBSE's Three-Language Formula

Constitutional and Legal Context:

• The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Union Government, CBSE, and NCERT, demanding a comprehensive report on the implementation of the three-language formula for Class 9 students.
• The petitioners are challenging the CBSE's mandate on constitutional grounds, arguing that:
  • Lan

Summary of Key Points:

Project Overview:

• Chellanam Seawall Project: Aimed at protecting the unprotected coastline of Chellanam panchayat through a tetrapod-based seawall construction.

Phases and Costs:

• Phase Two: Involves a 6.10-km stretch from Puthenthode to Manassery with an estimated cost of ₹404 crore, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB

• Meteorological Overview: Various cities in India are experiencing severe heatwaves or conditions resembling heatwaves.
• Monsoon Delay: The monsoon onset has been delayed, contributing to the increased temperature and discomfort.
• El Niño Impact: There is a high probability of El Niño occurring during the monsoon months (June-September), which is expected to exacerbate heat-related

Exam-Focused Notes on Technological Advancements in India

Key Statements:

• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science & Technology, highlighted that the technological transformations over the past 12 years have laid the foundation for India’s growth towards 2047.
• India is shifting from being a "technology follower" to a "technology leader" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's lea

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Judgment Summary

• Background:
  • Sanu Jose, a sailor from Kochi, was detained by Equatorial Guinea with colleagues after the cargo ship MT Heroic Idun was accused of violating territorial waters and attempting to steal crude oil.
  • The vessel had a crew of 26 members, including 16 Indians, 8 Sri Lankans, and others from the P

Summary of Key Points from the Israel-Lebanon Conflict

1. Escalation of Hostilities:

• Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of employing a "scorched-earth policy," urging for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
• Israeli airstrikes and evacuation warnings were issued for multiple locations in southern Lebanon.
• The conflict intensified with armed clashes and ro

Summary of the "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" Initiative

Initiative Overview:

• Launch Date: June 1
• Location: Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh
• Minister: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Objective:

• To raise awareness and promote sustainable agricultural practices to protect the environment and enhance soil health.
• To address chall

• Event: Rally for menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health rights organized by the Centre for Women’s Development and Research (CWDR) in Chennai.

• Participants: Over 200 young women took part in the rally to observe International Menstrual Hygiene Day.

• Key Issues Highlighted:

  • Need for comprehensive sex education for young women.
  • Promotion of **free sanitary napkins

Summary of Key Facts and Data Regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's Position

Constitutional & International Context:

• Geopolitical Importance: The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for international shipping; approximately 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 25% of seaborne oil traffic pass through this narrow waterway.
• Ownership and Territorial Claims: Iran contr

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission - Key Highlights

Overview

• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has achieved a significant milestone by opening 90 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), up from 14.7 crore in 2021.
• The mission aims to create a citizen-centered digital health ecosystem in India.

Key Facts

• Growth of ABHA Accounts:
  • 2021: 14.7 crore

Summary of Key Points

International Law and Violations

• Definition and Challenges: Public international law aims to establish norms and treaties among states but faces challenges as it often relies on the consent of sovereign states to be binding. The enforcement mechanisms are fragile.
• Core Principles: Fundamental principles of international law, notably the UN Charter’s proh

India-U.S. Trade Relations Update

1. Prospective Trade Deal:
   • U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, announced a forthcoming trade deal between India and the United States expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
   • A team from India recently visited Washington D.C. to negotiate the final details of the trade agreement, with a follow-up U.S. delegation set to visit India for con

Summary of "Pragati 2026" Multinational Military Exercise

Event Overview:

• Exercise Name: Pragati 2026
• Location: Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, India
• Duration: 72-hour exercise
• Participants: Military personnel from 13 countries, including India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Lao

• Vaishnavite Tradition: Nammazhwar, a pivotal figure within the Vaishnavite tradition, holds significant importance in Vishnu temple practices.

• Thirunakshatram: The festival of Vaikasi Visagam marks the thirunakshatram (birth star) of Nammazhwar, celebrated by followers of Vaishnavism.

• Literary Contributions: Nammazhwar's works, particularly the Thiruvaimozhi, encapsulate the es

Exam-Focused Notes on National Biodiversity Authority Funding and ABS Framework

Funding Overview

• Amount Received: ₹21.26 crore in FY 2025-26 under Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework.
• Purpose of Funding: Research, commercial use, intellectual property rights, biological surveys, and sustainable use of biological resources.

Sector Contributions

1. Seed Sector:

Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting Highlights:

1. Participants:

   • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
   • Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong
   • Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi
   • Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

2. Purpose: To reaffirm the Quad alliance (India, Australia, Japan, U.S.) amidst changing geopolitical landscapes.

3. **M

Supreme Court Guidelines on Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Judicial Ruling:

• On May 29, 2026, the Supreme Court of India issued comprehensive guidelines to protect young women from trafficking for CSE.
• The case was pending for over 22 years in the Supreme Court.

Key Court Observations:

• The Supreme Court affirmed that trafficking is an affront to constitutio

Summary of Vice President's Visit to CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO)

Institutional Overview:

• CSIR-NIO has been a premier scientific institution in India for nearly six decades.
• Focuses on oceanography, addressing ecological challenges, and promoting sustainable development.

Key Highlights from the Visit:

• Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan emphasized the