UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Brexit Overview and Impact: Key Points

1. Referendum and Outcome:

   • Date: June 23, 2016.
   • Result: U.K. voted to leave the EU with a narrow margin of 52% (Leave) to 48% (Remain).

2. Economic and Trade Relations:

   • The EU accounts for 41% of U.K. exports and 50% of imports.
   • Economists generally agree Brexit has negatively affected trade and investment, le

Exam-Focused Notes on Demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats

Key Information:

• Background: The Centre is preparing to finalize the demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, completing a process initiated with the Gadgil Committee in 2010. The Kasturirangan Committee's report from 2013 recommended demarcating approximately

Economic and Strategic Insights on Maritime Transport and the Strait of Hormuz

1. Geopolitical Implications of Maritime Trade:

   • Historically, the economic prowess of nations (e.g., UK, Japan, US, China) correlates with maritime dominance.
   • India’s shipping sector is critiqued for its weakness, which restricts its geopolitical leverage.

2. **Foreign Exchange Contribution by Seafar

• Discovery of New Species: A new species of wild brinjal, identified as Solanum pandeyi, was discovered in the evergreen forests of Middle Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, by the head of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Lal Ji Singh.

• Local Usage: The species is known locally as wild orange eggplant and has ethnobotanical significance. The Great Andamanese tribe traditionally

Summary of Legal Developments Regarding DNA Testing and Paternity in India

1. Legal Framework and Burden of Proof:

   • The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 place the burden of proof on the party contesting paternity to protect children from stigma associated with illegitimacy.

2. Key Supreme Court Judgments:

   • Goutam Kundu (1993): Establishe

Notes on "Great Society" and the Evolution of the G7

Key Historical Developments:

• 1960s Socio-Political Climate:

  • U.S. faced anti-Vietnam War protests and civil rights movements, creating domestic unrest.

• Lyndon Johnson's Great Society Speech (1964):

  • Emphasized ending poverty and racial injustice as foundational societal goals.

• **Formation of Non-Aligned Movement

Key Highlights from the Inauguration of the Deuterated Compound Production Plant

1. Event Overview:
   • The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated the Indigenous Versatile Deuterated Compound Production Plant (VDPP) at the Heavy Water Board Facility (HWBF) in Vadodara.
   • The inauguration took place on June 21, 2026, and included the commissioning of a 24 kA prototype sodium cel

Summary of Key Highlights from the Commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray

Event Overview

• Date of Commissioning: June 21, 2026
• Location: Kolkata, West Bengal
• Participants: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other dignitaries.

Key Facts & Figures

• Ships Commissioned:
  • INS Dunagiri (Multipurpose)
  • INS S

BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting 2026 - Key Points

Event Overview

• Date: June 25-26, 2026
• Location: Gurugram, Haryana, India
• Significance: Fourth presidency of India in BRICS (previously held in 2012, 2016, and 2021).

Theme

• Main Theme: "Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability" under the energy track.
• Specific Focus: "Sarvesham Ur

Key Points on Tiger Conservation and Translocation in India

1. Background

• Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha, was declared a tiger reserve in 1973 and spans 2,750 square kilometers.
• The Indian government initiated a national tiger conservation program to combat threats to tigers, including habitat loss and genetic stagnation.

2. Translocation Details

• Two tigress

Exam-Focused Summary of the Naval Ships Commissioning Event

Key Facts and Figures:

• Commissioned Ships:
  • INS Agray (Anti-submarine shallow water vessel)
  • INS Dunagiri (Advanced stealth frigate)
  • INS Sanshodhak (Survey vessel)
• Location: Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port, Kolkata, West Bengal.
• Indigenous Contribution: Over 75% indigenous materials used in ship constru

• Emerging Global Order: The international landscape is shifting towards a realist approach where power is derived from compulsion rather than persuasion, focusing on immediate national interests at the expense of ethical principles.

• Foreign Policy Dynamics: A trend towards coercive foreign policy tools is evident, including:

  • Sanctions
  • Energy access control
  • Technological dom

Summary of Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Policy

Policy Framework:

• The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a comprehensive policy framework targeting the optimization of Gram Sabha ponds, reservoirs, and riverine systems.
• This policy aims to transform fisheries into a significant income source for farmers and fishing communities, promoting rural prosperity.

Leasing Structure:

• **Sma

Impact of Social Media vs. Mainstream Media

1. Information Flow:

   • Social Media (SM) facilitates horizontal information flow among peers, contrasting with the vertical flow from authority to the mass audience seen in Mainstream Media (MSM).
   • This shift has resulted in a democratization of information but has also led to information anarchy, causing social and political chaos.

Summary of Naxal-Free India Achievement

Historical Context and Achievement

• As of March 31, 2026, India has effectively become free from left-wing extremism (Naxalism) after nearly six decades of violence.
• This achievement is attributed to twelve years of persistent government efforts, focusing on the pillars of Trust, Construction, and Public Welfare.

Strategic Approach

• The gov

Summary of National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6 Report

Child Nutrition and Health Indicators:

• Stunting: Decreased from 35.5% to 29.3% (2026).
• Wasting: No overall change; only severe wasting observed.
• Institutional Births: 90% of births are institutional, with public facilities covering 58%.
• Skilled Birth Attendance: 91% of deliveries attended by skilled personnel

Key Highlights from the 26th All India Fingerprint Conference 2026

Government Initiatives

• Launch of Applications:
  • NCRB-Abhigyan: A mobile app for on-field police to search fingerprints in the national database using certified fingerprint scanners.
  • CrPI (Criminal Person Identification): Integrates facial, iris, and DNA matching to enhance identification reliability

Summary Notes on Prime Minister Modi’s Meetings with Business Executives (June 18, 2026)

Key Meetings and Discussions

• Participants: PM Narendra Modi met with various CEOs and business leaders from French companies during his visit to Paris.
• Main Topics: Investment opportunities and expansion in sectors such as shipping, logistics, railways, construction, and artificial intell

Exam-Focused Notes on MIFF 2026 Documentaries

Overview

• Event: 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026
• Special Section: "NFAI Presents - Restored Classics"
• Organizers: National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and National Film Archive of India (NFAI)

Key Documentaries Restored

1. Mahatma Gandhi: Gandhi's Life 1869-1948
   • Directed by: Vitthalb

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