UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

• Objective: The Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) is developing a hydrogeological map of India.

• Event: The map will be showcased at the 25th International Geological Congress scheduled in Sydney.

• Significance:

  • The map aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of groundwater resources across India, which is critical for water management and sustainability.

• **Backgrou

• Location: Ghaggar river, Mallewala village, Sirsa district, Haryana (approximately 250 km from Delhi).

• Environmental Concerns: The Ghaggar river, once a vital resource for local communities, faces significant pollution and degradation, adversely affecting local health and ecology.

• Historical Context: The river was integral to village life, supporting activities such as fishing,

• Transformation of Jobs Due to AI: Rajiv Tandon from BITS Pilani Digital stated that AI will not displace jobs but will transform them, leading to the emergence of new roles such as AI explainers, sustainers, and designers.

• Job Automation: The shift in job roles is attributed to the automation of repetitive tasks in traditional positions. This points towards a significant redefinition

Summary of Key Points on Court Complexes and Judicial Infrastructure in India

Current Status of Judiciary

• Case Load:
  • Supreme Court: 86,000 cases with only 34 sanctioned judges (historically only 2,656 cases with 14 judges in 1960).
  • High Courts: 6.3 million pending cases.
  • Lower Courts: Over 46 million pending cases.

Challenges in Court Architecture

• **Historica

Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)

• Definition: FBRs are nuclear reactors that 'breed' more fissile material than they consume, using fast neutrons for nuclear fission.

• Case Study - Superphénix, France:

  • Initiation: Construction began in 1976, costing approximately $10 billion.
  • Operational Timeline:
    • Became critical in 1985.
    • Commercial operation began

Summary of Key Facts and Updates:

1. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Recommendations:

   • WII has advised against establishing a greenfield international airport in Puri due to potential risks to migratory birds and aviation safety.
   • The proposed site is near Chilika Lake, designated as a Ramsar site, which is a wetland of global ecological significance.

2. **Proposed Airport Proj

• Judicial Ruling: The Bombay High Court, on April 10, 2026, questioned the Maharashtra State government's financial priorities regarding the payment of pensions to retired employees, suggesting the discontinuation of the Mukhyamantri Maajhi Ladki Bahin Yojana if pension funds are lacking.

• Pension Issue: A petition was filed by a retired teacher from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporati

Summary of Key Facts and Data Regarding the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway

Inauguration and Project Details

• The Delhi-Dehradun expressway is set for inauguration on April 14, 2026, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The expressway is 213 km long and built at a cost of ₹12,000 crore.
• It aims to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from 6 hours to 2.5 hours.

**Wildlife Considerat

Historical Maritime Trade in the Persian Gulf

Historical Figures and Trade Dynamics

• Jagadu Shah (Jagdusha): A 13th-century Jain merchant from Gujarat, notable for navigating the Strait of Hormuz and owning a fleet of ships involved in extensive trade routes to Persia, Arabia, and Africa.
• Trade Networks: Established coastal trading networks from Gujarat to the **Persian Gu

Energy Security and West Asia Conflict - Key Highlights

1. Context of Energy Supply Disruption:

   • The ongoing conflict in West Asia has led to a critical closing of the Strait of Hormuz, causing severe disruptions in global oil and gas supply — a significant concern as this chokepoint accounts for 20% of global oil and gas flows.

2. India's Dependency on Imports:

   • India relies

Wildlife Statistics in Madhya Pradesh: Leopard Deaths

1. Leopard Mortality Data:

   • Total leopards dead: 149 since January 2025.
   • Deaths in 2025: 113 leopards.
   • Deaths in January-February 2026: 36 leopards.

2. Source of Information:

   • Data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey.

3. **Environmental

Summary of NASA’s Artemis II Mission

Overview:

• Mission Name: Artemis II
• Launch: NASA's first crewed mission in the Artemis program.
• Astronauts: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch (USA), Jeremy Hansen (Canada).

Key Facts:

• Splashdown Date: April 11, 2026
• Splashdown Location: Pacific Ocean, off southern California.
• Mission Duration: 10 da

Sagarmala Programme Overview

• Objective: To enhance India's maritime sector, improve logistics efficiency, reduce transport costs, and promote port-based development.
• Launch Date: March 2015.

Key Facts and Figures

• Total Projects: 845 projects under Sagarmala with an estimated cost of ₹6.06 lakh crore.
• Completed Projects: 315 projects worth ₹1.57 lakh crore complet

Summary of Key Facts on Morel Mushroom Cultivation by SKUAST

1. Scientific Breakthrough:
   • The Sheri Kashmir University of Agriculture and Sciences (SKUAST), Srinagar, has successfully cultivated the rare edible mushroom Morchella (Morels), locally known as Kangaech, in controlled conditions for the first time.
   • This mushroom can cost between Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 per kilogram,

Summary of Women's Empowerment Initiatives in India

Constitutional and Legislative Framework:

• India's commitment to women's empowerment is reflected in various constitutional articles and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), promoting equality (Article 14) and non-discrimination (Article 15).

Government Schemes and Policies:

1. PM Jan Dhan Yojana:
   • *Beneficiaries

• Meeting Overview: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conducted a productive meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House as part of a three-day visit to Washington.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Bilateral Relationships: Reviewed the current status and future direction of U.S.-India relations.
  • Trade: Conversations included enhancing trade ties, vital

Summary of Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) Developments and Context

Key Insights:

1. Project Overview:
   • The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has achieved its first criticality.
   • This project is expected to play a vital role in India’s second stage of nuclear power development, utilizing reprocessed spent fuel and depleted uranium for plutoniu

PM Surya Ghar Scheme Overview:

• Objective: The goal is to install rooftop solar systems in one crore households across India by March 2027, under the PM Surya Ghar scheme initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Implementation Model:

• Utility Led Aggregation (ULA): States are encouraged to adopt this model, where State electricity distribution companies (DI

• Soil Erosion Management: Ceylon (Sri Lanka) is conducting extensive experiments in tea estates to address soil denudation, especially in hilly regions.

• Contour Platforms: The method termed ‘contour platforms’ has been notably developed by Mr. C.E.A Dias, a Sinhalese planter. This technique is inspired by traditional Italian vineyard planting methods that align with the land's natural

Monetary Policy Update and Economic Projections by RBI

1. Interest Rate and Monetary Policy Stance:

   • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained a status quo on the policy interest rate, continuing with a neutral stance.
   • This decision reflects a cautious approach amid global uncertainties.

2. GDP Growth Projections:

   • The RBI has revised the GDP growth projection for F

Key Highlights from RBI Monetary Policy Meeting - April 2026

Monetary Policy Decision:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% with a neutral stance as per the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra on April 6-8, 2026.

Economic Context:

• Current global economic concerns include escalating tensions in **W

Key Highlights from the Ranipet Situation:

• Defunct Factory and Environmental Issues:
  • The Tamil Nadu Chromate and Chemicals Limited (TCCL) factory in Ranipet, operational since 1975, was closed in 1995 due to financial losses and environmental concerns.
  • Approximately 2.25 lakh tonnes of hexavalent chromium waste remain unprocessed.
  • Local residents report **groundwater co

Key Points on Mahatma Jotirao Phule's Contributions and Constitutional Legacy

1. Historical Background:

   • Mahatma Jotirao Phule was born on April 11, 1827. He is recognized as a social reformer advocating for education, women's rights, and critiquing the caste system.
   • His experiences as a member of a Shudra community informed his critique of social inequalities.

2. **Philosophica

Summary Notes on UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulation, 2026

Constitutional References:

• Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law.
• Article 15: Prohibits discrimination and allows the State to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs to ensure substantive equality.

Legislative Context:

• The