UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Exam-Focused Notes on Digital Mental Health and Social Media Use in India

Key Statistics

• Internet Users: India has approximately 970 million people online.
• Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI): Involves intentional self-harm without suicidal intent, prevalent among individuals with emotional regulation difficulties.

Psychological Insights

• Emotional Regulation: Soci

Electric Vehicle (EV) Transition in India: Key Insights

Current Landscape

• India has approximately 420 million registered vehicles.
• Transition to electrification is urgent due to rising crude prices, especially influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Electricity Demand for Electrification

• Full electrification of the vehicle fleet will require an ad

India-Nordic Summit Highlights

Date and Participants:

• The Third India-Nordic Summit involved leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi representing India.

Key Outcomes:

1. Strategic Partnership:
   • Established a ‘Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership’ focusing on:
     • Sustainable energy initiatives

Summary of Ebola Outbreak and WHO Response

Public Health Emergency Declaration:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to an Ebola outbreak in central Africa, specifically affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
• This declaration was made rapidly, bypassing the usual advisory process from an emergency com

Demographic Trends and Health Implications

1. Population Projections:

   • By 2050, the global population aged over 60 is expected to increase from 12% to 22%.
   • Asia's population aged 65 and above is projected to grow from 414 million in 2020 to 1.2 billion by 2060, constituting over 60% of the world's older population.

2. Health Burden:

   • The Global Burden of Disease Study (2

Cheetah Project Overview

• Initiative Purpose: The Cheetah Project aims to re-establish cheetahs in India after their extinction. It is a significant wildlife restoration effort.

• Founding Group: The project began with the relocation of 20 cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa, later supplemented by 9 cheetahs from Botswana through international cooperation.

Progress and Cur

India-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Highlights

1. Agreement Overview:

   • The India-Oman FTA, signed in December, is expected to come into force by June 1, 2026.
   • The agreement aims to facilitate trade, especially during the current geopolitical crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

2. Geopolitical Context:

   • The Strait of Hormuz blockade has led to operational difficult

India-South Korea Defence Cooperation: Key Highlights

Strategic Visits

• Indian Defence Minister's Visit: May 19-21, 2026, to Seoul, following South Korean President’s visit to India (April 19-21, 2026).

Evolving Partnership

• Transition from limited defence engagement to a multidimensional partnership focusing on:
  • Defence Manufacturing
  • Technology Transfer

Summary of Key Findings and Research on Binary Star Systems

1. Discovery Context:

   • Researchers from India have made a significant discovery regarding binary star systems, specifically identifying one of the shortest-period binary systems hosting a brown dwarf.

2. Key Findings:

   • The team confirmed the existence of a blue straggler star in a dense binary system, which is hostin

Supreme Court Judges and Judicial Reform

• Current Strength: Proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37.
• Concerns: Increasing numbers may not effectively address the backlog of cases.
• Judicial Backlog: The backlog is attributed to procedural delays, indiscriminate admission of appeals, and prolonged hearings.
• Recommendations:
  • Implement fixe

Restoration of Mughal Period Sarais in Punjab: Key Highlights

1. Historical Significance:

   • The sarais (wayside inns) were built during the Mughal period and served as luxurious accommodations for Mughal Emperors and aristocrats on the route linking Delhi with Lahore and Peshawar.

2. Government Initiative:

   • The Punjab Government, through its Department of Tourism and Archaeolo

Uttar Pradesh Weather Disasters Summary

1. Event Overview:

   • A severe pre-monsoon weather system affected Uttar Pradesh, resulting in thunderstorms, dust storms, lightning, heavy rain, and thundersqualls.
   • As of May 14, 2026, the disaster resulted in 111 deaths and 72 injuries across 26 districts.

2. Historical Context:

   • Similar weather events have occurred in Uttar Prades

Supreme Court Directive on Saranda Forests: Key Facts and Policies

1. Judicial Order:
   • The Supreme Court directed the Jharkhand government to declare 314 sq km of Saranda forests as a wildlife sanctuary following repeated failures to curb illegal mining activities in the region.
   • The directive underscores the importance of ecological preservation in light of environmental degrada

International Relations and Agreements:

• U.S. President Donald Trump expressed willingness to negotiate with Iran to prevent the development of nuclear weapons, emphasizing a preference for diplomacy over military action.
• The U.S. has shown flexibility regarding Iran maintaining limited peaceful nuclear activities under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Iran

Export Goals and Trade Policies of India

1. Export Targets:

   • India aims for a $1 trillion export target for the current year and $2 trillion in the next five years, as stated by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
   • Current export figures reached $863 billion, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.

2. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs):

   • The g

Exam-Focused Notes on India-Nordic Summit and Arctic Engagement

Key Facts and Figures

• PM Narendra Modi's Visit: Third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, May 18-19, 2026.
• Countries Involved: India, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland.
• Geopolitical Context: The war in Ukraine has altered Europe's security dynamics, impacting India-Nordic relations.

Constitutional an

Summary of India-Norway Joint Press Statement

Key Facts & Data:

• Norway's Constitution Day: The Indian Prime Minister extended greetings to Norway on this significant occasion, recognizing the strong democratic values shared between both nations.
• Investment Goals: Under the recently implemented Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, India aims for $100 billion investmen

Summary of Key Points on Jharkhand's Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary Case

Constitutional and Legal References:

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Governs the protection of wildlife and their habitats in India.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006: Acknowledges the rights of tribal communities to manage and use forest resources.
• Fifth Schedule: Pertains to the administration and control of Sc

Exam-Focused Notes

1. Political Developments:

• Kerala's New Cabinet:
  • Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan unveiled a 20-member Council of Ministers for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
  • Congress holds 11 ministerial positions including key figures such as Ramesh Chennithala and K. Muraleedharan.

2. International Relations:

• **India-Sweden S

India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership (May 2026)

Bilateral Relations

• Strategic Partnership: India and the Netherlands agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership level.
• Bilateral Trade: Trade between India and the Netherlands reached $27.8 billion in 2024-25, with the Netherlands being India's fourth-largest investor at $55.6 billion in cumulative Foreig

India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership Framework (2026-2030)

Overview:

• Agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on May 16, 2026, to elevate bilateral relations to a "strategic partnership" level for the next five years (2026-2030).

Key Areas of Cooperation:

1. Political Dialogue:
   • Regular meetings among heads of state, foreign min

Tamil Nadu Electricity Demand and Supply Overview

Key Facts and Figures:

• Peak Demand: Reached 21,307 MW on April 29, 2024.
• Power Consumption: Peak consumption was 471.45 million units (MU) on the same day.
• Comparison with 2023: Previous year's maximum demand was 20,830 MW on May 2, 2023, with the highest consumption at 454.32 MU.
• Installed Capacity: Tamil Nadu has

Exam-Focused Notes on Organ Transplantation

Overview

• Organ transplantation is a critical medical intervention that restores life by replacing failing organs, allowing patients to regain normal bodily functions and improve their quality of life.

Key Facts and Statistics

• Organ failure can occur due to congenital defects, autoimmune diseases, infections, and other medical conditio

Summary of BRICS Meeting on Trade and Economic Cooperation

Key Facts and Data:

• BRICS Trade Growth: Trade among BRICS nations reached $1.17 trillion in 2024, a significant increase from $84 billion in 2003, reflecting a 13-fold increase.
• Current Trade Share: BRICS countries account for approximately 5% of global trade, indicating potential for further trade inte