UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Moonshot Project on Brain Co-Processors at IISc

Overview:

• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) launched a project to develop brain co-processors, combining neuromorphic hardware with AI algorithms aimed at enhancing or restoring brain function.

Funding:

• The project is supported by the Pratiksha Trust, established by Senapathy ‘Kris’ Gopalakrishnan and Sudha Gopalakrishnan.

**G

Key Points on AI in Writing and Legal Context

Technological Impact on Writing

• Prevalence of AI:
  • A report by Fortune India indicated that 96% of Indian professionals utilize AI tools at work for tasks including writing.

Challenges and Consequences

• Legal Concerns:
  • The Supreme Court disapproved of lawyers relying on AI for legal submissions that included **non-

Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Centre - Key Highlights

1. Location and Infrastructure:
   • The Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Centre is to be located on Dr. Nanjappa Road, Coimbatore, covering an area of 50 cents.
   • Planned as a four-storey building featuring:
     • Flora and fauna gallery
     • Mini theatre
     • Biodiversity gallery
     • Diorama gallery
     • Tribal and species gallery

Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Key Insights

Study Findings

• Underestimated Coastal Water Heights: A recent study published in Nature indicates that 90% of previous studies underestimated actual coastal water heights by an average of 30 cm.
• Global Discrepancy: The issue is particularly pronounced in the Global South, especially in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, where it

Exam-Focused Notes on Nuclear Facilities and International Relations

Nuclear Threats and International Incidents:

1. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (Ukraine): Captured by Russian forces in 2022, the facility faced repeated military assaults including shelling and drone strikes.

2. Iran’s Nuclear Programme: Viewed as a critical security threat by Israel, resulting in ongoing m

Key Notes on Mughal Culture and Holi Celebrations

Historical Context:

• Mughal Social Structure: The Mughal urban centers (e.g., Lahore, Agra, Shahjahanabad) were characterized by intermixing of religions, with both Hindu and Muslim nobles residing close to each other. This cultural blending was prominent until the 18th century.
• Composite Culture: The idea, largely associated w

Summary of Key Facts and Data

1. Caste and Community Data in India:
   • India lacks an official count of caste communities, including “Other Backward” classes, Denotified and Nomadic tribes (DNTs).
   • DNT communities were historically classified as “criminal tribes” under the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871 and "denotified" in 1952.
   • There is no comprehensive survey to accurate p

Summary of Key Facts and Data:

1. Current Oil and Gas Stocks:

   • India has crude oil and fuel stocks sufficient for 6 to 8 weeks.
   • Indian refiners have crude oil stocks to last approximately 25 days, including oil in storage and transit.
   • Strategic petroleum reserves hold crude worth an additional week of consumption (5.6 million bpd).

2. Supply Challenges:

   • Ongoing mil

National Green Tribunal (NGT) Overview

• Establishment: The NGT was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, aimed at bolstering India’s environmental governance by combining legal and ecological expertise.

Performance and Effectiveness

• Mixed Record: The performance of the NGT since its inception has been mixed, particularly between 2020 and 2025 where it re

• UNESCO Concerns: The Golestan Palace in Iran has suffered damage due to an airstrike nearby, as reported by UNESCO. The damage was caused by debris and shockwaves from the attack.

• Cultural Heritage Protection: The Golestan Palace is protected under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, highlighting its status under intern

Indian Economic Growth Overview

1. GDP Growth Data:
   • Q3 2025 GDP growth (October-December): 7.8% (new series with 2022-23 as the base year).
   • Estimated GDP growth for 2025-26: 7.6% (revised from the earlier estimate of 7.4%).
   • Revisions under the old series (base year 2011-12):
     • Q1 2025: 6.7% (previously 7.8%).
     • Q2 2025: 8.4% (previously **8

Exam-Focused Notes on Indian Rice Production and Export

1. Rice Export Data:

• India has been the world's largest rice exporter since 2011-12.
• In 2024-25, India exported 21.69 million tonnes (mt) of rice, significantly higher than Thailand's 7.86 mt and Vietnam's 8.06 mt.
• India is also the largest rice producer, with an output of 150 mt surpassing **China's 14

Supreme Court Case Summary: Vishwaprasad Alva vs Union of India (2026)

1. Constitutional Context:
   • The case challenges the constitutional validity of Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, which allows for searches and seizure of undisclosed assets.
   • The petition rests on Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Personal Liberty), emphasizing the need for informational privacy

Sixteenth Finance Commission Overview

Constitutional Framework

• The Sixteenth Finance Commission operates under the framework established by Articles 270 and 280 of the Constitution of India, which outline the distribution of financial resources between the Centre and States.

Key Findings and Recommendations

• Maintained States' Share: Retained at 41% in the divisible

Summary of Key Points

Historical Context

• 1962 Sino-Indian War: Internal military review led to the creation of the Henderson Brooks Report by Lt Gen T.B. Henderson Brooks and Brigadier Premindra Singh Bhagat, assessing India's military performance.

Key Publications and Authors

• Neville Maxwell's Book (1970): India’s China War, criticized the Nehru government's role i

Exam-Focused Summary on Skill Development and Vocational Education in India

Demographic Dividend

• India's demographic dividend is set to end by 2040, creating a pressing need for skill development.

Current Scenario in Education

• Vocational Education Enrollment: Only 1.3% of secondary-level students in India are enrolled in vocational education compared to about *50%

Summary Notes: Integrated Air Defense and Regional Conflicts

1. Background and Context

• Current Hostilities: Renewed military tensions involve a U.S.-led coalition (including Israel and UAE) and Iran.
• Historical Conflict: The Twelve-Day War in June 2025 was a significant test of missile defense, with Iran launching over 500 ballistic missiles and numerous drones.

2. Inte

Climate Change Impact on the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon: Summary of Key Findings

1. Species Overview:

   • The Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) is an endemic bird species found in the Western Ghats, notably in the Nilgiris and Anamalai Hills of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as well as isolated locations like the Biligirirangan Hills and Nandi Hills.

2. Research Findings:

   • A study pub

• Concept of Realism: The article discusses the emergence of a form of realism in international and domestic affairs, likening it to a "Murti-Bing" pill that numbs the public’s awareness and critique of authoritarianism and imperialism.

• Historical Reference: Czesław Miłosz's works illustrate the destructive nature of submission to power, highlighting psychological accommodation to auth

Sustainable Solutions for Human-Wildlife Conflict in Kerala: 'Farm Guard' Device

Innovation and Development:

• Device Name: Farm Guard
• Developers: Jishoy V.V., Abhijith S., Varsha Unni K.
• Function: Intelligent animal repelling device; non-lethal deterrence for wildlife.

Technical Features:

• Design: Lightweight and portable; suitable for farmers in wildlife confli

Supreme Court Intervention on Judicial Integrity and Community Dignity

Key Judicial Intervention:

• Case: Supreme Court's suo motu action concerning NCERT textbook portrayal of judicial corruption.
• Significance: Highlights the need to protect public institutions from disparagement and maintain public trust.

Constitutional Framework:

• Preamble: Emphasizes fraternit

Summary Notes on Dark Sky Park Initiative in Tamil Nadu

1. Government Initiative:

• Launch of Tamil Nadu’s first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest, Kolli Hills, Namakkal district.
• Inaugurated by R.S. Rajakannappan, Forests Minister.
• Project cost: ₹1 crore.

2. Objective of Dark Sky Park:

• Aims to create a protected landscape with minimal artificial light po

Budget Discussion Highlights (2026)

1. Fiscal Policy Changes:
   • Shift from targeting fiscal deficit to targeting debt-to-GDP ratio.
   • Aim to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio to 50% ± 1% by 2030-31 as per the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Review Committee recommendations.
   • Central government’s debt is currently around 83% of GDP, including state debts (28% of GD

India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership Overview:

1. Partnership Declaration:
   • India and Israel elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity" during talks between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu.
   • This upgrade reflects mutual aspirations and a foundation of trust and shared democratic values