UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Summary of Tripura’s Musical Heritage and AI Innovations

Historical Context

• Tripura’s royal history spans over 1,500 years, with a strong connection to Indian classical music.
• Notable rulers like Maharaj Birchandra Kishore Manikya and Maharaj Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya contributed to its vibrant Hindustani music scene.
• The state merged with the **Indian Union in 194

• Wildlife Crime Incident: Two individuals were apprehended by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Hyderabad for possession of illegal tiger body parts, specifically two canine teeth and seven nails.

• Inter-State Smuggling: The case is linked to a suspected inter-State wildlife smuggling operation that has connections to Kerala, highlighting the challenges of tackling wildli

Summary of Key Points

Climate Change Regulations and the Endangerment Finding

• Background: The 2009 "endangerment finding" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Obama concluded that six greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) endanger public health and welfare due to climate change.
• Supreme Court Precedent: The finding stemmed from the Su

Exam-Focused Notes on Women in Journalism

1. Role of Women in Journalism:

   • Women have played significant roles in reconstructing journalism, especially regarding gender rights and justice advocacy.
   • Historical contributions during the Indian national movement highlighted women's rights, self-governance, and the importance of various socio-economic issues.

2. Challenges Faced:

Summary of India’s Bilateral Trade Agreements with the EU and US

Key Developments in Bilateral Trade:

• Bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): India is negotiating FTAs with the EU and the US, significant in connecting major global economies.
• Market Access: India has secured market access for over 99% of its exports (by trade value) to the EU, supporting the "Make in India" init

Summary of India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement Framework (Feb 2026)

Trade Agreement Overview:

• India and the US reached a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs and enhancing economic ties.
• This initiative comes after nearly a year of negotiations between the two nations.

Key Figures:

• The agreement potentially opens a $30 trillion market for Indian exp

Summary of Discoveries and Findings on Lyriothemis keralensis in Kerala

1. New Species Identification:

   • Species Name: Lyriothemis keralensis.
   • Location: Discovered in Varapetty, Kothamangalam, Ernakulam district, Kerala.
   • Habitat: Found in shaded pools and irrigation canals within pineapple and rubber plantations.

2. Research and Publication:

   • Conducted by

• Legislation:

  • The Protection of Antiques and Art Treasures Act (1972) will be strictly enforced to ensure that all antiques and art pieces, whether public or private, must be registered with designated officers in the State.

• Official Announcements:

  • N.R. Banerjee, Director of Antiquities, emphasized the necessity of registration for antiques during an inauguration event at the A

Summary of Scientific Contributions by Albrecht Kossel

1. Background:

   • Born: September 16, 1853, Rostock, Germany.
   • Education: Studied medicine at the Universities of Strasbourg, Rostock, and Berlin; trained under Felix Hoppe-Seyler in Strasbourg.

2. Career:

   • Worked as an assistant to Felix Hoppe-Seyler, later contributing significantly at the Universities of Marburg and

Budget Allocation for Space Research:

• Total Allocation: ₹13,416.20 crore for the Department of Space for the fiscal year 2026-27.
• Focus Areas:
  • Deep-space exploration and astrophysics.
  • Construction of two advanced telescopes:
    • National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (30-m).
    • National Large Solar Telescope near Pangong Lake, Ladakh.
  • Development of **

India-Malaysia Bilateral Relations Summary (February 2026)

1. Strengthened Ties:
   • India and Malaysia have agreed to expand cooperation in key sectors: trade, investment, defence, energy, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductors.
   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region during discussions with Malaysian Prime Ministe

Tiger Dispersal Events in India: Key Facts and Implications

1. Recent Incidents:

   • A Royal Bengal Tiger traveled approximately 650 km from Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, to East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, spotted on National Highway 16.
   • The tiger was tranquilized and captured near agricultural fields in Kurmapuram village after multiple sightings.

2. **Conservation Ef

Global Climate Governance Notes

1. Current Framework:

   • Governance resembles two "hop-on, hop-off" frameworks: CMP (Kyoto Protocol) and CMA (Paris Agreement) lacking a direction.
   • Political interests often overshadow global climate urgency, leading to ineffective negotiations at Conferences of the Parties (COP).

2. Political Dynamics:

   • Politics largely manages expectations

Chhari-Dhandh Wetland Conservation Reserve - Summary Notes

Ramsar Site Designation

• Designation Date: January 31, 2026.
• Location: Kachchh district, Gujarat, India.
• Significance: 5th Ramsar Site in Gujarat and the first in the Kachchh region, marking a milestone in India's wetland conservation efforts.

Importance of Chhari-Dhandh

• Ecosystem Type: Unique wetland

Summary of Adivasi Resistance and Historical Context in Jharkhand

Historical Significance

• The event commemorated on February 2 marks the Battle of Serengsia (1837), a pivotal moment of resistance against British colonization in the Kolhan region, primarily involving the Ho Adivasis.
• Adivasi activists argue the chosen date for commemoration is historically inaccurate. They emphasize th

Summary of Iran-U.S. Negotiations on Uranium Enrichment

1. Context of the Talks:

   • Discussions took place in Oman, specifically in Muscat, regarding Iran's uranium enrichment program and related diplomatic relations with the United States.

2. Uranium Enrichment:

   • Iran rejected U.S. requests to halt uranium enrichment on its territory.
   • Iran is open to discussing the "level

Summary Notes: Control of Buddha Gaya Temple

1. Historical Context:

   • The agitation for Buddhist control over the Buddha Gaya temple began in 1891. This historical effort highlights the long-standing desire of the Buddhist community to gain authority over significant religious sites.

2. Committee and Meetings:

   • A meeting was held on 3rd February at **Olcott Memorial Ha

Summary of Key Points on ASI and Keezhadi Excavations

Context:

• Conflict has emerged between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and K Amarnath Ramakrishna, the archaeologist who directed excavations at Keezhadi in Tamil Nadu.

Excavation Findings:

• Excavations from 2014-2016 uncovered evidence of an urban settlement from the Sangam era, including:
  • Brick structures
  • Dra

Summary of Key Points on the Expiry of the New START Treaty

Context

• Date of Expiry: February 5, 2026.
• Significance: Marks the end of over five decades of bilateral nuclear arms control agreements between the US and Russia, raising concerns for global peace and security.

International Response

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: Called it a "grave moment" highli

Summary of Key Points from Environmental Justice in India

Constitutional References

• Article 21: Right to a clean and healthy environment.
• Article 48A: Mandates the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
• Article 14: Ensures the right to equality before the law and prohibits discrimination.

Judicial Judgments

• **M.C. Mehta

• Avian Influenza (H5N1): Confirmed in crow samples collected from Adyar, Tamil Nadu. The virus was detected by the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, on January 21, 2026.

• Date of Communication: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying communicated these findings on January 22, 2026, to Tamil Nadu's Chief Secretary.

• Action Required: Implement

Cheetah Conservation and Potential Reintroduction in Saudi Arabia

1. Species Overview:
   • Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is the world's fastest terrestrial mammal, once widespread across Africa and parts of Asia, but now extinct in 91% of its historical range.
   • The Asiatic cheetah (A. j. venaticus) is critically endangered, with approximately 50 individuals remaining in the wild, prima

Budget for Carbon Capture Technology

Government Budget Allocation and Objectives

• Budgetary Outlay: ₹20,000 crore allocated for the development of CCUS technologies over the next five years.
• Objective: To support technologies aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of critical industries in India, contributing towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

**Overview of

Summary of India-U.S. Trade Deal

Trade Agreements and Economic Impact:

• India has successfully concluded significant free trade agreements (FTAs) with multiple partners, including the U.S., EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, EFTA, Oman, and UAE.
• The new trade architecture facilitates faster and more predictable movements for trade, enhancing India's global competitiveness.

**Trade Deal