UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

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

Union Budget 2026-27: National Security Focus

Key Allocations and Economic Data

• Defence Allocation: Rs 7.85 lakh crore (approx. $86.7 billion), a 15.19% increase from 2025-26 (Rs 6.81 lakh crore, $81.2 billion).
• Capital Outlay Increase: 21.8% rise to Rs 2.19 lakh crore dedicated to military modernisation, including procurement of fighter aircraft, submarines, and drones.
• **

Exam-Focused Notes on Rashtrapati Bhavan and Its Architectural Significance

Architectural Insights:

• Rashtrapati Bhavan, originally Viceroy’s House, completed in 1929, is designed by architect Edwin Lutyens.
• The design reflects a synthesis of British and Indian architectural styles, incorporating traditional motifs and forms:
  • Dome: Modeled after the Great Stupa at Sanchi, an an

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act: Establishes the framework, requiring 10-20 full-time judicial members and 10-20 expert members from reputed national institutions or government agencies involved in environmental matters.

• Current Status of NGT: Operating at half capacity with only 4 judicial and 6 expert members, raising concerns about effectiveness in fulfilling its environment prot

Summary of Key Points on Wildlife Conservation, Focused on Individual Animals and their Impact

1. Importance of Individual Animals in Conservation

• Craig, the Super Tusker: An African elephant who served as a global symbol of wildlife tourism and conservation. Notable for his massive tusks, Craig's death highlighted the impact of poaching on genetic diversity in elephants.

• **Ce

Scientific Developments in HIV Research and Treatment

Background and Overview:

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) was identified as causative for AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) in 1983.
• Zidovudine was the first effective drug against HIV discovered in 1987 but was soon less effective due to drug resistance.

Mechanisms and Drug Resistance:

• HIV rapidly mutates due to c

Exam-Focused Notes Summary

Health Initiatives

• HPV Vaccination Program: The Union Health Ministry is launching a nationwide voluntary and free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program targeting girls aged 14. The quadrivalent Gardasil vaccine will protect against HPV types 16, 18 (linked to cervical cancer), and types 6, 11. Scientific evidence supports that a single dose offe

Summary of India's Global Trade Strategy

1. Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023:

   • Aims to increase exports to $2 trillion by 2030.
   • Reinforces strategic autonomy in trade, emphasizing sovereign decision-making.

2. Export Statistics:

   • In 2023, total exports (merchandise and services) increased by 6.05%, reaching $825.25 billion.
   • Projected expansion of India's Free Trade A