UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Air Quality Improvement in Delhi (2025)

1. Air Quality Data:

   • PM2.5 levels declined from 104 µg/m³ in 2024 to 96 µg/m³ in 2025.
   • PM10 levels decreased from 212 µg/m³ to 197 µg/m³ during the same period.
   • Delhi recorded approximately 200 days in 2025 with Air Quality Index (AQI) below 200, representing a 15% improvement compared to the previous four years.

2. **Temperature Sta

Key Highlights on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Overview:

• Implementation Date: January 1, 2023
• Objective: Imposes a tax on carbon-intensive goods from countries with lower environmental regulations entering the EU.
• Primary Sectors Affected: Power sector; energy-intensive industries such as cement, steel, aluminium, oil refineries, paper, glass, chem

Exam-Focused Notes on Temples and Nathamunigal

Historical Significance

• Ulagalantha Cholagam: Historical site located near Gangaikonda Cholapuram, housing two significant temples.
• Thiruvarasu: Memorial of Nathamunigal, prominent in the Vaishnavite tradition, who recovered the Nalayira Divya Prabandham (4,000 hymns).
• Nathamunigal: Lived from 823 to 916 AD, actively in

Exam-Focused Summary of Key Points:

1. Political Context:

   • India showcases surface stability amid global political turbulence, albeit leaning towards authoritarianism under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
   • The primary contest facing India is the tension between narratives of fantasy versus the reality of the political landscape.

2. Economic Data:

   • India’s economy displa

Science and Technology Achievements (2025)

1. Deep Ocean Mission and Gaganyaan Program:

   • India is preparing for dual successes in deep ocean exploration and human spaceflight, with a manned submarine mission planned to reach depths of 6,000 meters by 2027.

2. Ministry Highlights:

   • Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the role of science, technology, and innovation in India’s develop

Summary of Key Points on Israel's Recognition of Somaliland and its Implications

International Relations & Geopolitical Context

• Israel's Recognition of Somaliland: This marks a departure from the "rules-based international order" (RBIO), which underwent significant breakdowns globally. Somaliland occupies a strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea, enhancing Israel's maritime

Archaeological Insights on Ancient Weaponry

• Research Context: Recent studies led by Keiko Kitagawa from the University of Tübingen challenge the traditional, linear narrative of the evolution of hunting weapons among early humans.
• Key Findings:
  • Early Homo sapiens in Europe might have experimented with various weapon systems, including bow-and-arrow technology, far earlier th

Sabarimala Temple Gold Controversy: Key Facts and Developments

1. Background and Discovery of Irregularities:
   • The Kerala High Court ordered a probe into alleged malpractices regarding gold and valuables of the Sabarimala Temple, managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
   • Irregularities became apparent after a major gold-repair initiative in 1999, sponsored by the then-chair

Exam-focused Notes on National Biodiversity Authority Initiative

1. Overview of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• The NBA is responsible for the implementation of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• It facilitates the equitable distribution of benefits derived from biological resources to the local communit

• State Visit: Chinese President Xi Jinping hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung starting January 4, 2026. This visit is the second meeting in two months, indicating China's interest in strengthening bilateral ties.

• Context: Current relations between China and Japan are strained, especially after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a potential military re

Ayushman Bharat Scheme Overview:

Components and Objectives:

1. Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (AAM):
   • Establishment of 150,000 Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) aimed at providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC).
   • Includes urban and rural upgrades of Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
   • Focus on preventative, promotive, curative, rehabi

Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India

Overview:

• The Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India aims to revive the cheetah population, which became extinct in India nearly 70 years ago.

Current Population:

• Total cheetah count in India: 30 (as of December 2025).
  • Includes 19 cubs born on Indian soil.
• Recent births: 12 cubs in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP), of which

Climate Change and Global Agreements

• Paris Agreement (2015):
  • International treaty aimed at combating climate change.
  • Developed nations committed to mobilizing $100 billion annually for climate action in developing countries.
• COP 30 (2025, Brazil):
  • Developed countries pledged to triple adaptation finance by 2035.
  • Establishment of a fund to assist the Global So

Weather and Climate Data in Delhi

1. Temperature Records:
   • Coldest December day in six years recorded in Delhi with a maximum temperature of 14.2 degrees Celsius on December 31, 2025.
   • This temperature is 6.2 degrees below the normal maximum for the date.
   • Minimum temperature recorded at 6.4 degrees Celsius.
   • Previous record of lowest maximum temperature was **

Summary of the Deliveries Workers' Strikes and Regulatory Context

Key Events:

• Strikes on Christmas and New Year’s Eve: Delivery workers from companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto engaged in strikes to advocate against unsafe 10-minute delivery models and demand fair wages and rights.
• Participation: Over 40,000 delivery workers participated in the Christmas str

Key Highlights on Draft Rules under Labour Codes

Constitutional & Legislative Framework

• The government is seeking public comments on draft rules concerning the following four labour codes:

  1. Code on Wages
  2. Code on Social Security
  3. Industrial Relations Code
  4. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code.

• The codes were notified by the go

Election Commission of India (ECI) - Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Overview

1. Context:

   • The ECI is undergoing a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories (UTs).

2. Issues in Electoral Roll Revision:

   • West Bengal:
     • Elderly residents are required to attend eligibility hearings at remote locations despite submitting

Exam-Focused Notes: Generative AI and the Future of Tech Careers

1. Changing Skill Demand (2025-2030)

• The World Economic Forum’s report titled "New Economy Skills: Building AI, Data and Digital Capabilities for Growth" indicates a radical shift in the global skill set.
• Skills like programming, mathematics, and teaching are becoming less important, while **AI & Big Da

Key Facts and Data

1. U.S. Tariff Announcement:

   • Effective from October 1, 2025, the U.S. imposed a 100% tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports.
   • This move is intended to boost domestic manufacturing.

2. Impact on Indian Pharmaceutical Industry:

   • India's pharmaceutical exports to the U.S. reached nearly $9 billion in fiscal 2025 (14.29% increase year-on-ye

India’s Evolving Space Program: Key Highlights

Constitutional and National Goals

• Amrit Kaal: Refers to the period of 25 years leading to the centenary of India's independence in 2047, emphasizing national progress and self-reliance.

Major Recent Milestones

1. Chandrayaan-3 (August 23, 2023):
   • India became the first nation to achieve a soft landing near the lunar sout

Exam-Focused Notes on Global Landscape and India's Strategic Positioning in 2025-2026

Geopolitical Landscape

• Global Context: In 2026, the world is characterized by competing national interests, geopolitical turbulence, economic uncertainty driven by AI and tariffs, and climate change urgency.
• India's Position: India adopts a "multi-alignment" strategy, aiming to assert its ro

Economic Cooperation and Trade Between India and Australia

1. Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA):

   • ECTA came into force three years ago; as of January 1, 2026, all Indian goods can enter Australia with no tariffs.
   • Australia has eliminated every last tariff on Indian exports, enhancing access to a nearly $2-trillion economy.

2. Trade Statistics:

Summary of Key Points from the News Article:

Labour Codes and Employment Regulations:

• The Union Labour Ministry has pre-published draft Rules for four Labour Codes aimed at regulating worker definitions, wages, employment types, gratuity, bonuses, and social security.
• Workers are mandated to have a maximum of 48 hours of work per week.
• Specific measures are outlined for workplaces e

Summary of OSIRIS-REx Mission and Findings on Asteroid Bennu

Overview of Mission

• The OSIRIS-REx mission, launched by NASA, collected samples from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 and returned them to Earth in September 2023.
• The mission aimed to explore the formation of the early solar system and the origins of life on Earth.

Key Findings from Bennu Samples

1. **Molec