UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Summary Notes on Kamala Hydroelectric Project

Project Overview:

• Name: Kamala Hydroelectric Project
• Capacity: 1,720 MW
• Location: Arunachal Pradesh
• Estimated Cost: ₹23,764.01 crore
• Infrastructure:
  • Height of dam: 216 meters
  • Reservoir area: 2,600 hectares
  • River: Kamala River, tributary of Subansiri, which is tributary of Brahmaputra.

**Environ

Summary of UGC's Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026

Regulations and Purpose:

• The UGC (University Grants Commission) introduced the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, designed to combat systemic discrimination against marginalized groups, specifically SC (Scheduled Castes), ST (Scheduled Tribes), OBC (Other Back

Summary of Findings Related to Pompeii and Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions

1. Historical Context of Pompeii:

   • Pompeii was buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE, preserving a unique snapshot of ancient Roman society.
   • The site serves as an educational backdrop, especially in Latin studies, reflecting everyday life in ancient Rome.

2. Graffiti as Historical Evidence:

   • Graffiti i

Summary of Global Economic Engagement and Trade Negotiations

Historical Context

• India’s trade policy has transitioned from a protectionist stance post-Independence, marked by barter trade, to seeking purposeful participation in global trade.
• Early trade was heavily facilitated by state entities like the State Trading Corporation within a restrictive regime.
• India’s involvement in g

Myanmar Political Situation Post-Elections (February 2026)

1. Election Outcome & Military Involvement:
   • The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), backed by the military, won the recent elections, securing 739 out of 1,025 national and provincial seats.
   • The elections were criticized as a managed transition following a military coup on February 1, 2021, led by

Economic Indicators and Updates:

1. New Inflation Series:

   • Released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), using 2024 as the base year.
   • Incorporates data from the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey.
   • Updates reflect significant changes in household expenditure patterns since the previous base year of 2012.

2. Changes in Consumption Basket:

   • Food and b

Summary of IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026

Key Provisions:

• AI-Generated Imagery Disclosure:
  • Platforms must prominently label AI-generated imagery.
  • No specific size required for the disclosure.
  • Does not apply to AI imagery that does not seek to imitate real content.

Rationale:

• Emergence of AI-generated content i

• Historical Significance: February 13, 2026, marks the 133rd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Hyderabad in 1893 where he delivered a pivotal speech at Mahboob College before going to the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

• Key Message: In his speech titled ‘My Mission to the West,’ Vivekananda emphasized:

  • Self-confidence and unity among religions.
  • The importa

Summary of Key Points on U.S. Climate Policy Changes

1. Repeal of Endangerment Finding:

• President Donald Trump's administration announced the repeal of the endangerment finding on February 12, 2026.
• This finding declared that greenhouse gas emissions pose a danger to human health, and its repeal removes the legal foundation for federal climate regulations.

**2. Repeal of Regula

Summary of Key Points on CPI and Inflation Updates in India

Inflation Overview

• Consumer Price Index (CPI): A crucial macroeconomic indicator reflecting the prices of goods and services consumed by households, directly influencing inflation perceptions.

CPI Updates and Methodology Revisions

• Base Year Revision: CPI is being revised from the base year 2012 to 2024.
• **Hou

Government Schemes and Policies

1. Union Budget 2026 Initiatives:
   • Allocation for establishing two new telescopes to enhance astronomy studies in India.
   • Upgrade of the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT).

Astronomy Projects

2. National Large Solar Telescope (NLST):
   • Location: Merak region, near Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh.
   • Specifications: 2-meter aperture, o

Highlights from Recent Judgments of the Madras High Court on Religious Disputes

Judicial Role in Religious Matters

• Constitutional Role: The High Court's decisions underscore the judiciary’s constitutional mandate to resolve religious disputes, indicating that temples are not private entities beyond state intervention.
• Legal Precedent: Historically, civil courts addressed temp

Summary of Key Facts and Data on Lion-Tailed Macaque Conservation

Species Overview:

• The lion-tailed macaque is one of India's most endangered primates, primarily found in the fragmented rainforests of the Western Ghats, particularly the Anamalai Hills.

Study Conducted:

• Longitudinal research spanning 40 years involving three institutions, including the CSIR–Centre for Cellular and

Summary of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Insights

Key Insights:

• Evolutionary Context of AMR: AMR is not merely a failure of antibiotic stewardship but a predictable outcome of antibiotic use, governed by natural selection.
• Microbial Adaptation: Antibiotics create selective pressure, leading to the survival and proliferation of resistant bacteria.
• Evolving Dynamics: Bac

Summary Notes on the Supreme Court Hearing on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls

Key Facts:

• Date of Significance: February 9, 2026
• Location: Supreme Court of India
• Key Figure: Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee
• Main Issue: Hearing on the conduct of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across multiple states.

Legal

Summary of Key Points:

Climate Change and Ecological Discoloration

• Over the past 20 years, more than half of the world's oceans have become greener due to climate change, while forests are prematurely turning brown.
• Flora and fauna are adapting by changing colors influenced by rising temperatures, habitat loss, and pollution.

Scientific Findings and Research

• **Biodiversity an

• Visit of French President: Emmanuel Macron is set to visit India from February 17-19, 2026.

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):

  • Meeting scheduled to discuss procurement of Rafale fighter jets.
  • Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
  • Expected to grant Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), the initial step in the defence procurement process.

• Procurement Details:

  • Prop

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