UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Weather Forecast - February 2026 Overview

• Temperature Trend: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures across most parts of India during February 2026, marking the exit of winter.

• Temperature Specifics:

  • Expected above-normal nighttime temperatures due to intermittent cloud cover.
  • Cold wave conditions anticipated to

Economic Survey 2025-26 Highlights

Global and Indian Economic Outlook:

• Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran presents a nuanced economic assessment amid global fluctuations.
• Assigns a 10%-20% probability for the global economy facing a crisis worse than the 2008 recession by 2026.
• Best-case scenario predicts a worsening of economic conditions compared to 2025.

**Fr

Summary of Key Points:

Constitutional References:

• Freedom of Expression: Article 19(1)(a) guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression in India.
• Reasonable Restrictions: Article 19(2) allows for reasonable restrictions on this right, but they cannot negate it completely.

Judicial Rulings:

• Supreme Court Judgment: In the landmark case **S. Rangarajan vs

Summary of Key Points on WAMAN and Coastal Observations

1. WAMAN Overview:

   • The Wave Monitoring Along Nearshore (WAMAN) buoy network is operated by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
   • Established 18 years ago, it consists of 17 buoys along India’s coastline, providing real-time data on wave height, direction, and energy.

2. **Community Eng

Key Highlights from the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project Controversy

Constitutional and Environmental Aspects

• Legal Challenges: Petitions challenging the project are currently pending before the Calcutta High Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
• Environmental Concerns: Accusations have been made regarding the flouting of environmental laws, potentially leading to

Summary of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026

Introduction

• New Regulation: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, set to replace the SWM Rules of 2016 effective April 1, 2026.
• Aim: Addresses India's solid waste crisis, with over 620 lakh tonnes generated annually (around 1.85 lakh tonnes p

Economic Survey 2025-26: Key Highlights

AI Development Proposal

• Initiative: Introduction of an “AI-OS” initiative, positioning the government as a monetary shareholder in AI infrastructure.
• Objective: Treat AI similar to public goods like UPI and Aadhaar, focusing on sector-specific applications rather than large language models.
• Centralized Repository: Establishment of

Summary of Key Points for Exam-Focused Notes

1. Constitutional References:

   • Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty.
   • Fundamental Rights related to dignity, equality, and personal autonomy.

2. Legislative Framework:

   • Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860: Exemption for non-consensual sexual intercourse in marriage.
   • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Retains

Summary Notes on the Dismissal of Tamil Nadu Assembly in 1976

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 356: Enables the President to assume control of a state government under "President's Rule" if it is unable to function as per the Constitution.

Key Facts:

• Date of Presidential Proclamation: January 31, 1976.
• The President of India at that time was Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.

Key Highlights on Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) by DRDO

Overview of LR-AShM

• Type: Hypersonic Glide Missile
• Range: Approximately 1,500 kilometers (versions under development up to 3,500 kilometers)
• Speed: Capable of speeds starting at Mach 10 and maintaining average speeds of Mach 5.
• Deployment: Targeted at meeting Indian Navy's coastal battery

Exam-Focused Notes: Civilisational Identity and Inclusivity in India

1. Civilisational Heritage:
   • India views itself as a civilizational identity beyond the geopolitical boundaries established in 1947.
   • Key historical figures embodying this legacy:
     • Ashoka: Promoted inclusive governance.
     • Akbar: Known for the principle of Sulh-i-Kul (Universal Peace).

Summary of Key Points on Bulleh Shah and Sufi Heritage

Cultural and Historical Context

• Bulleh Shah: A 17th-century Sufi poet, born in 1680 in Kasur, present-day Pakistan. His real name was Abdullah Shah.
• Philosophy: Advocated for universal love ("ishq") transcending divisions of caste, creed, religion, and gender. Notable quote: "Masjid dha de, mandir dha de..." encapsulates t

Kolleru Lake Bird Census Summary

• Event: Two-day bird census at Kolleru Lake, one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes, aimed at documenting avian diversity and habitat conditions.
• Participants: Joint teams of Forest Department officials, environmental experts, local volunteers, and birdwatchers.
• Objective: Assess the health of the wetland ecosystem, document species diversity,

Summary of Space Innovation and Intellectual Property Law Issues

1. Technological Innovation in Space

• Inhabiting the moon or Mars necessitates ongoing technological advancements focused on water extraction, energy generation, and waste recycling.

2. Collaboration in Space

• Longer space missions require multinational teams to innovate collaboratively rather than in isol

Key Points on INSV Kaundinya and India-Oman Maritime Relations

1. Vessel Commissioning and Historical Context:

• Vessel Name: INSV Kaundinya, commissioned after an 18-day maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat.
• Significance: Revives ancient Indian shipbuilding traditions using indigenous techniques, specifically stitching planks without nails.
• Cultural Reference:

India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Insights

Overview:

• India and the European Union (EU) are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with significant focus on agriculture, which has been a contentious issue in past trade discussions.

Key Facts & Figures:

• Operational agricultural holdings in India: 146.45 million (2015-16 Census).
• Number of farmer families benefiting from

Key Facts and Data on Land Subsidence in River Deltas:

1. Research Overview:

   • A global analysis of 40 river deltas has highlighted land subsidence as a major threat, often exacerbating flooding risks in coastal areas.
   • The analysis was published in Nature on January 14.

2. Land Subsidence vs. Sea-Level Rise:

   • Land is sinking faster in many regions than the sea is rising

• Reservation Data: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) revealed in its 2024-25 annual report that over 66% of Group C safai karmacharis in the central government are from SC, ST, or OBC backgrounds.

• Reservation Criteria: The DoPT mandates the following reservations for direct recruitment across central government posts:

  • Scheduled Castes (SC): 15%
  • Scheduled Tribes (S

Summary of Key Information on Changes in the Chinese Military Leadership

1. Chinese Central Military Commission (CMC) Investigations:

• Zhang Youxia, the sole remaining Vice Chairman of the CMC, is under investigation for "suspected serious violations of discipline and law."
• Zhang has been a vital military figure, with his political ties extending to President Xi Jinping, and has

Exam-Focused Notes on India Energy Week Highlights:

Megatrends in Energy

1. Categories:

   • Rising emerging markets
   • Growth of artificial intelligence (AI)
   • Expansion of digital infrastructure
   • Transformation of energy systems with diverse energy sources

2. Significance of India:

   • Positioned as a "decisive driver" of global energy demand.
   • An

India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Summary

Background and Development:

• The India-EU FTA, initiated in 2007, has been nearly two decades in the making.
• Previous negotiations stalled in 2013 due to political changes in India and misalignment on key issues, such as tariffs on automobiles and spirits.
• The recent negotiations began in 2022 with a focus on urgency, strategic geopolitical

India-EU Trade Negotiations Summary

Key Developments:

• Negotiation Completion: India and the European Union (EU) have finalized trade negotiations, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will officially announce at the upcoming India-EU summit.
• Timeline: Initial talks began in 2007, with significant progress made in the last s

Exam-oriented Notes: Ireland-India Historical Connection and Impact of British Empire

1. Colonial Relationships:

   • The relationship between Ireland and India dates back over 400 years, beginning in the 17th century.
   • Both countries were part of the British Empire, with Ireland being one of the oldest colonies alongside India.

2. Dual Role of Ireland:

   • Ireland's history is

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

  • Signed between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
  • Purpose: Exchange of information for the recognition of central counterparties (CCPs) to resolve disputes over the supervision of domestic CCPs in India, including the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL).

• Significance:

  • Facilitate