UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Exam-Focused Summary of the Article on MGNREGA and VB-M RAM G Bill 2025

Background:

• NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) was enacted in India 20 years ago, aiming to provide employment and act as a crisis relief mechanism through public works.
• The Act garnered unanimous support in Parliament and originally generated over **200 crore person-days of employment annual

Exam-Focused Notes on the Closure of the Manali Incinerator Plant

Key Facts:

• Location: Manali Zone II, North Chennai
• Incinerator Plant: 10-tonne capacity, established in 2019
• Investment: Approximately ₹70 lakhs funded through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme.

Government Action:

• Decision by: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Council approved the

Cyclone Ditwah and Its Impact on Sri Lanka - Summary Notes

Disaster Overview:

• Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka in late November, causing torrential rains, floods, and landslides.
• Kandy district recorded the highest death toll, with 237 fatalities among the total 643 across the island.
• At least 73 individuals reported missing in Kandy.
• Approximately 1,200 landslides triggered nation

Summary of Key Points on Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms and Delhi's Pollution Control Measures

1. Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms:
   • India's standards regulating pollution from motor vehicles, establishing limits on exhaust emissions of CO, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
   • Each successive BS standard introduces stricter emission limits, pushing manufactur

India-Oman Free Trade Agreement Overview

Agreement Details:

• Type: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
• Date signed: Recent agreement in Muscat, Oman.
• Parties involved: India and Oman (Gulf Cooperation Council member).
• Significance: Second FTA with a GCC country after the UAE, aimed at enhancing trade and investment amidst challenges in the US market

Summary of Key Issues and Proposals for Kerala

Economic Indicators

• Mounting Debt: Kerala's debt has surged to unsustainable levels, leading to more expenditure on debt servicing than on development projects.
• Revenue Sources: Heavy reliance on remittances, liquor taxes, and lotteries signifies a lack of sound fiscal planning.
• Unemployment: High youth unemployment is prom

Summary of Key Points on Disability Rights and Challenges

Statistics and Facts

• There are nearly 108 million children with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
• Barriers to civil registration (including birth certificates) impact children's access to healthcare, education, and social protection.

Constitutional and Legal Context

• Birth registration is a fundamental human

Summary Notes on Delhi's Vehicle Emission Norms and Regulations

Constitutional and Legal Framework

• Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms: India's standards for regulating pollution from motor vehicles, modeled on European emission standards.
• The enforcement is aligned with environmental protection efforts under Article 48A of the Indian Constitution, which directs the State to protect

International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas 11th Edition Key Projections and Insights

Statistics and Projections:

• Current Estimates (2024):

  • Approximately 500 million individuals with diabetes.
  • Representing 11.11% of the global population (over 580 million adults).

• Future Projections (2050):

  • Expected to rise to nearly 900 million, affecting *12.96%

Indian Navy's Induction of MH 60R Helicopters

Overview:

• The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH 60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335, at INS Hansa, Goa.
• Nicknamed 'Ospreys,' these helicopters enhance India’s anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities.

Key Details:

• First Squad & Integration: The first MH 60R squadron (INAS 334) was commissioned in March 2024 at INS Garuda

Summary of Scientific Findings on Early Homo Erectus

Fossil Discovery and Reconstruction

• Fossil Name: DAN5
• Location: Found near Gona, Afar region, Ethiopia.
• Age: Approximately 1.5 to 1.6 million years old.
• Significance: Considered the most complete fossil human skull from this era in the Horn of Africa.
• Research Team Lead: Dr. Karen Baab, Midwestern Universi

Energy Consumption and Human Development: Key Insights and Legislative Developments

1. Human Development Index (HDI) and Energy Consumption:

• HDI Measurement: Combines three indicators: per capita income, education, and health.
• Correlation: Higher energy consumption correlates with improved HDI.
• Target HDI: To achieve an HDI of 0.9, India requires a projected en

Exam-Focused Notes on the Proposed VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025

Overview:

• The central government proposed the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
• The new Bill intends to align with the "Viksit Bharat @2047" vision by providing 125 days of wage employment to rural households but lacks fundamental work guarantees.

Key Pro

Key Notes on Governor's Role and Supreme Court Advisory on Legislative Bills

Constitutional References:

• Article 200: Outlines options for Governors regarding assent to bills:
  • Assent the bill
  • Reserve the bill for Presidential consideration
  • Withhold assent and return the bill to the legislature with comments.
• Article 143: Allows the President to seek advisory opinio

Summary of U.S. Third-Country National Deportation Policy

Key Policies and Constitutional References:

1. Third-Country Deportation: Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can deport non-citizens to countries with which they have no ties.

2. Constitutional Challenges: Human rights organizations cite violations of due process, a

Summary of Animal Attacks in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh

Incident Overview:

• A four-year-old boy, Star, was killed by a wolf in Mallahan Purwa village, Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, marking one of several fatal wolf attacks.
• Star was the 11th victim in a series of attacks since September 9, 2025, with the incidences including nine children aged 2 to 4 years and two elderly individuals

Summary of Key Points on Dark Matter Detection

Background on Dark Matter

• Historical Context: First hypothesized in the 1930s by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky based on observations of galaxy clusters.
• Composition:
  • Ordinary matter: 5% (baryonic matter: protons, neutrons, electrons).
  • Dark matter: 27%.
  • Dark energy: 68%.
• Hypothesis: One potential candidate f

Employment and Unemployment Data in India (November Report)

Unemployment Rate:

• India's unemployment rate reached 4.7% in November.
• The rate decreased from 5.2% in October.
• This is the lowest unemployment rate recorded since the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) began monthly reports in April.

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):

• The overal

Summary Notes on Indian Navy's Induction of MH-60R Helicopter Squadron

Induction Details:

• Date of Commissioning: Recent commissioning of the second squadron of MH-60R helicopters, nicknamed INAS 335 'Ospreys' at INS Hansa, Goa.
• Significance: Strengthens India's anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities, enhancing blue-water operations.

Helicopter Specificatio

Summary of Satellite Collision Risks and Solar Storm Implications

Key Concepts

• Kessler Syndrome: A theoretical scenario where collisions in space trigger a cascade of debris collisions, threatening the usability of orbital regions. The concept was first articulated in 1978.

Recent Findings

• A study published on December 10 (year not specified, but contextually noted as r

Election Commission of India: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Overview

1. Electoral Roll Draft Publication:

   • Date: December 16, 2025
   • States/UTs: West Bengal, Rajasthan, Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep.
   • Purpose: Ongoing SIR 2.0 to update voter lists ahead of upcoming elections.

2. Voter Statistics:

   • West Bengal:
     • Total: 7.6 crore voters
     • Included in d

Legislative Update: SHANTI Bill, 2025

Overview

• The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
• Aims to replace the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
• Targets to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

**Key Provisi

Exam-Focused Notes on India's GDP Data Series Revision

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Initiatives:

• Revised GDP Estimation: MoSPI plans to revise the GDP data series by eliminating the 'discrepancies' component, which has historically clouded economic analysis.
• New Base Year: The new series of GDP estimates will adopt the base year 2022-23, with a p

Key Highlights:

Honorary Recognition:

• Param Vir Chakra Display:
  • Location: Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • Details: Display of portraits of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, India's highest military honor for acts of valor, courage, and self-sacrifice, replacing the portraits of 96 British Aide-de-Camps (ADCs).
  • Inauguration: By President Droupadi Murmu on 'Vijay Diwas'.