UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Key Highlights from Australian Wildfire Disaster Response

Context:

• Date of Incident: December 7, 2025
• Location: New South Wales, Australia (most populous state)
• Population Impacted: Over 350,000 in central coast region near Sydney

Wildfire Statistics:

• Active Fires: More than 60 wildfires reported.
• Homes Destroyed: At least 12 homes within the impacted

Delhi High Court Ruling on Drug Patent Case

Judicial Ruling:

• The Delhi High Court refused an interim injunction from Novo Nordisk against Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), allowing DRL to continue the production and export of its semaglutide drug. This indicates judicial support for generics in the pharmaceutical industry.

Key Points of the Case:

• Background: Novo Nordisk claimed

Air Quality Crisis in Delhi: Key Facts & Insights

Pollution Issues

• Air Quality Deterioration: Each year, post-Diwali, PM2.5 levels spike due to various factors including firecrackers and stubble burning.
• Health Impact: Significant increases in respiratory distress and hospital admissions for children immediately following the festival.

Behavioral Dynamics

• **Tragedy

Summary of Findings from MSSRF Study on Heat Vulnerability in Women

Key Findings:

1. Study Background: Conducted by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in Chennai, the research highlights the gender-specific repercussions of extreme heat on women's health and well-being across seven Indian states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

Examination-Focused Notes on India-US Quad Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Key Meetings and Participants

• Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group Meeting: In New Delhi, officials from India, the US, Japan, and Australia convened to enhance cooperation on counter-terrorism.
• Specific Roles:
  • Vinod Bahade: Joint Secretary (Counter-Terrorism), Ministry of External Affairs, India.

Clean Energy Expansion in India

1. Non-Fossil Capacity Addition:

   • India has achieved its highest-ever addition of non-fossil energy capacity, totaling 31.25 GW for the current financial year.
   • This includes 24.28 GW achieved through solar energy.

2. Global Solar Contribution:

   • India is the third-largest contributor to global solar energy additions, having supp

Exam-Focused Notes on India-Russia Relations Post-Putin Visit

Diplomatic Protocol and Reception

• Russian President Vladimir Putin received a formal welcoming from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi—including a red carpet reception and a private dinner.
• A banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu marked the end of the visit.

Key Statements

• PM Modi described India-Russia relation

Scientific Breakthrough in Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring

Key Facts & Innovations:

• Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a non-invasive glucose-monitoring device that utilizes light waves, eliminating the need for blood samples.
• The technology is based on Raman spectroscopy, first explored for glucose monitoring over 15 years ago.
• The newly r

Summary of Key Points

1. Constitutional References

• Right to Privacy: Recognized as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017).
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Aims to safeguard citizen data, but has significant exemptions for government use, undermining individual privacy.

2. Government Policy and Scheme

Summary of DRDO's Successful Rocket-Sled Test for Fighter Aircraft Escape System

Testing Overview

• Organization: Conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the Ministry of Defence.
• Location: Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Cha

Summary of Agricultural Crisis in Gujarat

1. Context and Issues:

• Farmer Suicides: In Gujarat, recent events led to the suicide of a farmer, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by farmers. Six farmers reportedly committed suicide following significant crop losses due to non-seasonal rains and falling cotton prices, largely affecting the Saurashtra region, known for cotton,

Summary of Key Points from the U.S.-Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal

International Agreement and Context

• Event Date: December 4, 2025.
• Leaders Involved: President Donald Trump (U.S.), President Félix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of Congo), and President Paul Kagame (Rwanda).
• Purpose: To finalize a peace pact aimed at ending ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo and access to the

Climate Change Performance Index 2025

Key Findings:

• India dropped 13 places to 23rd in the Climate Change Performance Index at COP30 in Brazil.
• Primary factor for decline: Lack of progress in phasing out coal.

Renewable Energy Context:

• While India doubled its clean energy capacity between 2021-2025, coal still constitutes over 50% of total energy use.
• In 2024,

Rediscovery of Sonnerat's Shrew (Diplomesodon sonnerati)

• Species Overview:

  • Common Name: Sonnerat's shrew
  • Scientific Name: Diplomesodon sonnerati
  • Initial Description: Identified in 1813 near Puducherry by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat.

• Photographic Record:

  • Date of Discovery: October 1, 2022
  • Location: Near Ooty Lake, Udhagamandalam, Nilgi

Wildlife Trafficking Operation: Key Facts and Updates

1. Arrest of Key Suspect:

   • Yangchen Lachungpa arrested in Lachung, North Sikkim on December 2, 2022.
   • Described as the linchpin of a major transnational wildlife trafficking network.
   • Arrest followed a Red Notice from Interpol, requested by India.

2. Joint Operations and Collaborations:

   • Collaboration involved Madh

Summary of Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan

1. Recent Incident:

   • On December 5, 2025, Pakistani and Afghan forces exchanged fire at their border.
   • No casualties or damage reported, but both sides blamed each other for initiating the clash.

2. Ceasefire Background:

   • A fragile ceasefire had been in place for two months, brokered by Qatar in October.
   • Past nego

Exam-Focused Notes on AI in Healthcare

1. Government Initiatives and Designation:

   • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has designated AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and AIIMS Rishikesh as Centers of Excellence (CoE) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

2. AI Innovations:

   • Launch of multiple AI-driven solutions including:
     • **Clinical Decision Su

Exam-Focused Notes on AI-based Agricultural Initiatives in India

1. AI-based Weather Forecasting Initiatives:

• Implemented in 13 states of India for Kharif 2025.
• Supported by Development Innovation Lab—India.
• Utilizes an open-source mixed model combining:
  • Neural GCM
  • European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
  • **Arti

Key Facts and Advancements in Cancer Treatment

Treatment Modalities:

1. Holy Trinity of Cancer Treatment:

   • Surgery: Removes solid tumors and affected lymph nodes.
   • Radiation Therapy: Destroys microscopic cancer cells post-surgery to prevent recurrence.
   • Chemotherapy: Targets circulating cancer cells in the body.

2. Multimodal Approach: Combines surgery,

Geological Transformation in Africa: Key Highlights

1. Geological Process:

   • Africa is undergoing a significant geological transformation that could separate the continent into two distinct landmasses.
   • The ongoing rifting is progressing from the northeast toward the south, potentially leading to the formation of a new ocean.

2. Timeframe of Separation:

   • The complete split

Geological Transformation of Africa

• Geological Process: Researchers indicate Africa is undergoing a geological transformation that may eventually split the continent into two separate landmasses, forming a new ocean.

• Timeline: The anticipated completion of this split is projected within 5 to 10 million years.

• Area of Separation: The geological tearing is progressing from

Summary of Cheetah Reintroduction in Madhya Pradesh

Key Events and Releases:

• Cheetah Releases: On International Cheetah Day, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released three Cheetahs at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district: female Cheetah Veera and her two 10-month-old cubs.
• Background: The release signifies progress in India's Cheetah reintroduction program i

Summary of Key Facts and Data on Cheetah Reintroduction in Madhya Pradesh

Cheetah Reintroduction Overview:

• Event: Release of Cheetahs in Kuno National Park (KNP), Madhya Pradesh, on International Cheetah Day.
• Cheetahs Released: 3 Cheetahs - female Veera and her two 10-month-old cubs.
• Location of Release: Parond forest region, Kuno National Park.

Context and Backgr

Economic Overview and Indicators

1. GDP Growth:

   • The second quarter GDP growth significantly exceeded expectations, with a real GDP growth of 8% in the first half of the fiscal year.
   • Full-year growth estimates project approximately 7.6% or higher.
   • The services sector showed notable growth, particularly in financial, real estate, and professional services.

2. **Infl