UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Astronomy Discoveries and Theories on Galaxy Formation

Recent Discoveries:

1. Discovery of Ancient Galaxies:
   • Zhúlóng (“A Torch Dragon”): A massive galaxy found when the universe was approximately 1 billion years old. It shares similarities in size and spiral arm structure with the Milky Way.
   • Big Wheel: Another ancient galaxy, identified when the universe was under 2

Key Highlights on Government Initiatives for MSME Support

Government Schemes and Policies:

1. Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE):
   • Established in 2000 by the Ministry of MSME and SIDBI.
   • Provides credit guarantees for loans to micro and small enterprises without requiring collateral or third-party guarantees.
   • Recently, the guarantee lim

Census 2027: Key Facts and Implications

1. Constitutional Context:

   • 84th Amendment: Mandates that the first census after 2026 is crucial for political representation and resource allocation.
   • The Census has been an integral part of India’s constitutional framework since independence and reflects demographic realities.

2. Historical Background:

   • India has conducted a C

World Soil Day - December 5 & Its Significance

1. Establishment & Theme:

   • World Soil Day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
   • The 2025 theme is "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities," aimed at emphasizing the importance of urban soil in combating contemporary urban challenges.

2. Global Urbanization Context:

   • Over 56% of th

Census 2027 Overview

• History & Background:

  • India has conducted its Census every decade for 143 years.
  • Last Census was in 2011; next is delayed to 2027 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A gap of 16-17 years without updated data will occur by 2027, the longest since Independence.

• Constitutional References:

  • 84th Constitutional Amendment: Mandates a Census after 2026

Exam-Focused Notes on India's Current Geopolitical and Security Issues

Geopolitical Context

• India currently faces significant instability in the South Asian region, marked by turmoil in neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
• Concerns regarding a more hostile Pakistan and an increasingly unfriendly Bangladesh have heightened tensions, especially with Bangladesh

India’s Strategic and Security Challenges: An Overview

I. Context and Regional Turmoil

• India is perceived as increasingly isolated in global affairs, particularly regarding regional peace in West Asia and Europe.
• South Asia is facing significant instability, with neighboring nations like Afghanistan and Nepal in turmoil.
• Relationship strains with neighboring countries, particularly

Key Highlights from India-Russia Annual Summit

Diplomatic Engagements

• Visit Details: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a state visit, marking his first since the beginning of the Ukraine war. His visit includes a series of high-level engagements.
• Welcome by PM Modi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally greeted President Putin upon landfall at **

Judiciary Vacancies and Case Pendency in India

1. Judicial Vacancies:
   • Total vacant posts of judges in district courts: 4,855.
   • Total vacancies in various High Courts: 297.
   • Uttar Pradesh has the highest vacancies with 1,055 positions unfilled in the lower judiciary, followed by 535 in Gujarat and 384 in Madhya Pradesh.
   • In the Allahabad High Court, the

Summary of Judicial Vacancies and Case Pendency in India

1. Judicial Vacancies:
   • Total vacant posts of judges in district courts across India: 4,855.
   • Vacancies in various High Courts: 297.
   • Maximum vacancies in district and subordinate courts:
     • Uttar Pradesh: 1,055 vacancies
     • Gujarat: 535 vacancies
     • Madhya Pradesh: 384 vacancies
   • All

India-Russia Relations: Key Updates and Facts

Bilateral Engagement

• Strategic Importance: The visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India underscores the 80-year partnership between the two nations, which has persisted despite global geopolitical tensions.
• Meetings: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a private dinner for Putin, and their diplomatic interactions are ant

India-Russia Annual Summit Highlights

Diplomatic Engagement:

• Leaders: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at Air Force Station Palam on December 4, 2025.
• Significance: This is Putin's first state visit to India since the Ukraine war began, amidst renewed peace efforts involving the U.S.

Key Events Scheduled:

• Ceremonial Reception: D

Exam-Focused Notes on Air Quality and Children's Health

Constitutional & International Framework:

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
  • Effective since 1989; India is a signatory alongside 195 UN member states.
  • Emphasizes children's right to health and well-being.

Current Air Quality Situation:

• Delhi-NCR exhibits alarming levels

Astronomical Milestone: 10 Years of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)

Background & Development:

• The Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) is a primary payload aboard Astrosat, India’s first dedicated space observatory.
• Launched by ISRO on September 28, 2015, it marks the culmination of significant technological advances in astronomical observations.

Operational Highlights:

Summary of the Bear Sightings in Srinagar City

Background Information:

• Species Involved: Black bears
• Location: Srinagar city, particularly around educational institutes like the National Institute of Technology (NIT) and Kashmir University.

Observations:

• Wild black bears have been frequently spotted in urban areas for about a week.
• Notable incidents:
  • A bear was s

Summary Notes on the Operation of Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on Astrosat

Key Achievements:

1. Historic Milestone: The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) celebrated 10 years of successful operations of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on the Astrosat, launched by ISRO on September 28, 2015.
2. Astrosat Specifications: Astrosat is India's first dedicated space

Key Notes on Cyclone Ditwah Impact and Infrastructure Challenges in Chennai

1. Natural Disaster Overview:
   • Cyclone Ditwah affected Sri Lanka in November, leading to a national disaster with widespread flooding.
   • Approximately 1.4 million people were affected; at least 474 fatalities reported.
   • After impacting Sri Lanka, the cyclone re-entered the Bay of Bengal, causing

Digital Courts Project under National E-Governance Plan

Overview:

• Funding and Objective:
  • The third phase of the e-Courts Mission Mode Project is being implemented with a budget of ₹7210 crore under the National E-Governance Plan.
  • Aim: To enhance judicial productivity in terms of quality and quantity by leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Key Fe

Exam-Focused Summary on E-Courts Project and ICT in Indian Judiciary

1. Project Overview

• Name: E-Court Mission Mode Project (Phase III)
• Budget Allocation: ₹7210 crores earmarked under the National E-Governance Plan.
• Objective: Enhance the judicial system's productivity through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabling a more accessible, afford

Summary of Key Points on Malaria Control using Gambusia Affinis Halbrooki

• Species Identification:

  • Gambusia Affinis Halbrooki: A three-inch long fish identified as an efficient predator of Anopheles stephensi larvae, the primary vector for malaria transmission in urban areas.

• Research and Study:

  • Conducted over two years in Hyderabad, spearheaded by Dr. N. L. Sitaraman (

Exam-Ready Summary of Prime Minister's Micro Food Processing Enterprises Formalization Scheme (PM-FME)

1. Scheme Overview

• Name: Prime Minister's Micro Food Processing Enterprises Formalization Scheme (PM-FME)
• Objective: To provide financial, technical, and business support to initiate or upgrade micro food processing enterprises, enhancing their competitiveness in the informa

Summary of ISRO’s Upcoming Missions and Gaganyaan Program

1. ISRO's Planned Missions by March 2026: The Department has outlined seven key missions aimed at enhancing India’s position in the global space market.

   | Sl. No. | Mission | Objective | |------

Exam-Focused Notes on India's Election Commissioner Address in Sweden

Key Facts & Context

• Position: Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India, began his term as Chairman of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for 2026.
• Event: Roundtable discussion on 'Within India's Democracy' held at the Swedish Institute of Inter

Summary of International IDEA Council Meeting in Stockholm

Event Overview:

• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Gyanesh Kumar, commenced his term as the President of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden.
• The theme of the roundtable discussion was "Within India's Democracy," with former Swe