UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Design Linked Incentive Scheme (DLI) Overview

• Objective: Boost India's semiconductor design ecosystem via the DLI scheme under the Semicon India program, initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Key Features

• Contributions:
  • Semiconductor design drives 50% value addition, reduces bill of materials costs by 20-50%, and contributes 30-35% to

Indian Railways Infrastructure and Developments (2025)

1. Major Projects

• Kashmir Rail Link: Inaugurated on June 6, 2025, completing the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link at Rs 43,780 crore, culminating a project over a century in the making.
  • Notable structures: T-50 tunnel (12.77 km, longest operational transportation tunnel), Chenab Bridge (359 metres, highest

Summary of Key Facts and Data:

Exhibition Inauguration

• Event: "The Light and The Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One" exhibition
• Location: New Delhi, Rai Pithora Cultural Complex
• Inauguration by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Historical Context of the Relics

• Relics Background: Sacred Buddhist relics (Piprahwa Gems) taken by Englishman William Claxton Peppé in 1

• Event Details: Inauguration of the "Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics" related to Gautam Buddha, titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”. Held at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, the exposition marks the return of India’s sacred heritage after 125 years.

• Significance of Relics: The Piprahwa relics, discovered in 1898, are crucial to the archaeolo

Key Facts and Notes on the Airy Transit Circle (ATC)

1. Historical Significance:
   • The ATC, designed by English astronomer George Biddell Airy, was monumental in defining the prime meridian at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
   • Recognized as one of the most important telescopes historically, its usage was critical in establishing an accurate system for timing celestial events.

Summary of Events: US Military Strikes on Venezuela

International Reactions:

• Russia: Condemned the strikes as an act of "armed aggression" and called for dialogue, emphasizing the need for Latin America to remain a "zone of peace."
• European Union: Urged for restraint and adherence to international law; criticized Maduro’s legitimacy but advocated for a peaceful transition.

Summary of Key Points from COP30 on Climate Change and Waste Management

International Conference and Commitments:

• Event: 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• Location: Belem, Brazil, November 2025.
• Global Initiative: Launch of No Organic Waste, NOW aimed at reducing methane emissions.

**Concept of Cir

Summary of the Development of Thorium-Based Nuclear Energy in India

1. Partnership and Licensing:
   • Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) has received an export license from the US Department of Energy, enabling it to sell nuclear technology to India — only the second such American company to do so in nearly two decades.
   • CCTE is set to partner with NTPC Ltd, India's large

Summary Notes on Global Climate Change and the Paris Agreement

Background on Treaties:

• Kyoto Protocol (1997): Focused on binding commitments for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Paris Agreement (2015): Aimed at uniting countries to avoid global temperature rise above 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. It allows countries to

Summary of Research Findings on Urban Vegetation and Temperature Regulation

Key Findings:

1. Temperature Regulation Capability:
   • The study defined a measure called temperature regulation capability, calculated as the temperature difference between vegetated areas (trees, grasslands, croplands) and built-up surfaces (concrete, asphalt).
   • A negative value indicates cooling from

Legal Landscape Overview (2025-2026)

Judicial Accountability Issues:

• Judges Conduct:
  • Allegations against Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma regarding cash found at his residence.
  • Impeachment motion against Justice Shekhar Yadav over a controversial speech failed.
  • Two former Chief Justices of India (CJIs) faced scrutiny for defending their judgments publicly post-reti

Biodiversity Discoveries and Conservation Updates

1. New Species Unveiling (2025):
   • Salwasiren Qatarensis:
     • A prehistoric sea cow discovered in Al Maszhabiya, Qatar, dating back 21 million years.
     • Functioned as an "ecosystem engineer," helping in carbon sequestration by grazing on seafloor vegetation, thus cycling nutrients and preventing stagnation similar to dugon

• Tiger Estimation Initiative: The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 will commence on January 5, with assessments continuing in seven-day cycles until late February.

• Organizing Bodies: This exercise is organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India, marking the world's largest wildlife monitoring effort, which occurs every four yea

Key Facts and Data:

1. All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026:

   • Start Date: January 5, 2026
   • Duration: Conducted in seven-day cycles until the end of February 2026
   • Conducted by: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

2. Objective of AITE:

   • To assess tiger populations, co-predators (leopards, wild dogs, hyenas),

Exam-Focused Summary on Anushka Munda’s Achievements:

1. Individual Profile:

   • Name: Anushka Kumari/Munda
   • Age: 15 years
   • Origin: Rukka Munda Toli, Jharkhand, India
   • Tribal Affiliation: Munda tribe (Adivasi)

2. Awards and Recognitions:

   • Received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from President Droupadi Murmu on December 26, notable for being an honor gi

Key Notes on Homelessness in Bengaluru

Weather and Health Impact

• Temperature Records: Bengaluru experienced temperatures as low as 13°C in December.
• Mortality Rates: Over 15 homeless individuals have died in the last 40 days, leading to Unnatural Death Reports (UDRs). Affected areas include Malleshwaram and City Market.
• Health Analysis: Experts suggest that cold tempera

Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) in India: Overview and Policy Framework

Context and Importance:

• India is heavily reliant on agriculture, with 51% of net sown area being rainfed and contributing nearly 40% of the country’s food supply.
• Climate change poses severe risks, with projections suggesting potential reductions in staple crop yields, including a 3-22% fall in rice yields by

Air Quality Improvement in Delhi (2025)

1. Air Quality Data:

   • PM2.5 levels declined from 104 µg/m³ in 2024 to 96 µg/m³ in 2025.
   • PM10 levels decreased from 212 µg/m³ to 197 µg/m³ during the same period.
   • Delhi recorded approximately 200 days in 2025 with Air Quality Index (AQI) below 200, representing a 15% improvement compared to the previous four years.

2. **Temperature Sta

Key Highlights on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Overview:

• Implementation Date: January 1, 2023
• Objective: Imposes a tax on carbon-intensive goods from countries with lower environmental regulations entering the EU.
• Primary Sectors Affected: Power sector; energy-intensive industries such as cement, steel, aluminium, oil refineries, paper, glass, chem

Exam-Focused Notes on Temples and Nathamunigal

Historical Significance

• Ulagalantha Cholagam: Historical site located near Gangaikonda Cholapuram, housing two significant temples.
• Thiruvarasu: Memorial of Nathamunigal, prominent in the Vaishnavite tradition, who recovered the Nalayira Divya Prabandham (4,000 hymns).
• Nathamunigal: Lived from 823 to 916 AD, actively in

Exam-Focused Summary of Key Points:

1. Political Context:

   • India showcases surface stability amid global political turbulence, albeit leaning towards authoritarianism under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
   • The primary contest facing India is the tension between narratives of fantasy versus the reality of the political landscape.

2. Economic Data:

   • India’s economy displa

Science and Technology Achievements (2025)

1. Deep Ocean Mission and Gaganyaan Program:

   • India is preparing for dual successes in deep ocean exploration and human spaceflight, with a manned submarine mission planned to reach depths of 6,000 meters by 2027.

2. Ministry Highlights:

   • Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the role of science, technology, and innovation in India’s develop

Summary of Key Points on Israel's Recognition of Somaliland and its Implications

International Relations & Geopolitical Context

• Israel's Recognition of Somaliland: This marks a departure from the "rules-based international order" (RBIO), which underwent significant breakdowns globally. Somaliland occupies a strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea, enhancing Israel's maritime

Archaeological Insights on Ancient Weaponry

• Research Context: Recent studies led by Keiko Kitagawa from the University of Tübingen challenge the traditional, linear narrative of the evolution of hunting weapons among early humans.
• Key Findings:
  • Early Homo sapiens in Europe might have experimented with various weapon systems, including bow-and-arrow technology, far earlier th