UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

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

Sabarimala Temple Gold Controversy: Key Facts and Developments

1. Background and Discovery of Irregularities:
   • The Kerala High Court ordered a probe into alleged malpractices regarding gold and valuables of the Sabarimala Temple, managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
   • Irregularities became apparent after a major gold-repair initiative in 1999, sponsored by the then-chair

Exam-focused Notes on National Biodiversity Authority Initiative

1. Overview of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• The NBA is responsible for the implementation of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• It facilitates the equitable distribution of benefits derived from biological resources to the local communit

• State Visit: Chinese President Xi Jinping hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung starting January 4, 2026. This visit is the second meeting in two months, indicating China's interest in strengthening bilateral ties.

• Context: Current relations between China and Japan are strained, especially after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a potential military re

Ayushman Bharat Scheme Overview:

Components and Objectives:

1. Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (AAM):
   • Establishment of 150,000 Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) aimed at providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC).
   • Includes urban and rural upgrades of Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
   • Focus on preventative, promotive, curative, rehabi

Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India

Overview:

• The Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India aims to revive the cheetah population, which became extinct in India nearly 70 years ago.

Current Population:

• Total cheetah count in India: 30 (as of December 2025).
  • Includes 19 cubs born on Indian soil.
• Recent births: 12 cubs in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP), of which

Climate Change and Global Agreements

• Paris Agreement (2015):
  • International treaty aimed at combating climate change.
  • Developed nations committed to mobilizing $100 billion annually for climate action in developing countries.
• COP 30 (2025, Brazil):
  • Developed countries pledged to triple adaptation finance by 2035.
  • Establishment of a fund to assist the Global So

Weather and Climate Data in Delhi

1. Temperature Records:
   • Coldest December day in six years recorded in Delhi with a maximum temperature of 14.2 degrees Celsius on December 31, 2025.
   • This temperature is 6.2 degrees below the normal maximum for the date.
   • Minimum temperature recorded at 6.4 degrees Celsius.
   • Previous record of lowest maximum temperature was **

Summary of the Deliveries Workers' Strikes and Regulatory Context

Key Events:

• Strikes on Christmas and New Year’s Eve: Delivery workers from companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto engaged in strikes to advocate against unsafe 10-minute delivery models and demand fair wages and rights.
• Participation: Over 40,000 delivery workers participated in the Christmas str

Key Highlights on Draft Rules under Labour Codes

Constitutional & Legislative Framework

• The government is seeking public comments on draft rules concerning the following four labour codes:

  1. Code on Wages
  2. Code on Social Security
  3. Industrial Relations Code
  4. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code.

• The codes were notified by the go

Election Commission of India (ECI) - Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Overview

1. Context:

   • The ECI is undergoing a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories (UTs).

2. Issues in Electoral Roll Revision:

   • West Bengal:
     • Elderly residents are required to attend eligibility hearings at remote locations despite submitting

Exam-Focused Notes: Generative AI and the Future of Tech Careers

1. Changing Skill Demand (2025-2030)

• The World Economic Forum’s report titled "New Economy Skills: Building AI, Data and Digital Capabilities for Growth" indicates a radical shift in the global skill set.
• Skills like programming, mathematics, and teaching are becoming less important, while **AI & Big Da

Key Facts and Data

1. U.S. Tariff Announcement:

   • Effective from October 1, 2025, the U.S. imposed a 100% tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports.
   • This move is intended to boost domestic manufacturing.

2. Impact on Indian Pharmaceutical Industry:

   • India's pharmaceutical exports to the U.S. reached nearly $9 billion in fiscal 2025 (14.29% increase year-on-ye

India’s Evolving Space Program: Key Highlights

Constitutional and National Goals

• Amrit Kaal: Refers to the period of 25 years leading to the centenary of India's independence in 2047, emphasizing national progress and self-reliance.

Major Recent Milestones

1. Chandrayaan-3 (August 23, 2023):
   • India became the first nation to achieve a soft landing near the lunar sout

Exam-Focused Notes on Global Landscape and India's Strategic Positioning in 2025-2026

Geopolitical Landscape

• Global Context: In 2026, the world is characterized by competing national interests, geopolitical turbulence, economic uncertainty driven by AI and tariffs, and climate change urgency.
• India's Position: India adopts a "multi-alignment" strategy, aiming to assert its ro

Economic Cooperation and Trade Between India and Australia

1. Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA):

   • ECTA came into force three years ago; as of January 1, 2026, all Indian goods can enter Australia with no tariffs.
   • Australia has eliminated every last tariff on Indian exports, enhancing access to a nearly $2-trillion economy.

2. Trade Statistics:

Summary of Key Points from the News Article:

Labour Codes and Employment Regulations:

• The Union Labour Ministry has pre-published draft Rules for four Labour Codes aimed at regulating worker definitions, wages, employment types, gratuity, bonuses, and social security.
• Workers are mandated to have a maximum of 48 hours of work per week.
• Specific measures are outlined for workplaces e

Summary of OSIRIS-REx Mission and Findings on Asteroid Bennu

Overview of Mission

• The OSIRIS-REx mission, launched by NASA, collected samples from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 and returned them to Earth in September 2023.
• The mission aimed to explore the formation of the early solar system and the origins of life on Earth.

Key Findings from Bennu Samples

1. **Molec

Summary of the UAE's Withdrawal from Yemen

Key Developments:

• UAE Military Withdrawal: The UAE announced the withdrawal of its remaining military forces from Yemen after Saudi-led coalition airstrikes targeted the port city of Mukalla.

• Escalating Tensions: The airstrike, conducted by Saudi Arabia, escalated tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This situation has led t

Aravalli Hills Mining Controversy: Exam Notes

Key Definitions and Changes

• New Definition of Aravallis: Proposed by the Centre on October 13 and accepted by the Supreme Court on November 20, this definition excludes approximately 90% of the Aravalli range from environmental protections.
• Elevation Criteria: Landforms at an elevation of 100 meters or more above local relief are

Summary of Key Facts and Information:

1. Environmental Concerns: Aravalli Ranges
   • The Aravalli mountain system is recognized as a vital ecological system; its degradation through mining can lead to severe ecological fallout.
   • There are concerns that mining permissions, once granted, are difficult to reverse, indicating a significant threat to the ecosystem.
   • The concept of ‘su

Key Facts and Events Concerning Khaleda Zia and Bangladeshi Politics

1. Significance of Khaleda Zia's Death:

   • Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, passed away, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape as the nation prepares for its first elections since 2008 without both her and her rival Sheikh Hasina participating.

2. *Political Context

Delhi Government Initiatives on Air Quality and Road Construction

1. Road Construction Initiative:
   • The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, plans to construct approximately 400 kilometers of roads to combat dust pollution.
   • The construction will begin once the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is lifted. GRAP serves as a short-term emergency measure that