UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Economic Indicators:

• Global Ranking: India surpasses Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion.
• Future Projections: Expected to overtake Germany by 2030.
• Growth Rate: India's real GDP growth rate was 8.2% in Q2 of 2025-26, an increase from 7.8% in Q1 and 7.4% in Q4 of the previous fiscal year.

Constitutional and Electoral Updates:

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Overview

Context and Importance:

• India is strengthening its position in international trade as it emerges as a resilient economic partner amidst a changing global trade environment.
• The FTA with New Zealand, announced on December 22, 2025, follows India’s FTAs with the UK and Oman, signaling a trend toward diversifying global trade partners

Summary of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Conservation Efforts and Regulations

1. Overview

• Rise in Olive Ridley sea turtle deaths observed during nesting season; close to 100 carcasses reported as of December 29, with local accounts suggesting higher numbers.
• Aimed at addressing the issue, the Marine Elite Force, comprising 12 members and operating two boats, is actively patrolling coastal w

Summary of Key Points

Judicial Plea and Constitutional Issues

• A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court of India to establish comprehensive guidelines recognizing ‘racial slur’ as a distinct category of hate crimes, demanding a specific punishment.
• The plea stems from the murder of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, who was attacked in Uttarakh

Aravalli Hills Mining Controversy: Key Facts and Figures

Constitutional and Legal Framework:

• Supreme Court Ruling: On November 20, the Supreme Court accepted the new definition of the Aravallis, impacting protections against mining and development.
• Centre's Directive: The Centre directed states to comply with the Supreme Court ruling to prevent new mining leases until a susta

Summary of Key Developments: Taiwan-China Military Drills

Military Exercises

• Date: December 30, 2025
• Event: China's military undertook joint live-fire drills dubbed “Justice Mission 2025” around Taiwan, marking the second day of such operations.
• Scope of Drill: Included air, navy, and missile units, focusing on sea-air combat readiness and blockades on key ports.
• **Re

Exam-focused Notes on Home Guard Recruitment in Odisha:

1. Context & Recruitment Overview:
   • On December 16, an exam was conducted for Home Guard recruitment in Sambalpur district, Odisha, attracting over 8,000 candidates for 183 positions.
   • The venue was Jamadarpali Airstrip, chosen for transparency amidst ongoing investigations into prior exam irregularities.
   • Candidates had

Banking Sector Asset Quality Summary:

1. Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) Trends:
   • GNPA ratio at 2.1% (end September 2025), a decline from 2.2% (end March 2025).
   • GNPA ratio for scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) declined from 2.7% (March 2024) to 2.2% (March 2025).
   • Absolute GNPA value reduced to Rs 4.32 lakh crore (2024-25) from Rs 4.81 lakh crore (2

AI Impact Summit Overview

1. Event Scale & Participation:
   • The AI Impact Summit will be organized on a scale comparable to the G20 Summit, with around 100,000 participants expected in February 2026.
   • Participation anticipated from 15-20 heads of state, echoing the G20 format.
   • Previous summits have seen increasing international involvement:
     • Initial summit (Bletchley Pa

Economic Indicators and Reforms (2025)

1. GDP and Sovereign Rating:

   • India achieved approximately $4.1 trillion in nominal GDP, becoming the 4th largest economy, surpassing Japan.
   • Standard and Poor’s upgraded India's sovereign rating to BBB, marking the first upgrade in 18 years.

2. Trade:

   • Total exports reached $825.25 billion for 2024-25, with an annua

Nuclear Energy Developments in India

Key Highlights:

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Proposed as suitable for localized grid applications; however, increased unit numbers raise safety risks. Not all SMRs meet necessary safety standards.

• Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs): India can build large PHWR capacity using imported uranium. This allows for conversion of thorium

Cosmology Research Summary

1. Study Overview

   • Recent study by researchers from Yonsei University (South Korea) suggests the universe's expansion is slowing down, contradicting the established Lambda-Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) model which posits that the universe is accelerating.
   • Published in Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

2. Background Concepts

   • Standard cosmo

Summary of Key Points

Legislation and Regulations

• Model Regulations for Conservation of Hills in Urban Areas, 2024:
  • Approved in April 2025, replacing the 2018 law.
  • Classifies hills into three categories based on slope:
    • Category C: Slopes over 15 degrees - Non-developable.
    • Category B: Slopes between 8 and 15 degrees - Allows low-density activities (e.

Supreme Court's Stay on Aravalli Classification Judgment

Key Legal Context

• Supreme Court Ruling: On December 29, 2025, the Supreme Court stayed its previous judgment accepting the Central government’s classification of the Aravalli hills, defined as landforms at an elevation of 100 meters or more.
• Concern: This classification may lead to increased mining activities threatenin

Summary of Unnao Rape Case and Supreme Court Ruling

Key Case Facts:

• The Unnao rape case involves Kuldeep Singh Sengar, convicted for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in 2017.
• The survivor, now a mother of two, expressed her determination to continue fighting for justice, emphasizing its significance for all women.
• Background: The survivor was a minor at the time of the crim

Climate-Related Disasters and Their Economic Impact (2025)

Overview

• Total Economic Cost: Over $120 billion in losses due to the 10 worst climate-related disasters in 2025, as per the report by Christian Aid titled Counting the Cost 2025: A year of climate breakdown.
• Nature of Disasters: Included wildfires, cyclones, extreme rainfall, flooding, and droughts.

Key Disast

Summary Notes on the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025

Legislative Framework

• Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), 2023: The recently notified Rules have implemented parts of this Act, marking a significant privacy reform since the IT Act, 2000.
• Key Constitutional Underpinning: The Act promotes the respect for individual rights and ensures data accountab

India's R&D and Innovation Landscape: Key Highlights for Exam Preparation

1. Demographic and Research Context:

   • India holds 17.5% of the global population but contributes only 3% of the world's research output.
   • Significant disparity showcases ineffective leverage of human capital for generating high-value research.

2. Intellectual Property Status:

   • India is ranked 6th gl

Summary of Key Points:

Judicial Rulings:

• Delhi High Court Verdict (Dec 23, 2025):

  • Suspended the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who was convicted in a 2017 rape case of a minor.
  • Court ruled that Sengar was not classified as a "public servant" under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), thus the stringent provisions of POCSO did not apply.

• **CBI's Response

Summary Notes on the Myanmar Political Situation and Implications

Background of the 2021 Coup

• Political Instability: Myanmar has experienced political instability since gaining independence in 1948. The military took control in 1962, and a partial transition to civilian governance began in 2011.
• Reforms: Under President Thein Sein, reforms were initiated, leading to more poli

Summary of Key Points:

1. Demographics and Location:

   • Karhi village, Sakti district, Chhattisgarh: Population of approximately 4,000.
   • Main agricultural produce: Paddy; villagers arrange their own irrigation.

2. Migration Challenges:

   • Migrant worker Ramnarayan Baghel traveled to Kerala seeking better employment opportunities.
   • Faced socio-economic challenges: broken h

Economic Context

• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) Withdrawal: In 2025, FPIs withdrew a record $18 billion (₹1,58,000 crore) from Indian equities through net sales.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): There has been a notable decline in FDI since FY 2023-24.
• GDP Growth: India's GDP has been growing at an average annual rate of 8%, raising questions about the disparity in forei

• Constitutional Inclusion:

  • Release of the Constitution of India in Santhali language signifies important recognition of tribal languages.
  • The Santhali language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 2003, enhancing its status and accessibility.

• Historical Context:

  • The debate on the significance of language in cognitive development, referencing theorists

Indian Foreign Policy Update (2025)

Key International Developments:

• U.S. Political Landscape: Donald Trump inaugurated for a second term in January 2025, leading to:
  • "Liberation Day" tariffs, disrupting multilateral economic systems.
  • Shift in policies towards China and Russia, unsettling traditional alliances.
  • U.S. sanctions affecting Indian-Russian energy collaborations