UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Summary of Pharmacogenomics Advancements

Definition and Importance

• Pharmacogenomics studies the effect of genetic variations on drug responses, transforming medication prescriptions from a trial-and-error approach to precision medicine.
• Genetic differences influence how the body metabolizes drugs, particularly through drug-metabolizing enzymes like the cytochrome P450 (CYP) f

Key Points on Climate Change Negotiations and Just Transition Mechanisms:

1. Just Transition Mechanism Establishment:

   • Proposed by India alongside several developing nations at the ongoing climate summit.
   • Aims to support workers transitioning from fossil fuel-dependent industries to renewable energy sectors.
   • Initiated at COP27 (2022) and operationalized at COP28 (2023).

National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025 Overview

• Release Date & Context: Unveiled on World Fisheries Day 2025, with the theme "India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports."
• Objective: To improve traceability, sustainability, and infrastructure in India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Key Highlights and Initiati

Economic Overview:

• Trade Deal Confidence: RBI Governor, Sanjay Malhotra, expressed optimism regarding a favorable trade agreement with the US which could alleviate pressure on India's current account balance and stabilize the rupee.
• Current Account Metrics: India’s current account deficit widened to $2.35 billion in Q1 of 2025 from a surplus of $13.48 billion in the previous quart

Fisheries and Aquaculture in India: Key Highlights

Growth and Economic Impact

• Fisheries and aquaculture are critical sectors in India, contributing significantly to livelihoods, nutrition, and trade.
• India is the second-largest aquaculture producer globally, contributing 10.23 million tonnes to aquatic food production.
• Overall production has increased from 2.44 million tonnes in th

Summary of India's Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector

1. Growth and Contribution:
   • Fisheries and aquaculture are among India's fastest-growing food-producing sectors, crucial for livelihoods, nutrition, and trade.
   • India has shown significant progress in aquatic food production, rising from 2.44 million tonnes in the 1980s to 17.54 million tonnes in 2022-23.
   • Contributes 10.23 m

• International Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the G20 summit in South Africa from November 21, 2025. This marks the first G20 summit hosted in Africa.

• IBSA Summit: During the visit, PM Modi will also participate in the sixth IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Summit, focusing on collaboration among these nations.

• Indian Perspective: PM Modi emphasizes India's

Exam-Focused Notes on Parliamentary Accountability and the Election Commission of India

Constitutional Framework:

• Separation of Powers: The three arms of the state are the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
• Election Commission of India (ECI): Operates under the executive but has quasi-judicial powers.

Parliament's Role:

• Parliament has constitutional authority to dis

Summary of Parliamentary Accountability and the Election Commission of India

Constitutional Framework

• Parliament's Role: The Constitution mandates that the government is accountable to Parliament, which in turn is accountable to the public.
• Executive Responsibility: The Election Commission of India (ECI), while part of the executive, possesses quasi-judicial powers.
• **Parli

Summary Notes on St. George's Cathedral Renovation

Background

• Establishment: St. George’s Cathedral, Madras, was established in 1816, initiated by a request from Rev. Richard Hall Kerr in 1807.
• Construction: Funded through a lottery, the construction cost totaled 41,709 Pagodas, with an additional 57,225 Pagodas for furnishings and design; both local and E

Supreme Court Ruling on Environmental Clearance

1. Case Overview:
   • In a 2:1 ruling, the Supreme Court of India has recalled its May 2025 judgment that struck down a 2017 notification and a 2021 office memorandum from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). These allowed projects that commenced without prior environmental clearance to seek **ex

Exam-Focused Notes on Pharmacogenomics

Definition and Importance:

• Pharmacogenomics: Study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs, transitioning medication prescribing from a trial-and-error method to a precision approach.

Key Genetic Components:

• Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Enzymes: Essential for drug metabolism, with variants affecting drug efficacy and safety.
  • 7

Summary of Key Points on Scams and Fraud in India

Introduction to the Issue of Scams

• Scams in India manifest in various forms such as digital fraud, e-commerce blunders, and credit card deception.
• The book "Scamlands: Inside the Asian Empire of Fraud That Preys on the World" by Snigdha Poonam explores the intricacies and evolution of scamming as a skill within communities pri

Summary of Key Facts and Insights

Vaccine Development and WHO Pre-Qualification

• Product: Pneubevax 14 (BE-PCV-14)

  • Manufacturer: Biological E.
  • Type: 14-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

• WHO Pre-Qualification Status:

  • This status allows for broader global immunization efforts, ensuring enhanced access to high-quality pneumococcal vaccines, particularly for

Mental Health Issues in India

Key Statistics

• Prevalence of Mental Disorders: Approximately 14% of India's population experiences some form of mental disorder (National Mental Health Survey, 2015–16).
• Treatment Gap: Only 10% of individuals with mental health disorders receive treatment.
• Suicide Rates: Suicide among men is 2.6 times higher than among women. In 2021, 118,9

Mental Health Crisis in India: Key Highlights

Prevalence and Statistics

• National Mental Health Survey (NMHS, 2015-16): Approximately 14% of India’s population lives with a mental disorder; only 1 in 10 receives treatment.
• Suicide Rates: In 2021, 118,979 men and 45,026 women died by suicide, revealing a stark gender disparity with men at 2.6 times the rate

• Genome Editing Technology: Indian scientists have developed an indigenous genome-editing technology using Transposon-associated proteins (TnpB) as an alternative to CRISPR-Cas proteins, aimed at modifying plant DNA for enhanced agricultural outcomes.

• Patent Details: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was granted a patent for this technology (Systems and Methods for Tar

Political Context: Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina's Verdict

• Bangladesh is undergoing a significant political transformation following the death sentence pronounced on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 student protests.
• Hasina’s political legacy is deeply intertwined with Bangladesh's independence, as she is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahma

Summary of Key Points on Pigeon Feeding Controversy in Mumbai:

1. Legal Action:

   • A petition was filed in the Bombay High Court by advocate Sagar Kantilal Devre against the BMC's decision to allow controlled pigeon feeding at four locations, including Airoli-Mulund creekside.

2. Health and Safety Concerns:

   • The petition cites grave risks to public health, road safety, and the

COP30 Climate Talks Summary - Key Notes

1. Event Background:

   • Venue: COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
   • Purpose: Climate negotiations for global climate action.

2. Key Delegates and Groups:

   • Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC): Coalition of oil and gas-producing nations including Saudi Arabia.
   • India included in LMDC; emphasizes renewable energy despite being a non-petro-st

Climate Change and COP30 Conference Highlights:

1. COP30 Overview:

   • Location: Belém, Brazil (Formerly an airport venue).
   • Ongoing discussions focus on climate finance, fossil fuel dependency, and emissions reduction strategies.

2. Coalition of Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC):

   • Member countries primarily include oil and gas producers, notably Saudi Arabia.
   • Cou

Summary of Cryptocurrency Regulatory Challenges and Data

Regulatory Challenges and Criminal Activities

• The rise of cryptocurrencies has resulted in significant regulatory challenges, including fraud and money laundering activities.
• Noteworthy incidents include:
  • 2022: Collapse of FTX; founder Sam Bankman-Fried convicted for fraud and conspiracy to launder money.
  • 2023:

International Relations and Security

• The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission presented a report to the US Congress highlighting a disinformation campaign led by China after the recent India-Pakistan border conflict in May 2025.
• China allegedly propagated fake narratives regarding the destruction of French Rafale aircraft using AI-generated images, aiming to promote its J-35

Summary of Key Facts and Developments

1. Border Conflict and Military Relations:

• A border conflict occurred between India and Pakistan from May 7-10, 2025, triggered by terror attacks in Pahalgam.
• The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission's report, submitted to Congress, states China allegedly aided Pakistan through "live inputs" on Indian military positions during the conf