Tag Archives: UPSC Current Affairs

GS-2: Indian Constitution Key Highlights The STREET Court struck down a Delhi High Court order that had directed Wikimedia to remove a Wikipedia page citing defamation. The case involved a single judge’s ruling in October 2024 over adverse comments on Wikipedia about a defamation case involving the judiciary. SC Justices …

GS-2: International Relations Key Highlights India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire understanding following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claimed to have facilitated this dialogue. The article cautions against third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue, reinforcing India’s …

GS-3: Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Key Highlights The Kadbanwadi grassland in Maharashtra’s Pune district, home to the Indian grey wolf, is witnessing an alarming decline in the wolf population. From 70 wolves (2016) to just 6 (2024), the fall is attributed largely to threats from feral dogs, which hunt in …

GS II – International Relations Key Highlights U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his offer to mediate on Kashmir, claiming the U.S. had helped India and Pakistan arrive at a ceasefire. Trump posted on social media that he would work with both nations “even if after a thousand years” to resolve …

GS3 – Science & Technology Context: The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan is set to participate in the upcoming IMDEX Asia 2025. About IMDEX Asia: First held in 1997, IMDEX Asia (International Maritime Defence Exhibition) is one of the leading maritime defence events in the Asia-Pacific region. It is held …

GS1 – Geography Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to the updated SHAKTI Policy. About SHAKTI Scheme: Introduced by the Ministry of Coal in 2017, the SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) framework aims to allocate coal linkages in a transparent …

Origin: Soviet Union Type: Legacy system for low–medium altitude Range: Up to 30 km Speed: Mach 3–3.5 Role: Supplementary air defence coverage Significance Provides layered, mobile and real-time defence against varied aerial threats. Enhances India’s deterrence and strategic defence posture against adversaries like China and Pakistan. Part of India’s shift …

Origin: Joint Indo-Israel development Type: Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile Range: Up to 70 km, 16 km altitude, Mach 2 Guidance: Two-way datalink, active radar/IIR seeker Operators: Indian Army, Navy, Air Force Deployment: In Ladakh against China Targets: Jets, UAVs, cruise missiles, helicopters

Developer: DRDO; Manufacturer: Bharat Dynamics Ltd Type: Indigenous Short-Range SAM Range: Up to 45 km, Speed: Mach 2.5–3.5 Warhead: 60 kg HE fragmentation Radar: Rajendra 3D PESA (tracks 64 targets) 3D CAR (tracks 200 targets) Capabilities: Engages aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, low-level ballistic threats High ECCM resistance, open architecture Mobility: …

Origin: Russia (Almaz-Antey) Type: Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system Detection & Tracking: Tracks 300 targets at once; detects threats up to 600 km Phased array radars: Big Bird, Tombstone, Grave Stone, Cheese Board Target Engagement: Engages 36 targets; fires up to 160 missiles Neutralizes targets up to Mach 14 (17,000 …

Context: India recently activated its integrated air defence systems in response to aerial threats from Pakistan, showcasing its multi-layered capability to neutralize diverse aerial attacks. Raksha Kavach Developer: DRDO Type: Indigenous multi-layered air defence platform Features: Combines ballistic, electronic, and blast protection Integrated with satellite surveillance, drones, laser weapons Uses …

In a rare and thrilling wildlife moment, a group of tourists traveling through the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh encountered a snow leopard, an animal famously difficult to spot in the wild. Overview of the Snow Leopard The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a medium-sized wild cat known for its …

Recent Update: The Indian Armed Forces recently carried out Operation Sindoor, a carefully planned retaliatory strike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Precision Strike and Target Engagement The operation involved the targeting of 21 terrorist camps spread across 9 locations using advanced precision-guided munitions. These strikes were …

The Indian Naval Ship INS Kiltan recently docked in Singapore to take part in IMDEX Asia 2025, hosted at the Changi Exhibition Centre. About IMDEX Asia (International Maritime Defence Exhibition) IMDEX Asia stands as one of the leading maritime defence exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific, held every two years in Singapore …

Latest Update: The catastrophic collapse of Anak Krakatau in 2018, which triggered a deadly tsunami, was preceded by years of subtle ground deformation. This previously undetected movement was recently revealed through advanced satellite radar imaging. Overview of Anak Krakatau Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau”, is a stratovolcano located in …

A segment of the Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482, which was launched on March 31, 1972, is projected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere around May 10, 2025, after remaining in orbit for over five decades. What is Kosmos 482? Kosmos 482 was launched by the Soviet Union as part of its Venera …

Operation Sindoor: Reports indicate that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force deployed SCALP cruise missiles from Rafale fighter jets to conduct precision strikes on terror infrastructure located deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Overview of the SCALP Missile Known in the UK as Storm Shadow, the SCALP is …

Recent Discovery: In a major development in condensed matter physics, scientists have identified a chiral quantum state within the topological Kagome lattice material KV₃Sb₅—a substance previously not known to exhibit chirality. This finding represents a significant advancement in the understanding of quantum materials. Understanding Chirality Chirality, often described as “handedness,” …

In a significant move, families from the Jenu Kuruba tribe have recently started returning to their ancestral lands located within the Nagarhole National Park, marking a crucial moment in their long-standing struggle for forest rights. About the Jenu Kuruba Tribe The Jenu Kurubas, categorized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group …

GS-3: Environment and Climate Change Key Highlights Climate-driven food shortages and nutrient losses impact gut microbiota, increasing disease risks. Elevated CO₂ levels reduce micronutrients (e.g., phosphorus, zinc, iron) in crops like wheat and maize. Malnutrition and reduced microbial diversity are linked to diseases like eczema, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. …