Tag Archives: UPSC Current Affairs

 GS 3 – INTERNAL SECURITY   Context (UNODC): The 2025 UNODC report titled “Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking, and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia” highlights the escalating threat posed by transnational organised crime (TOC) in East and Southeast Asia. The United Nations Office on Drugs …

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI): GEI measures the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted per unit of product, such as per tonne of cement or …

The Supreme Court pointed out that both the state and national consumer commissions misinterpreted the legal doctrine known as the “eggshell skull” rule. What is the ‘Eggshell Skull’ Rule? The doctrine gets its name from the metaphor that a person who causes harm is fully liable even if the victim …

Overview: Massive forest fires are currently affecting various parts of Uttarakhand, with nearly 100 hectares of woodland already burned. These fires have been intensified by a prolonged heatwave and extremely dry conditions. In certain affected zones, helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets—a specialized aerial firefighting device—have been deployed to deliver water …

Context: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recently introduced a corporate governance charter designed specifically for startups. This charter includes a self-evaluation scorecard to monitor governance progress. What is Corporate Governance? Corporate governance encompasses a set of principles and practices that steer an organization’s development. It focuses on values …

Context: The RBI has unveiled a draft Master Direction for Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) and is inviting feedback from stakeholders until May 31. What are ETPs? Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) are digital systems that enable the buying and selling of various financial instruments, including securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange …

Context: A recent research study focused on six major river basins—Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery—examines the impact of heavy rainfall, baseflow, and river floods in Peninsular India, highlighting the factors contributing to regional flooding. What is Baseflow? Baseflow is the continuous flow of water in a river channel …

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have successfully developed a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) that enables individuals with paralysis to control a robotic arm using only their thoughts. This system has proven to be stable over a period of seven months, requiring minimal recalibration. What is a Brain-Computer …

A recent study revealed that daily exposure to phthalates is associated with 350,000 (13%) global deaths due to heart disease in 2018 among individuals aged 55 to 65 years. About Phthalates Phthalates are a group of chemical substances primarily used in plastic products, especially in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. They …

India has once again been included on the “priority watch” list in the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 Report concerning intellectual property rights. Overview of the Special 301 Report The Special 301 Report is a yearly publication by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), as required by the Trade Act …

A global team of solar scientists, including researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), has successfully mapped the dynamic plasma currents in the Sun’s Near-Surface Shear Layer (NSSL), uncovering patterns that align with the Sun’s 11-year magnetic activity cycle, commonly known as the sunspot cycle. About the Near-Surface Shear …

Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali have made significant advances in understanding proton adsorption on catalyst surfaces, which could lead to more efficient production of green hydrogen. Key Scientific Discoveries A new heterostructure combining Copper Tungsten Oxide (CuWO₄) and Copper Oxide (CuO) has been …

Location: Egypt is situated in northeastern Africa and extends into southwestern Asia via the Sinai Peninsula, making it a transcontinental nation. Borders: It shares borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the northeast. Coastlines: Egypt has coastlines along the Mediterranean …

The NAI, operating under the Ministry of Culture, serves as the repository for all non-current government records, which are made available for use by administrators and researchers. It is responsible for preserving records of lasting value to the Government of India and is the largest archival collection in South Asia. …

In a recent incident at Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Balasore district, forest officials apprehended a poacher during a confrontation involving gunfire. The poacher’s uncle, however, managed to escape. Overview of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary Situated in Odisha’s Balasore district, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary lies within the Eastern Ghats and spans an …

The sixth meeting of the India–Bhutan Joint Group of Customs (JGC) was recently convened in Thimphu, Bhutan. Overview of Bhutan Bhutan is a Himalayan nation without direct access to the sea, sharing borders with India on the south, east, and west, and with China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north. …

Nestled in Michigan—a state renowned for its automotive industry—Mackinac Island offers a quiet retreat where cars are prohibited and horse-drawn carriages are a common sight. Overview of Mackinac Island Mackinac Island is both a city and an island situated in northern Michigan, USA. It lies at the northeastern edge of …

A team of scientists from China, the United Kingdom, and the United States has been studying the inner dynamics of Bolivia’s Uturuncu Volcano. Their collaborative research has helped pinpoint the reasons behind the volcano’s ongoing activity, easing concerns about a potential eruption in the near future. Overview of Uturuncu Volcano …

Gavi, the global public-private health partnership, is working to persuade the administration of former President Donald Trump to continue its critical financial contributions. The alliance is highlighting how U.S. support could benefit the domestic vaccine sector. About Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi …

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Science and Technology (Indian achievements, space technology) GS-2: Governance (development policies) Key Points Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former ISRO Chairman, transformed India’s space program by operationalizing space services for societal benefit. His tenure advanced satellite communication (INSAT), remote sensing (IRS), and lunar exploration (Chandrayaan-I). He shaped the National …