Tag Archives: UPSC Current Affairs

EV Transition: Key Challenges for India

GS3 – Infrastructure & Environment Context: A recent study highlights the major risks and challenges India faces in transitioning to Electric Vehicles (EVs). EV Adoption: Goals and Current Status   Government Targets for 2030: 30% electrification of private cars 80% for two- and three-wheelers Current EV Market Share: Around 8% …

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Digital Literacy

GS2 – Governance Context: Kerala has become the first state in India to achieve total digital literacy, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital empowerment journey. What is Digital Literacy? Digital Literacy refers to the ability of individuals and communities to effectively understand, access, and use digital technologies in …

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Green Status Assessment of Asiatic Lions

GS3 – Environment Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released its first-ever Green Status Assessment, categorizing the Asiatic Lion as ‘Largely Depleted’. This evaluation complements the IUCN Red List by focusing on the recovery and ecological functionality of species. About Lions Lions are the second-largest big …

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Tensor Processing Unit (TPU)

GS3 – Science & Technology Context: Google recently unveiled a new computer chip named Ironwood, marking the launch of its 7th generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). These chips are specifically engineered to power Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. Processing units serve as the central hardware components that drive computing operations. What …

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Unique Sleeping Patterns in the Animal Kingdom

Context: Aquatic animals and creatures in the wild, constantly alert to threats, have evolved unique ways to rest and recharge whenever possible. Sr. No Creature Sleeping Pattern 1 Dolphins Dolphins rest by shutting down one half of their brain while the other half stays alert for danger. During this state, …

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Sudan crisis

Prelims Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a renewed offensive against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and Bahri. Ongoing civil war for over 18 months with: 20,000+ deaths 11 million+ displaced (as of October 2024) Root Cause of Conflict Power tussle between: SAF leader: Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan RSF …

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Child Trafficking in India

GS II-Vulnerable section Overview Child trafficking is a form of human trafficking that involves the illegal transportation, recruitment, or harboring of minors using coercion, force, fraud, or deception. This exploitative practice aims to subject children to inhumane conditions such as forced labor, prostitution, slavery, organ trade, and servitude. While child …

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Bonds and Their Various Types

GS III-Economy Bonds function as a form of lending where individuals provide funds to entities like companies, municipalities, or governments. In return, the bond issuer promises to pay back the borrowed amount with interest over a defined time. Since bonds generate consistent returns, they are referred to as fixed-income securities, …

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MINIATURE LASER ON SILICON CHIP COULD TRANSFORM COMPUTING

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Science & Technology – Electronics advancements, silicon photonics GS-3: Economy – Innovation, cost-efficient manufacturing GS-3: Infrastructure – Impact on digital communication, data centers Key Highlights From Electrons to Photons Conventional chips rely on electrons for data transfer. Researchers have now integrated miniature lasers onto silicon chips, enabling …

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ENSURING SPACEFLIGHT SAFETY

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Science and Technology – Indian scientific achievements, technology indigenization GS-2: International Relations – India’s space mission collaborations Essay & Ethics – Risk management, human-focused science policy Key Highlights Safety in Human Spaceflight The safe return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore from the ISS highlights …

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FEMINISM IN POLARIZED TIMES

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian Society – Women’s roles, social movements GS-2: Governance – Gender empowerment, legislation GS-4: Ethics – Social sensitivity, equity, empathy Key Highlights Current Context The Women’s Reservation Bill 2023 has brought gender equity into sharp political focus. Yet, this mainstreaming has polarized discourse, making it contentious due …

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UNWARRANTED CHANGE: RTI ACT AMENDMENT

UPSC Relevance GS-2: Governance – Transparency, accountability, RTI Act GS-2: Polity – Fundamental Rights (Article 21), data privacy GS-4: Ethics – Public interest, governance principles Key Highlights Amendment Details The government amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act through Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act 2023. The original clause permitted …

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FALLING SHORT: ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Indian Economy – Growth, manufacturing sector GS-3: Economic Data – IIP, inflation, consumption, investment trends Key Highlights Declining Industrial Growth Industrial production growth dropped to 2.9% in February, down from 5.2% in January and 5.6% in February 2024. Sectoral declines: Mining: 1.6% Manufacturing: 2.9% Consumer Durables: -3.8% …

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HISTORY AS A BATTLEGROUND: RISKS OF REWRITING THE PAST

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian History & Culture – Historical narratives GS-2: Polity & Society – Communal harmony, constitutional values GS-4: Ethics – Integrity in interpreting history Key Highlights Rising Concerns March 2025 saw politically driven revisionism in textbooks and public narratives. Certain rulers are glorified, while others, like Aurangzeb and …

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IMPLICATIONS OF A POST-ASSAD SYRIA FOR CHINA

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations – West Asia geopolitics, China’s strategic priorities GS-3: Security – Global terrorism, Uyghur concerns Key Highlights Uyghur Presence in Syria Uyghur fighters from the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) have assumed military roles in the new Syrian regime. One Uyghur is among Syria’s 50 top-ranking …

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BATECHOMON: INDIA’S FIRST AUTOMATED BAT MONITORING SYSTEM

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity Monitoring GS-3: Science & Tech – AI in Ecological Research GS-2: Governance – Science in Conservation Policy Key Highlights System Overview Name: BatEchoMon (Bat Echolocation Monitoring) Developers: Kadambari Deshpande and Vedant Barje Institution: Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory, IIHS, Bengaluru Tech: Raspberry Pi, …

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DRDO TESTS LASER WEAPON

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Defence & Security – Indigenous Weaponry, Counter-Drone Tech, Directed Energy Weapons GS-3: Science & Tech – Laser Technology in Defence Key Highlights Tested System Name: Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Developer: DRDO Test Site: National Open Air Range, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh Capabilities Engages long-range targets, including missiles, …

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