Tag Archives: UPSC Current Affairs

GS III-Energy The Global Electricity Review 2025 by Ember reveals that India surpassed Germany in 2024, becoming the world’s third-largest producer of electricity from wind and solar sources. Global Renewable Energy Trends (2024) Unprecedented Growth: Global renewable electricity generation rose by 858 TWh in 2024, a 49% increase over the …

GS II-Disease Researchers are exploring DNA barcoding techniques to enhance species-level identification of blackflies, the vectors responsible for spreading river blindness, with the aim of improving disease control measures. About River Blindness River blindness, medically known as onchocerciasis, is a parasitic disease triggered by the nematode Onchocerca volvulus. Mode of …

GS II-Schemes   Context: The 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada is being observed from April 8 to 23, 2025. About Poshan Pakhwada Poshan Pakhwada is a yearly nationwide campaign under the broader framework of Poshan Abhiyaan, dedicated to enhancing nutritional outcomes—particularly among women and children. Primary Goal: To eliminate malnutrition …

GS2 – Ministry of Finance – Government Schemes The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has completed ten years since its inception, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey of financial inclusion and micro-enterprise support. Objectives of PMMY: Launched by the Ministry of Finance, the scheme is intended to provide collateral-free …

GS1 – Art & Culture – Archaeological Sites Ancient megalithic-era relics dating back around 2,000 years have been discovered at Manimoola, located in Kasaragod district, Kerala. About the Megalithic Period This era, classified as prehistoric, is noted for its use of large stones in constructing monuments and burial structures. Nearby, …

The Gujarat Police has introduced the GP-DRASTI program—an advanced drone surveillance initiative—under the broader SHASTRA campaign. About SHASTRA Full Form: Sharir Sambandhi Tras Rokva Abhiyan Objective: This specialized initiative focuses on reducing crimes that involve bodily harm. Focus Areas: The drive zeroes in on sensitive zones plagued by: Street violence …

GS3 – S&T – BioTech Biotech firm Colossal Biosciences has successfully engineered wolf pups with genetic characteristics of the long-extinct dire wolf, using ancient DNA and CRISPR gene-editing technology. What is De-Extinction? De-extinction is a cutting-edge process in biotechnology that aims to bring back species that have gone extinct by …

GS3 – S&T – AI CAPTCHA systems are increasingly being integrated into AI-based cybersecurity mechanisms to counter evolving online threats. What is CAPTCHA? CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. Primary Function: Its main objective is to differentiate human users from automated bots, …

GS2 – Social Sector – Health The observance of World Health Day 2025 was recently held. Since 1950, World Health Day has been commemorated annually on April 7, aiming to raise public consciousness around key global health concerns and to promote the importance of leading a healthy life. This date …

GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Diseases Dysthymia, a prolonged variant of depression, often goes unrecognized or is misunderstood due to its subtle yet chronic nature. Definition and Nature Dysthymia, medically termed Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), refers to a long-lasting, milder form of depression. In adults, symptoms persist for …

GS2 – Social Sector – Education The University Grants Commission (Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2025 has been officially released. This initiative is in line with the vision of internationalising higher education as envisaged in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Applicability …

Prelims – Places in News (World) The Gulf of Tonkin has recently been in the spotlight due to geopolitical developments in the region. Geographical Overview The Gulf of Tonkin is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed body of water located in the northwestern part of the South China Sea. In regional nomenclature, …

Prelims – In News Students of Hyderabad University have launched protests opposing the Telangana government’s plan to auction a 400-acre land tract known as Kancha Gachibowli, located adjacent to the university campus. While the protesting students argue that the land belongs to the university, state authorities have rejected this assertion, …

GS3 – Science & Technology – IPR – Geographical Indication Kannadippaya, a traditional tribal mat, has officially become Kerala’s first tribal handicraft to receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, marking a significant milestone in the recognition of indigenous craft traditions. What is Kannadippaya? The term ‘Kannadippaya’ translates to ‘mirror mat’, …

GS3 – Science & Technology – Defense Sector In a significant milestone, CSIR–NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories) has signed its first aircraft technology transfer agreement with a private firm to manufacture Hansa-3 NG, India’s first indigenously developed trainer aircraft designed for commercial pilot instruction. Overview of Hansa-3 NG Hansa-3 NG is …

GS3 – Internal Security – Government Initiatives The Union Cabinet has sanctioned the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II), to be implemented over the period 2024–25 to 2028–29. Salient Features VVP-II builds upon the groundwork laid in VVP-I, extending its coverage and scope with a continued focus on …

GS2 – International Relations Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act & Trump’s Modern-Day Trade Wars Former US President Donald Trump’s reintroduction of aggressive tariff measures in 2025 has drawn parallels with the infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of the Great Depression era. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) Overview: Enacted under President Herbert Hoover, the …

GS2 – International Relations – International Organisations During the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, the Indian Prime Minister unveiled a series of India-led initiatives aimed at deepening regional cooperation. Major Indian Initiatives Under BIMSTEC Human Resource Development – BODHI Initiative India launched the BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure (BODHI) …

GS2 – International Relations Poland, Finland, and the Baltic nations (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) have announced intentions to exit the Ottawa Convention. About  Also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, it is an international disarmament agreement that prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. The treaty was …

GS1 – Art & Culture The Indian Prime Minister recently paid homage to the revered Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Overview  Brought by Sanghamitta: The sacred sapling was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka and a Buddhist nun, in the 3rd …