Tag Archives: UPSC Current Affairs

India’s textile industry is a major contributor to global waste, generating approximately 7,800 kilotonnes annually, which accounts for about 8.5% of the world’s total textile waste. This makes textiles the third-largest component of dry municipal solid waste in the country. Despite the vast quantities generated, only a fraction of this …

Recent Developments The Union environment ministry has recently declared two wetlands in Rajasthan—Kichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur—as newly designated Ramsar sites. Menar Wetland Located in Rajasthan, the Menar Wetland is a freshwater monsoon wetland complex consisting of three ponds—Braham talab, Dhand talab, and Kheroda talab—linked by agricultural land. …

India has been elected to lead the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) as President for the 2025–2028 term. Overview of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences    Established in 1930, the IIAS is a global federation comprising 31 member countries, 20 national sections, and 15 academic research centers, working …

The International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in collaboration with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), has recently established a Centre of Excellence to advance agricultural transformation in developing nations through South-South cooperation. Overview of ICRISAT  Founded on March 28, 1972, through a Memorandum of …

The Ministry of Coal has recently launched the upgraded C CARES Version 2.0 portal. Overview of C CARES Version 2.0 C CARES Version 2.0 is the enhanced web platform of the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization (CMPFO). Designed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the portal seeks …

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is evaluating the potential procurement of the ‘Ice Breaker,’ an advanced air-launched cruise missile developed by Israel. Overview of the Ice Breaker Missile Designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Ice Breaker is a next-generation, long-range precision strike missile. It is an autonomous, multi-platform system …

Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, recently experienced a powerful eruption, ejecting a massive plume of ash, smoke, and volcanic debris several kilometers into the atmosphere. Key Facts about Mount Etna Geographical Location: Situated on the eastern coastline of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, Mount …

The Economic Community of West African States recently marked its 50th year since establishment. Overview of ECOWAS Formed through the Lagos Treaty signed on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria, ECOWAS is a regional organization focused on fostering cooperation and integration among West African nations. Objectives The primary goal of …

The central government has issued a call for proposals to establish District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) in 291 underserved districts across 30 States and Union Territories. This initiative is part of the broader National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). Overview of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction …

The Central Government has recently initiated the ‘Clean Plant Programme’ targeting grape, orange, and pomegranate cultivation in Maharashtra. Overview of the Clean Plant Programme This programme is a government-led initiative designed to improve the supply of high-quality, disease-free planting materials for horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The …

Several prominent leaders from Jammu and Kashmir recently joined a large gathering of Kashmiri Pandits at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Jyeshta Ashtami. About Kheer Bhawani Temple Located in the village of Tulla Mulla near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, the Kheer Bhawani …

Although the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) was introduced in 2021 and a nationwide scheme for financial aid is in place, more than 300 patients—most of them children—suffering from Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) still lack access to essential medical treatment. What are Lysosomal Storage Disorders? Lysosomal Storage Disorders are …

A Kozhikode-based ornithologist has recorded the first-ever sighting of the rare migratory bird Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) in Kerala. Overview of Caspian Gull The Caspian Gull is a large, white-headed gull species and is considered among the rarest gulls to appear in India. Habitat: This species typically breeds on flat, …

The Union Minister recently unveiled the BharatGen Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) during the BharatGen Summit. Overview of BharatGen BharatGen represents India’s first indigenously developed, government-funded Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative focused on creating a Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) tailored to Indian languages. The project is being developed under the …

During a recent meeting with the President of Paraguay, the Prime Minister of India expressed that both nations could collaborate to further strengthen and broaden the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with MERCOSUR, the South American trade bloc. Overview of MERCOSUR The Southern Common Market, commonly known by its Spanish …

According to a study conducted by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR), Bengaluru, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in India are comparatively better equipped to handle diabetes and hypertension management than Sub-Centres, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Sub-District Hospitals. About the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research …

A collaborative excavation effort by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Raigad Development Authority has recently led to the discovery of a ‘yantraraj’ (astrolabe) at Raigad Fort, historically known as the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Overview of Raigad Fort Raigad Fort is a prominent hill fort located in …

The Valley of Flowers, located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, has reopened to visitors for the current tourist season. Overview of Valley of Flowers National Park Situated in Uttarakhand, this park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It forms a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve …

To stimulate and fast-track investments in the agriculture sector, the government is developing a unified digital platform — the Krishi Nivesh Portal — that will integrate schemes from different ministries and state governments. Overview of the Krishi Nivesh Portal Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Krishi …

The reputation of Turkey’s widely publicized Bayraktar TB2 drones has recently taken a hit following the poor performance of Pakistan’s Turkish-origin drone fleet during Operation Sindoor. Overview of Bayraktar TB2 The Bayraktar TB2 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) tactical drone developed in Turkey, primarily intended for intelligence gathering, …