Tag Archives: UPSC Current Affairs

GS2 – Polity Context: The Supreme Court (SC) overturned a Delhi High Court order that had directed Wikimedia to delete a Wikipedia page, thereby affirming citizens’ right to know and the freedom of expression. Wikimedia’s Role as an Intermediary Infrastructure Provider, Not Content Creator: Wikimedia hosts Wikipedia but does not …

GS3 – Science & Technology Context: The Prime Minister highlighted that India’s space exploration is not just about scientific milestones, but also about empowering people, enhancing governance, and promoting global cooperation. Space as a Tool for Empowerment Beyond Exploration: Space technology in India is viewed as a driver of social …

GS2 – Polity Context: The President has invoked Article 143 to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on the constitutional validity of judicially imposed timelines for granting assent to Bills, following the Court’s April 8 judgment. The Reference raises concerns over the interpretation of Articles 200, 201, and 142 in the …

GS2 Initiatives Context: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has revised its efficiency norms for off-grid solar projects to make them more cost-effective. Key Changes in Solar Norms and Regulations Relaxed Efficiency Standards: Solar panels with a capacity below 200W are now required to have a minimum efficiency …

Prelims – Places in News Context: Colombia has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), marking a notable shift in its foreign policy and infrastructure development goals. Colombia – Key Facts Capital: Bogotá Located in the northwestern region of South America. Geographical …

GS3 – Internal Security Context: The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns, noting that Bitcoin trading resembles an evolved form of Hawala, highlighting the urgent need for a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in India. Understanding the Nexus: Cryptocurrency and Hawala Cryptocurrency A digital or virtual currency built on blockchain …

GS3 – Environment Context: The proposed ecotourism development project in Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary has faced local opposition due to concerns over ecological impact. Key Features of NWLS Establishment: The sanctuary was carved out of the Nongkhyllem Reserve Forest in 1981. Location: Situated in Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya, it lies within …

GS1 – Geography   Context: Due to budget reductions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has significantly reduced the number of weather balloon launches across the United States. What Are Weather Balloons? Weather balloons, also called sounding balloons, are large inflatable devices made from materials like latex or synthetic …

GS Paper 2: Governance – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS Paper 3: Infrastructure – Roads, Transportation, and Safety Measures Essay Paper: Urbanisation, mobility and public health Key Highlights: India recorded 68 lakh road accident deaths in 2022, translating to 12.2 deaths per 1 lakh people—among …

GS Paper 2: Governance – Role of civil services, transparency and accountability, judicial activism GS Paper 3: Internal Security – Challenges to internal security through communication networks, Role of law enforcement agencies Key Highlights: Supreme Court’s ruling in Imran Pratapgarhi vs State of Gujarat reasserts that criminalisation must be principled …

GS Paper 3: Science and Technology – Indigenization of technology and developing new technology GS Paper 2: Governance – Role of NITI Aayog, Government policies to promote innovation and self-reliance Key Highlights: K. Saraswat, former DRDO Chief and NITI Aayog member, emphasized the need for strategic independence in critical sectors …

In a recent development, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) rejected an insolvency plea filed by SNJ Synthetics against PepsiCo India Holdings. The tribunal ruled that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) is not intended to serve as a mechanism for recovering dues where only contested interest amounts are …

A recent publication in Physical Review Letters highlighted the progress made by the HAYSTAC experiment. Although axions were not detected, the project achieved a notable technological breakthrough by significantly broadening the search range for axion masses and their potential interactions. Understanding Axions Axions are theoretical particles proposed in the late …

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have pioneered an advanced method to observe the motion of domain walls in ferroelectric materials with exceptional precision. Understanding Ferroelectricity Ferroelectricity is a characteristic found in certain insulating materials or dielectrics, where there is a natural separation of positive and negative charges. This …

As part of the Buddha Purnima celebrations, contestants of Miss World 2025 from 22 different countries recently visited Buddhavanam, a Buddhist-themed park. Overview of Buddhavanam Buddhavanam is a dedicated Buddhist theme park situated along the northern bank of the Krishna River in Telangana. This initiative was supported by the Government …

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently requested an Action Taken Report from the Chief Secretary of Odisha regarding the critical living conditions faced by over 10,000 families belonging to the Dongria Kondh community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The concerns raised include inadequate access to …

Taiwan’s military has recently carried out its first live-fire exercise using the U.S.-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). Overview of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) HIMARS is a lightweight, mobile, multiple rocket launcher system capable of delivering precision-guided munitions. It is developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, a …

In a recent case highlighting human-wildlife conflict, four individuals sustained injuries following a sloth bear attack in the Kawardha range of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary. The victims were reportedly collecting tendu leaves when the incident occurred. Overview of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary Situated in Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha district, Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary—sometimes spelled Bhoramdeo—lies …

GS-3: Space Technology Key Highlights NASA earlier flagged asteroid 2024 YR4 as a potential threat with a 3.8% chance of hitting the moon on December 22, 2032. New trajectory data indicates YR4 is unlikely to hit either Earth or the Moon. YR4 is a near-Earth asteroid, classified as potentially hazardous …

GS-3: Environment and Biodiversity Key Highlights A 4.2-metre-long inflorescence (cluster of flowers) was discovered in a wild banana species (Musa indandamanensis) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is the longest banana inflorescence ever recorded worldwide. The species is endemic to the Andaman region and was first recorded in 2012 …