All posts tagged: upsc current affairs news

India’s informal sector, Agni missile with MIRV system, and Labour Codes rules notified

India’s informal sector, Agni missile with MIRV system, and Labour Codes rules notified

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social development. Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.  What’s the ongoing story: India’s informal sector is becoming less indebted, with the interest they paid as well as the amount of loans they need to repay falling sharply, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) full report on its Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) conducted in 2025.  Key Points to Ponder: — What is the informal sector?  — What is the difference between the formal and informal sectors?  — What are the structural constraints of India’s unincorporated sector and their implications for employment quality and productivity? — How declining indebtedness in the informal sector does not necessarily indicate economic strength.  Story continues below this ad — What are the vulnerabilities of small, informal enterprises to input cost shocks, and what measures should be taken to enhance their resilience? — What is the significance of unincorporated enterprises in India’s economy? — What are the government initiatives …

India-Seychelles relations, PMKVY, and NUDGE campaign

India-Seychelles relations, PMKVY, and NUDGE campaign

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.  What’s the ongoing story: While stressing that defence and maritime cooperation are important pillars in the relationship between India and Seychelles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that in the coming days, the two countries would also cooperate in renewable energy and climate solutions. He was addressing a joint press meet in New Delhi along with visiting Seychelles President Patrick Herminie. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the history of India-Seychelles relations? — What are the emerging areas of cooperation between India and Seychelles? — What is the Colombo Security Conclave? — What is India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) Vision? — What is the strategic significance of Seychelles for India? — Map work: Locate Seychelles on world map.  Key Takeaways: — “In the areas of marine research, capacity-building and data-sharing, India will share its expertise with Seychelles. Defence cooperation and …

COP30, Trump-Xi ceasefire, and Indoor Air Quality

COP30, Trump-Xi ceasefire, and Indoor Air Quality

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Story continues below this ad What’s the ongoing story: The 30th edition of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), the annual two-week climate talks beginning in Belem, Brazil, on Monday, is as much about restoring the credibility of this UN-mandated negotiating process as it is about saving global climate. Key Points to Ponder: — What is Conference of the Parties or COP? — Read about the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 2015 Paris Agreement. — What were the major outcomes of the COP29? — What do you understand about Net-zero emissions? — What is climate finance? — What are Nationally-Determined Contributions? — What is the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities”? — How can India balance its development needs with its increasing global leadership on climate finance …

Oil Spill, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and Impeachment of Judges

Oil Spill, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and Impeachment of Judges

Cash at residence: Govt likely to bring motion to impeach Justice Varma Syllabus: ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Story continues below this ad Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What’s the ongoing story: FOLLOWING his indictment by the Supreme Court in-house inquiry panel, the government is likely to bring an impeachment motion in the upcoming monsoon session against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, The Indian Express has learnt. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the Procedure for Removal of a Judge in India? • What is Impeachment? • What are the constitutional provisions and procedures governing the impeachment of High court judges? Story continues below this ad • The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India-True or false? • What Article 218 of the Constitution of India says? • What are the Grounds of Impeachment? …

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Special: Have last minute exam day strategy doubts — we have got answers | UPSC Current Affairs News

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Special: Have last minute exam day strategy doubts — we have got answers | UPSC Current Affairs News

Are You Prelims Ready? UPSC Prelims 2025 is scheduled for May 25. As the exam approaches, aspirants are often flooded with last-minute doubts and dilemmas — ranging from anxiety and self-doubt to concerns about strategy and performance pressure. These feelings are natural, especially ahead of such a high-stakes and competitive examination. To help aspirants navigate this crucial phase, here is a comprehensive Prelims Day Strategy Guide, part of our Expert Talk series under UPSC Essentials by The Indian Express. In this edition, Rohit Pande, our expert, speaks to Manas Srivastava of The Indian Express, addressing the most common questions and mental roadblocks that aspirants face just before entering the exam hall. About our Expert: Rohit Pande brings over a decade of experience in strategy and consulting to the world of CSE examinations. His team has helped many students clear the exam using scientific framework-driven mentorship. He keeps a keen eye on the evolving patterns of the UPSC IAS exam and the changing study habits of GenZ UPSC aspirants, enabling them with deep, actionable, and unrivaled insights. Story …

UPSC Key | 18th May, 2025: ISRO’s EOS-09, Rare-earth magnets, and Left Wing Extremism

UPSC Key | 18th May, 2025: ISRO’s EOS-09, Rare-earth magnets, and Left Wing Extremism

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. What’s the ongoing story: In a rare failure, India’s main rocket PSLV developed problems a few minutes after take-off and failed to place earth observation satellite EOS-09 into the intended orbit in an early morning launch on Sunday. Key Points to Ponder: — What are the Earth observation satellites? Story continues below this ad — What are the different types of launch vehicles of ISRO? — What is the difference between PSLV and GSLV? — What are the various stages of rockets? — Learn about the important ISRO’s missions – Aditya L1, Chandrayaan 4, Chandrayaan 5, Shukrayaan-1 — What do you understand by space debris? Key Takeaways: — “Today’s 101st launch was attempted. PSLV-C61 performance was normal till second stage. Due to an observation in the third stage, the mission could not be accomplished,” ISRO said. — This was the 101st mission launched by ISRO, and the 63rd one using …

Rafale-M Deal, National Mission for Clean Ganga and Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023

Rafale-M Deal, National Mission for Clean Ganga and Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023

India, France sign agreement for procurement of 26 Rafale-M for Navy Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Story continues below this ad What’s the ongoing story: India and France inked an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) Monday for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M aircraft – 22 single-seater and four twin-seater – for the Indian Navy. Key Points to Ponder: • What is Rafale-M Jets? • How many Rafale jets does India have? • Why did India wants Rafale Fighters? • What Is India’s Rafale M Deal? • What will India’s Rafale M have? • How Rafale M deal will strengthen Indian Navy? Key Takeaways: • The procurement includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons and performance-based logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), a statement from the Ministry of Defence stated. • The Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environments. • Officials told …

UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week | April 7 to April 13, 2025 | UPSC Current Affairs News

UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week | April 7 to April 13, 2025 | UPSC Current Affairs News

UPSC Current Affairs Pointers brings you essential current affairs of the past week, every Monday, to aid you in your Prelims and Mains preparation of UPSC, State PCS, and other competitive examinations. Report (FYI: The data provided in these reports can be used to substantiate your Mains answer and create a broad understanding of the topic.) Story continues below this ad — According to the sixth edition of global energy think tank Ember’s Global Electricity Review, India became the world’s third-largest producer of electricity from wind and solar energy in 2024, overtaking Germany. — The low-carbon sources, including renewables and nuclear power, together provided 40.9 per cent of the world’s electricity in 2024. This is the first time the 40 per cent mark has been crossed since the 1940s. — As part of its climate commitments or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC in 2022, India aims to achieve 50 per cent of its installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. — In 2021, the country also announced a goal …

Knowledge Nugget: Why is Right to information Act important for UPSC? | UPSC Current Affairs News

Knowledge Nugget: Why is Right to information Act important for UPSC? | UPSC Current Affairs News

Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: Questions have been asked on the RTI Act and the judgment of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. As the discussion around the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) has intensified as it is going to be implemented soon, it becomes important to know about the whole debate around DPDPA and the RTI Act.) Why in the news? Recently, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has called the Digital Personal Data Protection Act “draconian” and said, “The DPDP Act keeps all personal information out. In this new provision, you won’t be able to know under RTI which contractor built bridges in Bihar that collapsed.” Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, K C Venugopal and John Brittas had also written to Vaishnaw to repeal Section 44 (3) of the Act, as it “amends the Right to Information”.  Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “You are taking RTI towards ‘road to …

Knowledge Nugget: What must you know about Opioid Fentanyl for UPSC? | UPSC Current Affairs News

Knowledge Nugget: What must you know about Opioid Fentanyl for UPSC? | UPSC Current Affairs News

Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: Drug trafficking poses a major threat to a country’s security. India, being sandwiched between the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle, faces significant challenges related to illicit drug trade. This makes it essential to understand the trafficking of fentanyl opioids and the reasons behind the recent move by the USA.) The United States has named India, along with China, a “state actor” in enabling direct and indirect supply of precursor chemicals and equipment used by drug traffickers, particularly in the production of illicit fentanyl. This is the first time that Washington has placed New Delhi on the same level as Beijing in connection with the supply of precursor chemicals used by drug cartels to manufacture opioids like fentanyl. Story continues below this ad Key Takeaways: 1. The ‘2025 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA)’—a coordinated evaluation of global threats to US interests- stated that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids remain the deadliest …