UPSC Civil Services Current Affairs Articles

Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026 Highlights

Key Data and Statistics:

• Human Impact (1995-2024):

  • Death toll: 832,000 people.
  • Number of people affected: 5.7 billion.
  • Economic losses: Over $4.5 trillion (inflation-adjusted) from 9,700+ extreme weather events.

• India's Climate Impact:

  • Rank: 9th among the most affected countries.
  • Extreme weather

Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026 Summary

• Report Overview: The Climate Risk Index 2026 published by Germanwatch highlights the severe impacts of extreme weather events from 1995 to 2024.
• Statistics:
  • Over 832,000 deaths and nearly 5.7 billion affected.
  • Economic losses estimated at more than $4.5 trillion (inflation-adjusted).
  • Over *9,700 extreme weather events

Summary of Key Facts and Developments Regarding Canal Desilting in Tiruvannamalai

1. Context and Importance:

   • The desilting of a critical canal near Tiruvannamalai is aimed at preventing flooding during the Northeast monsoon, especially during the Karthigai Deepam festival season.

2. Departments Involved:

   • The work is led by the State Highways Department, which maintains th

Summary of Findings on Excess Mortality Due to Heavy Rains in Mumbai (2006-2015)

• Research Findings:
  • The study published in "Nature" reveals that approximately 8% of deaths (around 2,500) in Mumbai during monsoon seasons from 2006 to 2015 can be attributed to excess rainfall.
  • Days of extreme rainfall (≥15 cm) correlated with a 2% increase in the city’s mortality rates.
  • A spe

• Radicalisation Concerns:
  • The recent blast near the Red Fort raises alarms regarding radicalisation among educated youth.
  • A professional doctor was implicated in planning the attack, indicating a potential shift in the demographic of those susceptible to extremist ideologies.
  • Highlights the need for effective de-radicalisation programs and community awareness initiatives, partic

Key Highlights

1. Investment and Economic Competition

• Google's AI Data Centre: Set to establish its largest AI facility outside California in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• The competition among states for attracting foreign investment is a growing trend in India, enhancing economic growth.
• Andhra Pradesh's success over rivals Tamil Nadu and Karnataka marks a shift toward

Key Highlights on India's Tuberculosis (TB) Progress

1. Incidence Reduction:

   • TB incidence in India fell by 21% from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh by 2024.
   • This decline is significantly higher than the global average of 12% as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Global TB Report 2025.

2. **Innovative Case

Key Facts and Data on Tuberculosis (TB) in India (2025)

Incidence and Prevalence

• TB Incidence Decline: India saw a 21% reduction in TB cases from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024.
• Global Comparison: The global decline in TB incidence was noted at 12% during the same timeframe.

Case Management and Treatment

• Treatment Coverage: I

Summary of Notes:

Radicalisation and Terrorism:

• Incident: Blast near Red Fort highlights issues of radicalisation among educated youth, with a doctor as the main suspect.
• Concerns: The attack underscores systemic gaps in monitoring and intelligence coordination, emphasizing the need for improved security protocols.
• Recommendation: Urgent call for de-radicalisation programs and commu

• U.S. Sanctions Announcement: On November 12, 2025, the U.S. announced sanctions against 32 entities and individuals linked to Iran's ballistic missile program, targeting firms based in Iran, China, Hong Kong, UAE, Turkey, and India.

• Objective of Sanctions: The sanctions are part of President Trump's efforts to counter Iran's missile development and other weapon systems. They align wit

Summary of Key Points:

1. U.S. Sanctions Overview:

   • On November 12, 2025, the U.S. imposed sanctions on 32 entities and individuals linked to Iran's ballistic missile program.
   • The involved countries include Iran, China, Hong Kong, the UAE, Turkey, India, and others.

2. U.S. Government Position:

   • The sanctions align with President Donald Trump's strategy to counter Iran’s

Disaster Governance during Cyclone Montha in Andhra Pradesh

Key Facts and Observations:

1. Timeline: Cyclone Montha hit Andhra Pradesh from October 27 to 30, 2025.

2. Governance Evolution: Andhra Pradesh adopted a proactive approach to disaster management, focusing on anticipation rather than reaction:

   • Pre-positioning of resources and ensuring uninterrupted access for re

Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) Summary Notes:

Event Overview:

• Event: 30th COP to the UNFCCC
• Location: Belem, Brazil
• Objective: Restore credibility of the UN climate negotiation process and enhance action on global climate challenges.

Key Challenges Identified:

• Steady rise in global temperatures and greenhouse gas em

Summary of Key Points on WAICO and AI Governance

Proposed Initiative:

• World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO): proposed by President Xi Jinping to establish a multilateral body focused on governance of AI technologies.
• Announcement Date: November 1, following initial discussions led by Premier Li Qiang in July.

Context and Strategic Importance:

Exam-Focused Notes on Air Quality and Citizen Activism in India

Air Quality Data:

• The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi breached 400, indicating "severe" pollution levels, a recurring issue during the winter season.

Constitutional Rights and Citizen Activism:

• The protests at India Gate emphasize the demand for clean air as a fundamental right, suggesting a shift in public percepti

Summary of the Proposed Wind Farm Project in Dhanushkodi

Overview

• Project: Establishment of a 50-MW demonstration wind farm in Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram taluk.
• Proposed by: National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Components: Four wind turbines, associated facilities, and a logistics jetty.

Location & Regulatory Conte

Key Highlights from Labour Policy and Forced Labour Investigation

Constitutional References:

• Article 14: Right to equality before the law.
• Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Article 16: Right to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
• Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human be

Summary of Key Points on Tamil Nadu Fishermen Arrest and Palk Bay Dispute

Incident Overview

• Date of Incident: November 9, 2025
• Number of Fishermen Arrested: 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
• Total Tamil Nadu Fishermen in Custody: 128 fishermen, including previous apprehensions.

Exam-Focused Notes

International Relations and Diplomacy

• G7 Summit: Meeting held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, hosted by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Immediate diplomatic focus is on defence spending, trade relations, and regional conflicts (Gaza and Russia-Ukraine).
• Participants: Foreign ministers from G7 nations (U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japa

ISRO Gaganyaan Mission Updates: Key Facts and Data

1. Test Overview:

   • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a crucial test on November 3 at Babina Field Firing Range (BFFR), Jhansi, to verify the stability of the crew module's parachute system in scenarios of delay during deployment.

2. Test Details:

   • A platform replicating the crew module's mass was dropp

Summary of AI Governance Guidelines by MeitY

1. Regulatory Framework:

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has developed governance guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to regulate technology while fostering innovation.
• Aimed at balancing growth with safety, the guidelines propose:
  • An India-specific risk assessment framework.
  • Creati

Key Highlights from the Discovery of DNA Structure

1. Breakthrough Discovery:

• Discoverers: James Watson and Francis Crick (1953).
• Significance: Understanding of genetic information storage and transmission; foundational to modern genetics and biotechnology.

2. Structural Composition:

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): Contains genetic information determining organism trai

Key Points from Pre-Budget Meeting:

1. Trade War Context: Economists attended a pre-Budget meeting chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss strategies amid the ongoing US trade war affecting domestic exports, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

2. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:

   • Emphasis on enhancing the PLI to boost domestic

Supreme Court Ruling on Racial Discrimination Incidents Involving Kerala Students

1. Incident Overview:

   • Date: September 24, 2025
   • Location: Near Red Fort, Delhi
   • Victims: Two students from Kerala, assaulted and coerced to speak Hindi, ridiculed for wearing lungis (traditional attire).

2. Supreme Court Remarks:

   • Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe condemned the inci