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UPSC Current Affairs

9 topicsGS-1: 2GS-2: 2GS-3: 5
0/9 done
GS-3Economy

1.India’s Rising Forex Reserves (Foreign Exchange)

Business Standard
Illustration for India’s Rising Forex Reserves (Foreign Exchange)

What & Where

Foreign exchange reserves = RBI-held external assets: Foreign Currency Assets, gold, SDRs, IMF position

Purpose: buffer against external shocks, maintain rupee stability, honour trade/debt payments

Geography: Managed by Reserve Bank of India, reported weekly per IMF data standards

Quick Facts for MCQs

Composition

  • Components: FCA, gold, SDRs, IMF reserve position
  • Gold share rising; now >15 % of total stock

Objectives

  • Monetary stability: curb INR volatility through market intervention
  • Crisis buffer: fund BoP gaps, sudden capital outflows

Significance

  • Boosts investor confidence, credit ratings, sovereign borrowing terms

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Latest reserve level (May 2024)USD 702+ billion
Weekly increaseUSD 4.5 billion
Gold reserve valueUSD 108.5 billion
Change in FCA−USD 1.7 billion
Gold driverRBI purchases + global price rise
Largest reserve componentForeign Currency Assets
Valuation frequencyWeekly, New York closing rates
SDR issuerInternational Monetary Fund
Custodian authorityReserve Bank of India
IMF reserve positionPart of total reserves

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2013PYQ 1

Which one of the following groups of items is included in India’s foreign-exchange reserves?

CAPF_GAI, GS1 2023PYQ 2

Adequacy of foreign exchange reserves of a country is captured by which of the following indicators? 1. Reserves to import ratio 2. Reserves to external debt ratio 3. Reserves to GDP ratio 4. Reserves to monetary aggregates Select the correct answer using the code below:

GS-1History

2.Children’s Booker Prize Launch (Literary Award)

The Hindu
Illustration for Children’s Booker Prize Launch (Literary Award)

What & Where

Children’s Booker Prize: global award honouring fiction for ages 8–12; first edition in 2027.

Open to books published in UK / Ireland, written in or translated into English.

Administered by Booker Prize Foundation, UK; funded by Norway-based AKO Foundation.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Organisation & Funding

  • Endowment: AKO Foundation covers prize purse and costs.
  • Parent body: Booker Prize Foundation also runs Booker & International Booker.

Eligibility Rules

  • Format: Fiction only; novels, story collections acceptable.
  • Authorship: Writers of any nationality; translator credited where relevant.
  • Age-band clarity: Work must be primarily marketed for 8-12 bracket.

Comparative Perspective

  • Monetary split: Adult Booker—full to author; International Booker—50:50 author-translator.
  • Scope difference: Children’s Booker extends Booker brand beyond adult readership for first time.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Debut year2027
Target readersChildren aged 8–12
Acceptable languagesOriginal English or any language translated into English
Publication territoryUK or Ireland release mandatory
Funding partnerAKO Foundation (non-profit)
Prize moneySame amount as adult Booker Prize
Admin bodyBooker Prize Foundation, London
First Booker for children?Yes, first under Booker brand
Adult Booker founded1969
International Booker founded2005; revamped 2016
GS-3Environment

3.Western Ghats Biodiversity Concerns (Biodiversity Hotspot)

The Hindu
Illustration for Western Ghats Biodiversity Concerns (Biodiversity Hotspot)

What & Where

Range north–south along Malabar Coast; crest of western Deccan Plateau, 1,600 km Tapti → Kanyakumari

UNESCO World Heritage Site; among eight hottest global biodiversity hotspots

Acts climatic barrier shaping Southwest Monsoon; sharp western escarpment, gentle eastern slope

Quick Facts for MCQs

Threats & Outlook

  • Climate-change; erratic rainfall, temperature rise flagged by IUCN
  • Unregulated tourism; road expansion, resort sprawl disturb habitats
  • Invasive species; exotic plants outcompete native flora

Biodiversity Significance

  • Endemism high; > 7,400 plant species, many unique
  • Fauna richness; 325 globally threatened species recorded
  • Non-equatorial evergreen forests among world’s finest

Geomorphology & Climate

  • Older-than-Himalayas; evolutionary ecotone fostering speciation
  • Basaltic plateaus break into steep scarps, cascades, valleys
  • Rain-shadow eastward creates moist evergreen west, dry deciduous east

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4Significant concern
States coveredGujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Total area≈ 1,64,280 sq km
Length≈ 1,600 km
Highest peakAnamudi 2,695 m
Palghat Gap width≈ 30 km
Geological originJurassic Gondwanaland breakup; basaltic lava flows
Key rivers bornGodavari, Krishna, Kaveri
Global tiger share≈ 17 % within Ghats
Asian elephant share≈ 30 % within Ghats

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 1996PYQ 1

Which one of the following regions of India is now regarded as an 'ecological hot spot'?

GS1 2017PYQ 2

From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats ?

GS-3S&T

4.Polio Alert in India (Viral Disease)

New Indian Express
Illustration for Polio Alert in India (Viral Disease)

What & Where

Highly infectious poliovirus targets spinal motor neurons; spreads faecal-orally; chiefly affects children under 5.

Two vaccines: Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) droplet; Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) injection.

Endemic wild poliovirus now limited to Pakistan & Afghanistan.

Quick Facts for MCQs

India Measures

  • Programme mix Pulse Polio, Mission & Intensified Indradhanush drove >90 % coverage.
  • Continuous Acute Flaccid Paralysis & sewage surveillance sustain zero-case status.
  • High alert 2024 after spike in Pakistan–Afghanistan incidence.

Vaccination

  • OPV oral drops give intestinal immunity, cut community transmission.
  • IPV injection affords systemic protection, prevents paralysis, weaker gut immunity.
  • Multiple doses recommended for lifelong immunity.

Clinical & Outcome

  • Early signs: fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, limb pain.
  • Paralysis mainly legs; respiratory muscle involvement can be fatal.
  • No cure; only preventive immunisation and supportive care available.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Causative agentPoliovirus, Enterovirus genus
Core transmissionFaecal-oral via contaminated food/water
Key risk groupChildren < 5 years
Paralysis rate1 in 200 infections
Fatality in paralysed5–10 % respiratory failure
Last Indian case13 Jan 2011, West Bengal
India polio-free tagWHO, 2014
GPEI launch year1988
Global cases drop3.5 lakh → < 50 per yr
Polio-free WHO regionsAmericas, W. Pacific, Europe, S-E Asia, Africa (2020)
GS-2Editorial

5.Scheme to Reverse Brain Drain (Diaspora Policy)

Indian Express

What & Where

Brain drain – outward flow of Indian STEM experts to advanced economies, chiefly US.

Reverse brain drain – policies enticing Indian-origin researchers back to domestic labs, IITs, startups.

Geography – India as source-cum-destination; US as principal former host.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Drivers of Return

  • Policy-uncertainty: US visa tightening, funding cuts, anti-science stance push researchers out.
  • Domestic-ecosystem: AI centres, PARAM Siddhi, digital platforms display growing capacity.
  • Emotional-pull: desire for national contribution and stronger scientific standing.

Schemes & Institutions

  • NRI Scientist Repatriation Scheme: setup grants, IIT/national-lab positions, startup aid.
  • INDIAai Mission: MeitY-led platform plus AI Ethics framework for inclusive innovation.
  • AI Startup Landing Pads: Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune provide labs, liaison, seed support.

Key State Model

  • Tamil Talents Plan: relocation allowance, IISc-TIFR partnered centres, co-supervised PhDs, AI-focused labs.

Bottlenecks

  • Bureaucracy: multi-layered procurement, ethics clearances slow work and erode morale.
  • Institutional-friction: preferential perks to returnees fuel faculty resentment, hierarchy issues.
  • Infrastructure-gaps: limited world-class labs due to low 0.65 % GDP R&D spend.

Reform Proposals

  • Single-window portal for funds, procurement, hiring to speed research.
  • Autonomous research clusters with global hiring, direct funding autonomy.
  • Mobility-perks: spouse work visas, tax-neutral startup transfers, fast-track clearances.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Indians who gave up citizenship 2015-2413 lakh + (MEA 2024)
Indian research/PhD students in US≈ 1.6 lakh (IIE 2024)
India R&D spend (% GDP)0.65 %
China R&D spend (% GDP)2.7 %
US R&D spend (% GDP)3.5 %
Targeted Indian R&D spend by 20301.5 % GDP
Tamil Nadu “Tamil Talents Plan” budget₹ 100 crore
Key supercomputing assetPARAM Siddhi
GS-3Security

6.ICGS Ajit and Aparajit Vessels (Coast Guard Vessels)

PIB
Illustration for ICGS Ajit and Aparajit Vessels (Coast Guard Vessels)

What & Where

Fast Patrol Vessels ICGS Ajit & ICGS Aparajit launched at Goa Shipyard Limited, Goa

Part of eight-vessel indigenous FPV series for Indian Coast Guard under Make in India

Will patrol India’s EEZ and island territories for security & SAR

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Controllable-pitch propellers give higher manoeuvrability, speed, fuel efficiency
  • Multi-mission hull design supports rapid role change across patrol, combat, rescue tasks
  • Atmanirbhar push visible in 100 % indigenous hull, superstructure, fitments

Security Dimension

  • FPVs extend 24×7 surveillance cover over EEZ, choke-points, fishing grounds
  • Capability deters smuggling, piracy; speeds SAR response in high-traffic seas
  • Acts as frontline layer complementing Navy’s blue-water platforms

Industrial Capability

  • Goa Shipyard delivering all eight FPVs ahead of schedule milestones
  • Project showcases Indian MSME participation in marine engines, electronics, armament
  • Success strengthens domestic shipbuilding credibility for export orders

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Vessel namesICGS Ajit, ICGS Aparajit
BuilderGoa Shipyard Limited (GSL)
InitiativeMake in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat
Class size8 FPVs (series)
Length52 m
Displacement320 tonnes
PropulsionControllable Pitch Propellers (CPP)
CPP statusFirst of their kind in this class in India
Primary missionsCoastal patrol, fisheries protection, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, SAR
Operational areaIndian EEZ & adjoining island waters

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, ESE_GS 2026PYQ 1

Where were the Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit launched?

CAPF_GAI, ESE_GS 2021PYQ 2

भारतीय तटरक्षक अपतटीय गश्ती जहाज 'सजग' का निर्माण निम्नलिखित में से किसके द्वारा किया गया, जिसका जलावतरण मई 2021 को हुआ?

GS-3Security

7.Indo-Tibetan Border Police Overview (CAPF Border Security)

DD News
Illustration for Indo-Tibetan Border Police Overview (CAPF Border Security)

What & Where

ITBP – specialised Central Armed Police Force under MHA, guards India-China Himalayan frontier.

Deployed along 3 488 km line from Karakoram Pass (Ladakh) to Jachep La (Arunachal Pradesh).

Operates in 9 000–18 800 ft icy terrain; personnel popularly called Himveers.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Origin & Evolution

  • Raised 24 Oct 1962 under CRPF Act; independent status after 1992 Act.
  • Expansion from 4 battalions to multi-frontier force responding to emerging threats.
  • Took over Sikkim & Arunachal sectors from Assam Rifles in 2004.

Operational Mandate

  • Border-Guarding: first line of defence against PLA incursions.
  • Internal Security: anti-Naxal, election duty, VIP protection when requisitioned.
  • Civic Outreach: medical camps and awareness drives in border villages.

Training & Specialisation

  • Mountaineering courses develop high-altitude warfare capability.
  • Skiing and tactical winter drills ensure mobility on snow bound posts.
  • Survival modules cover sub-zero logistics, avalanche management, crevasse rescue.

Humanitarian Role

  • Disaster Relief: leads rescue during Himalayan quakes, cloudbursts, flash floods.
  • Evacuation missions often executed at >15 000 ft altitude.
  • Awards received for life-saving feats in Uttarakhand, Himachal crises.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Raising Day24 October (since 1962)
Current Raising Day count64th
Parent MinistryHome Affairs
Founding Trigger1962 India-China war
Legal BackboneITBPF Act 1992
Initial Strength4 battalions
Assigned full border2004 One Border One Force policy
Border Length3 488 km
Altitude Range9 000–18 800 ft
MottoShaurya – Dridhata – Karma Nishtha
NicknameHimveers
Key TasksBorder guard, disaster relief, internal security
Training ExpertiseMountaineering, skiing, sub-zero survival

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2020PYQ 1

Which one of the following is the oldest Para Military Force in India?

CAPF_GAI, GEO_GS 2022PYQ 2

Which one of the following is the oldest Central Paramilitary Force in India?

GS-2Scheme

8.PM-ABHIM Health Infrastructure Mission (Health Infrastructure)

PIB
Illustration for PM-ABHIM Health Infrastructure Mission (Health Infrastructure)

What & Where

Pan-India mission creating resilient public health infrastructure; launched 25 Oct 2021.

Covers processes from primary care to tertiary centres plus nationwide disease surveillance.

Implemented by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare across all States/UTs.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Objectives

  • Build robust public health infra for rapid epidemic response and health emergencies management.
  • Develop integrated, real-time disease surveillance connecting local, state, national laboratories.
  • Contribute toward Universal Health Coverage targets and SDG-3 compliance.

Funding Pattern

  • Outlay ₹64,180 crore allocated across FY 2021-22 to 2025-26.
  • Hybrid model channels direct Union funding plus state-tied CSS transfers.
  • Expenditure focuses on rural/urban centres, infectious-disease research, community capacity building.

Digital Surveillance

  • Platform links district, state, national labs for continuous pathogen monitoring.
  • Real-time analytics enables early warning, decentralised containment decisions.
  • Integrates with Ayushman Bharat digital health stack for seamless data exchange.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch date25 Oct 2021
Mission period2021-26
Financial outlay₹64,180 crore
Scheme natureHybrid: Central Sector + Centrally Sponsored
Implementing ministryMoHFW
Parent initiativeAyushman Bharat
Core aimPandemic preparedness & resilient health system
Surveillance toolIT-enabled National Disease Surveillance Platform
SDG linkSDG-3 (Good Health & Well-being)
Policy linkageNational Health Policy 2017, NHM

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2022PYQ 1

भारत सरकार की प्रमुख टेलीमेडिसिन सेवा ‘ई-संजीवनी’ को हाल ही में किसके साथ एकीकृत किया गया?

CDS_GK, NDA_GAT 2025PYQ 2

Which one of the following platforms marks a transformative step in India's immunization efforts by digitizing vaccination records for pregnant women and children up to 16 years?

GS-1Editorial

9.ICAI Code of Ethics Revision (Professional Ethics)

PTI

What & Where

Code of Ethics = codified moral framework governing professional honesty, integrity, accountability

Key types: Compliance-based, Value-based, Professional (sector-specific)

Context: ICAI revising code to permit advertising, firm websites in India

Quick Facts for MCQs

Types

  • Compliance-based: rule enforcement, penalties deter malpractice
  • Value-based: self-governance, inner conviction drives conduct
  • Professional: blends technical competence with moral conscience

Office Importance

  • Integrity: ensures means remain ethical while pursuing ends
  • Trust: converts administrative authority into citizen credibility
  • Conflict-prevention: draws clear moral boundaries, curbing corruption

Challenges

  • Ambiguity: vague clauses cause uneven enforcement
  • Commercial pressure: market incentives may override principles; pharma marketing cited
  • Enforcement lag: slow redressal weakens deterrence

Reform Recommendations

  • Public Service Code: integrate integrity, empathy, impartiality
  • Ethics committees: real-time guidance for officials
  • Ethical appraisal: promotions tied to CVC Integrity Index

ICAI Update

  • Modernization: shift from strict bans toward autonomy and transparency
  • Alignment: mirrors global accounting standards on firm visibility

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Defining aimEmbed honesty, integrity, accountability
Core typesCompliance-based, Value-based, Professional
Current reform bodyInstitute of Chartered Accountants of India
New allowanceAdvertising and own websites for CA firms
Oversight suggestion2nd ARC ethics committees & training
Example of trust verdictSupreme Court struck down Electoral Bonds, 2024
Training platformLBSNAA GYAN LMS for scenario ethics

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS 2021PYQ 1

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct about the codes of conduct ?

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