The sources analyse a range of topics relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key themes include:
India-Pakistan Relations, Security, and Defence Preparedness: Ongoing tensions are highlighted. Recent developments include the Ministry of Home Affairs notifying state governments to conduct nationwide civil defence drills, described as unprecedented. Pakistan is reported to be in "panic mode" and mobilising troops expecting Indian retaliation. India is also preparing for any eventuality. These drills involve testing air raid warnings, emergency blackouts, and training civilians. The sources also note Pakistan-based cyber attacks targeting Indian cyberspace . Historically, civil defence drills have precedent during past conflicts like the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars. The potential future involves possible military escalation.
Governance, Polity, and Judiciary: A significant current affair is the Union Cabinet's approval for the inclusion of a caste census in the upcoming census , notable as the last nationwide caste census was in 1931 . This could potentially lead to a refinement of the reservation policy and address subcategorisation issues , but also carries risks of politicisation and societal disintegration . The National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam resulted in 1.9 million exclusions, raising legal and constitutional questions about detaining non-citizens without criminal charges or deportation possibilities, potentially violating Articles 21 and 22 . The sources also touch upon the appointment process for the CBI Director, including a recent one-year extension , and the judiciary's internal Inquiry Committee system for investigating allegations against judges .
Economy and Trade: An ongoing WTO dispute involves India and the US regarding India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel . The US argues it's an unfair subsidy, while India defends it and points to subsidies elsewhere . India is the second-largest steel producer but imports specialty steel . The newly commissioned Vizhinjam port in Kerala is significant as India's first deep-sea transshipment port, developed under a PPP model . It aims to reduce India's heavy reliance on foreign ports for transshipment cargo, potentially transforming trade potential, but requires last-mile infrastructure . The online gaming industry faces a challenge in the Supreme Court over the government's 28% GST levy on total contest entry amounts . Moody's assesses that while India has more capacity to withstand a conflict, it would impact defence spending and fiscal consolidation, severely disadvantaging Pakistan .
Environment, Science & Technology: A major concern is the growing energy footprint of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI training demands massive power for data centres, projected to potentially use 10% of global electricity by 2030 , contributing to carbon emissions . Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are presented as a promising, clean, scalable, and safer alternative energy source being explored for powering AI data centres . India is focusing on SMRs and seeking collaboration . The debate between Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and Battery Electric Vehicles for clean transport is noted, with EVs currently having higher global adoption due to lower costs . Public health issues like Rabies, endemic in India, leading to Animal Birth Control rules , and PM2.5 exposure are also mentioned . Climate change impacts on river water flow are noted as a potential legal argument for the Indus Water Treaty .
The sources identify these and other points as key current affairs for UPSC preparation.
