UPSC Current Affairs
India-New Zealand Sign Trade Pact, GST Marks Nine Years, and ISRO Tests Gaganyaan Deceleration Platform
10 stories · about 5 min read · quiz and Mains question at the end
Decline in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates Under NFHS-6
Despite marked improvements in institutional deliveries and overall women empowerment metrics, recent NFHS-6 data reveals a decline in exclusive breastfeeding rates across India. Experts point to persistent gaps in postnatal support, lack of robust workplace protections for working mothers, and inadequate maternity benefits in the informal sector. These findings highlight that medical infrastructure alone cannot guarantee optimal infant nutrition without holistic social support.
Government Issues Stern Notice to Meta Over Instagram Ads
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a stern notice to Meta regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM) appearing in Instagram advertisements. MeitY has ordered the platform to disable all ads and content promoting or facilitating access to such material, demanding a detailed explanation within seven days. This action highlights India's strengthening stance on intermediary liability and online child safety.
India and New Zealand Sign Free Trade Agreement
India and New Zealand have signed a historic free trade agreement (FTA) which is set to be implemented later this year. First announced in March 2025 and concluded in December 2025, this agreement stands as one of the fastest FTAs negotiated by India. The pact is expected to open up new avenues for bilateral trade, services, and investments between the two nations.
Rules of Origin Notified for India-UK Trade Agreement
The Finance Ministry has notified the rules for determination of origin of goods under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CETA). The trade pact secures duty-free access for 99 percent of India's exports to the UK, covering nearly the entire trade basket. Defining the rules of origin is a critical step to prevent third-party countries from routing goods through partner countries to claim tariff benefits illegally.
Adapting Maternal Health Systems to Climate Change
Experts argue that India's maternal health systems, designed over past decades, need urgent updates to survive the challenges of a rapidly heating planet. Extreme heatwaves and shifting monsoon patterns are escalating the risks of premature births, gestational hypertension, and dehydration among pregnant women. Instead of building entirely new systems, the focus must shift to integrating climate-resilient practices into existing public health programs.
ISRO Successfully Conducts Gaganyaan SOLVE Ground Test
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the first ground test of its Solid Motor based SOLVE platform. ISRO is developing this platform to carry out Integrated Parachute Tests for validating the deceleration system of the Gaganyaan crew module under various simulation conditions. Ensuring a safe and reliable parachute deployment is critical for the recovery of Indian astronauts during the return phase.
The Case for Declaring Cancer a Notifiable Disease
Public health advocates are calling for making cancer a notifiable disease at the national level to help systematically count and track cancer cases in India. Currently, cancer registration is not mandatory across all states, leading to fragmented data and difficulties in resource allocation for oncology services. A unified national notification system would enable better policy formulation, epidemiological tracking, and targeted healthcare interventions.
GST Marks Nine Years With Import Buoyancy and Domestic Lag
As the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system marks nine years of implementation, revenue collections grew by 14 percent in June 2026. However, economic experts highlight that the growth was largely driven by imports, while domestic sales momentum showed signs of lagging. Key systemic issues such as input tax credits, dispute resolution, multiple state registrations, and the inverted duty structure still remain unaddressed.
Kaziranga's Iconic Patrol Elephant Joymala Passes Away
Joymala, an iconic patrol elephant who served the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve for 34 years, was laid to rest with a guard of honour. Born in 1960 and inducted as a "jungle warrior" in 1992, she played a vital role in anti-poaching operations, navigating difficult swampy terrains, and resolving human-elephant conflicts. Her long service highlights the crucial role played by trained elephants in wildlife conservation and forest management in India.
Supreme Court Expresses Concern Over Fabricated AI Precedents
The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns regarding the potential subversion of justice through the use of AI-fabricated judicial precedents. Presenting fake cases generated by AI tools during court arguments is increasingly viewed as criminal misconduct that threatens the integrity of the legal system. The judiciary has stressed that while AI holds technological promise, its integration into the legal domain must be strictly regulated to avoid systemic abuse.
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