UPSC Current Affairs
Key Developments for UPSC Civil Services Preparation
8 stories · about 3 min read · quiz and Mains question at the end
Bihar Mandates Prior State Sanction for CBI Probes Against State Employees
The Bihar government has withdrawn its general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), making prior state permission mandatory before investigating state government employees. However, the notification clarifies that the central agency will not require state approval to investigate central government personnel stationed within the state.
China Advances Mega Dam on Brahmaputra Despite Downstream Concerns
China has decided to move forward with the construction of a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) in Tibet as part of its 15th Five-Year Plan. Downstream riparian nations, particularly India and Bangladesh, have raised serious concerns regarding ecological disruption, reduced dry-season river flow, and heightened risks of flash floods and glacial lake outburst hazards.
BRICS Explores Local Currency and Cross-Border Payment Alternatives
The BRICS group is actively assessing alternative cross-border payment mechanisms to facilitate trade in national currencies and reduce reliance on western payment systems such as SWIFT. Member states are discussing interconnected central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), bilateral payment links, and unified financial messaging platforms to enhance transactional resilience.
India Plans Procurement of Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile Systems
India is evaluating the acquisition and possible co-production of the American Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system to strengthen infantry strike capabilities along contested borders. The man-portable, fire-and-forget weapon provides top-attack capability against heavily armored targets, offering tactical advantages in high-altitude mountain warfare.
Centre Pushes Coal Gasification Projects to Bolster Energy and Fertilizer Security
The Ministry of Coal reaffirmed the viability of its National Coal Gasification Mission, noting active participation from major public sector entities like NTPC and Talcher Fertilisers Limited. The initiative seeks to convert indigenous coal into syngas for producing urea, methanol, and industrial power, while strictly regulating thermal plant inventory levels to avert seasonal shortages.
Rethinking India's Bilateral Investment Treaty Framework
Economists and policy experts have called for a comprehensive review of India's Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to balance investor protection with domestic regulatory autonomy. Key discussions center around simplifying Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) procedures, clarifying the exhaustion of local remedies clause, and expanding democratic consultation in trade agreements.
UNEP Report Highlights Rising Risks of Global Temperature Overshoot
A recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report titled 'Limiting Overshoot' warned that even temporary breaches of the 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold could trigger irreversible climate tipping points. The findings emphasize immediate decarbonization and deep emission cuts rather than relying excessively on future, unproven carbon dioxide removal technologies.
Planetary Study Reveals Ancient Mega-Floods on Mars Canyon System
A new study published in the planetary science journal Icarus indicates that a catastrophic mega-flood originating from the Valles Marineris canyon system may have elevated ancient Martian sea levels by 34 metres. The research provides critical insights into the geological and hydrological history of Mars, advancing understanding of planetary water cycles.
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