Day 1 — UPSC Prelims 2026 Rapid Current Affairs Revision
32 current affairs events across 14 domains. 7 priority topics with three depths per event, NCERT links, and UPSC-style practice questions.
1. Supreme Court Discloses Judges' Assets
Domain: Polity & Governance
What happened
On May 5, 2025, the Supreme Court of India published the asset declarations of 21 sitting judges on its official website, breaking a long tradition of keeping such details confidential. Simultaneously, the Court released comprehensive data detailing the Collegium's internal process and approved proposals for judicial elevations between November 2022 and May 2025.
Why it matters: This is a watershed moment for balancing judicial independence with judicial accountability. By proactively disclosing judges' wealth and the previously opaque Collegium decision-making process, the highest court aims to restore public trust and counter persistent allegations of nepotism and financial impropriety within the judiciary.
2. CDSCO Mandates Phase III Trial for Baloxavir
Domain: Science & Technology
What happened
On February 13-14, 2025, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of India's CDSCO directed Roche Products India to conduct Phase III clinical trials for the influenza antiviral drug Baloxavir Marboxil. The committee formally rejected Roche's request for a local clinical trial waiver. The SEC mandated the local trials citing insufficient data specific to the Indian population.
Why it matters: This decision reinforces India's strict regulatory stance that global drug approvals do not automatically bypass local testing requirements. It ensures that medications are explicitly validated for the Indian population's safety and efficacy when the disease in question does not represent an urgent, unmet medical need.
3. SC Rules Conversion to Christianity/Islam Ends SC Status
Domain: Judiciary
What happened
On March 24, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in the Chinthada Anand case that individuals immediately lose their Scheduled Caste (SC) status upon converting to Christianity or Islam. The Court denied the appellant, a Christian pastor originally from the SC Madiga community, the right to invoke the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The judgment strictly upheld the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, affirming that only those professing Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism can be legally recognized as Scheduled Castes.
Why it matters: This judgment reinforces the legal premise that statutory affirmative action for SCs is inextricably linked to religions that historically formalized the caste system. It significantly impacts millions of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims by denying them specialized legal protections against caste-based atrocities, despite sociological arguments that caste discrimination persists across religious boundaries in India.
4. Parliament Passes Manipur GST Amendment Act 2025
Domain: Polity & Governance
What happened
On December 10, 2025, the President gave assent to the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Act, 2025. It was passed by the Union Parliament because Manipur was under President's Rule, meaning the State Assembly's legislative powers were suspended. The Act aligns Manipur's state tax laws with the latest national GST reforms, specifically implementing the 56th GST Council's decisions.
Why it matters: This highlights the constitutional mechanics of Article 356, showing how the Union Parliament steps in to manage state-level fiscal responsibilities during President's Rule. It also ensures Manipur's taxation system remains synchronized with the rest of India, implementing crucial anti-evasion measures like the 'track-and-trace' mechanism to prevent revenue leakage.
5. Discovery of Deep-Sea Eel Facciolella smithi
Domain: Geography & Biodiversity
What happened
In June 2025, researchers from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) discovered a new deep-sea eel species named Facciolella smithi. The species was found off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea at depths ranging from 260 to 460 meters. Belonging to the Nettastomatidae family, the eel is morphologically distinct due to its unique duckbill-like snout.
Why it matters: This discovery highlights the vast and largely undocumented biological richness within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It also underscores the importance of deep-sea exploration in cataloging unique genetic resources and understanding the fragile ecosystems of the Arabian Sea's benthic zones.
6. Cabinet Extends National Health Mission
Domain: Health & Social
What happened
On January 22, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a five-year extension for the National Health Mission (NHM). This ensures continued funding and operational stability for both the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
Why it matters: This sustained investment is vital for India to meet its sustainable development targets for maternal and child mortality, and to ensure equitable access to primary healthcare across rural and urban areas.
7. BCCI Naman Awards 2025 Honours Sachin Tendulkar
Domain: Sports & Awards
What happened
On February 1, 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hosted the Naman Awards in Mumbai. Sachin Tendulkar was honored with the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, while Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana received the Polly Umrigar Award for the best international cricketers in the men's and women's categories, respectively.
Why it matters: These awards represent the highest domestic recognition in Indian cricket, honoring both the historical legacy of sporting legends and the exceptional global performances of current athletes.
8. ASI Commences Underwater Explorations in Dwarka
Domain: History, Art & Culture
What happened
In February 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India's newly revived Underwater Archaeology Wing launched offshore explorations near Gomati Creek in Dwarka, Gujarat. The team is conducting extensive underwater surveys to scientifically document submerged archaeological remains and study marine deposits.
Why it matters: This mission is crucial for scientifically verifying the historical timeline of the legendary submerged city of Dwarka, significantly enriching India's understanding of its ancient maritime history.
9. India Surpasses 50 GW Wind Energy Capacity
Domain: Environment & Climate
What happened
In March 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced that India achieved a record 25 GW of renewable energy capacity addition in the financial year 2024-25. Concurrently, the country's cumulative installed wind energy capacity officially surpassed the 50 GW milestone. This surge was heavily driven by the aggressive implementation of the 'National Repowering & Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects 2023' alongside fresh utility-scale installations.
Why it matters: Achieving 50 GW of wind capacity and a record 25 GW annual renewable addition proves that India is accelerating its clean energy transition at an unprecedented scale. This momentum is critical for achieving the 'Panchamrit' goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030, directly reducing dependency on imported coal, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and securing long-term energy sovereignty.
10. Cabinet Approves Higher MSP for Rabi Crops 2026-27
Domain: Economy & Budget
What happened
On October 1, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for six mandated Rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season. Safflower saw the highest absolute increase of ₹600 per quintal, while the MSP for wheat was raised by ₹160 to ₹2,585 per quintal.
Why it matters: The MSP increase ensures remunerative prices for farmers and provides incentives for crop diversification, particularly towards oilseeds like safflower. It fulfills the government's policy commitment to fix MSP at a minimum of 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost of production, bolstering rural income security.
11. 23rd India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit
Domain: International Relations
What happened
On December 4-5, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi to co-chair the 23rd India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signing 29 agreements. The centerpiece was the 'Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of Economic Cooperation up to 2030', setting a new bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion. Other major pacts included the Temporary Labour Activity Agreement, steps to formalize the Rupee-Rouble trade, and Russia's entry into the International Big Cat Alliance.
Why it matters: The summit demonstrates India's firm commitment to strategic autonomy, maintaining robust ties with Moscow despite intense Western pressure and recent US tariffs over Russian oil imports. By diversifying the relationship from purely defense and energy into labor mobility and cross-border financial architecture, India secures critical supply chains while helping Russia mitigate its economic isolation.
12. Sri Lankan PM Harini Amarasuriya's Official Visit to India
Domain: International Relations
What happened
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya undertook her first official visit to India from October 16-18, 2025, holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The discussions centered on education reforms, finding a permanent solution to the Palk Bay fishermen dispute, and advancing Sri Lanka's digital public infrastructure. During the visit, India reaffirmed its financial grant commitments for the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) project and the Anuradhapura Sacred City Complex.
Why it matters: The visit highlights India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy by shifting the focus of bilateral ties beyond traditional maritime security towards developmental cooperation and technological integration. By exporting its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model and supporting Sri Lanka's post-crisis economic and governance reforms, India aims to stabilize its immediate neighborhood and counter external strategic influences in the Indian Ocean Region.
13. Approval of 23 Quantum Teaching Labs under NQM
Domain: Science & Technology
What happened
On March 16, 2026, the Indian government approved 23 academic institutions to establish quantum teaching laboratories under the National Quantum Mission (NQM). This decision was announced during a joint monthly meeting of science ministry secretaries chaired by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. An additional 100 institution proposals are currently under evaluation.
Why it matters: This initiative shifts India's quantum strategy from specialized research hubs to widespread academic capacity building. By providing hands-on training infrastructure, it directly addresses the critical need for a skilled quantum workforce to support India's deep-tech, defense, and secure communication goals.
14. CCEA Approves MSP Hike for 14 Kharif Crops
Domain: Agriculture & Food
What happened
On May 28, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. The MSP for common paddy was raised by ₹69 to ₹2,369 per quintal, while nigerseed, ragi, and cotton received the highest absolute increases.
Why it matters: This continuous hike reinforces the government's policy of ensuring a minimum 50% profit margin over production costs, providing vital income security to farmers while incentivizing crop diversification.
15. India-UK MoU on Health and Life Sciences
Domain: Health & Social
What happened
On January 23, 2025, India and the United Kingdom signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to renew and elevate their partnership in health and life sciences. The agreement was formalized by India's Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting. It specifically targets deep collaboration in digital health innovations, combating anti-microbial resistance (AMR), and building medical supply chain resilience.
Why it matters: The agreement allows India to leverage its massive pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and skilled workforce to collaborate on the UK's National Health Service (NHS) reforms. For India, it ensures access to advanced UK research in health-tech, cybersecurity, and genomic disease surveillance, significantly boosting national and global health security.
16. India Participates in 22nd ASEAN-India Summit
Domain: International Relations
What happened
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit on October 26, 2025, hosted by Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. During the summit, leaders announced 2026 as the 'ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation' and welcomed Timor-Leste as a new participating member. The summit also served as a platform to review the progress of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
Why it matters: The summit is crucial for advancing India's 'Act East Policy' and ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Designating a specific year for maritime cooperation strengthens security ties, while reviewing AITIGA is essential for reducing India's trade deficit with ASEAN nations and streamlining supply chains.
17. SC Reinstates Tree-Felling Curbs in TTZ
Domain: Environment & Climate
What happened
On March 25, 2025, the Supreme Court of India recalled its previous 2019 order regarding the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). The new judgment reinstated the mandatory requirement to obtain prior permission directly from the Supreme Court before felling any trees on non-forest and private lands within this area. This action restores strict judicial oversight over the ecologically sensitive region surrounding the Taj Mahal.
Why it matters: This ruling is critical for protecting the Taj Mahal and surrounding heritage sites from environmental degradation and poor air quality. It emphasizes the Indian judiciary's proactive role in balancing local infrastructure development with the strict conservation needs of legally mandated Eco-Sensitive Zones.
18. First Fund Sanction for PM-MKSSY Fisheries Sub-Scheme
Domain: Agriculture & Food
What happened
On April 20, 2025, the Department of Fisheries sanctioned ₹11.84 crore to initiate the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a central sub-scheme under PMMSY. The scheme focuses on establishing a National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to register and formalize the unorganized fisheries sector.
Why it matters: By formalizing the sector, this initiative bridges critical gaps in institutional credit and provides structured economic support to India's marginalized fisherfolk.
19. Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam marks NEP Fifth Anniversary
Domain: Health & Social
What happened
The Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 was held in New Delhi on July 29, 2025, to mark the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The event reviewed NEP's progress in skill-based learning and witnessed the foundation laying for 75 educational hostels across eight states.
Why it matters: It highlights India's ongoing structural shift towards skill integration and emphasizes inclusive educational infrastructure for tribal communities under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
20. SC Upholds Constitutionality of Judges In-House Disciplinary Procedure
Domain: Judiciary
What happened
On August 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutionality of the 'In-House Disciplinary Procedure' used to investigate allegations of misconduct against judges of the higher judiciary. The Court dismissed a petition by Justice Yashwant Varma, who had challenged an adverse report generated by an in-house committee. The bench ruled that this internal mechanism is a valid gap-filling procedure, addressing disciplinary issues that fall short of requiring impeachment.
Why it matters: This judgment reinforces the judiciary's internal accountability mechanisms without compromising its independence. It formally legitimizes peer-review processes, ensuring that misconduct can be investigated and addressed without having to invoke the extreme and cumbersome parliamentary process of impeachment.
21. RBI Releases November State of the Economy Report
Domain: Reports & Indices
What happened
On November 20, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its State of the Economy report. It noted that persistent inflation is dampening urban consumption and corporate earnings following a Q2 economic slowdown. However, high-frequency indicators suggest a Q3 recovery driven by strong festive demand and a sustained rural upswing.
Why it matters: This highlights the shifting dynamics of India's growth, showing that rural demand is currently buffering the economy against urban consumption shocks and will heavily influence future RBI monetary policy.
22. David Szalay Wins Booker Prize 2025
Domain: Sports & Awards
What happened
British-Hungarian author David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel 'Flesh' on November 10, 2025. The final shortlist notably featured Indian author Kiran Desai for her novel 'The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny'.
Why it matters: Kiran Desai's inclusion in the shortlist highlights the continued prominence and global recognition of Indian and diaspora authors in prestigious English-language literature.
23. 13th India-Maldives Joint Military Exercise Ekuverin
Domain: Defence & Security
What happened
On February 2, 2025, the 13th edition of the joint military exercise 'Ekuverin' commenced between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force. The drill, held at the Official Composite Training Center in Maafilaafushi, Maldives, focuses on enhancing interoperability in counter-insurgency and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Why it matters: The exercise strengthens bilateral defence cooperation and bolsters India's strategic footprint and security partnership with a vital maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region.
24. Delhi HC Exempts Properties from Lis Pendens Rule
Domain: Judiciary
What happened
In October 2025, the Delhi High Court ruled that trial courts have the authority to exempt properties from the 'lis pendens' rule under Section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act. This decision allows courts to actively protect honest property owners from frivolous specific performance lawsuits.
Why it matters: This empowers the judiciary to curb extortion by real estate speculators, ensuring smoother property transactions and discouraging bad-faith litigation.
25. SC Declares Sanitation in Courts a Fundamental Right
Domain: Judiciary
What happened
On January 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of India in 'Rajeeb Kalita v. Union of India' delivered a landmark judgment declaring that access to clean and accessible public toilets in courts is a fundamental right under Article 21. The Bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, directed all States and Union Territories to provide separate toilet facilities for men, women, persons with disabilities (PwD), and transgender individuals. They also ordered the formation of dedicated committees in High Courts to oversee the funding, construction, and maintenance of these facilities.
Why it matters: This ruling is vital for India as it reinforces the principle that sanitation is an inseparable part of the right to live with human dignity and ensures equal access to justice. By legally acknowledging the specific needs of marginalized groups, it ensures that a lack of basic physiological amenities does not act as a barrier for litigants, lawyers, or judges participating in the judicial system.
26. Henley & Partners Releases Henley Passport Index 2026
Domain: International Reports
What happened
In January 2026, Henley & Partners released the 2026 Henley Passport Index, ranking global passports based on exclusive mobility data. Singapore secured the top position, offering its citizens visa-free access to 192 countries worldwide. Meanwhile, India showed notable improvement by climbing five spots to rank 80th globally. This new ranking allows Indian passport holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 international destinations.
Why it matters: India's upward movement in the index reflects growing diplomatic leverage and expanding soft power on the global stage. Enhanced global mobility facilitates smoother international trade, boosts outbound tourism, and enables easier movement for the Indian diaspora and professionals.
27. Global Study Reveals $2.2 Trillion Cost of Invasive Species
Domain: Geography & Biodiversity
What happened
In August 2025, an international research team published a comprehensive study revealing that invasive alien species (IAS) have caused over $2.2 trillion in global economic damage since 1960. The report highlighted India's extreme vulnerability to this ecological threat. Specifically, it documented that invasive flora such as Lantana camara and Senna spectabilis have colonized more than 40% of the country's tiger habitats.
Why it matters: This is highly significant for India as floral invasion threatens the carrying capacity of critical protected areas by destroying native fodder, which displaces herbivores and directly triggers human-wildlife conflict. The study's findings have urgently prompted national ecological reviews and large-scale, targeted eradication drives in states like Tamil Nadu to restore native ecosystems.
28. 100% FDI Permitted in Insurance Sector
Domain: Economy & Budget
What happened
On February 9, 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) issued a press note allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indian insurance companies and intermediaries under the automatic route. This move operationalises the provisions of the newly enacted Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act. To safeguard domestic interests, the policy mandates that at least one top leadership position, such as Chairperson, MD, or CEO, must be held by a resident Indian citizen.
Why it matters: This monumental policy shift is designed to infuse massive global capital, advanced technology, and international best practices into India's insurance market. It is crucial for increasing insurance penetration and density, ultimately supporting the national vision of providing comprehensive insurance coverage to all citizens, especially in underserved rural areas.
29. DRDL Tests Actively Cooled Scramjet Engine Combustor
Domain: Science & Technology
What happened
On January 9, 2026, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of its Actively Cooled Scramjet Full Scale Combustor. The engine operated for over 12 minutes at the state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) Facility. The combustor and test facility were designed by DRDL with support from industry partners.
Why it matters: This breakthrough serves as a foundational milestone for India's indigenous Hypersonic Cruise Missile program, which aims to develop weapons traveling over Mach 5 (6,100 km/hr). Demonstrating active cooling and sustained supersonic combustion proves India's capability to manage extreme thermal stresses, placing the country in an elite group of nations with advanced hypersonic aerospace propulsion technologies.
30. SC Clarifies Governor Assent Powers
Domain: Polity & Governance
What happened
On November 20, 2025, a five-judge Constitution Bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai delivered an advisory opinion on the 16th Presidential Reference. The Supreme Court ruled that constitutional courts cannot impose strict timelines on Governors or the President for granting assent to state bills, nor can they declare 'deemed assent' if deadlines are missed. However, the Court warned that Governors cannot indefinitely sit on bills and must follow the dialogic process of returning them with comments if assent is withheld.
Why it matters: This landmark opinion resets Centre-State legislative relations by striking a balance between constitutional flexibility and state autonomy. It prevents the judiciary from usurping executive powers via arbitrary deadlines, while simultaneously denying Governors the power of an absolute 'pocket veto' that could paralyze elected state legislatures.
31. Sundarbans Becomes India's Second Largest Tiger Reserve
Domain: Environment & Climate
What happened
On August 19, 2025, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) approved the expansion of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in West Bengal. By integrating the Matla, Raidighi, and Ramganga forest ranges, approximately 1,044 sq km were added to the reserve. This expansion increased its total area to 3,629 sq km, officially making it India's second-largest tiger reserve.
Why it matters: This expansion provides a larger, contiguous protected habitat for Royal Bengal tigers, which are uniquely adapted to the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem. It strengthens India's conservation framework under Project Tiger and aids in mitigating human-wildlife conflict by extending the reserve's regulated buffer and core zones.
32. NDCT Amendment Rules 2026 Fast-Track Drug Testing
Domain: Science & Technology
What happened
On January 20, 2026, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The amendment introduced a 'prior intimation' system allowing pharmaceutical companies to manufacture non-high-risk new drugs for analytical and pre-clinical testing by simply submitting an online form, bypassing the need for formal regulatory approval. Additionally, the statutory processing time for test licenses that still require permission was cut in half, from 90 days to 45 days.
Why it matters: This shift towards a 'trust-based' regulatory framework drastically reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks, potentially saving up to 90 days in the drug development cycle. It significantly improves India's Ease of Doing Business, encourages domestic pharmaceutical R&D, and strengthens the country's position as a fast-moving, competitive global hub for clinical research.