Social Issues & Schemes Current Affairs for UPSC

Education Sector Communication Networks, Media and Social Media Challenges

Getting teens to read the news, Pg9

Bridging the information gap: Strategies to engage teenagers with news through inclusive, accessible, and age-appropriate journalism in the digital age.

Education Sector Communication Networks, Media and Social Media Challenges

2 Jan, 2026

Getting teens to read the news, Pg9

Bridging the information gap: Strategies to engage teenagers with news through inclusive, accessible, and age-appropriate journalism in the digital age.

2 Jan, 2026

Education Sector

Mandating student presence, erasing learning, Pg8

Delhi HC ruling challenges mandatory attendance, advocating for curiosity-driven learning and criticising bureaucratic control in Indian universities.

Education Sector

2 Jan, 2026

Mandating student presence, erasing learning, Pg8

Delhi HC ruling challenges mandatory attendance, advocating for curiosity-driven learning and criticising bureaucratic control in Indian universities.

2 Jan, 2026

Poverty and Developmental Issues Effects of Liberalization on the Economy Corporate Governance

Paying Musk, irrational exuberance and inequality, Pg8

Tesla shareholder's approval of Elon Musk's trillion-dollar pay package raises concerns about irrational exuberance, inequality, and corporate governance.

Poverty and Developmental Issues Effects of Liberalization on the Economy Corporate Governance

2 Jan, 2026

Paying Musk, irrational exuberance and inequality, Pg8

Tesla shareholder's approval of Elon Musk's trillion-dollar pay package raises concerns about irrational exuberance, inequality, and corporate governance.

2 Jan, 2026

Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Land Reforms in India

From encroachment to legal ownership, Pg10

Haryana's amendment legalizing Shamilat deh encroachment favors elites, undermining Dalit rights and historical injustices in land distribution, raising social justice concerns.

Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Land Reforms in India

2 Jan, 2026

From encroachment to legal ownership, Pg10

Haryana's amendment legalizing Shamilat deh encroachment favors elites, undermining Dalit rights and historical injustices in land distribution, raising social justice concerns.

2 Jan, 2026

Poverty and Developmental Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector

The water divide, Pg8

Indore water tragedy exposes governance failures; contaminated supply claims lives despite Swachh Bharat Mission, demanding urgent reforms and accountability.

Poverty and Developmental Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector

2 Jan, 2026

The water divide, Pg8

Indore water tragedy exposes governance failures; contaminated supply claims lives despite Swachh Bharat Mission, demanding urgent reforms and accountability.

2 Jan, 2026

Poverty and Developmental Issues Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

A shift in the climate narrative as Paris pact comes under scrutiny, Pg13

Paris Agreement faces scrutiny as developing nations demand resources and policy flexibility, challenging mitigation-centric approach and emission standards.

Poverty and Developmental Issues Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

2 Jan, 2026

A shift in the climate narrative as Paris pact comes under scrutiny, Pg13

Paris Agreement faces scrutiny as developing nations demand resources and policy flexibility, challenging mitigation-centric approach and emission standards.

2 Jan, 2026

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

24 athletes added to TOPS; archery receives extra push, Pg17

Government expands Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), inducting 24 new athletes, including 8 compound archers, for enhanced 2028 Olympics preparation.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

2 Jan, 2026

24 athletes added to TOPS; archery receives extra push, Pg17

Government expands Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), inducting 24 new athletes, including 8 compound archers, for enhanced 2028 Olympics preparation.

2 Jan, 2026

Inclusive Growth Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

Banking correspondent outlets down 2.3 lakh in FY25: RBI data, Pg12

RBI data reveals sharp decline in banking correspondent outlets, threatening financial inclusion and DBT ecosystem in rural India due to policy shortcomings.

Inclusive Growth Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

2 Jan, 2026

Banking correspondent outlets down 2.3 lakh in FY25: RBI data, Pg12

RBI data reveals sharp decline in banking correspondent outlets, threatening financial inclusion and DBT ecosystem in rural India due to policy shortcomings.

2 Jan, 2026

Health Sector Government Budgeting

Cigarettes to cost 15-40% more from February 1, Pg3

Cigarette prices to surge 15-40% as government hikes GST and excise duties from February 1st, impacting tobacco industry.

Health Sector Government Budgeting

2 Jan, 2026

Cigarettes to cost 15-40% more from February 1, Pg3

Cigarette prices to surge 15-40% as government hikes GST and excise duties from February 1st, impacting tobacco industry.

2 Jan, 2026

Women and Women's Organizations Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

Centre pre-publishes draft Rules for four Labour Codes, Pg16

Centre's draft Labour Codes mandate 48-hour work week, address women's night shift safety, and redefine wage/social security norms.

Women and Women's Organizations Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

1 Jan, 2026

Centre pre-publishes draft Rules for four Labour Codes, Pg16

Centre's draft Labour Codes mandate 48-hour work week, address women's night shift safety, and redefine wage/social security norms.

1 Jan, 2026

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector

Ban on oral formulations of nimesulide over 100 mg, Pg16

Health Ministry bans oral nimesulide formulations above 100mg due to potential liver toxicity risks, effective immediately under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector

1 Jan, 2026

Ban on oral formulations of nimesulide over 100 mg, Pg16

Health Ministry bans oral nimesulide formulations above 100mg due to potential liver toxicity risks, effective immediately under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

1 Jan, 2026

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector

National drug survey to examine indigenous substance use patterns, Pg16

National Drug Use Survey 2026 to assess indigenous substance use, socio-economic impacts across 20 lakh individuals nationwide.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector

1 Jan, 2026

National drug survey to examine indigenous substance use patterns, Pg16

National Drug Use Survey 2026 to assess indigenous substance use, socio-economic impacts across 20 lakh individuals nationwide.

1 Jan, 2026

Health Sector Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests Effects of Liberalization on the Economy Changes in Industrial Policy and Effects on Industrial Growth

The U.S. tariff shock, India’s pharma future, Pg10

US tariffs threaten India's pharma exports; India seeks diversification, domestic reforms, and eastern alliances to maintain global pharmacy status.

Health Sector Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests Effects of Liberalization on the Economy Changes in Industrial Policy and Effects on Industrial Growth

1 Jan, 2026

The U.S. tariff shock, India’s pharma future, Pg10

US tariffs threaten India's pharma exports; India seeks diversification, domestic reforms, and eastern alliances to maintain global pharmacy status.

1 Jan, 2026

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

Need to tackle all pollution sources, change approach, Pg8

Delhi's air pollution crisis demands year-round action, source control, and health-focused strategies to achieve National Clean Air Programme targets.

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Health Sector Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

1 Jan, 2026

Need to tackle all pollution sources, change approach, Pg8

Delhi's air pollution crisis demands year-round action, source control, and health-focused strategies to achieve National Clean Air Programme targets.

1 Jan, 2026

Urbanization, Problems and Remedies Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

Farm fires over, Delhi still choked: Report, Pg7

Delhi's PM2.5 levels surge 30% post-farm fires, CSE report reveals local emissions and regional inflows as key culprits.

Urbanization, Problems and Remedies Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

1 Jan, 2026

Farm fires over, Delhi still choked: Report, Pg7

Delhi's PM2.5 levels surge 30% post-farm fires, CSE report reveals local emissions and regional inflows as key culprits.

1 Jan, 2026

Poverty and Developmental Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

Behind gig workers' strike on New Year's eve: A call for ban on 10-minute deliveries, Pg4

Gig workers strike against 10-minute deliveries, demanding fair wages, safety, and regulation under labour codes.

Poverty and Developmental Issues Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections

1 Jan, 2026

Behind gig workers' strike on New Year's eve: A call for ban on 10-minute deliveries, Pg4

Gig workers strike against 10-minute deliveries, demanding fair wages, safety, and regulation under labour codes.

1 Jan, 2026

Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary Vulnerable Sections Health Sector

New year of hope for disabled military cadets: A new health cover that cuts costs, Pg5

Supreme Court extends ECHS benefits to disabled military cadets, offering free treatment and reducing financial burden, disability pension consideration is underway.

Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary Vulnerable Sections Health Sector

1 Jan, 2026

New year of hope for disabled military cadets: A new health cover that cuts costs, Pg5

Supreme Court extends ECHS benefits to disabled military cadets, offering free treatment and reducing financial burden, disability pension consideration is underway.

1 Jan, 2026

Women and Women's Organizations Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors Vulnerable Sections