The UPSC Blog
UPSC current affairs and static notes, written for the exam
Every day: one explainer on the story that matters, one static guide on the syllabus topic behind the news, and one older post brought up to date. Each gives the concept, the verified data, UPSC's own questions on it, practice MCQs and a 60-second revision. By Shivam Singh, mentor at Minimalist IAS.
- GS Paper I11 posts History, culture, society, geography NewestFemale Labour Force Participation in India: Trends, Causes and Policies — UPSC Notes
- GS Paper II21 posts Polity, governance, social justice, IR NewestGig Workers' Social Security: National Board, Aggregator Levy and the Code on Social Security Explained
- GS Paper III20 posts Economy, environment, S&T, security NewestGig Workers' Social Security: National Board, Aggregator Levy and the Code on Social Security Explained
- GS Paper IV5 posts Ethics, integrity, aptitude NewestProbity in Governance: Meaning, Accountability and Ethical Governance — UPSC Ethics Notes
Gig Workers' Social Security: National Board, Aggregator Levy and the Code on Social Security Explained
The National Social Security Board recommends and monitors schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers, while aggregators contribute 1-2% of turnover, capped at 5% of payouts. A UPSC explainer on the Board, the levy, the definitions and the registration gap.
· 6 min read
Legislative Councils in India: Creation, Composition, Powers and Role — UPSC Notes
A one-stop UPSC guide to State Legislative Councils: how they are created or abolished under Article 169, their composition and powers, the comparison with Rajya Sabha and the Assembly, the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu history, and whether they are needed. Includes PYQs, MCQs and Mains questions.
· 9 min read
Sixth Schedule of the Constitution: Autonomous District Councils, Powers, Fifth vs Sixth Schedule and the Ladakh Demand — UPSC Notes
A one-stop UPSC guide to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution: why it was needed, how Autonomous District Councils are composed and work, the Fifth vs Sixth Schedule comparison, council issues backed by data, and the Ladakh debate. Includes PYQs, MCQs and Mains questions.
· 10 min read
India–New Zealand FTA: What It Gives, Types of Trade Agreements and India's Post-RCEP Strategy
The India–New Zealand FTA gives all Indian exports duty-free access while India opens about 70% of its lines and keeps dairy out. A UPSC explainer on what the pact gives, FTA vs CEPA vs customs union, rules of origin, GATT Article XXIV and India's seven pacts since 2021.
· 6 min read
UPSC PYQs on Growth, employment & jobless growth (2016–2026): every question, with answers
17 UPSC Prelims and Mains questions on Growth, employment & jobless growth, 2016–2026, each linked to its answer in the PYQ vault.
· 3 min read
Female Labour Force Participation in India: Trends, Causes and Policies — UPSC Notes
A one-stop UPSC guide to female labour force participation in India: LFPR vs WPR vs unemployment rate, what the PLFS data show (40.0% in 2025, 23.3% in 2017-18), the quality of women's work, Goldin's U-shaped curve, policies, PYQs, MCQs and Mains questions.
· 10 min read
Satellite Spectrum in India: Auction vs Administrative Allotment, the 2G Judgment and the Starlink Row
Reliance and Starlink disagree on whether satellite spectrum should be auctioned. A UPSC explainer on the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and its First Schedule, the 2G judgment and 2012 Presidential Reference, TRAI's May 2025 advice, and who decides.
· 5 min read
PESA Act 1996: Gram Sabha Powers, Fifth Schedule and Implementation — UPSC Notes
A one-stop UPSC guide to the PESA Act, 1996: why it was needed, what powers it gives the gram sabha, how the Fifth and Sixth Schedules differ, where implementation stands, and where a gram sabha's power ends after the Chhattisgarh disputes. Includes PYQs, MCQs and Mains questions.
· 10 min read
AT1 Bonds Explained: Basel III Capital and the Yes Bank Write-Off Ruling
The Supreme Court has upheld the quashing of Yes Bank's ₹8,415-crore AT1 write-off. A UPSC explainer on what AT1 bonds are, RBI's Basel III capital minimums, AT1 vs Tier 2, the loss order and the Credit Suisse parallel.
· 6 min read
Probity in Governance: Meaning, Accountability and Ethical Governance — UPSC Ethics Notes
A one-stop GS4 guide to probity in governance: how it differs from integrity, accountability and transparency, its philosophical basis, the instruments India uses and how accountability is enforced after administrative failure. Includes PYQs, MCQs, Mains questions and a case study.
· 10 min read
IDBI Bank Strategic Sale to Fairfax: Disinvestment vs Privatisation, FDI Limits and RBI Rules Explained
The Cabinet has cleared the sale of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank to a Fairfax unit for ₹52,878 crore. A clear UPSC explainer on disinvestment versus privatisation, IDBI's history, FDI limits and RBI rules for banks.
· 6 min read
Indian Monsoon: Mechanism, El Niño, IOD and the Northeast Monsoon — UPSC Notes
A one-stop GS1 guide to the Indian monsoon: how it works, why it fails, how El Niño and the IOD change it, and why Tamil Nadu gets its rain in October–December. Includes the 2026 season, PYQs, MCQs and Mains questions.
· 10 min read
Anti-Defection Law, the Speaker and Resignations: Madras HC's Two-Month Deadline Explained
The Madras High Court has upheld the acceptance of six MLAs' resignations while keeping disqualification pleas alive and setting a two-month deadline. A clear UPSC explainer on the Tenth Schedule, the Speaker's role and the judgments to quote.
· 6 min read
Attitude in Ethics: Content, Structure, Function, Change and Expectations — UPSC Ethics Notes
A one-stop GS4 guide to attitude: what it is, its three components and four functions, how it forms and changes, how it links to behaviour, persuasion and prejudice, and why expectations shape results. Includes PYQs, MCQs, Mains questions and a case study.
· 10 min read
Economics Nobel 2026 and India’s Inflation: Hall, Woodford, Inflation Targeting and the RBI Hike
Robert Hall and Michael Woodford won the 2026 Economics Nobel as India's CPI inflation hit 5.54%. What they showed, how the RBI's inflation targeting works, CPI vs WPI, and how to use it in GS3.
· 6 min read
Caste System in India: Key Concepts, Constitutional Safeguards and Caste Among the Diaspora — UPSC Notes
A one-stop GS1 guide to caste in India: key concepts compared, Ambedkar’s views, constitutional safeguards, what happens to SC, ST and OBC status after religious conversion, and caste abroad. Includes verified PYQs, MCQs and Mains questions.
· 10 min read
Katchatheevu Island: What the 1974 and 1976 India–Sri Lanka Agreements Settled, and How Berubari Differs
The Supreme Court has again heard petitions against the 1974 and 1976 agreements that placed Katchatheevu on the Sri Lankan side. This explainer sets out what each agreement settled, why Berubari is a different case, and what UPSC can ask.
· 7 min read
Empathy, Compassion and Tolerance in Civil Services: Meaning, Differences and Application — UPSC Ethics Notes
A one-stop GS4 guide to empathy, compassion and tolerance towards the weaker sections: what each means, how they differ, where the Constitution and the law anchor them, a child-protection case anchor, PYQs, MCQs and a case study.
· 9 min read
Article 22: Grounds of Arrest in Writing, Detention and Habeas Corpus Explained
The Supreme Court has made written grounds of arrest enforceable: in Deol (2026), police cannot simply re-arrest a person freed over a breach. A clear UPSC explainer on Article 22, the Pankaj Bansal line of cases, preventive detention, habeas corpus and the Delhi detentions order.
· 6 min read
Untouchability in India: Article 17, PCR Act vs PoA Act and the Haldwani Row
Article 17 abolished untouchability in 1950, yet the Haldwani ‘purification’ row shows prejudice outlasting law. What Article 17, Article 35, the PCR Act and the PoA Act say, compared side by side, with a Prelims MCQ and a Mains question.
· 7 min read
