Imagine this: It’s 6 AM in Salt Lake, Kolkata. You’re bleary-eyed but determined, flipping through your dusty current affairs notes, only to realize — you’ve missed a major topic from February 2025. Panic sets in. Your essay paper is due in 10 days. You’re not alone.
For many aspirants in Kolkata and surrounding areas like Howrah, Barrackpore, and South 24 Parganas, this is a familiar scene. The UPSC journey demands not just hard work but strategic awareness of what’s truly relevant.
Let’s make sure you don’t miss a beat. Here’s a crisp, expert-curated roundup of major national current affairs (Jan–June 2025) you absolutely must cover for UPSC GS and Essay papers.
Why Staying Updated with National Affairs is Non-Negotiable
If you’re preparing for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2025, your success is tied directly to how well you understand India’s evolving socio-political landscape. The Essay and GS papers often frame questions based on the latest developments — not stale facts.
In recent years, UPSC has increased focus on:
- Governance reforms
- Environmental commitments
- India’s global role
- Welfare schemes and their impact
Top National Current Affairs (Jan–June 2025) for UPSC – GS & Essay
Let’s decode the most impactful stories that made headlines and stirred national conversations.
1. Union Interim Budget 2025–26
- A growth-oriented budget with emphasis on infrastructure, green energy, and welfare.
- Massive allocation to PM Awas Yojana, support to farmers, and AI innovation centers.
GS3 | Essay Themes: Economic growth, equity, climate budget.
2. Electoral Bonds Scheme Declared Unconstitutional
- Supreme Court’s landmark judgment for electoral transparency.
- SBI ordered to reveal names of donors and beneficiaries — exposing opaque funding.
GS2 | Essay: Electoral reforms, Transparency, Trust in Democracy.
3. India Joins International Energy Agency (IEA)
- Full-time membership signals India’s global energy responsibility.
- Strengthens ties with energy-rich nations and access to oil reserves.
GS3: Energy security, Sustainable growth, International relations.
4. Digital Census 2025 Begins
- India’s first tech-driven census using mobile apps, cloud storage, AI-based enumeration.
- Integration with NPR sparks data privacy debates.
GS2 & GS1: Governance, Demographics, Rights vs Security.
5. Education Credit Bank Framework Rolled Out
- A key NEP reform, enabling students to transfer credits across Indian universities.
- Major push toward flexible learning and skill development.
GS2 | Essay: Higher education, equity, NEP implementation.
6. Section 124A (Sedition) Struck Down
- SC ruled Sedition Law as unconstitutional citing violation of Article 19(1)(a).
- Huge implications on freedom of expression in India.
GS2: Fundamental rights, Judiciary, Civil liberties.B
7. Agni-V Missile Successfully Test-Fired
- India enhances its nuclear deterrence with MIRV (Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle) capability.
- Demonstrates strategic readiness amid rising tensions in Indo-Pacific.
GS3: Security, Defence technology, Strategic studies.
8. India’s First Sovereign Green Bond Listed on LSE
- ₹8,000 crore raised to fund green projects via London Stock Exchange.
- Puts India on the global map for sustainable finance leadership.
GS3 | Essay: Green finance, ESG, Climate change solutions.
9. Lok Sabha Elections Announced (Preparations Begin)
- Preparatory work underway for General Elections 2025 with EC focusing on e-voting and AI-driven polling.
- Debates on electoral tech and voter privacy gaining ground.
GS2: Electoral process, Technology in governance.
10. Restructuring of Indian Penal Code and CrPC
- Govt tables Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, replacing colonial-era IPC and CrPC.
- Modernised definitions of crime, gender-neutral laws introduced.
GS2: Law reforms, Criminal justice system.
11. PM Launches ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ Campaign
- Vision document for a developed India by 2047 unveiled.
- Focus on health, innovation, infrastructure, and social capital.
Essay | GS2 & GS3: Development goals, Vision planning, Governance.
12. INS Vikrant Completes First Operational Deployment
- India’s indigenous aircraft carrier conducts operations in Arabian Sea.
- Boosts India’s maritime dominance and Atmanirbhar Bharat defence drive.
GS3: Naval strategy, Defence self-reliance.
13. National AI Mission Phase-II Launched
- ₹25,000 crore allocated for AI research, startups, and public data stack.
- Establishment of 10 AI Centres of Excellence in IITs, NITs.
GS3: Emerging tech, Digital governance, Innovation economy.
14. India’s Unemployment Rate Hits 5-Year Low
- CMIE reports 4.9% unemployment, largely due to urban gig economy and manufacturing.
- Critics highlight underemployment concerns.
GS3 | Essay: Employment vs underemployment, Economy-health mismatch.
15. Expansion of Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission
- Over 400 million citizens now digitally linked to personal health records.
- Drives telemedicine, health insurance portability, and preventive care.
GS2 & GS3: Health governance, Digital inclusion.
16. SEBI’s New ESG Regulations Notified
- Companies mandated to disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores.
- Promotes corporate accountability in sustainability goals.
GS3 | Essay: Ethical business, Green economy.
17. India Becomes 3rd Largest Startup Ecosystem (UNCTAD Report)
- Surpasses UK; over 1,20,000 startups officially registered by DPIIT.
- Sectors include fintech, agritech, climate tech, and defence.
GS3 | Essay: Innovation, Youth power, Entrepreneurship.
18. Expansion of PM Gati Shakti Infrastructure Master Plan
- Phase-II includes Eastern Freight Corridor & Bengal ports integration.
- Kolkata to benefit from multi-modal logistics park near Dankuni.
Local Link | GS3: Infrastructure boost in Kolkata and East India.
Local Lens: What These Developments Mean for Kolkata
- Digital Census & Sedition ruling evoke strong reactions in Kolkata’s politically active student groups.
- The Education Credit System is being promoted in Jadavpur University and Presidency College.
- IEA membership is a big discussion point at academic forums in Salt Lake and Rajarhat tech hubs.
UPSC Essay Themes Emerging from 2025 Events
- Democracy & Accountability – Electoral reforms, judicial activism.
- Social Justice – Budgetary inclusion, housing schemes.
- Environment vs Development – IEA, budgetary green allocation.
- Digital Transformation – Census, education reforms, AI budgets.
Events You Must Remember
| Event | Date | UPSC Paper | Essay Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Budget 2025 | Feb 1 | GS3 | Inclusive Growth |
| Electoral Bond Ruling | Feb 15 | GS2 | Transparency |
| IEA Membership | Mar 2025 | GS3 | Energy Policy |
| Digital Census | Apr 2025 | GS2 | Governance |
| Education Credit System | May 2025 | GS2 | Education |
| Sedition Law Verdict | June 2025 | GS2 | Rights & Justice |
Internal Resources You’ll Love
Trusted Authority Source
According to PRS Legislative Research, the Electoral Bonds ruling has sparked active parliamentary debate, marking a turning point in India’s campaign finance laws. Read More
FAQs: UPSC 2025 National Current Affairs
Q1. Will questions from Jan–June 2025 be asked in UPSC Prelims 2025?
Yes, especially in GS Paper I and CSAT comprehension. Focus on February Budget and Supreme Court verdicts.
Q2. Are local current affairs important for Essay papers?
Absolutely. UPSC values regional implications of national events. Kolkata’s student response to Sedition ruling is a case in point.
Q3. Should I prepare these topics for GS2 or GS3?
Both. Many issues like electoral reforms or climate policy overlap across papers. Focus on interlinking themes.
Q4. How do I link these affairs in Essay papers?
Use them as case studies to back abstract ideas like “Freedom vs Security” or “Role of Judiciary.”
Q5. Where can I get daily current affairs curated for UPSC?
We post daily, exam-relevant updates at Educrat IAS Current Affairs Section
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