GS Paper I & II · National Affairs

National Current Affairs for UPSC 2026

Welfare schemes, social issues, health, education and national developments — explained the way UPSC asks them. Lock the schemes and surveys for Prelims, and frame social-sector debates for Mains.

Read today’s lead story →See the exam lens

Inside every article

01
Quick-facts tableThe Prelims facts, in one glance
02
5 Prelims MCQsUPSC-style statements, answers hidden
03
Mains answer structureIntro, body dimensions, conclusion
04
Punjab & Haryana PCS angleThe state exam link, where it exists
The UPSC exam lens

How National is tested

● Prelims radar

What gets asked

Prelims picks the scheme, the survey or the day behind national news — with the ministry and the target group.

Schemes & missionsMinistry, target group, launch
Reports & surveysAgency, key finding
Important daysDate, theme
Awards & appointmentsBody, field, first-of-its-kind
Social JusticeWomen EmpowermentEducationPublic HealthTribal Affairs
● Mains lens · GS I & II

The syllabus, and the question it becomes

Each line below is from the official UPSC syllabus, with the angle examiners usually take.

  1. Government policies and interventions for development (GS II)Design, implementation gaps and outcomes.
  2. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections (GS II)Targeting, coverage and last-mile delivery.
  3. Social sector — health, education, human resources (GS II)Access, quality and financing.
  4. Issues relating to poverty and hunger (GS II)Nutrition, PDS and multidimensional poverty.
  5. Role of women; population and associated issues (GS I)Participation, safety and demographic change.
Today’s lead

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The archive

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Aspirants ask

Frequently Asked Questions

Which UPSC papers cover national and social issues?

Government policies, welfare schemes, health, education, poverty and hunger fall under General Studies Paper II. Women, population and social issues fall under General Studies Paper I.

How should I study national current affairs for Prelims?

For every scheme note the ministry, target group and launch year; for surveys note the agency and headline finding. Revise with the MCQs at the end of each article.

How often is this page updated?

Every day. New national articles appear here as soon as they are published, with the newest as the lead story.

Are these notes useful for state PCS exams?

Yes. Each article carries a Punjab and Haryana PCS angle, so the same notes work for Punjab PCS, HCS and other state services along with UPSC.

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