UPSC Key: Moon Base, Surrogate Ads, Mines Bill, Criminalisation – Daily News Analysis for Prelims & Mains

ISRO Launches EOS-05: India's First Geo-Imaging Satellite in Geosynchronous Orbit; SC Invokes Article 142 to Quash CJP Protest Cases

A day of high exam relevance: ISRO successfully launched EOS-05, India’s first dedicated geo-imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit, breaking a failure streak. The Supreme Court used its extraordinary power under Article 142 to close cases linked to CJP protests, raising important constitutional questions. Other key updates include OpenAI’s new autonomous AI model, Manipur’s NRC-first demand for Census deferral, mistrust in GDP data, and Tata Chemicals’ Kenya dispute.

SC Applies Section 498A to Live-in Relationships; NOTTO Launches Real-Time Organ Transplant Portal with Aadhaar Pledges

The Indian Express UPSC Key for August 4, 2026, covers multiple crucial topics: the Supreme Court's ruling extending Section 498A cruelty protection to live-in relationships, the launch of a real-time organ transplant portal by NOTTO, the Vikram Sarabhai Medal awarded to Annapurni Subramaniam, India's resilient fertiliser supply amid the Iran war, the science behind Europe's wildfires, and the Ceuta migrant crisis. These topics span Polity, Health, Science, Environment, and International Relations, offering direct material for UPSC Prelims and Mains.

Weekly UPSC Current Affairs: NEET Youth, PM CARES, SC on Hanging, GISAT-1A, MQ-9B, Grasslands Guide

This weekly compilation covers 20 critical current affairs topics from August 17-23, 2026. Key highlights include NITI Aayog's report on NEET youth (8.7 crore), PM CARES Fund details, Supreme Court upholding hanging, GISAT-1A launch, India-Mauritius fuel pact, and India's first Grasslands Guide. Essential for UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.

80th Independence Day: PM Modi Unveils Saptadhara, AI Push, Semiconductor Projects; Key Polity & Economy Updates

This week's current affairs compilation covers PM Modi's 80th Independence Day address unveiling the 'Saptadhara' framework, AI training for 1 crore youth, approval of 12 semiconductor projects, and a talent hunt for Olympics. Other key events include BCI's controversy over NALSAR graduates, FAST-DS for foreign asset disclosure, UPI clarification on charges, India achieving 300 GW renewable capacity, and Dirac Medal awarded to Deepak Dhar.

UPSC Key: 14 Internal EC Dissents, Tarang Shakti-26 Multinational Exercise, and AI-Driven Semiconductor Supercycle

This Indian Express 'UPSC Key' compilation covers six critical topics: unprecedented internal dissent within the Election Commission (14 objections in 10 months), the second edition of India's largest multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-26, the Supreme Court's reaffirmation of the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent on Vande Mataram, a new Centre scheme for lithium and nickel processing, the evolution of Yemen's Houthis from a local revivalist movement to a Red Sea power, and the global semiconductor 'supercycle' driven by AI demand. Each story is mapped to UPSC syllabus with previous year questions.

NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base Program Under Artemis Accords for Lunar South Pole Outpost

NASA has formally invited ISRO to join its ambitious Moon Base programme, aiming to build humanity's first lunar outpost near the South Pole. This invitation, extended during the 9th India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru, deepens bilateral space collaboration under the Artemis Accords and the TRUST initiative. For UPSC aspirants, this is a crucial topic for Science & Tech and International Relations, with potential prelims questions on the Artemis Accords, CSJWG, and lunar South Pole.

NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base Programme; India Signed Artemis Accords, Targets 2040 Human Moon Landing

NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, a major step in India-US space cooperation. India, a signatory to the Artemis Accords, aims to land humans on the Moon by 2040. This collaboration offers ISRO hands-on experience but raises concerns about technology dependency.

US Appeals Court Upholds $565.2M ICC Award Against Antrix Corp: FSIA Arbitration Exception Examined

The US Ninth Circuit upheld a $565.2 million ICC arbitration award against ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corp, rejecting arguments of sovereign immunity under the FSIA. This landmark ruling clarifies the limits of state immunity in commercial arbitration and has significant implications for India's space sector and international investment disputes.