[UPSC Mains 2026] Registration Open: All India Smash Mains Open Test 2026

5th August

J&K – The issues around the state

[5th August 2026] The Hindu OpED: Jammu and Kashmir: the elusive quest for Statehood

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-02.Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States; issues and challenges of federal structure;

International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage set to strike the Moon, exposing gaps in space law

Prelims Only | Science and Technology | Mains GS3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

New study finds global warming is accelerating, with the 1.5 degree Celsius breach projected by 2030

Explained | Environment | Mains GS3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Wildlife Conservation Efforts

National Board for Wildlife clears the Panari hydropower project in the Panna Ranipur tiger corridor

National Parks/WS Prelims Only | Environment | Mains GS3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Wetland Conservation

Supreme Court extends the 10 km mining buffer to all wetland conservation reserves

National Parks/WS SC Judgements | Environment | Mains GS3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Cyber Security – CERTs, Policy, etc

Supreme Court orders SOPs against digital arrest cyber fraud and mule accounts

Prelims Only SC Judgements | Internal Security | Mains GS3: GS3-21.Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security.

Foreign Policy Watch: India-Southeast Asia

India resets ties with Bangladesh and invites its new leader to the BRICS Summit

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains GS2: GS2-20.Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Foreign Policy Watch: India-Japan

India Japan mobility deepens through the Specified Skilled Worker route and Assam semiconductors

Explained | International Relations | Mains GS2: GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

The race for the next UN Secretary General and the UNSC straw poll

Explained | International Relations | Mains International Relations – Important International Institutions:

Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

NATO enters a new strategic era as burden shifts to Europe and openings emerge for India

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains GS2: GS2-20.Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Minority Issues – SC, ST, Dalits, OBC, Reservations, etc.

Census 2027 finalises Phase 2 questions with caste enumeration

Explained Prelims Only | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-10.Government Policies & Interventions for development of various sectors (issues in their design, implementation)

Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls leaves about 20 lakh names flagged in Punjab

Explained | Polity | Mains Polity – Representation of People's Act:

Fundamental Rights

Supreme Court extends Section 498A cruelty protection to live in relationships

Prelims Only SC Judgements | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-02.Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States; issues and challenges of federal structure;

What is the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill

Bills/Act/Laws Explained | Governance | Mains GS2:

Urban Transformation – Smart Cities, AMRUT, etc.

Parliamentary panel flags that only 30% of urban households under AMRUT have sewerage

Prelims Only Schemes | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-10.Government Policies & Interventions for development of various sectors (issues in their design, implementation)

Aadhaar Card Issues

Rajya Sabha clears the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Amended/Enacted Bills/Act/Laws Explained | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-10.Government Policies & Interventions for development of various sectors (issues in their design, implementation)

Road and Highway Safety – National Road Safety Policy, Good Samaritans, etc.

Supreme Court extends mandatory third party motor insurance and floats a no-insurance, no fuel pilot

Prelims Only SC Judgements | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-10.Government Policies & Interventions for development of various sectors (issues in their design, implementation)

Why mineral rich districts stay poor: On the District Mineral Foundation Trust

op-ed snap | | Mains Indian Economy – Mobilization of Resources:

Monetary Policy Committee Notifications

RBI monetary policy explainer ahead of the MPC decision

Prelims Only | | Mains GS3: GS3-01. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

FDI in Indian economy

FCNR (B) inflows of nearly $49 billion fail to lift the rupee

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-01. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.