🔥 UPSC/PCS Current Affairs | 7 July 2026

1. Census 2027 Rehearsal Uses Open Column for Caste

Why in News?

The questionnaire used in the second phase rehearsal of Census 2027 has an open column for recording caste.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for caste census, social justice, reservation policy, welfare targeting and data governance.

Prelims Facts

• Census 2027 will be India’s first digital Census.
• It will enumerate caste for the first time in Independent India.
• Earlier Census counted only SCs and STs.
• Population Enumeration phase will be conducted in February 2027.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Social Justice, Governance, Welfare Schemes

Revision Note: Caste Census = Social justice + data-based policy + reservation debate + welfare targeting.

2. Pahalgam Terror Attack: NIA Charges LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed

Why in News?

NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet against Hafiz Saeed in the Pahalgam terror attack case.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for internal security, cross-border terrorism, UAPA, NIA and India-Pakistan relations.

Prelims Facts

• NIA works under Ministry of Home Affairs.
• UAPA deals with unlawful and terrorist activities.
• LeT and TRF were charged as legal entities.
• The attack killed 26 civilians.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Internal Security, Terrorism, Border Management

Revision Note: Pahalgam attack = Cross-border terrorism + NIA + UAPA + Pakistan-sponsored terror.

3. India to Launch Campaign for UNSC Non-Permanent Seat

Why in News?

India will launch its official campaign for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2028-29.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for UN reforms, Global South leadership, multilateral diplomacy and India’s foreign policy.

Prelims Facts

• UNSC has 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.
• Non-permanent members are elected for two years.
• India is seeking the 2028-29 term.
• Asia-Pacific group seat is important for India’s candidature.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: International Relations, Global Institutions

Revision Note: UNSC seat = Global South + multilateral reforms + India’s global leadership.

4. PM Modi Begins Three-Nation Visit from Indonesia

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his three-nation tour covering Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific, MAHASAGAR Vision and maritime cooperation.

Prelims Facts

• Indonesia is India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partner.
• Prambanan Temple is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple.
• MAHASAGAR means Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions.
• Indo-Pacific is central to India’s maritime strategy.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: International Relations, Indo-Pacific

Revision Note: Indonesia visit = Act East + Indo-Pacific + maritime security + cultural diplomacy.

5. El Niño May Strain India’s Economy and Power System

Why in News?

Fresh projections indicate that El Niño and weak monsoon conditions may affect agriculture, inflation and power demand.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for climate change, monsoon, agriculture, inflation, energy security and disaster preparedness.

Prelims Facts

• El Niño is linked with warming of central and eastern Pacific Ocean waters.
• It can weaken the Indian monsoon.
• Agriculture employs nearly half of India’s workforce.
• Weak monsoon can increase food inflation.

Mains Perspective

GS-I: Geography, Climate GS-III: Agriculture, Economy, Energy Security

Revision Note: El Niño = Monsoon risk + food inflation + rural demand + power stress.

6. Maharashtra Heavy Rain and Landslides

Why in News?

Heavy rain caused landslides, deaths and disruption on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and railway routes.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Relevant for disaster management, urban flooding, landslides and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Prelims Facts

• NDRF is deployed for disaster response.
• Landslides are common in hilly and high-rainfall regions.
• Urban flooding is worsened by poor drainage and construction.
• IMD issues rainfall and cloudburst warnings.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Disaster Management, Infrastructure, Climate Resilience

Revision Note: Maharashtra rain = Landslides + urban flooding + NDRF + infrastructure safety.

7. Karnataka SIR: Allegations Against Booth-Level Officers

Why in News?

NDA leaders alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for electoral reforms, voting rights, Election Commission and democratic governance.

Prelims Facts

• Booth-Level Officers verify voter details at household level.
• Election Commission supervises electoral rolls.
• SIR is used for intensive revision of voter lists.
• Electoral roll accuracy is essential for free and fair elections.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Elections, Constitution, Governance

Revision Note: SIR = Electoral integrity + voter inclusion + ECI accountability + democracy.

8. China Test-Fires Strategic Missile into Pacific

Why in News?

A Chinese nuclear submarine test-fired a strategic missile into the Pacific Ocean.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Indo-Pacific security, nuclear deterrence, maritime security and China’s military expansion.

Prelims Facts

• Strategic missiles can carry nuclear warheads.
• Submarine-launched missiles strengthen second-strike capability.
• Pacific Ocean is central to Indo-Pacific security competition.
• China’s naval expansion affects regional security balance.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: International Relations GS-III: Security, Defence

Revision Note: China missile test = Indo-Pacific security + nuclear deterrence + maritime power.

9. Waqf Board Reconstitution in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News?

Madhya Pradesh reconstituted its Waqf Board with two non-Muslim members under the amended Waqf law.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for minority institutions, judicial review, religious endowments and constitutional governance.

Prelims Facts

• Waqf relates to charitable/religious endowment under Islamic law.
• State Waqf Boards regulate waqf properties.
• The amended law provides for inclusion of non-Muslim members.
• The matter is under judicial scrutiny.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Constitution, Minorities, Governance

Revision Note: Waqf debate = Minority rights + governance reform + judicial review + secularism.

10. UAPA Invoked in Pahalgam-Related Online Comment Case

Why in News?

Kerala Police invoked UAPA against a man for an offensive comment related to a Pahalgam terror attack victim’s family.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for cyber law, free speech, national security and limits of online expression.

Prelims Facts

• UAPA is India’s major anti-terror law.
• Online speech may attract criminal liability in serious security cases.
• Police can examine digital devices for evidence.
• Balance between liberty and national security is a key constitutional issue.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Fundamental Rights GS-III: Internal Security, Cyber Security

Revision Note: UAPA online case = Free speech + security + cyber law + proportionality.

📰 Editorial Focus 1 – Voting Cannot Remain Merely a Statutory Right

Theme

The editorial argues that the Supreme Court should revisit the doctrine that treats voting merely as a statutory right.

Key Concepts

• Right to Vote
• Democracy
• Universal Adult Franchise
• Election Commission
• Free and Fair Elections
• Basic Structure Doctrine

Mains Takeaway: Voting is the foundation of democracy and should be protected with stronger constitutional safeguards.

📰 Editorial Focus 2 – India’s AI Governance and Global South Leadership

Theme

India should shape AI governance around public purpose, user safety, strategic autonomy and international cooperation.

Key Concepts

• Artificial Intelligence Governance
• Global South
• Strategic Autonomy
• Data Centres
• Big Tech Regulation
• UN Global Dialogue on AI

Mains Takeaway: India must avoid becoming only a consumer of foreign AI technology and should lead responsible AI governance for the Global South.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• Census 2027 and Caste Enumeration
• Open Column Method and SECC 2011 Debate
• Pahalgam Terror Attack and NIA Chargesheet
• LeT, TRF and Cross-Border Terrorism
• India’s UNSC Non-Permanent Seat Campaign
• Global South and UN Reforms
• PM Modi’s Indonesia Visit and Act East Policy
• MAHASAGAR Vision and Indo-Pacific
• El Niño, Monsoon and Food Inflation
• Maharashtra Landslides and Disaster Management
• Karnataka SIR and Electoral Roll Verification
• China Strategic Missile Test
• Waqf Board Reconstitution and Judicial Review
• UAPA, Online Speech and National Security
• Right to Vote and Constitutional Democracy
• AI Governance and Strategic Autonomy

One-Line Fact: Census 2027 will be India’s first digital Census and the first Census after Independence to enumerate caste across the population.

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