The UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 results show a shrinking shortlist for Mains, with 13,343 candidates qualifying, down from 14,161 last year. The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) shortlist saw a near halving. This indicates a tighter selection process and increased competition for coveted government jobs.
President Trump canceled planned attacks on Iran, citing conceptual agreement on nuclear issues. He nominated Jay Clayton for Director of National Intelligence, following controversy over acting director Bill Pulte. The administration also proposed downsizing the U.S. Forest Service and cutting wildfire research.
A US Forest Service grant intended for wildfire prevention is delayed due to new federal policies requiring partners to adhere to "America First" initiatives like immigration and diversity hiring, preventing crucial controlled burns.
The U.S. Forest Service reduced vegetation management by nearly 1.5 million acres in 2025 compared to 2024, with prescribed burns falling by half. The agency lost 16% of its workforce amid Trump administration cuts, raising concerns among fire experts who warn that reduced controlled burning fuels extreme wildfires. A case in point: the Teakettle Experimental Forest in California burned in one day last August after planned prescribed burns were delayed.
