Important National and International Current Affairs Topics for UPSC Prelims:

National Current Affairs:

1. Government Policies and Schemes:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
- Ayushman Bharat Yojana
- Swachh Bharat Mission
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
- Make in India Initiative

2. Economic Developments:
- Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Demonetization
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
- Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

3. Science and Technology:
- COVID-19 pandemic and related developments
- Space missions by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Artificial Intelligence and its applications
- Renewable energy initiatives

4. Environmental Issues:
- Climate change and global warming
- Air pollution and initiatives to combat it
- Conservation of biodiversity and endangered species
- Waste management and plastic pollution

International Current Affairs:

1. Geopolitical Developments:
- Indo-China border tensions
- Indo-US relations
- Brexit and its impact on the European Union
- Israel-Palestine conflict

2. Global Organizations and Agreements:
- United Nations and its agencies
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Paris Agreement on climate change
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

3. Global Health Issues:
- COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the world
- Vaccination drives and vaccine diplomacy
- Global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis
- Health emergencies and response mechanisms

4. Sustainable Development:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- International initiatives for poverty eradication
- Clean energy transitions and the role of renewable energy
- Conservation of oceans and marine resources

Overall, staying updated with current affairs is crucial for the UPSC Prelims as it helps in understanding the dynamic nature of national and international events. It is recommended to read newspapers, follow reliable news sources, and refer to UPSC-specific current affairs materials to effectively prepare for this section of the exam.