💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship November Batch
Talk to Mentor

Day: November 3, 2025

Bills/Act/LawsDOMREthicsExplainedHistorical SitesIOCRop-ed snapPIBPlaces in newsPrelims OnlySC JudgementsSchemesSpeciesStatesworld map
November 2025
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930

Port Infrastructure and Shipping Industry – Sagarmala Project, SDC, CEZ, etc.

[3rd November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Cruising ahead, India’s shipping sector needs help from the government to thrive

op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth. Discuss in the light of India’s experience.

Linkage: This question assesses the role of infrastructure investment in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth, a core theme under GS Paper III. It directly links to the article’s discussion on India’s renewed focus on port-led development and maritime self-reliance as catalysts for national growth and strategic autonomy.

Mentor’s Comment

The article highlights India’s renewed focus on its maritime and shipping sector, a domain long overshadowed by globalisation-led neglect and privatisation. As the government signals intent to revive indigenous shipping strength, the discussion becomes crucial for UPSC aspirants studying issues of economic infrastructure, logistics, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s maritime strategy under GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure: Transport and Shipping).

Introduction & Why in the News

At the India Maritime Week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that shipping is not merely a business but a strategic national asset. This marks a policy shift, after decades of liberalisation and privatisation which weakened India’s domestic fleet and shipbuilding capacity. With the pandemic exposing India’s dependence on foreign-owned ships, the government has now initiated fresh investments, port reforms, and fleet strengthening measures to make Indian shipping globally competitive once again.

Reclaiming India’s Maritime Strength

  1. Decline under Liberalisation: Over two decades of globalisation and privatisation led to weakened domestic shipping, with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) losing state backing and market share.
  2. Loss of Strategic Autonomy: Reliance on foreign ships reduced India’s ability to secure trade routes and logistics during crises.
  3. Pandemic Wake-up Call: COVID-19 disruptions exposed this overdependence, renewing calls for self-reliance and fleet revival.

How Government Policies Shaped the Sector’s Decline

  1. Privatisation and Reduced Support: The ideological shift toward liberalisation led to reduced state ownership and limited investment in domestic capacity.
  2. Withdrawal of Favourable Policies: Earlier advantages like first rights to transport India’s oil were withdrawn, eroding SCI’s competitiveness.
  3. Diluted Strategic Intent: Shipping became treated as a commercial, not strategic, enterprise unlike in major maritime nations such as China or South Korea.

The Post-Pandemic Realisation: Shipping as Strategic Infrastructure

  1. Strategic Leverage: Post-COVID, the government realised that control over shipping fleets = control over supply chains, a critical factor during disruptions or wars.
  2. National Interests and Protectionism: As Western nations turned protectionist, India reoriented towards building indigenous capacity to ensure secure maritime logistics.
  3. New Investments Announced: Major port-related projects and transshipment hubs like Chennai and Kolkata were revived to strengthen domestic capabilities.

Reforms and Initiatives: Building Self-Reliant Maritime Power

  1. Port-Led Development: Under the landlord model, India’s ports now share revenue with private players, encouraging efficiency and foreign participation.
  2. Transshipment Hubs: Development of Chennai and Kolkata projects reflects India’s ambition to capture cargo movement currently routed via Colombo or Singapore.
  3. Shipbuilding Incentives: Moves toward strengthening shipbuilding and ship repair capacity ensure domestic employment and reduce outflow of forex.
  4. Indian Seafarer Training: Focus on education and skill development enables Indian crew to compete internationally and serve domestic fleet expansion needs.

Private Sector Role and Strategic Leverage

  1. Private Shipping Companies: Encouraged to register ships in India and operate via local subsidiaries to enhance fleet size.
  2. Financial Autonomy: SCI’s balance sheet strengthening and port reforms attract new investors.
  3. Insurance and Ancillary Services: Government aims to extend support to marine insurance, finance, and logistics for creating a complete maritime ecosystem.

Conclusion

India’s renewed emphasis on shipping marks a strategic reassertion of maritime sovereignty. As the government invests in ports, fleet expansion, and seafarer training, the focus must remain on integrating private capacity with national goals. True maritime power will come not from tonnage alone, but from strategic control over logistics, shipbuilding, and manpower. With sustained policy backing, India can transform from a cargo-dependent nation to a maritime leader.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power sector likely amendments in winter session

Explained | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Introduction

India’s nuclear sector, long constrained by legal rigidity and liability concerns, is on the verge of transformation. Two yet-to-be-proposed amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, mark a potential inflexion point for India’s atomic energy policy. These changes aim to attract private participation, foreign technology, and financing for nuclear power at a time when India is seeking reliable base-load alternatives to coal amid renewable intermittency.

Why in the News

The Government of India is preparing two key amendments to the overarching legislation governing the nuclear energy sector. These include:

  1. Easing provisions under the CLNDA, which has so far deterred private and foreign suppliers due to its unique liability clause.
  2. Tweaking the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, to permit private capital participation in nuclear projects, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

This move is significant because private participation in nuclear power generation would be a first in India’s history, potentially unlocking foreign investments, advanced technology, and new energy security pathways.

India’s Atomic Sector: The Turning Point

  1. Policy Stagnation: India’s nuclear sector has been constrained by a state monopoly and the restrictive liability regime under CLNDA 2010.
  2. Base-load Pressure: The growing share of renewables has created an urgent need for dependable, round-the-clock power sources to stabilise the grid.
  3. Technology Imperative: Advanced nuclear technologies like Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and SMRs offer scalability, modularity, and carbon-neutral power generation.

What are the Proposed Legal Amendments?

Liability Law and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA)

  • Objective: To create a mechanism for compensating victims in the event of a nuclear accident while easing supplier liability.
  • Issue: Section 17(b) allows the operator to seek recourse from suppliers, discouraging foreign firms from supplying equipment.
  • Yet to be proposed Change: Easing or redefining supplier liability to allow greater participation by private and foreign firms such as Westinghouse (US) and Framatome (France).
  • Expected Impact: Unlocks foreign investment, technology transfer, and cost-effective reactor construction for the upcoming fleet of nuclear projects.

Atomic Energy Act, 1962-Enabling Private Entry

  • Current Restriction: The Act allows only government entities to construct and operate nuclear power plants.
  • Yet to be proposed Amendment: Permitting private entities to invest in and operate select reactor types, especially Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
  • Outcome: Encourages joint ventures between state-owned NPCIL and private players to accelerate capacity addition.
  • Strategic Aim: To create a hybrid public-private nuclear ecosystem focused on innovation, faster project execution, and flexible deployment.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): The Next Frontier

  1. Definition: Compact, factory-assembled nuclear reactors that can be transported and installed modularly.
  2. Government Focus: NPCIL announced domestic SMR design by March 2024; Reliance Industries, Adani Power, and Tata Power have shown interest.
  3. Advantages:
    1. Scalability: Easier to construct and replicate than large nuclear plants.
    2. Flexibility: Ideal for decentralised base-load generation alongside renewables.
    3. Lower Risk: Smaller footprint and enhanced safety features.
  4. Global Trend: Aligns India with global leaders like the US, Russia, France, and China in SMR technology development.

Why Private and Foreign Participation Matters

  1. Capital Infusion: Nuclear power projects are capital-intensive; private entry reduces fiscal burden on the exchequer.
  2. Technology Access: Enables partnerships with established players like Westinghouse, GE-Hitachi, and Framatome.
  3. Diversification: Strengthens India’s energy mix amid pressure to phase down coal.
  4. Climate Goals: Supports India’s Net Zero 2070 target by ensuring low-carbon, base-load power generation.

Strategic Significance for India’s Energy Security

  1. Energy Reliability: Addresses intermittency of renewables through stable nuclear base-load.
  2. Geopolitical Leverage: Strengthens India’s bargaining position in global nuclear technology markets.
  3. Make in India Synergy: Promotes domestic manufacturing of nuclear components and reactors.
  4. Export Potential: Long-term goal of turning India into an SMR export hub for developing economies.

Conclusion

These likely to be proposed amendments mark a historic liberalisation of India’s nuclear policy, balancing liability protection with private and foreign participation. As India expands its clean energy basket, nuclear power is emerging as the bridge between renewables and reliability, supporting a long-term vision of sustainable, secure, and carbon-neutral growth.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2017] Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?

Linkage: The PYQ connects past technological indigenization in nuclear science with current policy liberalization through CLNDA and Atomic Energy Act amendments. Both mark India’s shift toward advanced, self-reliant, and globally integrated nuclear energy development.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Panchayati Raj Institutions: Issues and Challenges

The vision of Model Youth Gram Sabha

Explained | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Panchayats & Local Bodies

Introduction

The Gram Sabha, enshrined in Article 243A of the Constitution (73rd Amendment, 1992), is the cornerstone of India’s Panchayati Raj system. It represents every registered voter in a village and empowers them to deliberate on budgets, plans, and governance priorities. However, despite its revolutionary potential, public participation, especially among youth, has remained minimal.

The Model Youth Gram Sabha seeks to correct this by introducing structured simulations where students, teachers, and professionals engage in decision-making processes. This move shifts civics from a theoretical subject to a lived democratic experience.

Why in the News

For the first time, India is institutionalizing a Model Youth Gram Sabha across 28 States and Union Territories, involving over 600 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 2200 Kendriya Vidyalayas. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Aspirational Bharat Collaborative, brings Panchayati Raj simulations into school and college curricula. It aims to turn civic learning into active democratic participation, bridging the gap between youth education and local governance.

This development is significant because it transforms village-level democratic institutions into educational tools, helping young citizens internalize governance, decision-making, and accountability, critical for a vibrant democracy.

The Vision of Model Youth Gram Sabhas

Why is the Model Youth Gram Sabha significant?

  1. Grassroots Democracy in Action: Embeds participatory governance within the Panchayati Raj structure, empowering youth to experience real governance processes like village budgeting and development planning.
  2. Educational Innovation: Moves beyond classroom civics by integrating simulation-based learning that mirrors Gram Sabha debates, resolutions, and deliberations.
  3. Nationwide Outreach: Involves 600+ Jawahar Navodaya and 2200+ Kendriya Vidyalayas, training 1,238 teachers from 24 states, demonstrating large-scale civic inclusion.

What are the key features of the initiative?

  1. Collaborative Governance Model: Jointly implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education, and the Aspirational Bharat Collaborative.
  2. Curricular Integration: Encourages schools and colleges to embed Gram Sabha simulations into learning modules.
  3. Phased Launch: Phase I covers 28 States/UTs; future expansion includes Zilla Parishads and State-run schools.
  4. Teacher Training: Specialized workshops to train educators in deliberation techniques and Panchayati processes.

How does it differ from earlier civic education models?

  1. Beyond Theoretical Learning: Unlike Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha mock sessions, MYGS is rooted in real Panchayati Raj frameworks, ensuring practical governance exposure.
  2. UN-aligned Civic Pedagogy: Echoes the UN model of participatory learning but contextualized for Indian democracy.
  3. From Classroom to Village: Encourages field-level participation by linking school students with local Panchayats.

What are the expected outcomes?

  1. Civic Empowerment: Fosters democratic citizenship, making youth aware of rights, duties, and public accountability.
  2. Policy Awareness: Helps future citizens understand budgeting, development priorities, and resolution-making.
  3. Inclusive Governance: Promotes bottom-up participation, especially in rural youth, bridging rural-urban civic divides.
  4. Democratic Habituation: Converts democracy from a concept into a daily lived experience.

How does it contribute to democratic transformation?

  1. Institutional Strengthening: Empowers future voters to engage meaningfully in Gram Sabha and Panchayat processes.
  2. Critical Skills Development: Trains youth in debate, negotiation, and consensus-building, essential for leadership.
  3. Bridging Cynicism and Participation: Reconnects citizens with governance by reducing alienation from political processes.
  4. Future-ready Governance: Ensures continuity of democratic culture through successive generations.

Conclusion

The Model Youth Gram Sabha embodies the next phase of India’s democratic evolution, from representation to participation. By making civic engagement experiential, it nurtures a generation that values governance not as an abstract idea but as a lived responsibility. A future where citizens grow up debating budgets, resolving issues, and fostering transparency at the grassroots will ensure that democracy remains vibrant, inclusive, and self-sustaining.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2015] In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, Panchayats and Samitis have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.

Linkage: This question assesses the effectiveness of Panchayati Raj Institutions and the need for civic capacity to make decentralisation meaningful. It links with how the Model Youth Gram Sabha cultivates governance literacy and participatory skills among youth to strengthen grassroots democracy.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Foreign Policy Watch- India-Central Asia

India’s exit from the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan

world map | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood - Relations

Why in the News?

​India’s complete pullout from the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan (in 2022), its sole foreign military post, drew sharp opposition’s criticism.

India’s exit from the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan

About Ayni Airbase:

  • Location: Situated 10 km west of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, near the Afghanistan border via the Wakhan Corridor, and about 20 km from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
  • Also known as: Known as Gissar Air Base or Gissar Military Aerodrome; originally a Soviet-era base later modernised by India.
  • Development by India: Upgraded by India in the early 2000s under a bilateral agreement with Tajikistan; India invested ~USD 100 million to extend the runway (3,200 m), build hangars, depots, and control systems.
  • Operational Role: Hosted IAF helicopters and Su-30MKI fighters, with ~200 Indian personnel managing repair and training operations; also supported humanitarian and evacuation missions, notably during the 2021 Taliban takeover.
  • Predecessor: Replaced Farkhor Airbase (1998–2008), India’s earlier base used for supporting the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan.

Strategic Significance of the Airbase:

  • Forward Presence: Gave India surveillance and strike reach over Afghanistan and Pakistan’s western front.
  • Regional Leverage: Enhanced India’s defence footprint in Central Asia, countering China’s BRI and Russian influence.
  • Operational Hub: Supported the then anti-Taliban Northern Alliance and India’s broader Connect Central Asia Policy (2012).
  • Evacuation & Logistics Node: Enabled rapid crisis evacuation and regional logistical operations.
  • Geopolitical Symbolism: Marked India’s aspiration for a continental strategic presence; its closure reflects shrinking influence west of the Himalayas amid Russia–China consolidation.

Reasons for India’s Exit:

  • Lease Expiry: The bilateral lease expired in 2022 and was not renewed by Tajikistan.
  • External Pressures: Russia and China discouraged Tajikistan from extending India’s presence.
  • Strategic Shift: Diminished relevance post-Taliban’s return (2021) and collapse of India’s Afghan network.
  • Operational Constraints: High costs, limited autonomy, and dependence on Russian logistics reduced viability.
  • Reorientation: Strategic focus moved toward the Indo-Pacific and maritime partnerships.
[UPSC 2022] Consider the following countries :

1. Azerbaijan 2. Kyrgyzstan 3. Tajikistan 4. Turkmenistan 5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan?

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 3, 4 and 5 only* (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Indian Navy Updates

Exercise MILAN, 2026

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

Why in the News?

India will host the International Fleet Review, Exercise MILAN- 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs together in Visakhapatnam from February 15–25, 2026.

About Exercise MILAN:

  • Overview: Biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to promote interoperability, maritime cooperation, and goodwill among friendly navies.
  • Origin: First conducted in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command with participation from Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
  • Growth: Expanded over the years to include 40–55 participating nations, reflecting India’s growing maritime diplomacy under Act East Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
  • Participation: The 2026 edition will see participation from over 50 navies, including the U.S., Russia, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
  • Venue: The 2026 edition will be hosted at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command, marking the largest MILAN to date.
  • Structure: Conducted in two phases, a Harbour Phase (seminars, workshops, cultural exchanges, planning conferences) and a Sea Phase (joint operational exercises).
  • Sea Phase Activities: Includes anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence, maritime domain awareness (MDA), search and rescue (SAR), and complex fleet manoeuvres.
  • Strategic Significance: Strengthens regional maritime security, demonstrates India’s indigenous naval capabilities, and reinforces its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

Back2Basics: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

  • Overview: A voluntary, multilateral maritime cooperation initiative launched by the Indian Navy in 2008 to enhance regional maritime security and dialogue among littoral nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Membership: Comprises 25 member states and 9 observer countries, spanning Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
  • Objective: To promote maritime safety, security, capacity building, information sharing, and cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
  • Chairmanship: The chairmanship rotates biennially among member nations; India will assume the chair for 2025–2027.
  • Key Areas of Focus:
    • Enhancing maritime domain awareness (MDA) and information exchange.
    • Combating piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and terrorism at sea.
    • Strengthening maritime connectivity and blue economy cooperation.
    • Coordinating disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations.

 

[UPSC 2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.

4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:

Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4*

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Cyber Security – CERTs, Policy, etc

KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Cyber Security

Why in the News?

Around 500 Indian nationals who escaped the KK Park cybercrime compound in Myawaddy township, southeastern Myanmar, are being rescued by the Government of India.

KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

About KK Park Cyber Scam Hub:

  • Location & Setting: Situated in Myawaddy township, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thailand border; originally built (2019–2021) as a border trade zone, later transformed into a cybercrime and human trafficking hub.
  • Control & Operations: Managed by the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Saw Chit Thu, a junta-allied militia leader sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
  • Nature of Activities: Functions as a “scam city” employing thousands of trafficked workers for online fraud, crypto scams, and romance-investment schemes.
  • Human Trafficking: Victims are recruited via fake overseas job offers, then imprisoned, tortured, and forced to commit cybercrimes after passport confiscation.
  • Scale: At its peak, housed over 20,000 trafficked workers, generating billions annually through global online fraud networks.
  • Structure: Operated like a self-contained enclave with dormitories, shops, and armed security — preventing worker escape.

Global Concern and UN Findings:

  • UN Reports:  Identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) as part of a network of cyber-scam compounds spanning Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).
  • Economic Scale: The cyber-scam economy earns over USD 10 billion annually, victimising users in 110 countries.
  • Myanmar’s 2025 Raid: Seizure of 30 Starlink terminals was seen as a cosmetic crackdown, as ringleaders escaped beforehand.
  • UN Appeal: Calls for cross-border enforcement, crypto tracking, and victim rehabilitation, viewing scam hubs as a fusion of trafficking and transnational organised crime.

How does it impact Indians?

  • Victimisation: India serves as both a source and target of such scams; hundreds trafficked to Myanmar and Cambodia under fake IT job offers.
  • Rescue Operations: Since 2022, over 1,600 Indians repatriated, including 500 from KK Park (2025); IAF rescued 283 stranded in Thailand earlier.
  • Cyber Threats: Rising crypto frauds, impersonation scams, and digital extortion targeting Indian citizens.
  • Government Response: EAM S. Jaishankar confirmed coordination for repatriation and stronger cyber-diplomacy engagement.
  • Policy Imperative: Highlights India’s need for international law enforcement cooperation, cybersecurity awareness, and anti-trafficking vigilance across Southeast Asia.
[UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d’état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Options: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I *
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Wetland Conservation

Rowmari- Donduwa Wetland Complex

Places in newsPrelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

Environmentalists in Assam have proposed the Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex for designation as a Ramsar Site, citing its exceptional biodiversity and ecological services.

Assam’s Wetland Context:

  • Current Scenario: Assam has 3,500+ wetlands (≈1.01 lakh ha), but only Deepor Beel (2002) is a Ramsar Site.
  • Conservation Importance: Designating Rowmari–Donduwa would fill a 20-year conservation gap and enhance Assam’s global wetland profile.
  • Regional Context: North-East India’s Ramsar Sites-  Deepor Beel (Assam), Loktak (Manipur), Rudrasagar (Tripura), Pala (Mizoram).

About Rowmari–Donduwa Wetland Complex:

  • Overview: Situated within the Laokhowa–Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaon district, Assam, forming part of the Kaziranga–Orang landscape.
  • Ecological Role: An interconnected floodplain–marsh system acting as an ecological corridor between Kaziranga and Orang National Parks, supporting wildlife movement and genetic diversity.
  • Biodiversity Significance: The 6th Kaziranga Wetland Bird Census (2025) recorded 47,000+ birds of 120 species, exceeding counts from Deepor Beel and Loktak Lake.
  • Key Species: Hosts globally threatened birds, Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black-necked Stork, Ferruginous Pochard, and Common Pochard.
  • Ecosystem Services: Provides flood control, groundwater recharge, carbon storage, and supports fisheries and ecotourism-based livelihoods.
  • Ramsar Eligibility: Fulfils 8 of 9 Ramsar criteria, qualifying as a Wetland of International Importance.

Back2Basics: Ramsar Convention

  • Establishment: Signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
  • Objective: Provide a framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
  • Functions:
    • Identify and designate wetlands of international importance.
    • Promote effective management of wetlands.
    • Foster international cooperation for conservation.
  • Members: 173 countries (as of 2025).
  • India and Ramsar:
    • India joined in 1982.
    • First Ramsar site: Chilika Lake, Odisha (1981).
    • Current total: 93 sites (Sept 2025), covering 13,60,718 hectares.
    • Growth: From 26 sites in 2012 to 93 in 2025 (51 added since 2020).
    • State-wise: Tamil Nadu has the highest (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
    • About 10% of India’s total wetland area is under Ramsar listing.
  • Montreux Record: List of Ramsar sites under threat of ecological change.
    • 48 sites globally (2025).
    • 2 Indian sites included: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
  • World Wetlands Day: Celebrated on February 2nd every year.
    • 2025 Theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.

Criteria for Declaration (9 Criteria):

A wetland can be declared a Ramsar site if it meets at least one of these:

  1. Has unique, rare, or representative wetland types.
  2. Supports vulnerable, endangered, or endemic species.
  3. Provides critical habitat for waterfowl, especially during migration.
  4. Contains significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological features.
  5. Supports biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
  6. Provides ecosystem services like flood control, groundwater recharge, and water purification.
  7. Has cultural, spiritual, or recreational importance.
  8. Ensures sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
  9. Faces threats requiring international cooperation for conservation.

 

[UPSC 2022] Consider the following pairs:

Wetland/Lake Location

1. Hokera Wetland- Punjab

2. Renuka Wetland- Himachal Pradesh

3. Rudrasagar Lake- Tripura

4. Sasthamkotta Lake- Tamil Nadu

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Options: (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs* (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

ISRO Missions and Discoveries

ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket launches GSAT-7R

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Why in the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the GSAT-7R (CMS-03) communication satellite for the Indian Navy from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Back2Basics: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) Rocket  

  • Overview: LVM3 formerly GSLV Mk-III, is ISRO’s heaviest and most powerful launch vehicle, built to lift 4-tonne GTO and 8-tonne LEO payloads.
  • Configuration: A 3-stage system – (1) S200 solid boosters, (2) L110 liquid core (UH25 + N₂O₄), and (2) C25 cryogenic upper stage (LH₂ + LOX) providing high thrust and precision.
  • Payload Capacity: Delivers ~4,000 kg to GTO and ~8,000 kg to LEO; GSAT-7R demonstrated >4,400 kg capability, setting a new record.
  • Mission Legacy: Successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, OneWeb satellites, and Gaganyaan crew module tests.
  • Cryogenic Stage: The C25 engine produces ~20 tonnes thrust; the upgraded C32 stage (22 tonnes thrust) is under development.
  • Future Upgrade: Plans to replace L110 with a semi-cryogenic kerosene–liquid oxygen stage for higher efficiency and lower cost.
  • Reliability & Role: With seven consecutive successes, LVM3 is India’s most dependable heavy launcher and baseline vehicle for Gaganyaan and Bharatiya Antariksh Station missions.
  • Strategic Significance: Establishes India’s complete autonomy in heavy launch capability, strengthening its position in the global space economy.

About GSAT-7R (CMS-03):

  • Overview: An advanced multiband communication satellite developed to strengthen the Indian Navy’s secure communications and maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Developer & Design: Indigenously designed by ISRO under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, advancing self-reliance in defence space infrastructure.
  • Mass & Orbit: Weighs ~4,410 kg, the heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil; inserted into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) before shifting to Geostationary Orbit (~36,000 km).
  • Technical Features: Equipped with secure, high-throughput multiband transponders supporting voice, data, and video links across ships, submarines, and aircraft.
  • Coverage & Capability: Provides pan-Indian Ocean coverage, enabling real-time encrypted communication and Blue Water operational readiness.
  • Strategic Role: Functions as a key node in the Defence Communication Network (DCN), enhancing situational awareness and naval coordination.
  • Predecessor: Succeeds GSAT-7 (Rukmini, 2013) with expanded range, bandwidth, and capacity.
  • Significance: Symbolises India’s move toward indigenous defence satellites, merging space technology and national security.
[UPSC 2018] With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements :

1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.

2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.

3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only * (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Floods force closure of Bhavani Island

Places in news | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

Why in the News?

Flood discharges at Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna River has led to the closure of Bhavani Island from the mainland.

About Bhavani Island:

  • Location: Situated on the Krishna River, near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Area: Spans ~133 acres, among India’s largest river islands.
  • Management: Operated by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department as a major eco-tourism and recreational hub.
  • Accessibility: Lies upstream of Prakasam Barrage, connected only by ferry services from the mainland.
  • Ecology & Features: Rich in greenery, ponds, and meadows, offering boating, gardens, adventure parks, rural museums, and event spaces.
  • Cultural Link: Named after Goddess Bhavani (Kanaka Durga); her temple atop Indrakeeladri Hill overlooks the river.

Krishna River

Floods force closure of Bhavani Island

  • Overview: One of India’s major peninsular rivers, stretching about 1,400 km.
  • Origin & Course: Rises near Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), flows eastward through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, entering the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi.
  • Basin Extent: Covers ~2.59 lakh sq km, nearly 8% of India’s area.
  • Boundaries: Flanked by Balaghat Range (north), Eastern Ghats (east), and Western Ghats (west).
  • Tributaries:
    • Right Bank: Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra, and Musi Rivers.
    • Left Bank: Bhima, Koyna, Yerla, Panchganga, and Dudhganga Rivers.
  • Projects & Dams: Major hydropower and irrigation structures including Almatti, Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Narayanpur, and Jurala.
  • Prakasam Barrage: Built near Vijayawada to regulate water flow, support irrigation, navigation, and tourism.
  • Economic Role: Sustains agriculture, fisheries, and power generation, forming the riverine backbone of southern India.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.