Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP)

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Representation Of People’s Act

Why in the News?

The Election Commission de-listed 474 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP) for not contesting polls in six years, as part of its electoral clean-up drive.

Delisting of Political Parties:

ECI’s Powers: Governed by Section 29A, RP Act, 1951.
- No explicit power with ECI to de-register a party once registered, except for fraud or anti-Constitutional allegiance.
Judicial Interpretation:
- INC vs Institute of Social Welfare (2002): SC ruled that ECI cannot de-register parties, only delist or declare inactive, which removes privileges but NOT their legal entity.

About Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs):

Constitutional Right: Right to form political associations is guaranteed under Article 19(1)(c).
Registration: RUPPs are political associations registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) under Section 29A, Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Not recognised: As either State or National parties because they have not secured the required vote share or seats in past elections.
Privileges & Benefits:
- Tax exemption under Section 13A, Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Eligibility for common poll symbols during elections (under Symbols Order, 1968).
- Can nominate up to 20 star campaigners.
Obligations:
- Must contest elections periodically.
- File annual audit accounts and contribution reports.
- Disclose donations above ₹20,000.
- Ensure no donations above ₹2,000 are taken in cash.
Issues: Many RUPPs exploit privileges without contesting elections, crowding out genuine contesting parties and confusing voters.

What are Recognised Political Parties?

Types: Recognised parties are classified as National Parties or State Parties.
Privileges:
- Exclusive reserved symbols.
- Free copies of electoral rolls.
- Broadcasting time on Doordarshan/All India Radio.
- Consultation rights with ECI in election matters.
Recognition depends on vote share or seats won in Lok Sabha/Assembly elections.

Conditions for Recognition:

National Party	State Party
Secures 6% of valid votes in Lok Sabha/Assembly elections in any 4 or more states + wins 4 Lok Sabha seats.	Secures 6% of valid votes in the state Assembly election + wins 2 Assembly seats.
Wins 2% of Lok Sabha seats (currently 11 seats) from at least 3 states.	Secures 6% of valid votes in the state’s Lok Sabha election + wins 1 Lok Sabha seat.
Recognised as a State Party in 4 or more states.	Wins 3% of Assembly seats or 3 seats (whichever is higher) in the state Assembly.
—	Wins 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats allotted to that state.
—	Secures 8% of total valid votes in the state’s Assembly or Lok Sabha election (added in 2011).

[UPSC 2001] Consider the following statements regarding the political parties in India:

1. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for the registration of political parties.

2. Registration of political parties is carried out by the Election Commission.

3. A national level political party is one which is recognised in four or more States.

4. During the 1999 general elections, there were six National and 48 State level parties recognised by the Election Commission.

Options: (a) I, II and IV (b) I and III (c) II and IV (d) I, II, III and IV*

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ISRO Missions and Discoveries

Gaganyaan Analog Experiments (Gyanex)

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

Why in the News?

Gyanex (Gaganyaan Analog Experiments) ground-based astronaut simulations are being conducted by ISRO with ICMR and Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bengaluru, to prepare Indian astronauts for the 2027 Gaganyaan mission.

What are Gaganyaan Analog Experiments (Gyanex)?

Purpose: India’s first systematic programme in space medicine and astronaut psychology, preparing protocols for Gaganyaan and future missions like space stations and lunar expeditions.
Setup: Conducted at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bengaluru, with ICMR support. Astronauts and defence personnel live in a mock spacecraft simulator under confinement, consuming DRDO-developed space food.
Activities: Strict space-like routines involving scientific experiments, resource management, schedules, and limited supplies. Tests also cover communication with time-delay simulation.
Gyanex-1: Group Captain Angad Pratap and two others confined for 10 days; completed 11 experiments on psychology, biomedicine, and communications.
Microgravity Simulation: Weightlessness cannot be reproduced on Earth; instead, 7-day bed-confinement at 6° head tilt studied microgravity effects.
Other Indian Analog Missions:
- Ladakh Human Analog Mission (Nov 2024): Simulated interplanetary survival in cold, barren terrain.
- HOPE Habitat at Tso Kar (Aug 2025): Tested 8 m habitat + 5 m utility module in Mars-like conditions of low pressure, saline permafrost, and high UV radiation.

About Gaganyaan Mission:

Overview: India’s first human spaceflight mission, initiated in 2007, to send 3 astronauts into Low Earth Orbit (400 km) for 3 days, followed by Arabian Sea splashdown.
Rocket: Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3), adapted from GSLV Mk3, certified in 2025 for safe human use.
Significance: India to become the 4th nation (after US, Russia, China) with crewed spaceflight capability.
Latest Timeline (as of Sept 2025):
- Dec 2025: First uncrewed mission (G1) with humanoid Vyommitra.
- 2026: Two more uncrewed flights for life-support, avionics, and escape tests.
- Early 2027: First crewed mission – 3 astronauts in orbit for 3 days.

Progress so far:

- 80–85% development complete: avionics, parachutes, crew safety systems validated.
- Integrated Air Drop Test (Aug 2025): Confirmed crew module deceleration.
- Crew Escape System: Multiple ground and flight tests successful.
- Recovery: Indian Navy and Australian Space Agency conducting splashdown drills.
- Four IAF test pilots shortlisted: Shubhanshu Shukla, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap, Ajit Krishnan.
- All trained in Russia, now in advanced Indian training. Final crew of three will be chosen for maiden flight.

[UPSC 2016] Consider the following statements: The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission

2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA

3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its first attempt.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

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Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

Ecological Impact of the ELSA 3 Shipwreck in the Arabian Sea

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

The sinking of the ELSA 3 ship off the Kerala coast in May led to a significant ecological disruption in the south-eastern Arabian Sea, a new study has confirmed.

Ecological Impact of the ELSA 3 Shipwreck in the Arabian Sea

About the Pollution and Contaminants:

Oil Slick: Wreck of ELSA 3 released petroleum pollutants, initially forming a slick of about 2 square miles.
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Compounds like naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene detected; toxic, carcinogenic, and bioaccumulative.
Naphthalene Marker: High levels confirmed continuous leakage from fuel tanks.
Trace Metals: Nickel, lead, copper, vanadium found in elevated levels in water and sediments, worsening toxicity.
Distribution: Oil spread shifted with sea turbulence—first mid-depth concentration, later visible on the surface.

Ecological Impacts of the Oil Spill:

Plankton: Zooplankton showed pollutant accumulation, marking entry into the marine food chain.
Fish Eggs & Larvae: Collected in the southwest monsoon spawning season displayed decay and mortality, threatening commercial species recruitment.
Benthic Organisms: Sensitive species declined within days; only pollution-tolerant worms and bivalves survived, reflecting seabed stress.
Higher Fauna: Brown Noddy seabird (Anous stolidus) recorded with oil-soaked plumage, highlighting risks to birds and larger marine life.
Overall Effect: A multi-level disruption from plankton to fish stocks to seabirds.

Microbial Response and Bioremediation:

Bacterial Diversity: Metagenomic studies found hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria near the wreck.
Key Strains: Neptunomonas acidivorans, Halomonas tabrizica, Acinetobacter baumannii detected.
Implications: Their presence reflects both severe contamination and natural bioremediation potential.
Outlook: Microbial action may reduce pollution gradually, but contamination in the Arabian Sea remains significant.

[UPSC 2017] In the context of solving pollution problems what is/are the advantage/disadvantages of bioremediation technique?

1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature.

2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms.

3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

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Iran’s Nuclear Program & Western Sanctions

US revokes sanctions waiver on Chabahar Port

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Effect Of Policies & Politics Of World On India’S Interests

Why in the News?

The U.S. has ended the 2018 waiver that let India use Iran’s Chabahar Port for Afghanistan’s reconstruction, revoking it within 10 days.

US revokes sanctions waiver on Chabahar Port

About Chabahar Port:

Location: Deep-water port in Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran, on the Gulf of Oman at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
Unique Feature: The only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean.
Distances: Kandla Port, Gujarat – 550 nautical miles, Mumbai – 786 nautical miles from Chabahar.
Structure: Comprises Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari terminals.
Connectivity Potential: Its proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India and position on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) gives it the ability to become a major commercial hub.
INSTC: A multi-modal route linking the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, and onward to northern Europe via Russia.

India’s Engagements for Chabahar Port:

Tripartite Agreement (2016): India, Iran, and Afghanistan agreed to develop the Shahid Beheshti terminal, marking India’s first foreign port project.
Infrastructure Goals: Develop the port and build a rail line to Zahedan, bypassing Pakistan to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Recent Developments: In May 2024, India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) signed a 10-year lease to operate Shahid Beheshti.
Commitments: India pledged $120 million in equipment and a $250 million credit line.
Operations: India supplied 6 harbour cranes; facilitated shipments of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and 2,000 tonnes of pulses to Afghanistan.

Implications of US Sanctions for India:

Economic Setback: Jeopardises India’s ₹200 crore investment and future projects.
Connectivity Loss: Cuts India’s only direct maritime gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and INSTC.
Strategic Impact: Weakens India’s counter to China’s Gwadar Port in Pakistan under CPEC.
Diplomatic Strain: Risks tensions with Iran (strategic partner) and the United States (major trade partner).
Operational Challenges: Sanctions may deter shippers, insurers, and suppliers, slowing port activity.

[UPSC 2017] What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

Options: (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.

(b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.

(d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India

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7 Natural Heritage Sites from India added to UNESCO’s Tentative List

Prelims Only | Geography | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

Why in the News?

Seven natural heritage sites from India were added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, raising India’s tally from 62 to 69 places.

About the 7 newly added UNESCO Tentative List Sites:

Site	Detailed Facts
Deccan Traps (Panchgani & Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra)	• One of the world’s largest volcanic provinces (~66 mya) • Basalt lava flows covering ~500,000 sq. km • Step-like “trap” topography, fossil beds, red bole layers • Linked to end-Cretaceous mass extinction • Part of Western Ghats; within Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
St. Mary’s Island Cluster (Udupi, Karnataka)	• Four islands in Arabian Sea near Udupi • Famous for hexagonal/polygonal rhyolitic lava columns (~85–88 mya) • Formed during breakup of India–Madagascar • Declared National Geo-heritage Monument (2016) • Rare acidic lava formations, unique in India
Meghalayan Age Caves (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya)	• Mawmluh Cave is type locality for Meghalayan Age (~4,200 years ago) • Records global drought event in late Holocene • Meghalaya has longest sandstone cave (Krem Puri – 24.5 km) • Karst systems preserve stalagmites, paleoclimate archives • Culturally significant to Khasi tribes; threatened by mining
Naga Hill Ophiolite (Nagaland)	• 200 km belt of uplifted oceanic crust & mantle rocks • Composed of gabbro, peridotite, basalt • Formed at supra-subduction / mid-ocean ridge zones • Later thrust onto Indian continental plate • Only major ophiolite exposure in India; National Geological Monument
Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills, Andhra Pradesh)	• Quaternary-age coastal red sand mounds (~12,000–18,500 years old) • Spread over 5 km near Visakhapatnam • Derived from ancient Khondalite rocks • Record climate shifts, sea-level oscillations, monsoon history • Mesolithic–Neolithic artefacts found; National Geo-heritage Monument
Tirumala Hills (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh)	• Famous for Eparchaean Unconformity (1.5 billion-year gap) • Boundary between Archaean gneiss & Proterozoic quartzites • Hosts Silathoranam natural arch, rare erosional landform • Hills rise to ~900 m; part of Cuddapah Basin • Combines geological, tectonic, and spiritual significance
Varkala Cliff (Kerala)	• Coastal cliff escarpment up to 80 m high • Exposes Mio-Pliocene Warkalli Formation (1.3–25 mya) • Fossiliferous sedimentary rocks beside sea (rare in India) • Natural springs and aquifers emerge from cliff face • Declared National Geological Monument; major tourism hub (Papanasam Beach)

Back2Basics: UNESCO’s Tentative List

What is it: An inventory of cultural and natural sites that a member country plans to nominate for future World Heritage status.
Requirement: A site must stay on this list for at least one year before nomination.
Purpose: Allows UNESCO to assess Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and plan conservation.
Note: Not all sites on the Tentative List become World Heritage Sites.
World Heritage Sites (WHS): Cultural, natural, or mixed sites recognised under the 1972 World Heritage Convention for their OUV.
Categories of WHS:
- Cultural: Temples, monuments, forts, archaeological remains.
- Natural: National parks, caves, biodiversity zones.
- Mixed: Sacred landscapes with both cultural and natural value.
10 Criteria for Selection: A site must satisfy at least one of these:
- Cultural (i–vi): Masterpiece of human genius; interchange of values; unique cultural testimony; outstanding architecture/landscape; example of settlement/land use; linked to events, traditions, or ideas of universal significance.
- Natural (vii–x): Exceptional natural beauty; example of Earth’s history; ecological or biological processes; key habitats for in-situ biodiversity conservation and threatened species.
India: It is currently a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (2021–2025 term); Has 42 World Heritage Sites (34 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed).

[UPSC 2024] Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO:

1. Shantiniketan 2. Rani-ki-Vav 3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya

How many of the above properties were included in 2023?

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

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Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal

Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Why in the News?

The PM has recently inspected the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in the Ahmedabad district.

About National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal:

Location: Lothal, Ahmedabad district, Gujarat, in the Bhal region near the Gulf of Khambhat.
Developer: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
Objective: To showcase India’s 5,000-year-old maritime history, especially the role of Lothal as the world’s earliest dockyard during the Indus Valley Civilization.
Historical Significance of Lothal:
- Built around 2200 BCE as a major Harappan trade and craft centre for beads, gems, and ornaments.
- Lothal in Gujarati means “Mound of the Dead”, similar to Mohenjo-daro.
- Excavated by S.R. Rao (1955–1960).
- Dockyard confirmed through studies (size: 222 x 37 m), once linked with Sabarmati’s old course.
- Evidence of Lock Gates and Sluice System to regulate flow of water.
- Trade connections extended to Mesopotamia and other ancient regions.
- Nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014); only known port-town of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Features of the Complex:
- Exhibition halls, maritime park, amphitheater, museum, and research/educational facilities.
- Will highlight ancient trade routes, shipbuilding traditions, and navigation techniques.
- Expected to be a major hub for cultural tourism and heritage education.

[UPSC 2021] Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelling water into connected reservoirs?

(a) Dholavira* (b) Kalibangan (c) Rakhigarhi (d) Ropar

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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival

Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Why in the News?

The 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival was inaugurated in Manipur.

Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival

About Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival:

Overview: An annual agricultural and cultural festival celebrated in Sirarakhong village, Ukhrul district, Manipur.
Origin: Began in 2010 to promote the Hathei chilli and its farming traditions.
Focus: Highlights the Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Hathei chilli, which received GI status in 2021.
Activities: Involves flag hoisting, Tangkhul Naga cultural events, buyer–seller meets, marketing programmes, exhibitions, and awareness drives on government schemes.

Salient Features of Hathei Chilli:

Local Identity: Known as Sirarakhong chilli, indigenous to Ukhrul district.
Cultivation: Grown on slopes under the traditional jhum system.
Distinct Qualities: Recognised for its bright red colour, unique flavour, and medium pungency.
ASTA Value: Possesses a high American Spice Trade Association colour value, making it sought after for food colouring.
Nutritional Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and calcium, with medicinal value.
Uses: Widely used in cooking, pickles, flavouring, food colouring, and processing industries.
Uniqueness: Its qualities stem from the soil and climate of Sirarakhong, not reproducible elsewhere.

[UPSC 2018] Consider the following pairs:

Tradition- State

1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram

2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur

3. Thong-To dance — Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

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

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Launch of Bima Sugam Portal

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Mobilization Of Resources

Why in the News?

Bima Sugam, envisioned as the world’s largest online marketplace for insurance, was officially launched by the Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF) at the IRDAI headquarters in Hyderabad.

What is Bima Sugam?

Overview: World’s largest unified digital marketplace for insurance products and services, initiated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
Coverage: Includes life, health, motor, travel, property, agricultural, and commercial insurance.
Function: Works like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for insurance, providing common infrastructure for purchase, renewal, management, and claims.
Stakeholders: Brings together insurers, intermediaries, agents, brokers, banks, and customers on a single platform.
Governance: Operated by the Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF) with equity participation from insurance companies.
Policy Goal: Forms part of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), aligned with the vision of Insurance for All by 2047.
Working: The simplified way for a user on the platform would be as follows:
- Registration: A person can register using Aadhaar-based KYC or other valid ID.
- e-Bima Account Creation: A secure, integrated insurance repository has been created.
- Policy search and comparison: Products from all registered insurance companies are listed with standardized information for easy comparison.
- Purchase: Policies can be purchased digitally with instant e-documentation and secure payments.
- Service: Policyholders can renew, update, port, or cancel policies and receive real-time assistance.
- Claims: Users can submit claims and track the process; insurance companies and TPAs will use backend access for faster verification and settlement.

Key Features:

Phased Rollout: Begins as an information and guidance hub; full transactions enabled gradually.
Low-Cost Model: Minimal user charges, unlike private aggregators that rely on high commissions.
Centralised Database: Enables policy comparison, customer query resolution, and faster product adoption.
Secure Digital Storage: Provides safe policy storage with robust security and compliance standards.
Inclusive Ecosystem: All insurers mandated as members, ensuring transparency and fair access.

[UPSC 2014] With reference to “Aam Admi Bima Yojana”. Consider the following statements:

1. The member insured under the scheme must be the head of the family or earning member of the family in a rural landless household.

2. The member insured must be in the age group of 30 to 65 years.

3. There is a provision for free scholarship for up to two children of the insured who are studying between classes 9 and 12.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

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WTO and India

WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has entered into force on 15 September 2025, three years after adoption in June 2022.

What is the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?

Nature: First WTO treaty centred on environmental sustainability, designed to reduce harmful subsidies that drive illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfishing.
Core Prohibitions:
- Subsidies for IUU fishing vessels or operators.
- Subsidies for fishing in overfished stocks, unless linked to recovery plans.
- Subsidies for high-seas fishing in areas outside coastal state jurisdiction or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.
Transparency: Members must provide detailed reports on fish stocks, fleets, catch volumes, and subsidies.
Transition Period: Two years allowed for developing countries and least developed countries before full implementation.
Phased Approach: Called “Fish One”, to be followed by “Fish Two” covering overcapacity and fleet subsidies.
Global Significance: Contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 14.6, which seeks elimination of harmful subsidies to protect global fish stocks.

India and this Agreement:

Position: India welcomed the treaty, noting it is one of the lowest fisheries subsidizers despite its large fishing community.
Equity Argument: Urged that historic subsidizers and industrial fishing nations take greater obligations, based on polluter pays principle and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).
Sector Context: India’s fisheries are dominated by millions of small-scale, traditional fishers dependent on coastal resources, requiring fair treatment.
Benefits for India:
- Curbing IUU fishing by foreign industrial fleets, protecting coastal livelihoods.
- Allowing space for stock-rebuilding subsidies tied to sustainability.
- Ensuring fair competition for Indian traditional fishers in global trade.

[UPSC 2015] The terms ‘Agreement on Agriculture’, ‘Agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures’ and ‘Peace Clause’ appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the

Options: (a) Food and Agricultural Organization (b) United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (c) World Trade Organization* (d) United Nations Environment Programme

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Dams and Hydroprojects

In news: Almatti Dam

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

Why in the News?

Karnataka govt. has approved Upper Krishna Project Phase-III to raise Almatti dam height, while Maharashtra warned of moving the Supreme Court against it.

Why is Maharashtra opposing it?

Fears submergence of villages and agricultural land in its territory if water levels rise further.
Worries about reduced water availability downstream, affecting its irrigation and drinking water projects.

About Almatti Dam:

Overview: It is a hydroelectric and irrigation project built on the Krishna River in North Karnataka.
Completion: July 2005, as part of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project (UKP).
Dimensions: Height 52.5 m, length 3.5 km.
Power Generation: A 290 MW station using vertical Kaplan turbines (five of 55 MW and one of 15 MW).
Two separate powerhouses: Almatti I and II generate power before releasing water into the Narayanpur Reservoir.
Functions: Provides irrigation, potable water, hydroelectric power, and helps in flood management.

Back2Basics: Krishna River

In news: Almatti Dam

Origin: Near Mahabaleshwar (Satara, Maharashtra), in the Western Ghats.
Length: ~1,300 km, second-longest river in peninsular India after Godavari.
Course: Flows through Maharashtra (303 km), Karnataka (480 km), Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
Major Tributaries:
- Right-bank: Ghatprabha, Malprabha, Tungabhadra.
- Left-bank: Bhima, Musi, Munneru.
Hydropower & Irrigation Projects: Includes Koyna, Tungabhadra, Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Almatti, Narayanpur, Bhadra.

[UPSC 2005] The Almatti Dam is on the river:

Options: (a) Godavari (b) Cauvery (c) Krishna* (d) Mahanadi

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Type: Prelims Only

Why in the News?

Delisting of Political Parties:

About Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs):

What are Recognised Political Parties?

Conditions for Recognition:

Why in the News?

What are Gaganyaan Analog Experiments (Gyanex)?

About Gaganyaan Mission:

Why in the News?

About the Pollution and Contaminants:

Ecological Impacts of the Oil Spill:

Microbial Response and Bioremediation:

Why in the News?

About Chabahar Port:

India’s Engagements for Chabahar Port:

Implications of US Sanctions for India:

Why in the News?

About the 7 newly added UNESCO Tentative List Sites:

Back2Basics: UNESCO’s Tentative List

Why in the News?

About National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal:

Why in the News?

About Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival:

Salient Features of Hathei Chilli:

Why in the News?

What is Bima Sugam?

Key Features:

Why in the News?

What is the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?

India and this Agreement:

Why is Maharashtra opposing it?

About Almatti Dam:

Back2Basics: Krishna River