UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April (2025)
• Revisiting NREGA Wages: Addressing Disparities and Inflation
Revisiting NREGA Wages: Addressing Disparities and Inflation
GS Paper 3:
• Indian Startup Ecosystem
Indian Startup Ecosystem
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Active Mobility
Active Mobility
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID)
National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID)
• Blue Category of Industries
Blue Category of Industries
• Mahatma Jyotiba Phule
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule
• Indian Star Tortoises
Indian Star Tortoises
• Malabar Grey Hornbill
Malabar Grey Hornbill
Mapping:
• Mahadayi River
Mahadayi River
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April 2025
#### GS Paper 2 :
Revisiting NREGA Wages: Addressing Disparities and Inflation
Syllabus: Government schemes
Source: IE
Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has strongly recommended a revision and uniformity in MGNREGA wages, citing rising cost of living and inadequate inflation indexation.
About NREGA and Its Importance:
• Legal Entitlement to Employment: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (2005) ensures 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households annually.
• Largest Employment Guarantee Programme Globally: With over 25 crore registered workers, MGNREGA is the world’s most expansive public employment scheme.
• Poverty Alleviation Tool: NREGA acts as a safety net for the rural poor, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when rural joblessness spiked.
• Strengthening Rural Infrastructure: It promotes natural resource management (e.g., water conservation, afforestation) while providing employment.
• Wage Growth Multiplier: Studies (Jean Drèze, Raghav Gaiha) show that NREGA has raised overall rural wages and improved bargaining power for casual workers.
How NREGA wage rates are decided?
• Section 6(1): Central government can notify independent wage rates. The Centre can set NREGA wages regardless of the state’s minimum wage under the Minimum Wages Act.
• Section 6(2): State minimum agricultural wages apply in absence of central notification This was the default mechanism between 2005–2009.
• Historical Cap Introduced in 2009: To reduce fiscal burden, NREGA wages were capped at ₹100 despite rising state wages.
• Indexation to CPI-AL since 2011 (base year 2009): The wage is revised annually based on the CPI for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL).
• States may top up wages over the Centre’s notified rate: A few states voluntarily pay the gap between the Centre’s rate and their minimum wage.
Key Issues with NREGA Wage Rates:
• Widening Gap from State Minimum Wages: In many states, NREGA wages are significantly below the legally mandated minimum wage.
E.g. In FY 2025–26, Sikkim shows a gap of ₹241 between NREGA and minimum wages.
• Flawed Inflation Indexation: Using CPI-AL does not accurately capture rising rural living costs compared to CPI-R.
E.g. Mahendra Dev and Nagesh Singh Committees recommended shifting to CPI-Rural for better accuracy.
• Large Inter-State Disparities in Wages: Workers in different states earn vastly different wages for the same NREGA work.
E.g. In FY 2025–26, Nagaland pays ₹234, while Haryana pays ₹374—a gap of ₹140.
• Base Year Remains 2009: Wage calculations still use outdated price data, undervaluing labour in current economic conditions.
E.g. If updated to 2018 or 2022, wages could align better with real rural cost of living.
• Delayed Wage Payments: Funds often arrive late, causing economic hardship and workforce dropouts.
E.g. As of February 2025, ₹12,219 crore in wage liabilities remained unpaid.
Way Forward:
• Link Wages to Minimum Wages of States: Align NREGA wages with the Minimum Wages Act to comply with legal and constitutional mandates.
E.g. Supreme Court in *Sanjit Roy vs State of Rajasthan* (1983) held that paying less than minimum wage is forced labour.
• Switch to CPI-R with Updated Base Year: Ensure indexation reflects actual price trends and consumption patterns of all rural workers.
E.g. CPI-R includes rural non-agricultural workers, offering broader coverage than CPI-AL.
• Adopt a National Floor Wage Policy: Create a wage floor (e.g., ₹375 or revised for inflation) for national parity and justice.
E.g. Recommended by Anoop Satpathy Committee to ensure consistency across states.
• Ensure Timely and Transparent Payments: Fix digital delays and payment bottlenecks through better fund flows and grievance redressal.
E.g. Wage arrears of ₹12,219 crore in 2025 have crippled scheme implementation in several states.
• Implement Uniform Wage Policy: Standardise wages nationally since the Centre funds the programme; this avoids unjust disparities.
E.g. Standing Committee (2025) called for one wage rate across all states to ensure fairness.
Conclusion:
The NREGA was envisioned as a dignity-driven social security programme. However, persistent wage discrepancies, inflation misalignment, and payment delays continue to undermine its core objectives. Ensuring fair, timely, and uniform wages is not just an economic necessity but also a constitutional obligation.
• “Economic growth in the recent past has been led by increase in labour productivity.” Explain this statement. Suggest the growth pattern that will lead to creation of more jobs without compromising labour productivity.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April 2025 GS Paper 3
Indian Startup Ecosystem
Syllabus: Economy
Source: IE
Context: Indian Commerce Minister sharply criticized the Indian startup ecosystem for being focused on consumer-centric ventures like food delivery apps, calling for a shift toward deep-tech innovation.
About Indian Startup Ecosystem:
• Third Largest Startup Ecosystem Globally: India has over 100+ unicorns, driven by digital payments, e-commerce, and consumer-tech.
E.g. India added over 20 unicorns in 2023, with many focusing on logistics, ed-tech, and fintech.
• Policy Backing from the Government: Initiatives like Startup India, Digital India, and IndiaAI Mission have enabled startup growth.
E.g. ₹10,000 crore Deep-Tech Fund and India Semiconductor Mission are recent efforts.
• Youth and Talent Pool: With over 65% of the population under 35, India has a rich base of tech-savvy youth and engineers.
E.g. India produces over 1.5 million engineers annually.
• High Global Visibility: Indian-origin leaders like Sundar Pichai (Google) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft) exemplify Indian tech prowess globally.
E.g. Indian founders are also at the helm of AI, cybersecurity, and fintech ventures abroad.
• Improving Digital Infrastructure: UPI, Aadhaar, and BharatNet have laid a digital foundation for startups to thrive.
E.g. India processed over 100 billion UPI transactions in 2023.
Key Issues in India’s Startup Ecosystem:
• Consumer-Tech Saturation: Heavy focus on short-cycle consumer ventures like quick commerce and food delivery.
E.g. Most unicorns are not deep-tech but rely on B2C efficiency and customer acquisition.
• Low Deep-Tech Funding: Startups in AI, quantum, or space-tech get a fraction of funding compared to China or the US.
E.g. Deep-tech startups received $1.6 billion in 2024, despite a 78% YoY rise.
• Limited Risk-Taking by VCs: Indian VCs seek quick returns and avoid long-gestation tech projects.
E.g. Unlike US investors backing 10+ year ventures (like SpaceX), Indian VCs are conservative.
• Weak Academia-Industry Linkages: Poor R&D infrastructure and limited collaboration between universities and startups.
E.g. Indian universities rarely feature in global innovation or patent rankings.
• Regulatory Bottlenecks: Angel tax (now scrapped), compliance overload, and exit barriers discouraged innovation.
E.g. Complex regulatory norms reduce startup ease of doing business.
Way Ahead:
• Increase Public Investment in R&D: Raise R&D spending to at least 2% of GDP from the current sub-1% level.
E.g. US, Germany spend over 3%; China 2.6% — India lags far behind.
• Strengthen Academic-Industry Collaboration: Build Centres of Excellence for AI, quantum, and semiconductors with institutional support.
E.g. Link IITs with emerging startups in defence-tech and biosciences.
• Focus on Education and Upskilling: Revamp STEM education to train students in emerging technologies early on.
E.g. NDTSP 2023 pushes for early exposure to AI, robotics, and semiconductor design.
• Provide Patient Capital: Encourage long-term VC funds and sovereign wealth support for deep-tech innovation.
E.g. Rs 10,000 crore Deep-Tech Fund should be scaled and strategically deployed.
• Streamline Regulatory Support: Simplify IP rights, fast-track patent approvals, and remove bottlenecks in funding and FDI.
E.g. Adopt a NASA–DARPA-style mission-mode structure to back moonshot projects.
Conclusion:
India’s startup ecosystem is at an inflection point. Consumer-tech has built foundational strengths, but deep-tech is essential for strategic sovereignty and global leadership. With the right policies, patient capital, and education reforms, India can script a new era of transformative innovation.
• What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Active Mobility
Context: The issue of increasing pedestrian and cyclist deaths has renewed focus on active mobility in Indian cities.
About Active Mobility:
• What is Active Mobility? Active mobility refers to human-powered modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, and skateboarding, used for commuting purposes, not leisure or sports.
• Active mobility refers to human-powered modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, and skateboarding, used for commuting purposes, not leisure or sports.
• Key Characteristics: Non-motorised and emission-free: Uses human energy instead of fossil fuels. Low infrastructure cost: Requires basic road and lane infrastructure, not flyovers or expressways. Inclusive and equitable: Promotes mobility access for all, regardless of socio-economic class.
• Non-motorised and emission-free: Uses human energy instead of fossil fuels.
• Low infrastructure cost: Requires basic road and lane infrastructure, not flyovers or expressways.
• Inclusive and equitable: Promotes mobility access for all, regardless of socio-economic class.
• Significance of active mobility: Environmental Sustainability: Reduces vehicular emissions, supports climate targets under the Paris Agreement, and lowers fuel dependency. Health Improvement: Encourages physical activity, curbs lifestyle diseases, and enhances public health as recognized by Economic Efficiency: Lowers household transport costs, reduces healthcare spending, and supports local businesses through increased footfall. Urban Inclusivity: Minimizes congestion, improves safety, and aligns with Smart Cities and urban transport policies for equitable access.
• Environmental Sustainability: Reduces vehicular emissions, supports climate targets under the Paris Agreement, and lowers fuel dependency.
• Health Improvement: Encourages physical activity, curbs lifestyle diseases, and enhances public health as recognized by
• Economic Efficiency: Lowers household transport costs, reduces healthcare spending, and supports local businesses through increased footfall.
• Urban Inclusivity: Minimizes congestion, improves safety, and aligns with Smart Cities and urban transport policies for equitable access.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS Paper 1 – Urbanization Addresses issues of urban transport, infrastructure development, and inclusive mobility in growing cities.
• Addresses issues of urban transport, infrastructure development, and inclusive mobility in growing cities.
• GS Paper 2 – Governance & Social Justice Relates to policy formulation like the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, and citizen-centric initiatives.
• Relates to policy formulation like the Karnataka Active Mobility Bill, and citizen-centric initiatives.
• GS Paper 3 – Environment & Sustainable Development Supports climate change mitigation, Paris Agreement commitments, and energy conservation. Connects to sustainable infrastructure, public health, and pollution control.
• Supports climate change mitigation, Paris Agreement commitments, and energy conservation.
• Connects to sustainable infrastructure, public health, and pollution control.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April Facts for Prelims (FFP)
National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID)
Source: DH
Context: The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) signed a strategic MoU with the New Development Bank (NDB) to boost cooperation in long-term infrastructure and clean energy financing in India.
About NaBFID (National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development):
• What it is: A Development Finance Institution (DFI) dedicated to funding long-term infrastructure projects across India.
• Established under: NaBFID Act, 2021.
• Regulated by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an All-India Financial Institution (AIFI).
• Objectives:
• Fill gaps in long-term non-recourse infrastructure finance.
• Support growth of India’s bond and derivatives markets.
• Accelerate sustainable economic development.
• Strengthen the ecosystem for project financing in clean energy, transport, and water.
• Key Features:
• Capital base to be scaled to ₹1 trillion with institutional support.
• Focus on medium to long-term funds (1–5+ years).
• Plans joint research, workshops, and capacity building with global partners like NDB.
• NaBFID promotes public-private partnerships (PPPs) and ensures financial viability of infrastructure projects.
About the New Development Bank (NDB):
• What it is: A multilateral development bank formed by the BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
• Idea proposed: 2012 BRICS Summit, New Delhi.
• Established by: Fortaleza Declaration, 15 July 2014.
• Became operational: 21 July 2015.
• Mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development.
• Fund projects in emerging and developing economies (EMDCs).
• Encourage green and inclusive growth through clean energy, transportation, and water management.
• Key Features:
• Authorized capital: $100 billion
• India’s contribution: $2 billion (paid in 7 tranches from 2015–2022)
• Active in India: 20 ongoing projects worth $4.867 billion funded by NDB (as of Dec 2024)
Blue Category of Industries
Source: DTE
Context: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced a new ‘Blue Category’ of industries under Essential Environmental Services (EES), controversially including Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerators, previously classified as highly polluting Red Category industries.
About Blue Category of Industries:
• What is the Blue Category of Industries? The Blue Category was introduced by the CPCB to classify sectors that are essential for environmental management but are relatively low on pollution—however, this has sparked debate.
• The Blue Category was introduced by the CPCB to classify sectors that are essential for environmental management but are relatively low on pollution—however, this has sparked debate.
• Key Features of Blue Category Industries:
• Recognized as part of Essential Environmental Services (EES). Granted extended validity of ‘Consent to Operate’ (CTO)—up to 2 years. Intended for projects that produce minimal hazardous waste. Expected to align with circular economy goals.
• Recognized as part of Essential Environmental Services (EES).
• Granted extended validity of ‘Consent to Operate’ (CTO)—up to 2 years.
• Intended for projects that produce minimal hazardous waste.
• Expected to align with circular economy goals.
• Industries Included: Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), Composting units, Biogas plants, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerators.
• Colour-Based Industrial Classification Methodology:
The MoEFCC, in collaboration with CPCB, introduced colour-coded industrial categorisation to guide zoning, surveillance, and pollution control.
• Classification Basis:
• Pollution Index (PI): Ranges from 0 to 100 PI 0–20: White (least polluting) PI 21–40: Green PI 41–59: Orange PI 60–100: Red (most polluting)
• Pollution Index (PI): Ranges from 0 to 100 PI 0–20: White (least polluting) PI 21–40: Green PI 41–59: Orange PI 60–100: Red (most polluting)
• PI 0–20: White (least polluting)
• PI 21–40: Green
• PI 41–59: Orange
• PI 60–100: Red (most polluting)
• Establishment:
• Launched under the ‘Re-categorization of Industries’ framework in 2016. Empowered by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) have authority to classify industries.
• Launched under the ‘Re-categorization of Industries’ framework in 2016.
• Empowered by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) have authority to classify industries.
• Procedural Criteria for Blue Category Inclusion:
• No generation of hazardous waste or toxic emissions. Must promote circular economy (reuse, recycle, resource efficiency). Must align with Sustainable Waste Management Rules, 2016.
• No generation of hazardous waste or toxic emissions.
• Must promote circular economy (reuse, recycle, resource efficiency).
• Must align with Sustainable Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule
Source: TH
Context: April 11 marks as the 198th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, the trailblazing social reformer known for his tireless fight against caste discrimination, untouchability, and gender inequality.
About Mahatma Jyotiba Phule:
Who he was?
• Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (1827–1890) was a pioneer social reformer, educationist, thinker, and writer from Maharashtra.
• Revered as the “Father of the Indian Social Revolution”, he worked for the upliftment of Dalits, women, farmers, and laborers.
• He was the first leader to use the term “Dalit” for the oppressed castes and laid the foundation for anti-caste movements in India.
Early Life and Education:
• Born: April 11, 1827, in Pune, Maharashtra, in the Mali (gardener) caste.
• Admitted to Scottish Mission School in Pune and graduated in 1847.
• Married Savitribai Phule in 1840, who later became India’s first female teacher.
Key Contributions:
• Education & Women Empowerment: Founded India’s first school for girls in Pune (1848). Opened night schools for farmers and laborers. Advocated universal, compulsory, and practical education for all, especially for women and backward castes.
• Founded India’s first school for girls in Pune (1848).
• Opened night schools for farmers and laborers.
• Advocated universal, compulsory, and practical education for all, especially for women and backward castes.
• Social Reform: Strongly opposed caste discrimination, untouchability, and Brahminical patriarchy. Founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers’ Society) in 1873 to promote equality, rationalism, and social justice. Promoted widow remarriage, anti-infanticide centers, and Hindu orphanages.
• Strongly opposed caste discrimination, untouchability, and Brahminical patriarchy.
• Founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers’ Society) in 1873 to promote equality, rationalism, and social justice.
• Promoted widow remarriage, anti-infanticide centers, and Hindu orphanages.
• Agriculture and Rural Reforms: Authored Shetkaryacha Asud (Farmer’s Whip), highlighting agrarian distress. Suggested construction of dams, bunds, and use of military labor for rural development. Promoted agricultural education and economic empowerment of farmers.
• Authored Shetkaryacha Asud (Farmer’s Whip), highlighting agrarian distress.
• Suggested construction of dams, bunds, and use of military labor for rural development.
• Promoted agricultural education and economic empowerment of farmers.
• Political and Public Advocacy: Opposed the filtration theory in education and submitted recommendations to the Hunter Commission (1882). Served as a municipal member in Pune, advocated for public health, water supply, and worker rights. Co-founded Bombay Millhands Association with Narayan Meghaji Lokhande for labor welfare.
• Opposed the filtration theory in education and submitted recommendations to the Hunter Commission (1882).
• Served as a municipal member in Pune, advocated for public health, water supply, and worker rights.
• Co-founded Bombay Millhands Association with Narayan Meghaji Lokhande for labor welfare.
Major Literary Works:
• Gulamgiri (Slavery) – Dedicated to African-American freedom fighters; critiques caste-based oppression.
• Shetkaryacha Asud – On farmers’ rights and state responsibility.
• Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak – Advocates universal religion of justice and rationality.
• Tritiya Ratna, Powada on Shivaji Maharaj, and various essays on education and reform.
Associated Organizations:
• Satyashodhak Samaj – Promoted inter-caste marriages, non-Brahmin priesthood, and mass education.
• Supported by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and inspired leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Started Din Bandhu newspaper (1877) to voice concerns of oppressed classes.
Indian Star Tortoises
Source: DH
Context: A total of 340 Indian Star Tortoises were successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild in Jogapur Reserve Forest, Chandrapur, marking a major milestone under the Turtle Rehabilitation Project (TRP).
About Indian Star Tortoises:
• Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable CITES: Appendix I Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Habitat & Distribution: Found in arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest India, South India, and Sri Lanka. Inhabit thorn scrub forests, semi-deserts, grasslands, and lowland dry forests.
• Found in arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest India, South India, and Sri Lanka.
• Inhabit thorn scrub forests, semi-deserts, grasslands, and lowland dry forests.
• Unique Features:
• Named for the distinct star-like patterns on their high-domed shell. Highly sought after in the illegal exotic pet trade. Mostly crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, and flowers.
• Named for the distinct star-like patterns on their high-domed shell.
• Highly sought after in the illegal exotic pet trade.
• Mostly crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
• Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, and flowers.
About the Turtle Rehabilitation Project (TRP):
• What it is? A state-level conservation initiative addressing the surge in illegal trade and captivity of tortoises and turtles across Maharashtra.
• A state-level conservation initiative addressing the surge in illegal trade and captivity of tortoises and turtles across Maharashtra.
• Established In: The initiative began in late 2024, gaining momentum with its April 2025 mass release.
• Organisation involved: RESQ Charitable Trust and Maharashtra Forest Department.
• Key Objectives:
• Rehabilitate rescued tortoises and prepare them for reintegration into wild habitats Ensure post-release survival through medical care, environmental acclimatisation, and biometric monitoring Promote community awareness through school participation and local engagement
• Rehabilitate rescued tortoises and prepare them for reintegration into wild habitats
• Ensure post-release survival through medical care, environmental acclimatisation, and biometric monitoring
• Promote community awareness through school participation and local engagement
Malabar Grey Hornbill
Source: TH
Context: A research team from Kerala won the prestigious Future Conservationist Award by the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) for their community-based conservation project aimed at protecting the Malabar Grey Hornbill.
About the Malabar Grey Hornbill:
• Scientific Name: Ocyceros griseus
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Legal Protection: Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• Geographic Range: Endemic to the Western Ghats and parts of the Nilgiris, Wayanad, and Anamalai Hills in Southern India
• Habitat:
• Found in evergreen forests, as well as human-modified habitats like coffee, rubber, and arecanut plantations.
• Prefers dense canopy cover and is sensitive to habitat fragmentation.
• Crepuscular: Active during early mornings and late afternoons.
• Key Features:
• It is a smallest Asian
• Lacks the prominent casque seen in other hornbills.
• Males have a reddish bill, females have a yellowish bill with black markings.
• Notable for its loud cackling, screeching, and laughing calls, making it highly vocal.
• Loyal to nest sites, often using the same cavity for decades.
About Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP):
• Initiated in
• It is a partnership of a global partnership of Fauna & Flora International, BirdLife International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
About Hornbill Conservation Initiative:
• The Tamil Nadu government recently launched the Hornbill Conservation Initiative to safeguard the habitats of four threatened hornbill species in the Western Ghats, including the Malabar Grey Hornbill.
• Target Species: Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Grey Hornbill, and Great Hornbill.
• Aim of the Initiative:
• To protect and restore nesting habitats of hornbills both inside and outside protected areas. To involve private landowners by recognising them as ‘Hornbill Protectors’. To establish a Centre of Excellence for hornbill conservation, research, and community engagement.
• To protect and restore nesting habitats of hornbills both inside and outside protected areas.
• To involve private landowners by recognising them as ‘Hornbill Protectors’.
• To establish a Centre of Excellence for hornbill conservation, research, and community engagement.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 April 2025 Mapping:
Mahadayi River
Source: HT
Context: Karnataka farmers and Goa activists are protesting against the Kalasa-Banduri project, which aims to divert Mhadei (Mahadayi) river water, citing ecological and livelihood concerns.
About Mahadayi River:
• Origin: Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (Western Ghats), Belagavi district, Karnataka.
• Flows Through: Karnataka (35 km), Maharashtra (1 km), and Goa (45 km).
• Termination: Merges with the Arabian Sea in Goa after joining the Zuari River.
• Other Names: Mandovi (Goa), Gomati (in some stretches).
• Key Tributaries: Nerul River, St. Inez Creek, Mapusa River, Valvanti River, Dudhsagar River, Udnai River.
• Key Facts:
• Basin Area: 2,032 sq. km (Goa: 1,580 sq. km, Karnataka: 375 sq. km, Maharashtra: 77 sq. km).
• Lifeline of Goa: Critical for drinking water, agriculture, and biodiversity.
• Major Projects: Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project (Karnataka) proposes diversion to Malaprabha River.
About Mahadayi Water Dispute:
• Parties Involved: Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra.
• Karnataka’s Demand: Divert water to Malaprabha basin for drought-prone regions (Hubballi-Dharwad, Gadag).
• Goa’s Opposition: Argues diversion harms ecology, water security, and violates tribunal orders.
• Mahadayi Tribunal (2018): Allocated 13.42 TMC to Karnataka, 24 TMC to Goa, 1.33 TMC to Maharashtra.
• Current Status: Both states challenged the award in Supreme Court.
Daily Current Affairs + PIB Summary 11 Apr 2025
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