UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October 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 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October (2025)
• Demographic Mission
Demographic Mission
GS Paper 2:
• Digital Exams: A Sustainable Alternative to Outdated Paper-Based Testing
Digital Exams: A Sustainable Alternative to Outdated Paper-Based Testing
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Microfinance Loan Defaults Surge in 2024–25: Sa-Dhan Data
Microfinance Loan Defaults Surge in 2024–25: Sa-Dhan Data
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)
Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)
• SPARK– 4.0
SPARK– 4.0
• Bharat Taxi
Bharat Taxi
• India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre (CIC)
India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre (CIC)
• Nobel Peace Prize 2025
Nobel Peace Prize 2025
• Certified Randomness Technique Using One Qubit
Certified Randomness Technique Using One Qubit
• The Sawalkote Hydro Project
The Sawalkote Hydro Project
Mapping:
• India Recognises Three Key Ports As Green Hydrogen Hubs
India Recognises Three Key Ports As Green Hydrogen Hubs
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October 2025
#### GS Paper 1:
Demographic Mission
- •Syllabus: Demography *
Source: TH
Context: Prime Minister of India in his Independence Day 2025 address, announced the launch of a high-powered Demographic Mission to counter illegal infiltration and address emerging demographic challenges.
About Demographic Mission:
What it is?
• The Demographic Mission is a proposed national initiative aimed at monitoring, managing, and analysing India’s demographic transformations — including fertility, mortality, migration, and population distribution — to ensure balanced growth, national security, and sustainable development.
• To curb illegal infiltration and protect border regions from demographic shifts.
• To promote a holistic understanding of India’s population dynamics, integrating social, economic, and human development indicators.
• To build a comprehensive demographic intelligence system for evidence-based policymaking and inclusive governance.
Features:
• Establishment of a high-powered national commission for demographic assessment and migration management.
• Use of data analytics, satellite mapping, and census digitisation for real-time demographic monitoring.
• Focus on education, health, skill-building, ageing, and mobility as human capability parameters.
• Integration of border security concerns with socio-economic planning.
Need for a Holistic Demographic Mission:
• Demographic Transition: India, as the world’s most populous nation, is at a turning point — with declining fertility, regional population imbalance, and a growing elderly population.
• Migration Dynamics: Internal and cross-border migration are reshaping labour markets and regional identities; this requires inclusive and rights-based policy responses.
• Human Capital Development: Unequal access to education, health, and skills threatens India’s demographic dividend potential.
• Security Dimension: Illegal infiltration and changing population profiles in border areas pose national security and social stability risks.
• Policy Integration: Demographic awareness is crucial for resource allocation, infrastructure planning, and social protection systems.
Challenges Associated
• Data Deficiency: Lack of updated and integrated demographic data hampers precise policy formulation.
• Political Sensitivities: Demographic debates risk communal or regional polarisation, especially on migration and population growth.
• Administrative Overlaps: Coordination issues among ministries of home, health, labour, and rural development may delay implementation.
• Rights of Migrants: Balancing security concerns with constitutional rights of internal migrants remains a delicate task.
• Ageing and Social Security: Rising life expectancy demands sustainable pension and healthcare frameworks beyond state dependency.
Way Forward:
• Comprehensive Demographic Mapping: Integrate data from Census, NFHS, NPR, and digital platforms for unified planning.
• Migration Policy Framework: Enact a National Migration Policy ensuring both mobility rights and host–home coordination.
• Human Capability Focus: Align demographic planning with education, skill development, and healthcare infrastructure.
• Community Sensitisation: Promote public awareness and academic engagement to de-politicise demographic discourse.
• Institutional Strengthening: Establish a National Institute for Demographic Research and Policy (NIDRP) to guide data-driven governance.
Conclusion:
India’s demographic mission must evolve beyond security concerns into a comprehensive population management framework rooted in inclusion and sustainability. Recognising shifting age structures, migration patterns, and human capabilities is vital to harness the demographic dividend responsibly. A balanced, rights-based, and data-driven mission will shape India’s future as a secure, equitable, and demographically resilient nation.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October 2025 GS Paper 2:
Digital Exams: A Sustainable Alternative to Outdated Paper-Based Testing
Syllabus: Governance
Source: TH
Context: A recent analysis highlighted how digital examinations can replace traditional paper-based tests in India’s higher education system, offering a sustainable, cost-effective, and transparent alternative aligned with the goals of Digital India and NEP 2020.
About Digital Exams: A Sustainable Alternative to Outdated Paper-Based TestingKey Data & Statistics
• Scale of Examinations: Over 4.3 crore students in Indian higher education appear for nearly 100 crore exams annually, generating massive paper consumption.
• Environmental Impact: Each tree yields about 8,000 sheets of paper—the current system leads to millions of trees being cut down every year for exam use.
• Carbon and Resource Cost: Transitioning even 50% of exams online could save lakhs of trees and prevent thousands of tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
• Financial Efficiency: Universities spend crores annually on printing, logistics, and storage; digital exams reduce operational costs by 30–40% while delivering results faster and more transparently.
Environmental Imperative:
• Deforestation and resource depletion: Millions of trees are cut down each year to sustain the paper demand of India’s examination system. A single tree produces around 8,000 sheets of paper, illustrating the enormous ecological cost of manual evaluation.
• Energy and emissions: Transporting and storing answer sheets involves significant fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Shifting to digital formats can save lakhs of trees and prevent thousands of tonnes of CO₂ annually.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Transitioning to digital exams directly supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting eco-efficient processes.
Economic and Administrative Advantages:
• Cost-effectiveness: Digital exams eliminate recurring expenses on paper, printing, and logistics, offering long-term savings for educational institutions.
• Operational efficiency: Automated evaluation and digital marking enable faster, more reliable results, reducing delays and human errors.
• Infrastructure optimization: The removal of warehouses, transport security, and paper handling lowers administrative overheads, freeing resources for academic improvement.
• Transparency and accountability: Digital systems ensure traceable workflows, reducing opportunities for malpractice in exam processing and evaluation.
Societal and Educational Benefits:
• Student-centric reforms: Digital exams allow timely feedback, easy re-evaluation, and performance analytics, empowering learners to improve continuously.
• Equity and inclusion: Online platforms with multilingual and accessible interfaces ensure participation across regions, aligning with NEP’s inclusivity vision.
• Recruiter confidence: Standardized, digital evaluation data enhance employability by offering reliable, skill-based performance indicators.
Global Best Practices and Lessons:
• Countries across Europe and East Asia have successfully implemented digital assessment ecosystems, citing benefits in efficiency, cost reduction, and inclusivity.
• Scandinavian nations have pioneered AI-based evaluation platforms, ensuring objectivity and instant feedback.
• For India, with its massive scale, these models provide proof of feasibility and highlight opportunities for indigenous innovation.
Challenges in Transition:
• Digital Divide: Unequal access to reliable internet and devices may disadvantage rural or underprivileged students.
• Capacity Building: Faculty need training in digital pedagogy and examination software.
• Data Security: Safeguarding sensitive exam data from cyber threats requires robust cybersecurity protocols.
• Policy Harmonization: Coordination between UGC, AICTE, and state universities is essential to standardize digital testing frameworks.
Way Forward:
• Phased Implementation: Start with pilot projects in selected departments or universities before nationwide rollout.
• Incentivizing Early Adopters: Provide grants or carbon credits to institutions adopting sustainable digital examination models.
• Public–Private Partnerships: Collaborate with EdTech firms to build secure, scalable, and user-friendly exam platforms.
• Infrastructure Development: Invest in broadband connectivity, cloud storage, and cybersecurity frameworks for educational institutions.
• Capacity Building: Introduce faculty training modules and student orientation for smooth transition to e-assessments.
Conclusion:
Digital examinations mark a transformative shift toward sustainability, efficiency, and transparency in education. They can save millions of trees, cut emissions, and reduce costs while strengthening academic credibility. The move from paper to pixels is key to building a greener and future-ready India.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Microfinance Loan Defaults Surge in 2024–25: Sa-Dhan Data
Context: Microfinance loan defaults in India have risen sharply in FY 2024–25, according to Sa-Dhan’s Bharat Microfinance Report 2025.
About Microfinance Loan Defaults Surge in 2024–25: Sa-Dhan Data
• What it is? Sa-Dhan, India’s self-regulatory body for microfinance institutions (MFIs), publishes the annual Bharat Microfinance Report tracking sectoral credit performance and financial inclusion outcomes.
• Sa-Dhan, India’s self-regulatory body for microfinance institutions (MFIs), publishes the annual Bharat Microfinance Report tracking sectoral credit performance and financial inclusion outcomes.
• Rising Delinquencies: The proportion of microfinance loans overdue by more than 30 days (PAR 30+) rose to 6.2% in FY25, up from 2.1% in FY24.
• Severe NPAs: Loans overdue by more than 90 days—considered NPAs—jumped to 4.8%, from 1.6% the previous year.
• Regional Insights: Bihar led with ₹57,712 crore in outstanding microfinance loans; 7.2% were delayed over 30 days, and 4.6% were delayed beyond 90 days.
• Rural Vulnerability: Of the ₹2.3 lakh crore loans to rural borrowers, 6.4% were overdue beyond 30 days—higher than urban (6%) and semi-urban (6.1%) borrowers, reflecting deepening rural repayment stress.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
• GS Paper III: Inclusive Growth: Examines the role of microfinance in poverty reduction and women’s empowerment. Financial Sector Reforms: Highlights credit risk management, rural indebtedness, and NPAs in small loans.
• Inclusive Growth: Examines the role of microfinance in poverty reduction and women’s empowerment.
• Financial Sector Reforms: Highlights credit risk management, rural indebtedness, and NPAs in small loans.
• GS Paper II:
• Governance & Policy Implementation: Highlights challenges in ensuring effective delivery of financial inclusion policies like MUDRA, and NRLM.
• Welfare of Vulnerable Sections: Reflects financial distress among rural women and self-help groups, key beneficiaries of microfinance schemes.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)
Source: News on Air
Context: Prime Minister of India today launched the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) — a landmark agricultural reform aimed at transforming farming in 100 low-performing districts.
About Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY):
What it is?
• PMDDKY is a comprehensive agricultural transformation mission launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to modernize Indian farming through technology, irrigation, credit, and market reforms.
Aim of the Scheme:
• To increase crop productivity by 20–30% and reduce post-harvest losses to below 5%.
• To double farmers’ income by 2030 through direct market access and modern techniques.
• To make farming climate-resilient, technology-driven, and sustainable.
• To support women, youth, and small farmers, ensuring equitable agricultural growth.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Geographic Focus: 100 underperforming districts identified by NITI Aayog with low productivity, weak credit access, and poor irrigation.
• Inclusivity: Women farmers, youth agripreneurs, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are prioritized beneficiaries.
Key Features of PMDDKY:
• Massive Budget Allocation: ₹1.44 lakh crore over six years (₹24,000 crore annually from 2025–31).
• Scheme Convergence: Merges 36 schemes under a single digital framework for unified implementation.
• Smart Agriculture: Integration of IoT sensors, drones, precision tools, and AI-based dashboards for farm monitoring.
• Digital Dashboard: Tracks 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) — yields, storage, and irrigation progress.
• Infrastructure Development: Focus on irrigation, storage, cold chains, processing units, and market linkages.
• Women Empowerment: Formation of 10,000 Women Producer Groups, benefitting 5 lakh women farmers.
• Training and Global Exposure: Free workshops via KVKs and international training for 500 farmers in Israel, Japan, and the Netherlands.
• Green Farming Focus: Encourages organic, sustainable, and climate-smart practices.
Benefits to Districts and Farmers:
• Improved Productivity: 20–30% increase through high-yield seeds, efficient irrigation, and mechanization.
• Higher Incomes: 20–40% rise via diversified crops and direct market access through e-NAM and PMDDKY apps.
• Employment Boost: Creation of 10–15 rural jobs per village in allied sectors like dairy and fisheries.
• Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: New warehouses and cold storages cut wastage by 20%.
• Financial Access: Loans of ₹50,000–₹10 lakh at low interest through Kisan Credit Cards and NABARD.
SPARK– 4.0
Source: DD News
Context: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of Ayush has launched SPARK–4.0 (2025–26).
About SPARK– 4.0:
• What it is? SPARK–4.0 (Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken) is the fourth edition of CCRAS’s flagship initiative to encourage research orientation among BAMS undergraduates.
• SPARK–4.0 (Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken) is the fourth edition of CCRAS’s flagship initiative to encourage research orientation among BAMS undergraduates.
• Organisation involved: Implemented by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
• Aim: To cultivate scientific curiosity and develop a research mindset in young Ayurveda scholars while bridging classical knowledge with modern scientific methods.
• Key features:
• 300 BAMS students to be awarded ₹50,000 studentships (₹25,000 per month for two months). Open to students from National Commission for Indian System of Medicine NCISM-recognized colleges across India. Involves faculty-guided, short-term independent research projects. Students receive a certificate after successful completion.
• 300 BAMS students to be awarded ₹50,000 studentships (₹25,000 per month for two months).
• Open to students from National Commission for Indian System of Medicine NCISM-recognized colleges across India.
• Involves faculty-guided, short-term independent research projects.
• Students receive a certificate after successful completion.
• Significance:
• Strengthens the research ecosystem within the Ayush sector. Builds a pipeline of trained researchers for future innovation and integration of traditional medicine into public health.
• Strengthens the research ecosystem within the Ayush sector.
• Builds a pipeline of trained researchers for future innovation and integration of traditional medicine into public health.
Bharat Taxi
Source: PIB
Context: The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has partnered with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd. (Bharat Taxi) to develop India’s first cooperative-driven, citizen-first national ride-hailing platform, launching in December 2025.
About Bharat Taxi:
• What it is? Bharat Taxi is a national ride-hailing platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd., envisioned as India’s first cooperative-based alternative to global cab aggregators. It aims to offer transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centric mobility services.
• Bharat Taxi is a national ride-hailing platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd., envisioned as India’s first cooperative-based alternative to global cab aggregators. It aims to offer transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centric mobility services.
• Lead Institution: National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Digital India Corporation, MeitY
• Promoting Agencies: NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, and NCEL
• Aim: To revolutionize India’s ride-hailing ecosystem by combining cooperative ownership with digital innovation, ensuring fair income for drivers and secure, seamless mobility for citizens in line with the Digital India vision.
• Key Features:
• Platform Integration: Unified access through DigiLocker, UMANG, and API Setu for digital identity and document verification. Cybersecurity & Compliance: Adheres to GoI’s data protection and privacy standards. UI/UX Design: Focus on multilingual accessibility and inclusive interface for diverse users. Advisory Role: NeGD to guide on technical architecture, governance, and program management. Launch Timeline: Nationwide rollout planned for December 2025.
• Platform Integration: Unified access through DigiLocker, UMANG, and API Setu for digital identity and document verification.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance: Adheres to GoI’s data protection and privacy standards.
• UI/UX Design: Focus on multilingual accessibility and inclusive interface for diverse users.
• Advisory Role: NeGD to guide on technical architecture, governance, and program management.
• Launch Timeline: Nationwide rollout planned for December 2025.
• Significance:
• Empowers cooperative institutions as key players in India’s digital mobility ecosystem. Promotes self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) by providing a home-grown alternative to global cab platforms.
• Empowers cooperative institutions as key players in India’s digital mobility ecosystem.
• Promotes self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) by providing a home-grown alternative to global cab platforms.
India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre (CIC)
Source: DH
Context: India and the United Kingdom jointly launched the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre (CIC) to advance cooperation in digital technologies, 6G research, and secure communications, with an investment of million (₹282 crore) over four years.
About India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre (CIC):
What it is?
• The India–UK CIC is a bilateral research and innovation platform aimed at developing next-generation telecom technologies through joint academic, industrial, and governmental collaboration. It will serve as a hub for cutting-edge R&D, testing, and market deployment in digital connectivity.
Nations and Organisations Involved:
• Countries: India and the United Kingdom
• Implementing Agencies: India – Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications UK – Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK–India Technology Security Initiative
• India – Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications
• UK – Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
• Supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK–India Technology Security Initiative
Aim: To drive innovation in secure, inclusive, and resilient digital communications, while shaping the global ecosystem for 6G and AI-enabled telecom systems, aligned with the India–UK 2035 Vision.
Key Features:
• Joint Funding: million (approx. ₹282 crore) committed equally by both nations for 4 years.
• Focus Areas: AI in Telecom: Network optimization and intelligent service delivery. Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs): Satellite and airborne systems for rural connectivity. Telecom Cybersecurity: Secure, interoperable, and open communication infrastructure.
• AI in Telecom: Network optimization and intelligent service delivery.
• Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs): Satellite and airborne systems for rural connectivity.
• Telecom Cybersecurity: Secure, interoperable, and open communication infrastructure.
• Collaborative Research: Links university research with lab testing and pilot trials.
• Joint Testbeds: Establishes shared facilities for real-world application of emerging technologies.
• Standards Development: Encourages global interoperability through participation in international standard-setting bodies.
Significance:
• Enhances bilateral digital cooperation and strengthens India–UK innovation corridor.
• Accelerates 6G readiness and contributes to global telecom standards.
• Promotes digital inclusion by extending connectivity to remote areas via NTNs.
Nobel Peace Prize 2025
Source: IE
Context: The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 has been awarded to María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader, for her decades-long struggle to restore democracy, civil liberties, and peaceful political transition in Venezuela under an authoritarian regime.
About Nobel Peace Prize 2025:
What it is?
• The Nobel Peace Prize, instituted in 1901 under the will of Alfred Nobel, honours individuals or organisations that have made outstanding contributions to peace, human rights, and democracy. It is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo.
Winner of 2025:
• The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was conferred on María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela’s democratic opposition movement, often called the “Iron Lady of Venezuela.” She is recognised for exemplifying civilian courage and commitment to democratic transition in the face of repression.
Work and Contribution:
• Champion of Democracy: For over two decades, Machado has led peaceful movements demanding free elections, rule of law, and civil rights in Venezuela.
• Founder of Súmate: Established in 2002, this citizen-led electoral watchdog worked to monitor elections and uphold electoral transparency through civic participation.
• Advocacy for Ballots over Bullets: Promoted democratic reform through constitutional and electoral means, rejecting violent resistance against dictatorship.
• Voice of Civil Resistance: Mobilised Venezuela’s opposition during the 2024 rigged elections, ensuring citizens safeguarded vote counts and evidence of fraud.
• Humanitarian and Social Reformer: Founded the Atenea Foundation (1992) to uplift street children and promote education in Caracas.
Significance:
• Recognises non-violent struggle for democratic restoration in a country facing institutional collapse.
• Symbolises global support for freedom, human rights, and electoral integrity in Latin America.
Certified Randomness Technique Using One Qubit
Source: TH
Context: Researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, have demonstrated a new certified randomness generation technique using a single qubit on IBM’s cloud-based quantum computer.
About Certified Randomness Technique Using One Qubit:
What it is?
• The certified randomness technique is a quantum-based random number generation method that leverages the intrinsic unpredictability of quantum mechanics.
• It produces truly random numbers that cannot be replicated or faked by classical systems, ensuring absolute unpredictability for cryptography and secure communications.
Developed by: Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, in collaboration with IBM.
How it Works?
• The method uses one qubit in a simple quantum circuit with a series of single-qubit gate rotations.
• Measurements are made at three different times to test the Leggett–Garg Inequality (LGI) — a temporal version of the Bell inequality.
• Violation of the LGI, along with adherence to the “no-signalling-in-time” condition, confirms that the randomness arises purely from quantum processes.
• Error-mitigation and readout correction ensure results are free from classical or hardware-induced noise.
Key Features:
• Single-Qubit Simplicity: Requires only one qubit and shallow circuits, making it accessible on current cloud-based quantum processors.
• Device-Independent Certification: Guarantees that randomness is quantum-generated, independent of the device’s internal architecture.
• Error-Resilient Design: Incorporates error-mitigation techniques to enhance reliability and match theoretical predictions.
• Scalable Implementation: Can be expanded for benchmarking qubits or integrated into real-time secure systems.
Significance of the Discovery:
• Quantum Advantage in Practice: Demonstrates that quantum-certified randomness can be achieved on existing noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) machines.
• Cybersecurity Breakthrough: Provides tamper-proof random numbers crucial for data encryption, cryptographic keys, and secure communications.
• Foundational Validation: Confirms Leggett–Garg inequality violations on a real quantum device, reinforcing quantum theory.
The Sawalkote Hydro Project
Source: DH
Context: The Union Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has granted a fresh environmental clearance to the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir.
About The Sawalkote Hydro Project:
What it is?
• The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-the-river hydropower project designed to harness the flow of the Chenab River for clean energy generation.
• It is being developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd. and will be among India’s largest hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin.
River and Location
• River: Chenab River — a west-flowing tributary of the Indus.
• Location: Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir. The project area spans approximately 1,159 hectares, including riverine and forest land.
• The project area spans approximately 1,159 hectares, including riverine and forest land.
Historical Background:
• First proposed: 1984.
• Initial environmental clearance: Granted in 2017 when managed by the Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC).
• Transfer to NHPC: In 2021, NHPC took charge for development and operation till 2061.
• Re-clearance (2025): Granted after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (April 2025), expediting strategic projects on western rivers.
Key Features:
• Installed Capacity: 1,856 MW (Stage I – 1,406 MW; Stage II – 450 MW).
• Structure: 192.5-metre-high concrete gravity dam with a reservoir capacity of 530 million cubic metres.
• Energy Generation: Approx. 8,000 million units (MUs) annually.
• Project Cost: Revised to ₹31,380 crore (up from ₹22,000 crore).
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 October 2025 Mapping:
India Recognises Three Key Ports As Green Hydrogen Hubs
Source: ET
Context: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recognised three major Indian ports — Deendayal (Gujarat), V.O. Chidambaranar (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip (Odisha) — as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) to accelerate India’s clean energy transition.
About India Recognises Three Key Ports As Green Hydrogen Hubs:
What it is?
• Green Hydrogen Hubs are integrated clusters that bring together production, storage, transportation, and utilisation of green hydrogen and its derivatives (like green ammonia and methanol) within a defined region.
Aim: The primary goal of Green Hydrogen Hubs is to create self-sustaining regional ecosystems for hydrogen production and use, reduce carbon emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and shipping, and establish India as a global leader in green hydrogen technology and exports.
Part of: These hubs are developed under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM),
Key Features:
• Cluster-Based Model: Promotes region-specific hydrogen valleys that integrate renewable power, industry, and logistics to ensure efficiency and cost reduction.
• Infrastructure Integration: Combines production units, storage facilities, and transport networks (pipelines, ports) for seamless hydrogen supply chains.
• Innovation & R&D Focus: Encourages technological advancement, pilot projects, and public–private partnerships to enhance production efficiency.
• Export Orientation: Positions India’s coastal hubs as export gateways for green hydrogen and ammonia to global markets.
• Policy & Financial Support: Guided by the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVIC) scheme and supported through fiscal incentives, infrastructure grants, and R&D funding.
Ports Recognised as Green Hydrogen Hubs:
• Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat): Western coast hub for export-linked hydrogen value chain.
• V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (Tamil Nadu): Southern hub integrating renewable energy and industrial clusters.
• Paradip Port Authority (Odisha): Eastern hub focusing on industrial hydrogen use and coastal shipping decarbonisation.
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