UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 December 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 December 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:
• Southern Ocean Carbon Anomaly
Southern Ocean Carbon Anomaly
GS Paper 3:
• Reforming the Fertiliser Subsidy in India
Reforming the Fertiliser Subsidy in India
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• SaveAravalli Campaign
SaveAravalli Campaign
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025
Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025
• Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025
Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025
• The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)
The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)
• National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal
• IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)
IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)
• Great Indian Bustard
Great Indian Bustard
Mapping:
• Bhima River
Bhima River
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 December 2025
GS Paper 1:
Southern Ocean Carbon Anomaly
Source: TH
Context: New research published in Nature Climate Change shows that the Southern Ocean has absorbed more carbon dioxide since the early 2000s, contrary to long-standing climate model predictions.
• This unexpected behaviour—termed a Southern Ocean carbon ‘anomaly’—reveals key processes that climate models have so far underrepresented.
About Southern Ocean Carbon Anomaly:
What it is?
• The Southern Ocean carbon anomaly refers to the observed strengthening of the Southern Ocean as a carbon sink, even though climate models predicted it would weaken and start releasing carbon dioxide under global warming.
• Instead of emitting more CO₂ due to stronger winds and upwelling, the ocean has continued to absorb an increasing share of human-emitted carbon.
How it occurs?
• Strengthened westerly winds drive upwelling: Climate warming intensifies Southern Hemisphere westerlies, pulling carbon-rich deep waters upward toward the Southern Ocean surface.
• Freshwater input lightens surface layers: Increased Antarctic ice melt and rainfall add freshwater at the surface, making it less salty and more buoyant.
• Stratification forms a surface “lid”: The buoyant freshwater layer strengthens vertical stratification, separating surface waters from deeper, carbon-rich layers.
• Blocked air–sea gas exchange: Although deep waters rise, stratification prevents them from reaching the surface, stopping CO₂ from escaping to the atmosphere.
• Carbon gets trapped below the surface: Upwelled circumpolar deep waters remain ~100–200 m below the surface, allowing continued net carbon absorption.
• Small-scale processes amplify the effect: Ocean eddies and ice-shelf cavity dynamics reinforce stratification but are poorly resolved in coarse climate models.
Factors causing the anomaly:
• Freshening of surface waters: Increased rainfall and meltwater from Antarctic glaciers have reduced surface salinity, making surface waters lighter and more buoyant.
• Enhanced stratification: Fresher, lighter surface layers sit atop warmer, saltier deep waters, limiting vertical mixing and air–sea gas exchange.
• Trapping of carbon-rich waters below surface: Upwelled circumpolar deep waters remain 100–200 metres below the surface, preventing CO₂ release.
• Incomplete model representation: Climate models struggled to capture small-scale processes such as ocean eddies and ice-shelf cavity dynamics that govern stratification.
• Data limitations: Sparse, seasonal observations in the Southern Ocean reduced the ability to validate and refine model behaviour.
Implications of the anomaly:
• Temporary climate buffer: Continued carbon uptake has slowed the accumulation of atmospheric CO₂, buying the world limited time.
• Risk of sudden reversal: Observations suggest surface stratification is thinning; if it collapses, stored deep carbon could rapidly outgas.
• Model refinement imperative: Highlights the need to better integrate ocean chemistry, freshwater inputs, and fine-scale physics into climate models.
• Policy relevance: Reinforces that reliance on natural carbon sinks is risky and cannot substitute for emission reductions.
• Importance of sustained observation: Year-round monitoring of polar oceans is essential to anticipate abrupt climate feedbacks.
Conclusion:
The Southern Ocean carbon anomaly shows that nature can temporarily defy model expectations, but not indefinitely. Freshwater-driven stratification has masked deeper vulnerabilities in the climate system. As this protective layer weakens, the Southern Ocean could swiftly shift from carbon ally to climate amplifier, underscoring the urgency of emissions cuts and better observations.
Q. Explain Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies. Evaluate their potential role in India’s hard-to-abate sectors. Discuss associated economic and regulatory challenges. (15 M)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 December 2025 GS Paper 3:
Reforming the Fertiliser Subsidy in India
Source: IE
Subject: Economics
Context: Amid wide-ranging economic reforms led by present government, economists have called for urgent restructuring of India’s fertiliser subsidy regime.
About Reforming the Fertiliser Subsidy in India:
What it is?
• The fertiliser subsidy is a government support mechanism that keeps fertiliser prices—especially urea—artificially low for farmers by compensating manufacturers for the gap between cost of production/import and retail price.
• It aims to ensure affordable inputs and food security but has evolved into one of India’s largest and most distortionary subsidies.
India’s current status and trends:
• Second-largest subsidy in the Union Budget, next only to food subsidy.
• Expected to reach ~₹2 lakh crore in FY26, exceeding the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Urea dominates the subsidy: nearly two-thirds of total outgo, sold at a fixed price of ₹242 per 45-kg bag, among the cheapest globally.
• High import dependence: ~78% natural gas (urea), ~90% phosphatic fertilisers, and nearly 100% potash.
• Resultant nutrient imbalance: India’s N:P:K ratio has worsened to 10.9:4.4:1, far from the recommended 4:2:1.
Why subsidy is needed in India?
• Food security imperative: Fertiliser subsidy enabled widespread adoption of modern inputs during the Green Revolution, sharply raising cereal output and avoiding mass hunger. E.g. In the 1970s, the fertiliser–grain response ratio was around 1:10, underpinning India’s food self-sufficiency.
• Protection of small and marginal farmers: With over 85% farmers cultivating small holdings, subsidies cushion them against volatile global fertiliser and energy prices. E.g. Sudden deregulation would spike input costs and reduce fertiliser use, especially among cash-constrained farmers.
• Ensuring affordability of cultivation: Fertiliser subsidy lowers the cost of cultivation and stabilises farm profitability in rain-fed and low-productivity regions.
E.g. Cheap urea keeps per-acre input costs manageable for cereal farmers.
• Price stability and inflation control: Input subsidies indirectly moderate food prices by containing cost-push inflation in agriculture.
E.g. Low fertiliser prices help stabilise cereal prices in the short run.
• Risk mitigation in a climate-vulnerable sector: Agriculture faces monsoon variability and yield uncertainty; subsidies act as a buffer against income shocks.
E.g. Subsidised inputs reduce downside risk during poor rainfall years.
Challenges associated with the current regime:
• Low nutrient use efficiency (NUE): Only 35–40% of nitrogen applied is absorbed by crops, reflecting inefficient and excessive urea use.
E.g. The rest volatilises or leaches, raising costs without proportional yield gains.
• Environmental degradation: Excess nitrogen pollutes groundwater and depletes soil organic carbon, harming long-term soil fertility.
E.g. Nitrate contamination has made groundwater non-potable in several agrarian belts.
• Productivity stagnation: Rising fertiliser consumption has not translated into commensurate yield growth.
E.g. Fertiliser–grain response ratio declined to ~1:2.7 by 2015 in irrigated areas.
• Leakages and diversion: Price-controlled urea incentivises diversion to non-farm uses and cross-border smuggling.
E.g. 20–25% of subsidised urea reportedly leaks into plywood, glass industries or illegal trade.
• Fiscal and geopolitical vulnerability: Heavy import dependence exposes subsidy outgo to global energy and commodity shocks.
E.g. A spike in natural gas prices immediately inflates the subsidy bill.
Way ahead:
• Gradual price decontrol with income support: Shift from price subsidy to direct income transfers, protecting farmers while restoring market signals.
E.g. Redirect savings through PM-KISAN–type support while allowing fertiliser prices to reflect nutrients.
• Bring urea under Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS): Align urea pricing with phosphorus and potassium to correct nutrient imbalance.
E.g. Reduce nitrogen subsidy and rebalance support towards P and K without increasing total outlay.
• Leverage digital agriculture (Agri Stack): Use land records, PM-KISAN data, crop maps, and satellite imagery for precise targeting.
E.g. Cap fertiliser quantity based on land size and crop sown to curb overuse.
• Promote balanced and precision farming: Encourage complex fertilisers, micronutrients, fertigation, and customised blends to raise NUE.
E.g. China uses ~60% complex fertilisers compared to ~17% in India.
• E-vouchers and PoS-based delivery: Digitise fertiliser distribution to eliminate diversion and improve accountability.
E.g. e-RUPI–style vouchers redeemable only at authorised agri-input dealers.
Conclusion:
Reforming fertiliser subsidy is not about withdrawing support but making it smarter, greener, and fairer. Correcting price signals can save ~₹40,000 crore annually, improve soil health, and raise farm productivity. With high growth and manageable inflation, this is the right moment to align farm subsidies with sustainability and income security.
Q. What do you understand by ‘Agri Stack? Discuss its use for better targeting of fertiliser subsidy. (250 words)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 December 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Save Aravalli campaign
Context: The Supreme Court has accepted the Centre’s new definition of the Aravalli Hills, limiting protection to landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief.
• The ruling has triggered a nationwide #SaveAravalli campaign, with experts warning it could expose large parts of the Aravallis to mining and ecological damage.
About Save Aravalli campaign:
What it is?
• A citizen-led, expert-backed environmental campaign opposing the dilution of legal protection for the Aravalli mountain range, one of the world’s oldest geological systems.
• It mobilises public opinion, scientific voices and civil society to demand comprehensive ecological protection beyond narrow elevation-based definitions.
Issues raised:
• Redefinition risk: The 100-metre criterion may exclude low-lying ridges, forested outcrops and catchments that are ecologically integral.
• Mining exposure: Experts warn that up to ~60% of the Aravalli landscape could become vulnerable to mining.
• Hydrology & climate impacts: Loss of ridges threatens groundwater recharge, dust control and heat moderation, especially for Delhi-NCR.
• Biodiversity loss: Fragmentation of wildlife corridors (leopards, birds) and degradation of commons.
• Governance concern: Uniform geomorphological definitions may ignore landscape ecology and cumulative impacts.
Significance:
• Ecological shield: The Aravallis act as the green lungs of North India, blocking Thar Desert dust and stabilising local climate.
• Water security: They recharge aquifers and feed rivers like Chambal, Sabarmati and Luni.
• Climate resilience: Intact ridges reduce heat extremes, drought risk and air pollution.
Relevance in UPSC syllabus
• GS Paper I – Geography
• Physiography of India, ancient mountain systems, desertification processes.
• Physiography of India, ancient mountain systems, desertification processes.
• GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology
• Biodiversity conservation, mining impacts, groundwater recharge, climate adaptation. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and sustainable development debates.
• Biodiversity conservation, mining impacts, groundwater recharge, climate adaptation.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and sustainable development debates.
• GS Paper IV – Ethics
• Environmental ethics, intergenerational justice, precautionary principle.
• Environmental ethics, intergenerational justice, precautionary principle.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 December 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025
Source: News on Air
Subject: Government Schemes
Context: President of India has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, passed during the Winter Session of Parliament.
About Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025:
What it is?
A comprehensive legislation that replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, creating a unified framework for regulation, licensing, safety, and liability in India’s civil nuclear sector.
• Accelerate nuclear power capacity for clean energy transition
• Enable private and JV participation under strict regulation
• Modernise safety, liability, and oversight mechanisms
Key features:
• Opening the sector to non-government entities Licences can now be granted to Indian private companies, government–private joint ventures, and other entities expressly permitted by the Centre (excluding foreign-incorporated companies). Permitted activities include building, owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear plants, and fabrication, transport, trade, and storage of nuclear fuel. Mandatory safety authorisation from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for any radiation-related activity.
• Licences can now be granted to Indian private companies, government–private joint ventures, and other entities expressly permitted by the Centre (excluding foreign-incorporated companies).
• Permitted activities include building, owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear plants, and fabrication, transport, trade, and storage of nuclear fuel.
• Mandatory safety authorisation from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for any radiation-related activity.
• Revised nuclear liability framework Retains the no-fault liability principle for operators and compulsory insurance coverage. Introduces a tiered liability cap based on reactor capacity: ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore (replacing the flat ₹1,500 crore cap). Central government bears excess liability beyond the operator’s cap. Liability exclusions (e.g., certain natural disasters) and claims adjudication mechanisms are retained.
• Retains the no-fault liability principle for operators and compulsory insurance coverage.
• Introduces a tiered liability cap based on reactor capacity: ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore (replacing the flat ₹1,500 crore cap).
• Central government bears excess liability beyond the operator’s cap.
• Liability exclusions (e.g., certain natural disasters) and claims adjudication mechanisms are retained.
• Change in operator’s right of recourse Removes the right of recourse against suppliers for defective equipment or materials. Recourse remains only where contractually provided or in cases of deliberate acts causing damage, aligning India with global nuclear liability norms.
• Removes the right of recourse against suppliers for defective equipment or materials.
• Recourse remains only where contractually provided or in cases of deliberate acts causing damage, aligning India with global nuclear liability norms.
• Expanded territorial jurisdiction for claims Compensation coverage extends to nuclear damage suffered in foreign states arising from incidents in India, subject to specified conditions.
• Compensation coverage extends to nuclear damage suffered in foreign states arising from incidents in India, subject to specified conditions.
• Statutory status to Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) Grants legal backing to AERB to ensure safe use of nuclear energy and radiation. Composition: Chairperson, one whole-time member, up to seven part-time members (experts of eminence). Appointments via a search-cum-selection committee; tenure 3 years, extendable up to 6 years.
• Grants legal backing to AERB to ensure safe use of nuclear energy and radiation.
• Composition: Chairperson, one whole-time member, up to seven part-time members (experts of eminence).
• Appointments via a search-cum-selection committee; tenure 3 years, extendable up to 6 years.
• Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council New appellate body to hear appeals against decisions of the Central Government or AERB. Chaired by the Chairperson, Atomic Energy Commission; includes heads of BARC, AERB, and CEA. Further appeal lies with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.
• New appellate body to hear appeals against decisions of the Central Government or AERB.
• Chaired by the Chairperson, Atomic Energy Commission; includes heads of BARC, AERB, and CEA.
• Further appeal lies with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.
Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025
Source: DD News
Subject: Government Schemes
Context: President of India has granted assent to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, passed in the Winter Session of Parliament.
About Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025:
What it is?
• The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 is a revamped statutory framework for rural employment that replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. It repositions rural employment as an integrated tool for livelihood security, asset creation, and climate resilience in line with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
• Enhance income security of rural households through expanded employment guarantee
• Transform wage employment into rural development via durable asset creation
Key features:
• Increased guaranteed employment Statutory guarantee raised to not less than 125 days of unskilled manual work per rural household per financial year. Unemployment allowance retained if work is not provided within 15 days of demand.
• Statutory guarantee raised to not less than 125 days of unskilled manual work per rural household per financial year.
• Unemployment allowance retained if work is not provided within 15 days of demand.
• Centrally sponsored scheme with revised funding pattern Implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS). 60:40 Centre–State sharing for most states; 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states; 100% central funding for UTs without legislatures. States continue to bear unemployment allowance and delay compensation.
• Implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS).
• 60:40 Centre–State sharing for most states; 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states; 100% central funding for UTs without legislatures.
• States continue to bear unemployment allowance and delay compensation.
• Normative allocations with state responsibility for excess expenditure Centre will notify state-wise normative allocations annually based on prescribed parameters. Excess expenditure beyond allocation to be borne by states, without diluting the statutory right to work.
• Centre will notify state-wise normative allocations annually based on prescribed parameters.
• Excess expenditure beyond allocation to be borne by states, without diluting the statutory right to work.
• Pause during peak agricultural seasons States may notify an aggregated pause of up to 60 days in a year during sowing and harvesting seasons. Does not reduce the 125-day entitlement, ensuring labour availability for agriculture.
• States may notify an aggregated pause of up to 60 days in a year during sowing and harvesting seasons.
• Does not reduce the 125-day entitlement, ensuring labour availability for agriculture.
• Decentralised and integrated planning framework Gram Sabhas and Panchayats remain the core planning authorities. Works to originate from Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans prepared through participatory processes. Plans integrated with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and aggregated upward for convergence.
• Gram Sabhas and Panchayats remain the core planning authorities.
• Works to originate from Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans prepared through participatory processes.
• Plans integrated with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and aggregated upward for convergence.
• Focus on priority development domains Works limited to four thematic areas: Water security Core rural infrastructure Livelihood-related infrastructure Climate resilience and extreme weather mitigation Assets mapped into a national rural infrastructure stack to prevent duplication.
• Works limited to four thematic areas: Water security Core rural infrastructure Livelihood-related infrastructure Climate resilience and extreme weather mitigation
• Water security
• Core rural infrastructure
• Livelihood-related infrastructure
• Climate resilience and extreme weather mitigation
• Assets mapped into a national rural infrastructure stack to prevent duplication.
• Strengthened implementation and monitoring Retains central and state councils; composition to be notified through Rules. Establishes a National Level Steering Committee and State Steering Committees for oversight, convergence, and plan aggregation.
• Retains central and state councils; composition to be notified through Rules.
• Establishes a National Level Steering Committee and State Steering Committees for oversight, convergence, and plan aggregation.
• Technology-driven transparency with social accountability Use of biometric authentication, geo-tagging, real-time dashboards, and weekly public disclosure. Social audits by Gram Sabhas strengthened to ensure inclusion and accountability.
• Use of biometric authentication, geo-tagging, real-time dashboards, and weekly public disclosure.
• Social audits by Gram Sabhas strengthened to ensure inclusion and accountability.
The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)
Source: TI
Subject: Economy
Context: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved USD 206 million in emergency funding for Sri Lanka under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
About The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI):
What it is?
• The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) is an IMF emergency lending facility that provides quick, low-access financial assistance to member countries facing urgent balance-of-payments (BoP) needs, especially during crises such as natural disasters, external shocks, or domestic instability.
Organisation: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Provide immediate liquidity to countries facing sudden BoP pressures.
• Prevent severe economic disruption when full-fledged IMF programmes are unnecessary or not feasible.
• Support macroeconomic stability during short-term crises.
Key features:
• Nature of assistance: Single, rapid disbursement of funds. Designed for urgent and temporary BoP needs. No requirement for a comprehensive economic reform
• Single, rapid disbursement of funds.
• Designed for urgent and temporary BoP needs.
• No requirement for a comprehensive economic reform
• Windows under RFI Regular window: For BoP stress due to domestic instability, exogenous shocks, or fragility Access up to 50% of IMF quota per year and 100% cumulatively Large Natural Disaster window: Applicable when disaster damage equals or exceeds 20% of GDP Higher access: up to 80% of quota per year and 133.33% cumulatively
• Regular window: For BoP stress due to domestic instability, exogenous shocks, or fragility Access up to 50% of IMF quota per year and 100% cumulatively
• For BoP stress due to domestic instability, exogenous shocks, or fragility
• Access up to 50% of IMF quota per year and 100% cumulatively
• Large Natural Disaster window: Applicable when disaster damage equals or exceeds 20% of GDP Higher access: up to 80% of quota per year and 133.33% cumulatively
• Applicable when disaster damage equals or exceeds 20% of GDP
• Higher access: up to 80% of quota per year and 133.33% cumulatively
• Conditionality framework No ex-post conditionality or programme reviews Limited prior actions may be required Borrowing country expected to pursue policies addressing underlying BoP problems
• No ex-post conditionality or programme reviews
• Limited prior actions may be required
• Borrowing country expected to pursue policies addressing underlying BoP problems
• Terms of lending Repayment period: 3¼ to 5 years Interest rate: Same as IMF’s standard non-concessional facilities (FCL, PLL, SBA) Access: Generally one-off, with scope for repeated use in exceptional circumstances
• Repayment period: 3¼ to 5 years
• Interest rate: Same as IMF’s standard non-concessional facilities (FCL, PLL, SBA)
• Access: Generally one-off, with scope for repeated use in exceptional circumstances
• Review and monitoring: No formal programme reviews IMF monitoring remains light and focused on macroeconomic stability
• No formal programme reviews
• IMF monitoring remains light and focused on macroeconomic stability
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal
Source: IE
Subject: Art and Culture
Context: India and the Netherlands have signed an MoU to cooperate on the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
About National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal:
What it is?
• The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is a flagship cultural and heritage project of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) aimed at showcasing India’s 4,500–5,000-year-old maritime legacy through a world-class museum and cultural complex.
Location: Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
• Developed as India’s first comprehensive national institution dedicated exclusively to maritime heritage.
Key features:
• World-class maritime museum with galleries on ancient navigation, shipbuilding, trade routes, naval history, and coastal cultures
• International collaboration, including partnership with the National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam, for design, curation, and conservation
• Maritime research and training centre for scholars and professionals
• Venue for global maritime fairs, exhibitions, and cultural events
• Inclusive public outreach with affordable access for students, local communities, and underprivileged groups
• Integration of modern technology and immersive visitor experiences
About Lothal:
• Located in:
• Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat Part of the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization cultural landscape
• Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Part of the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization cultural landscape
• Excavation:
• Excavated in 1957 by the Archaeological Survey of India Dates back to around 2400 BCE Recognised for the discovery of the world’s earliest known man-made dockyard
• Excavated in 1957 by the Archaeological Survey of India
• Dates back to around 2400 BCE
• Recognised for the discovery of the world’s earliest known man-made dockyard
• Key features and significance:
• The Lothal dockyard connected the settlement to ancient maritime trade routes linking Sindh, Saurashtra, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and beyond. Evidence of advanced town planning, tidal regulation, and maritime engineering. A major port town that facilitated not only trade in goods but also the exchange of cultures, ideas, and technologies. Demonstrates India’s continuous maritime tradition spanning over 4,500–5,000 years.
• The Lothal dockyard connected the settlement to ancient maritime trade routes linking Sindh, Saurashtra, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and beyond.
• Evidence of advanced town planning, tidal regulation, and maritime engineering.
• A major port town that facilitated not only trade in goods but also the exchange of cultures, ideas, and technologies.
• Demonstrates India’s continuous maritime tradition spanning over 4,500–5,000 years.
IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)
Source: MB
Subject: Environment
Context: Indian wildlife conservationist Vivek Menon has been elected as the Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) for 2025–2029.
• He is the first Asian to head the Commission in its 75-year history, marking a major milestone for Global South leadership in biodiversity conservation.
About IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC):
What it is?
• The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest and most influential scientific network of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), dedicated to conserving species and halting biodiversity loss worldwide.
Established in: 1949, alongside the formation of IUCN
Organisation:
• Functions as one of the six expert Commissions of IUCN
• Works closely with the IUCN Secretariat and national governments, NGOs, and research institutions
• Prevent species extinctions and support recovery of threatened species.
• Ensure that use of biodiversity is equitable and sustainable.
• Integrate science, policy, and on-ground action for global conservation.
Functions:
• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Provides scientific assessments categorising species as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, etc.
• Knowledge generation: Tracks status and trends of species across taxa and regions
• Policy and guidelines: Develops global conservation standards and best-practice frameworks
• Conservation planning: Supports species recovery plans, reintroductions, and habitat management
• Action-oriented partnerships: Catalyses on-ground conservation through collaboration with governments, NGOs, and local communities
• Species Conservation Cycle: Assessment → Planning → Action, supported by communication and monitoring
Significance:
• Forms the scientific backbone of global biodiversity governance.
• Guides national laws, protected area policies, and international conventions such as CBD and CITES.
• Serves as the global gold standard for extinction risk assessment.
Great Indian Bustard
Source: DTE
Subject: Species in News
Context: The Supreme Court, has strengthened safeguards for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) while revising transmission alignments under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
About Great Indian Bustard (GIB):
What it is?
• The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world and the state bird of Rajasthan.
• It is a flagship grassland species and a key indicator of ecosystem health in India’s arid and semi-arid landscapes.
Conservation status:
• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• CITES: Appendix I
• CMS (Bonn Convention): Listed species
• Estimated population: ~200 individuals worldwide
Habitat and distribution:
• Prefers open, flat grasslands and scrub landscapes with minimal disturbance.
• Historically spread across 11 Indian states and parts of Pakistan; now largely confined to Rajasthan and Gujarat, with small pockets in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Key habitats include Desert National Park and surrounding agro-grassland mosaics.
Key characteristics:
• Tall bird (~1 metre), brownish body with black crown (more prominent in males).
• Wingspan: 210–250 cm; weight: 15–18 kg.
• Ground-nesting species; females lay a single egg during monsoon.
• Highly vulnerable to overhead power lines, habitat fragmentation, vehicular collisions and free-ranging dogs.
About Green Energy Corridor (GEC):
• What it is?
• The Green Energy Corridor is a national transmission programme to evacuate large-scale renewable energy from resource-rich regions to state and national grids. It is critical for integrating solar and wind power into India’s electricity system.
• The Green Energy Corridor is a national transmission programme to evacuate large-scale renewable energy from resource-rich regions to state and national grids.
• It is critical for integrating solar and wind power into India’s electricity system.
• Located in: Focused on renewable-rich states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, especially desert and coastal wind–solar zones.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 December 2025 Mapping:
Bhima River
Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: Karnataka has urged the Centre/Central Water Commission (CWC) to intervene, alleging excess and unauthorised use of Bhima river water by Maharashtra, contrary to agreed allocations.
About Bhima River:
• What it is?
• The Bhima River is a major perennial river of western and southern India and a key tributary of the Krishna River. It is also locally known as the Chandrabhaga River, especially near Pandharpur.
• The Bhima River is a major perennial river of western and southern India and a key tributary of the Krishna River.
• It is also locally known as the Chandrabhaga River, especially near Pandharpur.
• Origin:
• Originates near the Bhimashankar hills in the Western Ghats (Sahyadris), close to the Bhimashankar Temple in Pune district, Maharashtra.
• Originates near the Bhimashankar hills in the Western Ghats (Sahyadris), close to the Bhimashankar Temple in Pune district, Maharashtra.
• States it flows through:
• Flows southeast for about 861 km through Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana before joining the Krishna River.
• Flows southeast for about 861 km through Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana before joining the Krishna River.
• Bhima as a tributary of:
• Krishna River, at the Karnataka–Telangana border, about 24 km north of Raichur. Notably, at the confluence, Bhima is longer than the Krishna.
• Krishna River, at the Karnataka–Telangana border, about 24 km north of Raichur.
• Notably, at the confluence, Bhima is longer than the Krishna.
• Major tributaries of Bhima:
• Left bank: Sina, Nira, Ghod, Vel Right bank: Indrayani, Mula–Mutha, Pavana, Man, Bhogavati Important tributaries also include Kagna (Karnataka) and Bori rivers.
• Left bank: Sina, Nira, Ghod, Vel
• Right bank: Indrayani, Mula–Mutha, Pavana, Man, Bhogavati
• Important tributaries also include Kagna (Karnataka) and Bori rivers.
• Other key features:
• Drainage basin: ~70,614 sq km; about 75% lies in Maharashtra. Hydrology: Highly monsoon-dependent—flood-prone during rains and near-stagnant in summer. Agriculture: Supports irrigated crops like sugarcane, and rainfed crops such as jowar, bajra and oilseeds. Socio-cultural significance: Hosts major religious sites including Pandharpur (Vitthal Temple) and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga.
• Drainage basin: ~70,614 sq km; about 75% lies in Maharashtra.
• Hydrology: Highly monsoon-dependent—flood-prone during rains and near-stagnant in summer.
• Agriculture: Supports irrigated crops like sugarcane, and rainfed crops such as jowar, bajra and oilseeds.
• Socio-cultural significance: Hosts major religious sites including Pandharpur (Vitthal Temple) and Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga.
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