UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 September 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 September 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 – 5 September (2025)

• Ageing and Health Burden in India

Ageing and Health Burden in India

GS Paper 3:

• India’s Path to Atmanirbharta in Millets

India’s Path to Atmanirbharta in Millets

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

• India–Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)

India–Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

• India Rankings 2025

India Rankings 2025

• 2D Materials

2D Materials

• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

• Aluminium

Aluminium

• Beas and Sutlej Rivers

Beas and Sutlej Rivers

• Environment Auditors

Environment Auditors

Mapping:

• Lipulekh Pass

Lipulekh Pass

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 September 2025

#### GS Paper 2:

Ageing and Health Burden in India

Syllabus: Vulnerable Sections

Source: TH

Context: The India Ageing Report 2023 highlights the mounting challenges of healthcare costs for senior citizens in India, especially amidst rising comorbidities, low insurance coverage, and inadequate financial preparedness.

About Ageing and Health Burden in India:

Background:

• India’s elderly population (60+) stood at ~149 million in 2022; projected to reach 347 million (20.8%) by 2050.

• Elderly face a “double burden”: Health – multiple comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, stroke. Finance – reduced income, high dependency, poor social security.

• Health – multiple comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, stroke.

• Finance – reduced income, high dependency, poor social security.

• Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) remains high (~48% of total health spending, National Health Accounts 2021-22), causing distress financing and debt.

Major Health Concerns of the Elderly:

• Out-Patient Care: Elderly frequently seek treatment for chronic pain, fever, hypertension, diabetes, and breathing/heart issues, reflecting the burden of non-communicable diseases.

• In-Patient Care: Hospitalisation is commonly required for heart disease, stroke, diabetic complications, infections, and surgeries, increasing financial and physical stress.

• Recovery Issues: Longer hospital stays, repeated infections, ICU needs, and poor drug compliance due to costs make recovery slower and more difficult.

Insurance Coverage: Present Status and Gaps

• Schemes Available: Central (PM-JAY) and state schemes like CMCHIS, along with CGHS, ESIC, and private health insurance, provide varying levels of coverage.

• Coverage Remains Low: Only 20% of elderly are insured, with higher coverage among men and urban residents compared to women and rural populations.

• Barriers: Low awareness (52.9%), high premiums, and complex enrolment processes restrict access to health insurance.

• Exclusions: Key services like palliative care, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and home oxygen support are not covered, forcing out-of-pocket spending.

Cost of Healthcare: Why It Rises with Age?

• Chronic NCDs: Lifelong conditions like diabetes and hypertension require constant medication and monitoring, raising cumulative expenses.

• ICU/Critical Care: Comorbidities in elderly patients often demand high-cost ICU admissions and ventilatory support.

• Private Insurance Premiums: Premiums rise steeply with age, while reimbursements are often partial (about 75%), leaving large gaps.

• Post-Treatment Costs: Rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and home-based care after discharge are typically uncovered and expensive.

• End-of-Life Care: No structured policy for palliative or terminal care leaves families bearing heavy financial burdens.

Initiatives Taken:

• PM-JAY Expansion (2024): Provides universal health coverage for all citizens above 70, regardless of income.

• State Schemes Integration: States like Tamil Nadu integrate local schemes (CMCHIS) with PM-JAY to widen access.

• NPHCE: Establishes geriatric clinics and regional centres for elderly-specific care across the country.

• Health Insurance Reforms: Simplification of enrolment and broader coverage aims to boost participation among elderly.

• Public Hospital Strengthening: States such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu have improved public geriatric healthcare infrastructure.

Challenges:

• High OOPE: Nearly half of healthcare costs are out-of-pocket, devastating for elderly with limited or no income.

• Rural-Urban Divide: Urban elderly access private hospitals and insurance, while rural elderly largely depend on household savings.

• Insurance Gaps: High premiums, exclusions, and low awareness make insurance inaccessible for most senior citizens.

• Workforce Shortage: India has only ~6,000 trained geriatricians, insufficient for its rapidly ageing population.

• Palliative & Preventive Neglect: Preventive measures like vaccination and palliative care remain underfunded and poorly integrated.

• Gender Inequality: Elderly women are less likely to have insurance or financial support, heightening their vulnerability.

Way Forward:

• Financial Protection:

• Expand Ayushman Bharat to include palliative, rehabilitative, and home-based care. Regulate private insurers to cap premiums for elderly. Incentivise middle-age savings for healthcare (tax-deductions, health bonds).

• Expand Ayushman Bharat to include palliative, rehabilitative, and home-based care.

• Regulate private insurers to cap premiums for elderly.

• Incentivise middle-age savings for healthcare (tax-deductions, health bonds).

• Accessibility:

• Strengthen public hospitals for geriatric care (model of TN & Kerala). Rural outreach through Health & Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat.

• Strengthen public hospitals for geriatric care (model of TN & Kerala).

• Rural outreach through Health & Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat.

• Preventive Health:

• National vaccination policy for elderly (influenza, pneumonia, shingles). Early screening for diabetes, hypertension, cancers at PHCs.

• National vaccination policy for elderly (influenza, pneumonia, shingles).

• Early screening for diabetes, hypertension, cancers at PHCs.

• Awareness & Literacy:

• Nationwide awareness campaigns on health insurance. Simplified enrolment procedures, mobile units for rural elderly.

• Nationwide awareness campaigns on health insurance.

• Simplified enrolment procedures, mobile units for rural elderly.

• Human Resources:

• Establish geriatric departments in medical colleges. Train ASHA workers and primary health staff in geriatric care.

• Establish geriatric departments in medical colleges.

• Train ASHA workers and primary health staff in geriatric care.

Conclusion:

India is becoming an ageing society, making elderly healthcare vital for inclusive growth. The India Ageing Report 2023 urges urgent reforms in affordability, accessibility, and insurance. True to Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of equality, today’s challenge is dignity in ageing—ensuring the elderly live with health, security, and respect, free from debt or neglect.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 September 2025 GS Paper 3:

India’s Path to Atmanirbharta in Millets

Syllabus: Climate and Energy

Source: NITI Aayog

Context: NITI Aayog released its report “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta”.

• While focused on pulses, it highlights broader lessons for self-reliance in food crops, including millets, which share similar challenges of productivity, price stability, and sustainability.

About India’s Path to Atmanirbharta in Millets:

Current Status & Trends of Millets in India:

• Production Share – India produces about 41% of global millets, making it the largest producer, with ~16 million tonnes annually. This positions India as a global hub for millets.

• Regional Concentration – States like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh account for over 80% of millet production, showing uneven geographical spread.

• Consumption Decline – Despite high output, per capita millet consumption has fallen from 32 kg/year in the 1960s to ~4 kg/year today, replaced by rice and wheat in PDS and diets.

• Export Trends – India exported nearly 1.8 MT of millets in 2022–23, mainly to UAE, Nepal, and Saudi Arabia, reflecting growing international demand.

• Policy Focus – The Union Budget 2023–24 renamed millets as “Shree Anna” and earmarked resources for research, processing, and market linkages to revive millet consumption.

Importance of Millets:

• Nutritional Value – Millets are rich in iron, calcium, fiber, and proteins, crucial to fight malnutrition and anemia, especially among women and children.

• Climate Resilience – Millets need 70% less water than rice and withstand drought, making them suitable for rainfed, arid, and climate-stressed regions.

• Farmer Livelihoods – Being low-input crops, millets reduce dependence on fertilizers and irrigation, lowering production costs for smallholders.

• Food Security – Inclusion of millets in Mid-Day Meals, ICDS, and PDS enhances nutritional security for vulnerable populations.

• Global Recognition – With India branding millets as “Shree Anna”, millets are now positioned as a superfood, strengthening India’s agri-diplomacy and export potential.

Initiatives Taken So Far:

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Millets) – Promotes area expansion, seed distribution, and productivity enhancement in millet-growing regions.

• Shree Anna Mission (2023) – A six-year mission to boost millet research, processing, branding, and market integration nationwide.

• Millets in Schemes – States like Karnataka (with “Ksheera Bhagya”) integrated millets into school meals, improving acceptance and demand.

• International Push – India led the UNGA resolution declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets, organizing global millet fairs and buyer-seller meets.

• Export Promotion – APEDA has supported branding, GI tagging, and millet product exports to Middle East, USA, and EU.

Challenges Faced by Millets:

• Declining Consumer Preference – Urban diets favor rice and wheat due to PDS pricing and convenience, pushing millets to the margins.

• Productivity Gap – Millets yield ~1.2 t/ha, lower than rice/wheat, due to limited R&D and hybrid seed availability.

• Market Linkages – Fragmented value chains, weak FPO penetration, and lack of MSP-backed assured procurement hinder farmer confidence.

• Post-Harvest Issues – Poor processing technology, storage losses, and low investment in millet-based food industry restrict value addition.

• Policy Bias – Heavy subsidies for rice and wheat under NFSA and irrigation skew discourage millet cultivation in rainfed belts.

Strategic Framework for Atmanirbharta in Millets:

• Horizontal Expansion – Cultivate millets in rice fallows and degraded lands, particularly in Eastern India, to expand acreage sustainably.

• Vertical Expansion – Invest in high-yield, bio-fortified, and climate-resilient millet varieties, supported by stronger seed systems.

• Cluster-Based Model – Adopt a district-wise crop cluster strategy (like pulses) for region-specific interventions and better productivity gains.

• Value Chain Strengthening – Establish processing hubs, branding units, and FPO-led aggregation models to integrate farmers into markets.

• Climate-Smart Practices – Promote organic, water-efficient, and pest-resistant millet farming, aligned with India’s SDG and climate goals.

Way Ahead:

• Integration into NFSA & ICDS – Ensure compulsory inclusion of millets in food security schemes to expand domestic demand.

• R&D Boost – Strengthen research in bio-fortified, short-duration millet hybrids and enhance seed replacement rates.

• Export-Oriented Value Chains – Build GI-tagged millet brands and premium products for global health-conscious consumers.

• Public Procurement Reform – Guarantee MSP-backed procurement and set up decentralized procurement centers for millets.

• Awareness Campaigns – Launch nation-wide millet promotion drives, linking them with nutrition, lifestyle, and climate resilience.

Conclusion:

Millets offer India a triple advantage of nutrition security, climate resilience, and farmer welfare. With strong institutional support and global branding, they can re-emerge as the “grain of the future.” Achieving Atmanirbharta in millets requires coordinated action across production, markets, and consumption policies.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 September 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

India–Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)

Context: Singapore PM visited India to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties, during which India and Singapore agreed on a forward-looking roadmap for their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) across eight key sectors.

About India–Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP):

• What it is? The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) is the highest level of bilateral engagement between India and Singapore. It was elevated from a Strategic Partnership in 2015 and further deepened in 2025 with a new roadmap.

• The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) is the highest level of bilateral engagement between India and Singapore.

• It was elevated from a Strategic Partnership in 2015 and further deepened in 2025 with a new roadmap.

• Key Agreements (2025 Roadmap): Economic Cooperation → review CECA & AITIGA, boost semiconductor sector, capital markets, space collaboration. Skills Development → National Centre of Excellence in Chennai for advanced manufacturing & TVET. Digitalisation → UPI–PayNow expansion, fintech, cybersecurity, AI in healthcare/agriculture. Sustainability → green hydrogen, civil nuclear projects, climate change action, food security. Connectivity → maritime & aviation links, Green & Digital Shipping Corridor, sustainable aviation fuel. Healthcare & Medicine → digital health, R&D in med-tech, nursing skills, disease surveillance. People-to-People → student/professional exchanges, culture, parliamentary and public service collaboration. Defence & Security → joint exercises, maritime security, counter-terrorism, defence tech cooperation.

• Economic Cooperation → review CECA & AITIGA, boost semiconductor sector, capital markets, space collaboration.

• Skills Development → National Centre of Excellence in Chennai for advanced manufacturing & TVET.

• Digitalisation → UPI–PayNow expansion, fintech, cybersecurity, AI in healthcare/agriculture.

• Sustainability → green hydrogen, civil nuclear projects, climate change action, food security.

• Connectivity → maritime & aviation links, Green & Digital Shipping Corridor, sustainable aviation fuel.

• Healthcare & Medicine → digital health, R&D in med-tech, nursing skills, disease surveillance.

• People-to-People → student/professional exchanges, culture, parliamentary and public service collaboration.

• Defence & Security → joint exercises, maritime security, counter-terrorism, defence tech cooperation.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS-II (International Relations): Bilateral relations with Singapore, ASEAN diplomacy, CECA/AITIGA negotiations. Maritime security and Indo-Pacific strategy (QUAD, ASEAN centrality).

• Bilateral relations with Singapore, ASEAN diplomacy, CECA/AITIGA negotiations.

• Maritime security and Indo-Pacific strategy (QUAD, ASEAN centrality).

• GS-III (Economy & Science-Tech): Digitalisation (UPI–PayNow), fintech, AI applications. Semiconductor industry, industrial parks, renewable energy cooperation.

• Digitalisation (UPI–PayNow), fintech, AI applications.

• Semiconductor industry, industrial parks, renewable energy cooperation.

• Essay / Ethics Enrichment: People-to-people ties, cultural diplomacy, sustainability partnerships as examples of soft power and cooperative federalism at the global level.

• People-to-people ties, cultural diplomacy, sustainability partnerships as examples of soft power and cooperative federalism at the global level.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 September 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):

India Rankings 2025

Source: PIB

Context: The Ministry of Education released the India Rankings 2025 under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

About India Rankings 2025:

• What it is? India Rankings is the annual ranking of higher education institutions based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), introduced in 2015. It covers universities, colleges, and specialized institutions across disciplines.

• India Rankings is the annual ranking of higher education institutions based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), introduced in 2015. It covers universities, colleges, and specialized institutions across disciplines.

• Published by: The Ministry of Education, Government of India, with data support from agencies like Scopus, Web of Science, and Derwent Innovation.

• Aim: To promote accountability, transparency, and quality benchmarking among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). To guide students, parents, and policymakers with credible performance indicators. To align higher education with NEP 2020 goals and India’s vision of becoming a knowledge superpower by 2047.

• To promote accountability, transparency, and quality benchmarking among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

• To guide students, parents, and policymakers with credible performance indicators.

• To align higher education with NEP 2020 goals and India’s vision of becoming a knowledge superpower by 2047.

• Criteria Used (5 Parameters & Weightage): Teaching, Learning & Resources (30%) – faculty quality, student strength, financial resources. Research & Professional Practice (30%) – publications, citations, patents. Graduation Outcomes (20%) – placement, higher studies, median salary. Outreach & Inclusivity (10%) – gender balance, regional diversity, inclusivity. Perception (10%) – academic and public reputation.

• Teaching, Learning & Resources (30%) – faculty quality, student strength, financial resources.

• Research & Professional Practice (30%) – publications, citations, patents.

• Graduation Outcomes (20%) – placement, higher studies, median salary.

• Outreach & Inclusivity (10%) – gender balance, regional diversity, inclusivity.

• Perception (10%) – academic and public reputation.

• Trends in Report (2025): (No need to remember everything just have the idea) IIT Madras retained dominance – ranked 1st in the Overall category for the 7th year in a row, and 1st in Engineering for the 10th year. IISc Bengaluru’s consistent lead – topped Universities for the 10th consecutive year and Research Institutions for the 5th year. Domain leaders unchanged – IIM Ahmedabad in Management, AIIMS Delhi in Medical, IIT Roorkee in Architecture, and NLSIU Bengaluru in Law maintained their top positions. Delhi colleges dominance – Hindu College secured 1st place for the 2nd year, while six of the top 10 colleges are from Delhi. Expansion of categories – 9 categories and 8 subject domains covered; new SDG-based rankings introduced, topped by IIT Madras. Growing participation – 7,692 unique institutions applied, with 14,163 submissions, reflecting a 297% rise in applications since 2016. Emerging diversity in leaders – Jamia Hamdard (Pharmacy), IGNOU (Open Universities), Symbiosis (Skill Universities), and IARI Delhi (Agriculture) highlight non-IIT/non-IIM excellence.

• IIT Madras retained dominance – ranked 1st in the Overall category for the 7th year in a row, and 1st in Engineering for the 10th year.

• IISc Bengaluru’s consistent lead – topped Universities for the 10th consecutive year and Research Institutions for the 5th year.

• Domain leaders unchanged – IIM Ahmedabad in Management, AIIMS Delhi in Medical, IIT Roorkee in Architecture, and NLSIU Bengaluru in Law maintained their top positions.

• Delhi colleges dominance – Hindu College secured 1st place for the 2nd year, while six of the top 10 colleges are from Delhi.

• Expansion of categories – 9 categories and 8 subject domains covered; new SDG-based rankings introduced, topped by IIT Madras.

• Growing participation – 7,692 unique institutions applied, with 14,163 submissions, reflecting a 297% rise in applications since 2016.

• Emerging diversity in leaders – Jamia Hamdard (Pharmacy), IGNOU (Open Universities), Symbiosis (Skill Universities), and IARI Delhi (Agriculture) highlight non-IIT/non-IIM excellence.

2D Materials

Source: BS

Context: NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub, in collaboration with IISc Bengaluru, has released the 4th edition of its Future Front Quarterly Insights titled “Introduction to 2D Materials”, highlighting their significance and why India must prioritise them.

About 2D Materials:

What are 2D Materials?

• Definition: These are super-thin materials, only one atom thick — thinner than anything you can imagine. Example: graphene, MoS₂ (molybdenum disulfide), WS₂.

• Structure: They are flat like a sheet of paper but at the atomic level, giving them special properties that normal (3D) materials don’t have.

• Discovery: In 2004, scientists peeled off graphene from graphite (pencil lead) using tape — this earned them the 2010 Nobel Prize.

• Types: Graphene (made of carbon), TMDCs (metal + sulfur/selenium), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and new materials called “Xenes” like silicene.

How Do They Work?

• Because they’re so thin, electrons can move almost freely → faster and cooler devices.

• They’re held together strongly within a sheet but are weakly stacked, so we can easily separate them into thin layers.

• Their energy properties (band gap) can be adjusted, making them great for chips and electronics.

• Their thinness makes them extremely sensitive to the environment — perfect for sensors.

• They also show quantum effects (like spin–valley coupling) that could power future quantum computers.

Key Characteristics:

• Super Conductors → Graphene carries electricity better than copper and also spreads heat quickly.

• Super Strong → Around 200 times stronger than steel, yet bendable and stretchable by 20%.

• Tunable Chips → Can be engineered for next-generation semiconductors beyond today’s silicon.

• Quantum Ready → Can host quantum bits (qubits) for quantum computing.

• Flexible & Transparent → Ideal for foldable phones, wearable gadgets, and see-through electronics.

Applications:

• Semiconductors – 2D transistors (MoS₂, WS₂) break silicon limits; extend Moore’s Law to the angstrom era.

• Neuromorphic Computing – Atom-thin memristors mimic brain synapses; energy-efficient AI hardware.

• Optoelectronics – Tunable band gaps enable ultra-thin photodetectors, LEDs, and solar cells.

• Bulk Uses – Graphene composites for aerospace, water filtration membranes, coatings, batteries, and EV supercapacitors.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

Source: IE

Context: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has asked the Census Commissioner to enumerate Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) separately in the upcoming Census.

About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

Who They Are?

• PVTGs are a sub-category of Scheduled Tribes (STs), identified as the most disadvantaged among tribals.

• The concept came from the Dhebar Commission (1960–61), which recommended special focus for groups facing greater backwardness.

• Initially 52 groups were identified in the 5th Five-Year Plan (1974–79); later 23 were added in 2006 → now 75 groups in total.

Habitat:

• Spread across 18 states and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

• Many live in remote forests, hilly regions, or islands with poor access to infrastructure.

• Examples: Baigas (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh), Abujh Marias, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens.

Characteristics:

• Declining/stagnant population and high vulnerability.

• Geographical isolation with limited outside contact.

• Dependence on pre-agrarian practices like hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation.

• Low literacy, poor health, and economic backwardness compared to other STs.

• Distinct cultural and social practices, often outside mainstream society.

Need for Separate Count:

• No previous Census has separately enumerated PVTGs; most are included under the general ST category.

• Having exact numbers and socio-economic data will improve targeting of schemes in health, education, and livelihoods.

• Helps identify infrastructure gaps in their habitations for schemes like PM JANMAN (₹24,104 crore launched in 2023).

• Ensures protection of their habitat rights and preservation of their unique cultures.

• Clarifies whether existing PVTG criteria remain relevant, as some groups may have improved while others worsened.

Aluminium

Source: NIE

Context: India’s aluminium industry is under stress due to a rapid shift from aluminium to UPVC plastic in construction and rising cheap imports from ASEAN countries.

About Aluminium:

• What it is?

• Aluminium is widely used for making window frames, kitchen items, doors, roofs, and automotive parts. It is increasingly being replaced by UPVC plastic, which is derived from crude oil and raises environmental concerns under India’s Paris Agreement commitments.

• Aluminium is widely used for making window frames, kitchen items, doors, roofs, and automotive parts.

• It is increasingly being replaced by UPVC plastic, which is derived from crude oil and raises environmental concerns under India’s Paris Agreement commitments.

• India’s Status (Production, Imports & Exports)

• Installed capacity of aluminium extrusion industry: 3 million tonnes per annum. Actual utilisation: only 1.2 million tonnes. Imports: exceed 1.5 million tonnes, driven by price differences, FTA concessions, and duty-free access under various HSN codes. Consumption: India’s per capita aluminium consumption is ~4 kg, among the lowest globally, compared to China (25 kg), US (18 kg), and world average (11 kg).

• Installed capacity of aluminium extrusion industry: 3 million tonnes per annum.

• Actual utilisation: only 1.2 million tonnes.

• Imports: exceed 1.5 million tonnes, driven by price differences, FTA concessions, and duty-free access under various HSN codes.

• Consumption: India’s per capita aluminium consumption is ~4 kg, among the lowest globally, compared to China (25 kg), US (18 kg), and world average (11 kg).

• Importance of Aluminium in Industry:

• Critical for construction sector: doors, windows, facades, and structural applications. Important for the automotive industry, which is shifting towards lightweight materials. Plays a role in renewable energy expansion, especially solar. India’s low aluminium consumption limits the growth of the domestic industry despite high potential demand.

• Critical for construction sector: doors, windows, facades, and structural applications.

• Important for the automotive industry, which is shifting towards lightweight materials.

• Plays a role in renewable energy expansion, especially solar.

• India’s low aluminium consumption limits the growth of the domestic industry despite high potential demand.

• Raw Materials in India:

• India has significant bauxite reserves, the primary ore for aluminium production. Major producing states: Odisha – largest producer; major mines in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundergarh (NALCO’s Panchpatmali mines). Jharkhand – deposits in Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi (Hindalco operations). Gujarat – reserves in Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh. Chhattisgarh – deposits in Bilaspur, Durg, Amarkantak plateau. Maharashtra – Kolhapur district. Madhya Pradesh – Amarkantak plateau, Maikala range.

• India has significant bauxite reserves, the primary ore for aluminium production.

• Major producing states: Odisha – largest producer; major mines in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundergarh (NALCO’s Panchpatmali mines). Jharkhand – deposits in Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi (Hindalco operations). Gujarat – reserves in Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh. Chhattisgarh – deposits in Bilaspur, Durg, Amarkantak plateau. Maharashtra – Kolhapur district. Madhya Pradesh – Amarkantak plateau, Maikala range.

• Odisha – largest producer; major mines in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundergarh (NALCO’s Panchpatmali mines).

• Jharkhand – deposits in Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi (Hindalco operations).

• Gujarat – reserves in Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh.

• Chhattisgarh – deposits in Bilaspur, Durg, Amarkantak plateau.

• Maharashtra – Kolhapur district.

• Madhya Pradesh – Amarkantak plateau, Maikala range.

Beas and Sutlej Rivers

Source: IE

Context: Rising water levels in the Beas and Sutlej rivers have posed a severe threat to Marar village in Tarn Taran (Punjab), causing erosion and endangering homes despite embankment-strengthening efforts.

About Beas and Sutlej rivers:

About Beas River:

• Origin: Near Rohtang Pass, southern Pir Panjal Range, Himachal Pradesh (altitude ~4,062 m).

• Length: About 460–470 km, lies entirely within India.

• Course: Flows through Kullu, Mandi, Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) → enters Punjab → meets Sutlej at Harike.

• Basin area: ~20,300 sq km.

• Key Features: Known as Vipasa (Vedic) and Hyphasis (Greek). Divides into channels in lower reaches before reuniting. Major source for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower.

• Known as Vipasa (Vedic) and Hyphasis (Greek).

• Divides into channels in lower reaches before reuniting.

• Major source for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower.

About Sutlej River:

• Origin: Mansarovar–Rakastal Lakes, western Tibet (~4,570 m). Called Langqen Zagbo in Tibet.

• Length: ~1,450 km total, of which 1,050 km in India.

• Course: Flows northwest to Shipki La (Tibet–Himachal border). Cuts gorges across Himalayas → enters Punjab plains at Rupnagar (Ropar). Joins Beas at Harike, then flows into Pakistan → merges with Indus near Mithankot.

• Flows northwest to Shipki La (Tibet–Himachal border).

• Cuts gorges across Himalayas → enters Punjab plains at Rupnagar (Ropar).

• Joins Beas at Harike, then flows into Pakistan → merges with Indus near Mithankot.

• Catchment area: ~56,860 sq km (20,000 sq km in India).

• Key Features: Bhakra Dam built on Sutlej (Naina Devi Dhar). Forms ~120 km India–Pakistan boundary in Punjab. Major tributaries: Beas and Ravi.

• Bhakra Dam built on Sutlej (Naina Devi Dhar).

• Forms ~120 km India–Pakistan boundary in Punjab.

• Major tributaries: Beas and Ravi.

Environment Auditors

Source: TH

Context: The Centre has approved the creation of a new, independent class of “environment auditors” under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, to supplement State Pollution Control Boards.

About Environment Auditors:

• What it is? A newly created category of certified professionals or accredited agencies authorised to inspect, verify, and audit industrial and infrastructure projects for compliance with environmental laws and sustainability norms.

• A newly created category of certified professionals or accredited agencies authorised to inspect, verify, and audit industrial and infrastructure projects for compliance with environmental laws and sustainability norms.

• Established Under: The Environment Audit Rules, 2025, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on August 29, 2025.

• Aim: To bridge manpower and infrastructure deficits faced by Central/State Pollution Control Boards. To promote self-compliance and accountability among project developers. To ensure greater transparency and credibility in environmental monitoring.

• To bridge manpower and infrastructure deficits faced by Central/State Pollution Control Boards.

• To promote self-compliance and accountability among project developers.

• To ensure greater transparency and credibility in environmental monitoring.

• Functions: Conduct systematic audits of projects governed by environmental laws. Sample and analyse emissions, effluents, and waste. Report non-compliance and compute environmental compensation. Act as verifiers under Green Credit Rules, E-Waste Rules, Plastic Waste Rules. Provide independent inputs for climate action and ESG ratings.

• Conduct systematic audits of projects governed by environmental laws.

• Sample and analyse emissions, effluents, and waste.

• Report non-compliance and compute environmental compensation.

• Act as verifiers under Green Credit Rules, E-Waste Rules, Plastic Waste Rules.

• Provide independent inputs for climate action and ESG ratings.

• Significance: Strengthens India’s environmental governance beyond government machinery. Reduces monitoring burden on State/Central Boards.

• Strengthens India’s environmental governance beyond government machinery.

• Reduces monitoring burden on State/Central Boards.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 September 2025 Mapping:

Lipulekh Pass

Source: TH

Context: Nepal Prime Minister raised the Lipulekh Pass issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin, asserting Nepal’s territorial claim.

About Lipulekh Pass:

• What it is? A high-altitude mountain pass in the Himalayas, historically used for trade and pilgrimage between India and Tibet (China).

• A high-altitude mountain pass in the Himalayas, historically used for trade and pilgrimage between India and Tibet (China).

• Location: Situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, close to the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China in the Kumaon region.

• Altitude: Stands at around 5,334 meters (17,500 feet), making it one of the highest and most strategic passes in the region.

• Features:

• Gateway for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage. Acts as a vital trade route between India and Tibet. Opened as India’s first border trade post with China in 1992, followed later by Shipki La (1994) and Nathu La (2006). Known for its rugged terrain and strategic positioning in the Himalayas.

• Gateway for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage.

• Acts as a vital trade route between India and Tibet.

• Opened as India’s first border trade post with China in 1992, followed later by Shipki La (1994) and Nathu La (2006).

• Known for its rugged terrain and strategic positioning in the Himalayas.

• Significance:

• Geopolitical importance due to its location near the trijunction. Critical for Indo–China trade and border management. A key point of India–Nepal boundary dispute, especially after Nepal’s 2020 map claim.

• Geopolitical importance due to its location near the trijunction.

• Critical for Indo–China trade and border management.

• A key point of India–Nepal boundary dispute, especially after Nepal’s 2020 map claim.

• Issue surrounding Lipulekh Pass:

• India considers Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and has maintained administrative control for decades.

• Nepal claims the area as part of its territory and in 2020 published a new political map incorporating these regions, embedding it in its constitution.

• China, while using Lipulekh for trade with India, treats it as an India–Nepal bilateral dispute and avoids direct involvement.

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