UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 result: Not able to access official website? Download result PDF from here
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Preliminary Exam 2025 results, accessible on upsc.gov.in and upsconline.gov.in. Conducted on May 25, the exam was noted as lengthy. This recruitment cycle aims to fill 979 vacancies. Candidates can check their results by logging in to the official website.
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
UPSC EPFO registration window 2025 to close tomorrow: Direct link to apply here
UPSC EPFO recruitment registration 2025 UPSC EPFO registration 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will close the registration process for the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recruitment 2025 tomorrow, August 18, 2025. Aspirants seeking to apply for the posts of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner must complete their application process by visiting the official UPSC website at UPSC EPFO 2025 : Eligibility and key requirements Applicants must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institute. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are urged to complete the registration before the deadline, as no further extension is expected. UPSC EPFO 2025 registration: Steps to apply Candidates can follow the steps mentioned here to register for the UPSC EPFO application 2025: Visit the official website of UPSC at Click on the Apply Online link available on the homepage. Complete the registration process by entering the required details. Log in to the registered account. Fill out the application form and pay the prescribed fee. Upload the necessary documents and submit the application. Download and retain a hard copy for future reference. Alternatively, candidates can click on the link provided here to apply for the UPSC EPFO vacancies 2025. UPSC EPFO 2025 selection procedure The recruitment will follow a two-stage process. Candidates will first have to clear a Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) conducted in pen-and-paper mode. The CRT will serve as the shortlisting stage for the interview round. The written test will be of two hours' duration. All questions will carry equal weightage. Negative marking will apply: one-third of the marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. No penalty will be imposed if a candidate chooses to leave a question unanswered. Aspirants are advised to stay tuned to the official website to get the complete details of the UPSC EPFO application process. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Alaska summit, GST reforms and Eco-sensitive Western Ghats
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 17, 2025. If you missed the August 16, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because 'Russia is a very big power, and they're not', after a summit where Vladimir Putin was reported to have demanded more Ukrainian land. Key Points to Ponder: — Know about the Russia-Ukraine war and its impact. — Read about Alaska. — What is the geopolitical significance of the Alaska summit? — What is the history of India's bilateral relations with Russia and the US? — What are the areas of cooperation between India and Russia? — What are the areas of cooperation between India and the US? — What is India's stand in the Russia-Ukraine war? — Map work: Locate Alaska, Ukraine, Russia and other places in the news in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war on map. Key Takeaways: — In a subsequent briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a source familiar with the discussion cited Trump as saying the Russian leader had offered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv's forces ceded all of Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscow's main targets. — Zelenskyy rejected the demand, the source said. Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in also said he had agreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies, until now with US support, have demanded. — Zelenskyy said he would meet Trump in Washington on Monday, while Kyiv's European allies welcomed Trump's efforts but vowed to back Ukraine and tighten sanctions on Russia. The source said European leaders had also been invited to those talks. From Economy Page- 'No deal or ceasefire: What the 'failed' Trump-Putin Alaska summit could mean for India' — US President Donald Trump's push for a ceasefire in Ukraine did not yield results, with Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly not yielding. — The apparent failure of the talks may come as a relief for Ukrainian and European leaders, who were worried that Trump would yield to Putin's demands and follow up on his earlier talk of swapping land. New Delhi too had one eye on America's frigid outpost over 15,000 kilometers away, to see if anything came out of the spectacle that could impact India's prospects. — There was some hope in India that if Trump and Putin reached a deal of some kind, that outcome would provide relief to New Delhi with respect to the secondary tariffs imposed on India. There was a belief here that the 25 per cent additional punitive tariff could possibly go away if the Trump administration believed that it was making some kind of progress with Putin on stopping the war. — That hope, although relatively diminished, may still be there to some extent as both Trump and Putin—while saying there was no deal yet—indicated some progress in the Alaska talks. New Delhi would still be hoping for the best-case scenario—rollback of the 25 per cent additional tariff, or at least the postponement of the August 27 deadline when the extra tariff is slated to take effect. Do You Know: — New Delhi has called the targeting of India over the purchase of Russian oil 'unjustified and unreasonable' and said these imports began as its traditional supplies were diverted to Europe, with the US having 'actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability'. — India has maintained over the years that as a country that depends on energy imports, it will buy oil from wherever it gets a good deal, as long as the oil is not under sanctions. To be sure, Russian oil is not under sanctions, and is only subject to a price cap imposed by the US and its allies that applies if Western shipping and insurance services are used for transporting the oil. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Caught in the Trump-Putin game of chicken: India's Russian oil imports' future and options 📍An Expert Explains: Russia-Ukraine war Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (UPSC CSE 2020) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, Economic and Social Development, Indian Polity and Governance Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development, and employment. What's the ongoing story: The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Rate Rationalisation is set to meet in the coming week to discuss the proposal on next-generation GST reforms Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday. The GoM has ministers from six states: Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka. Key Points to Ponder: — What is Goods and Services Tax (GST), and how does it work? — What are the different types of GST? (Thought Process: Know the differences between Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Union Territory GST (UTGST) and Integrated GST (IGST). — What is the purpose of introducing GST? How is it an example of cooperative federalism? — GST Reforms – What do you know so far? — What is the GST Council? (Thought Process: Know the Key Provisions of Article 279A of the Constitution, the composition and role of the GST council) — What are the issues associated with the GST? — What does the term 'rate rationalisation' in the context of GST in India refer to? — How does the process of GST rate rationalisation align with the principle of cooperative federalism in India? Key Takeaways: — While the proposal was shared with the ministers from the six states a day before the PM's Independence Day address, the Department of Revenue in the Union Ministry of Finance will make a presentation to the GoM when it meets, sources said. — Sources in the Union Finance Ministry said they were confident the GoM and later the GST Council would find merit in the proposal. Internal calculations by the Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry suggest that gross GST revenues under the proposed two-pillar rate structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent will not be lower than what it is now. — Giving a broad idea of the proposal, sources said most of the products and services would be placed in either of the two rates — 5 per cent or 18 per cent. Goods and services used by the common man, or as inputs by farmers, small entrepreneurs and MSMEs, will attract the lower 5 per cent duty. This will reduce the tax burden and is expected to drive consumption. Most other goods and services will attract the 18 per cent rate, they said. — At present, there are multiple rate slabs — 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent — and a compensation cess ranging from 1 per cent to 290 per cent that is levied on sin and luxury goods such as cars, refrigerators, air conditioners, pan masala, tobacco and cigarettes. — With loans taken by the Centre to pay compensation cess to states getting recouped and fully repaid by November-December, the cess rates on goods are proposed to be subsumed at this special rate of 40 per cent, sources said. But on some goods like tobacco, the tax incidence is substantially higher than 40 per cent; the government is aware of this, and a separate mechanism may be arrived at in due course, the sources said. — Though there might be an initial impact on revenues, the gains from higher compliance and consumption are expected to offset the losses, they said. — Against a tight timeline, the Centre is learnt to have factored in at least three meetings of the GoM before a final proposal is put before the GST Council, the apex decision-making authority on aspects of the indirect tax regime that was introduced in 2017. Indications are that a rollout is being targeted well ahead of Diwali, since the industry needs time to reconcile to the new rate structure and any disruption ahead of the festive season would need to be avoided. — The Centre, sources said, is convinced of the buoyancy from the rate rationalisation taking care of the worries stemming from revenue loss, unlike an earlier attempt in 2018 when rate cuts did not result in revenue gains. Do You Know: — GST, the biggest indirect tax reform in recent years, came into force after the Constitutional (122nd Amendment) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2016. More than 15 Indian states then ratified it in their state Assemblies, after which then-President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent. — It came into effect in 2017 and was billed as an attempt to simplify the existing tax structure in India, where both the Centre and states levied multiple taxes, and to make it uniform. — The President set up the GST Council as a joint forum of the Centre and the states, under Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution. It said that members of the Council include the Union Finance Minister (chairperson), and the Union Minister of State (Finance) from the Centre. Each state can nominate a minister in charge of finance or taxation or any other minister, as a member. — According to Article 279, the GST council is meant to 'make recommendations to the Union and the states on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws'. It also decides on various rate slabs of GST, whether they need to be modified for certain product categories, and so on. — The proposed rationalisation of GST rates and doing away with multiple rates will ease compliance and lower the tax burden on ordinary people. As the complexity of the GST structure has made its administration unwieldy. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: What is the GST Council, and what does it do? 📍Next-gen GST reforms by Diwali, says PM Modi; just two rates: 5% & 18% Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing 'Goods and Services Tax (GST)'? (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India. 2. It will drastically reduce the 'Current Account Deficit' of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves. 3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the goods and services tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (UPSC CSE 2017) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. What's the ongoing story: Opposing the Supreme Court's decision to fix a timeline for the President and Governors to act on Bills forwarded by State Legislatures, the Centre has underlined the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary, and said the order has the potential to 'destabilise the constitutional balance between (the) organs of State'. It has emphasised that 'gubernatorial assent is a high prerogative, plenary, non-justiciable power'. Key Points to Ponder: — In Tamil Nadu v. Governor case, what specifically has the Supreme Court said about the president's and governor's power? — What is the doctrine of separation of powers? — What are the constitutional provisions with regard to the office of President and Governor? — Read about Articles 200 and 201. — What is Article 142? What are the limitations to Article 142? — Can the Supreme Court undermine the President's powers? — What are judicial encroachment and judicial overreach? — Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968, the Rajamanar Committee of 1969, the Sarkaria commission of 1988 and Punchhi Commission-What were their recommendations in the context of role of Governor? Key Takeaways: — In a written submission to the court on August 12 — a five-judge bench is hearing a reference made by the President on whether timelines can be fixed for the actions of the President or Governors — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the judiciary does not hold answers to all problems in a democracy, and 'if any organ is permitted to arrogate to itself the functions of another, the consequence would be a constitutional disorder not envisaged by (Constitution) framers.' — In April, a two-judge bench had set a timeline for Governors to act on pending Bills, and, for the first time, prescribed that the President should take a decision on the Bills reserved for consideration by the Governor within three months from the date on which such reference is received. In a reference to the Supreme Court in May, President Droupadi Murmu had posed 14 crucial questions on the verdict. — Mehta, in his submission, said though separation of powers is part of the constitutional framework, 'over the years, a certain degree of overlap and checks and balances or fusion of powers have come to form…in practical application.' Despite this, he said, 'there are certain zones which remain exclusive to either of the three organs…and cannot be trenched upon by the others. The high plenary positions of Governors and President fall within that zone. While they are political positions, they are also representations of democratic will.' — He said Governors 'are thus not to be treated as alien/ foreigner in the federating units of the Union. Governors are not just emissaries of the Centre, (but) rather representatives of the entire nation in each and every federating unit. They represent national interest and national democratic will in the States as part of the larger Indian constitutional brotherhood.' — Mehta said 'despite the expanding contours of judicial review, there are some zones like assent that remain non-justiciable. The classical notion of judicial review cannot be lifted and applied to assent as the factors at play during the grant or withholding of an assent have no legal or constitutional parallel.' — 'Each organ of the State in the Constitution has certain core functions, one organ interfering with the core functions of another would breach the separation of powers which is a fundamental feature of Indian Constitution.' he said. — 'Exercise of Article 142 is not a supervening judicial power which can override the constitutional provisions or run contrary to them. The apex court, even under Article 142, is bound by constitutional provisions and principles,' he said. Do You Know: — Article 163 of the Constitution deals with the powers of the Governor generally. Article 200 specifically deals with the issue of granting assent to Bills. Both provisions are read together to determine the contours of the Governor's power on this issue. — When a Bill passed by the legislature of a state is presented to the Governor, the Governor has four options: (1) grant assent to the Bill; (2) withhold assent to the Bill; (3) return the Bill for reconsideration; or (4) reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President. — Article 200 reads: 'When a Bill has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of a State or, in the case of a State having a Legislative Council, has been passed by both Houses… it shall be presented to the Governor and the Governor shall declare either that he assents to the Bill or that he withholds assent therefrom or that he reserves the Bill for the consideration of the President.' — Under Article 201 of the Constitution, the Governor has the power to reserve a Bill – passed by both Houses of the State Legislature – for the consideration of the President. — In its ruling, the apex court invoked its special power under Article 142 and called for a decision within three months and added, 'in case of any delay beyond this period, appropriate reasons would have to be recorded and conveyed' to the state concerned. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Governor vs. State: Supreme Court draws the line 📍Knowledge Nugget: SC Verdict on TN Governor — Why it matters for UPSC Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past? (UPSC CSE 2019) (a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) (b) Rajamannar Committee (1969) (c) Sarkaria Commission (1983) (d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000) (3) Which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC CSE 2013) (a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time (b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President (c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post (d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: C. Raja Mohan writes- 'If India was counting on a clear and positive outcome from the Alaska summit to avert the additional 25 per cent US tariff on Indian exports, it will be disappointed by the inability of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to deliver last night.' Key Points to Ponder: — What is the significance of the Alaska summit for India? — What are tariffs? Why are tariffs imposed? — Why the U.S. imposition of a 25% tariff plus penalty against India represented a significant departure from prior U.S. trade strategy regarding tariff differentials. — What can be the implications of the higher tariff imposed by the US on India? — What strategies is India using to navigate potential trade negotiations with the U.S.? — What can be the implications of the reset of US-Russia ties for India? — Know about the status of India's relations with the US and Russia. Key Takeaways: — 'The unfinished US-Russian talks in Alaska leave a cloud of uncertainty over India's trade negotiations with Washington. On the upside, though, there was no breakdown of engagement, and the two leaders remain hopeful of an accommodation. As the details of the summit conversations come into public view, India will have to look beyond the tariff question at the implications of a potential reset in Russia's relations with the US and the West.' — 'At their joint press appearance, Putin spoke of the 'agreement' between the two leaders that 'will pave the path toward peace in Ukraine'. — 'While the initial assessments of the summit focused on the lack of an agreement on ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump and Putin appear to have elevated their ambitions to sketch out the terms of a broader peace deal. As Trump said in a social media post on Saturday, 'the best way to end the horrific war in Ukraine is to go directly to Peace Agreement' and not a mere pause or a ceasefire.' — 'Putin put special emphasis on improving bilateral ties with Washington. He noted that Russia and the US are neighbours across the Northern Pacific, evoked their wartime cooperation during the Second World War, and highlighted the potential for broad commercial and strategic engagement – including in the areas of high tech, outer space and Arctic.' — ' Delhi's immediate concern is centred on the punitive measures against India that Trump has inserted into his Ukraine strategy. As part of the effort to pressure Putin into accepting a peace deal, Washington announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports — explicitly linked to Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.' — 'Since the 2022 invasion, India has become a major buyer of discounted Russian crude, a move that has improved its energy security but drawn sharp criticism from the West. The US administration argues that targeting India, among other large importers, will cut into Moscow's revenues and push it toward compromise in Ukraine.' — 'For now, Delhi must await greater clarity on the summit's outcome, the future trajectory of the Ukraine talks, and the next steps from the US and Europe. One conclusion though is hard to avoid: India's big turn to discounted Russian oil over the last three years has tied it, if indirectly and unwittingly, to the geopolitics of war and peace in Ukraine.' — 'The Modi government will hope that Washington and Moscow will arrive at a final agreement on how to deal with Ukraine, sooner than later, and Trump will discard the 25 per cent additional tariff. At the minimum, Delhi would want Trump, who continues to be optimistic about a breakthrough, to postpone the deadline of August 27 for implementing the additional tariffs against India.' Do You Know: — US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, along with a penalty for procuring military equipment and energy from Russia, has key consequences. — One, it puts India at a disadvantage in comparison to competitors. Two, it put the onus back on the Indian side to fast-track its negotiations for an interim deal with the US. Indications are that the outer limit for a deal, currently pegged at around October from New Delhi's perspective, might need to be brought forward. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Alaska Summit: Trump and Putin call for deeper economic ties despite 25% US tariff on India over Russian oil imports 📍The Alaska Report Card: First assessment of who won what, and how 📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | Tariff war: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. What's the ongoing story: The gigantic antenna reflector on earth observation satellite NISAR, a joint Isro-Nasa mission, has successfully 'bloomed' in space, marking a significant milestone in the satellite's deployment phase. Confirming the successful antenna deployment, Nasa said in a statement that the step-wise unfurling of the antenna reflector with a diameter of 39 feet was completed Friday. Key Points to Ponder: — Know about the NISAR mission in detail. — What is the significance of the NASA–ISRO collaborative model in the NISAR mission? — How does NISAR complement India's existing earth observation systems? — What are the advantages of dual frequency SAR (L band and S band) in studying Earth surface processes? — What are the geopolitical and scientific significance of the ISRO-NASA collaboration on NISAR? Key Takeaways: — NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is the first collaboration satellite of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United State's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NISAR is the most expensive earth observation satellite ever built, weighing over 2.8 tonnes and costing $1.3 billion. — ISRO launched NISAR on July 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota, and it was later successfully inserted into a sun-synchronous orbit. NISAR is the first-of-its-kind space mission, which will study the earth's solid, liquid and frozen landforms. It is designed to track even the smallest changes in ice sheets, glaciers, forest coverage, oceans, soil moisture, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. — NISAR is equipped with high-end dual radars that will be used to image the earth, once every twelve days. The onboard sophisticated radar systems form a combination of two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems: an L-band system and an S-band system, capable of peering through clouds and facilitating an all-weather imaging of the earth. — Both the ISRO and NASA teams are currently focusing on fine-tuning the antenna and other components of the satellite. — After the deployment of the antenna, NISAR will continue to remain in its calibration and testing phase. NISAR will remain under a 65-day engineering phase, during which the preliminary tests and calibration will be performed. On day 65 (tentatively early October), the first, full-frame scientific data will be taken and the science teams will check for its quality and other parameters. Do You Know: — NISAR will be the first satellite ever to observe the Earth in two frequencies — NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band. Putting two radar systems on a single satellite is a unique engineering feat because the two systems require different sets of hardware, and yet have to function in a complementary fashion without interfering with one another. — This would mean that the satellite would be able to provide very high-resolution data, in all types of weather conditions, and both during the day and the night. The satellite is powerful enough to capture changes as small as one centimetre in size during its repeated observations over the same terrain. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget | NISAR in focus: Why is this NASA-ISRO mission relevant for UPSC Exam UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (4) With reference to the NISAR satellite, consider the following statements: 1. This satellite is developed by the Indian Space and Research Organisation in partnership with NASA. 2. It will measure the motion of the entire planet's land and ice-covered surface every 28 days. 3. The satellite will work only during the daytime. 4. The satellite will be able to predict earthquakes. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: The Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has, for now, declined Stage-II or final approval for Hindalco Industries Ltd's bauxite mine in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, as it falls under the eco-sensitive areas (ESA) of the Western Ghats, according to the minutes of the FAC meeting. Key Points to Ponder: — Read about the Western Ghats. — What are eco-sensitive areas (ESA)? — What is the purpose of demarcating the ESAs? — What is the significance of ESAs in the context of wildlife conservation in India? — What is the Kasturirangan Committee Report? — Know the 2011 guidelines on eco-sensitive zones? — What are the challenges faced by states in implementing the ESZ guidelines?. Key Takeaways: — The committee also noted that no valid mine lease exists for the proposal as of now, and it is a part of a conservation reserve that was declared in March 2021. Elephants, Indian gaur, sambhar, deer, porcupine, leopard, and tiger 'are found in this patch', the ministry's regional office in Nagpur submitted to the FAC. — The mining project was granted in-principle forest approval in 2009 and environmental clearance from the Centre in January 2014. However, since the company had not obtained the Rights of Forest Resources certificate, it got delayed in seeking final approval for the forest diversion of about 16 hectares. The company has not commenced any mining activity yet on the lease. — The committee noted in the minutes of its July 30 meeting that it had a detailed discussion and deliberation with the deputy director general of forest, regional office, Nagpur and nodal officer, Government of Maharashtra, on the proposal. The FAC cited the issue of the mining lease validity, prohibition of mining proposed in the Western Ghats eco-sensitive areas, and the location of the mining lease in a conservation reserve as the reasons for not considering the proposal at this stage. — As per the Environment Ministry's 2024 draft notification on protection of Western Ghats, 'there shall be a complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining' in ESAs, and all existing mines have to be phased out from the date of final notification or on expiry of the mining lease. — In 2024, the Centre had issued a sixth iteration of a draft notification declaring 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Do You Know: — The Western Ghats are a 1,600-km-long mountain chain running the western coast of the country covering six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. It has been accorded the World Heritage status by UNESCO. — In August 2012, then Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan constituted a High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats under former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief Dr K Kasturirangan. — While the Gadgil panel recommended 64 percent area in the Western Ghats, a report by a panel led by Dr K Kasturirangan notified only 37 percent of the area as ecologically sensitive. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Western Ghats: States' submission on ESAs to Centre's committee based on old surveys Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to (UPSC CSE 2016) (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of Western Ghats ALSO IN NEWS Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: PM's Independence Day Speech, Deep Ocean Mission and Critical technology
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 16, 2025. If you missed the August 15, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. What's the ongoing story: In his Independence Day address that held out promises of change and reform and reflected his ideological beliefs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday highlighted the 'threat' of infiltration or illegal immigration and announced a mission to check 'demographic change', flagged self-reliance as the path to development and prosperity while urging the youth to come forward with innovative ideas to power the change. Key Points to Ponder: — How does demographic change happen? — Know about the history of RSS — The bedrock of a Viksit Bharat is also a self-reliant Bharat. How? — What do you understand by rationalisation of GST? — Who was the founder of Bhartiya Jana Sangh? — How is India increasing its self-reliant capabilities in various sectors like defence and energy? — Know about the various schemes or mission mentioned in the speech: National Manufacturing Mission, Mission Green Hydrogen — What do you understand by- 'the one who has broken the steel rocks, is the one who has bent the time. This is the time to bend the time, this is the right time.' Key Takeaways: — Modi's 103-minute address, his 12th from the ramparts of the Red Fort and the longest so far, also saw him lavishing fulsome praise of the RSS. — Amid the shadow of the US-imposed tariffs which could impact the economy, Modi put a lot of stress on self-reliance in all spheres saying 'the bedrock of a Viksit Bharat is also a self-reliant Bharat' and 'the greater a nation's reliance on others, the more its freedom comes into question'. — Modi said his government has decided to set up a task force for undertaking next generation reforms. — Amid the stalled trade talks with the US, Modi declared that his government would never 'compromise' the interests of farmers, livestock rearers and fisherfolk. — Infiltration or illegal immigration from Bangladesh has always been high on the BJP's agenda. It has also been an emotive issue in Assam and West Bengal, which are among the states headed to elections next year… Modi touched upon the topic, saying he wanted to warn the nation of the 'grave concern and challenge.' — He signalled that the much-awaited rationalisation of GST may be rolled out soon, linking it to cutting the tax burden impacting people. — He also mentioned Jan Sangh leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee and said he was the 'first great personality' to sacrifice his life for the Constitutions. — Weeks after Indian air defences successfully intercepted Pakistani missiles and drones during the hostilities that followed Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra. — It is learnt to be an advanced, multi-tiered air defence system, aimed at creating a nationwide security shield to thwart enemy attacks across domains and strengthen the country's deterrent and offensive capabilities. — A statement issued by the government said all public places will be covered by the expanded nationwide security shield by 2035, ensuring comprehensive protection for the nation and demonstrating India's commitment to self-reliance in defence. — India has manufactured the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, but efforts to make aero engines indigenously have so far not succeeded. — The Defence Research and Development Organisation's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) first worked on developing the GTX-37 engine for the LCA. This was followed by the ambitious Kaveri engine project, sanctioned in 1989. — At present, India is in discussions with global firms to jointly develop engines that could power its advanced fighter jets in the future. — DOING away with multiple rates will ease compliance and lower tax burden on common people. The complexity of GST structure has made its administration unwieldy. THE IDEAS PAGE — PM Modi writes: This grand festival of Independence is a celebration of the 140 crore resolutions of our people. This festival of Independence is a moment of collective achievements, a moment of pride, and our hearts are filled with joy. — After Independence, feeding crores of people was a formidable challenge. And it was none other than the farmers of my country who, by toiling hard, filled the granaries of the nation. The bedrock of a Viksit Bharat is also a self-reliant Bharat. — Self-reliance is not confined merely to imports and exports, or to rupees, pounds, and dollars. Self-reliance is linked to our capability, and when self-reliance begins to diminish, capability too continually declines. — None can deny that the 21st century is a technology-driven century. When we speak of various dimensions of technology, I wish to draw your attention to semiconductors. — It is essential to make the country self-reliant in energy. We took up this resolve, and in the last 11 years, solar energy has seen a thirty-fold increase. We are building new dams to expand hydropower so that we may obtain clean energy. — With Mission Green Hydrogen, Bharat is today investing thousands of crores of rupees. In the field of nuclear energy, 10 new reactors are progressing rapidly. — Today, the National Manufacturing Mission is progressing at great speed. There is always some tool or component that comes from our country's MSMEs in the making of some of the biggest products globally. — I want to appeal to every small trader and shopkeeper, you too have a responsibility. In our childhood, we used to see shops simply labelled as 'Ghee Shop,' but over time, people began writing 'Pure Ghee Shop'. — I wish to warn the nation of a grave concern and challenge. As part of a deliberate conspiracy, the demography of the country is being altered. These infiltrators are snatching away the livelihoods of our youth. — Therefore, today I announce that we have decided to launch a High-Power Demography Mission. Through this mission, the severe crisis will be addressed in a deliberate and time-bound manner. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How Syama Prasad Mookerjee fought for J&K's integration with India 📍How PM's 'Demographic Mission' promise aligns with BJP, RSS narratives Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement. (UPSC CSE 2019) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. What's the ongoing story: Clean energy to semiconductors, defence to medicines, space to deep sea, information technology to nuclear energy — Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of self-reliance in critical technologies and scientific research and development in India achieving the objective of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Key Points to Ponder: — What is the significance of self-reliance in critical technologies? — What is India's Deep Ocean Mission? — What is the status of GDP share on R&D? — What are the areas that need extra attention to become a developed nation by 2047? — What is the significance of the Samudrayaan mission? Key Takeaways: — Addressing the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, the PM highlighted the technology initiatives that are underway, like in clean energy and space, and emphasised the need to develop capabilities in areas like semiconductors and fighter jets. — He said a made-in-India chip would be available in the market by the end of the year. — Modi spoke about the progress being made in harnessing renewable energy sources like solar and wind, the efforts to mine and develop critical minerals, and stressed on the importance of nuclear energy. — The Prime Minister also mentioned India's Deep Ocean Mission aimed at exploring resources under the sea. His remarks came just a day after it was revealed that two Indian divers, 'aquanauts', recently completed trips up to the depth of about 5,000 metres in the Atlantic Ocean. — This is in preparation for the country's 'Samudrayaan Mission' in which three Indian divers are supposed to travel in an India-made vessel to about 6,000 metres below the ocean surface. — Modi also spoke about astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's recent journey to the International Space Station, and India's own Gaganyaan mission which is supposed to send humans into space by 2027. — He asked the youth to put in similar energy into other complex technological areas to strengthen the nation as well as generate jobs and revenues. Do You Know: — Samudrayaan is India's manned deep ocean mission envisioned for deep sea mineral exploration. It is a project under the Deep Ocean Mission. — It is aimed at developing a self-propelled manned submersible to carry 3 human beings to a water depth of 6000 metres in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration. Under the mission, MATSYA 6000 manned submersible design has been completed. — Matsya-6000, the submersible vehicle set to transport three Indians into the deep sea in 2026, has successfully completed wet tests and facilitated multiple manned dives in the Bay of Bengal. — The intense oceanic activity around the world over the past two decades has focused on the deep ocean exploration for its economic resources. India's deep ocean mission also focuses on the same. — Countries manage their own maritime territory and exclusive economic zones, while the high seas and the international ocean floor are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). It is considered to apply to states regardless of whether or not they have signed or ratified it. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Expert Explains: Why India needs to develop its deep sea capabilities UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (1) With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: (2022) 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention. 2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment. What's the ongoing story: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, called for India to become self-reliant in energy and critical minerals, pointing to the opportunity cost of a high petroleum import bill. Modi also said the government has 'opened the doors' of nuclear energy to the private sector, and aims to grow nuclear generation capacity tenfold by 2047. Key Points to Ponder: — What are critical minerals? — What is the status of petroleum import in the country? — What are the opportunities and challenges related to Nuclear energy? — What is the National Critical Mineral Mission? — What are Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)? — What is the significance of Nuclear energy? Key Takeaways: — In 2024-25, India's crude oil imports were valued at $137 billion, petroleum products at $24 billion, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) at $15 billion. Altogether, they accounted for 22.3 per cent of India's total imports, compared to 23 per cent in 2023-24, according to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. — PM Modi said critical minerals have taken centre stage globally, underpinning technologies across sectors — from energy to industrial to defence. — So far, the Ministry of Mines has auctioned 24 critical mineral blocks — some requiring further exploration and others ready for development into mines — and aims to auction 100 more by 2030. — Mining sector experts caution, however, that operationalising auctioned mines could take several years. To address bottlenecks, the ministry has set up a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) to streamline regulatory processes and expedite clearances. — In the meantime, the Centre is also doubling down on the exploration and acquisition of critical mineral blocks abroad. — 'India is taking big initiatives on nuclear energy. Ten new nuclear reactors are currently operational. We have also resolved to increase our nuclear energy capacity by 10 times by 2047,' PM Modi said in his address. — India's installed nuclear capacity stood at roughly 8.8 gigawatts (GW) as of June 30, accounting for just under 2 per cent of its total electricity generation capacity. — In the 2024-25 Budget, the government proposed partnering with the private sector to finance and build Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) for captive use, to be commissioned and operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). — Full-scale private participation, however, will require amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, currently under internal discussion. — In his speech, PM Modi also noted that India has met a key climate target five years early, with non-fossil fuel sources accounting for 50 per cent of the country's installed electricity capacity as of June 30. Do You Know: — India's renewable energy sector has made significant strides in recent years. Its renewable energy capacity crossed the 200 GW milestone as of October 2024, representing a 13.5 per cent year-on-year increase. This includes 92 GW of solar power, 52 GW of Hydro power, 48 GW of wind energy and 11 GW of bio-energy. — Nuclear power provides high-capacity, base-load electricity with minimal carbon emissions, operating independently of weather and seasonal fluctuation. India has set an ambitious target to increase nuclear capacity to 22,800 MW by 2031-32 and 100 GW by 2047. A diversified energy portfolio is a strategic necessity for India's development and energy independence. — Nuclear technology is one of the few innovations that have changed the modern world profoundly and controversially. It involves harnessing nuclear reactions of atomic nuclei through the processes of nuclear fission and fusion. — On 29th January, the government approved a Rs 16,300-crore National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) to promote the exploration of critical minerals within the country and at offshore locations. The NCMM encompass all stages of the value chain, including mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recovery from end-of-life products. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍How India's nuclear vision supports a sustainable tomorrow 📍Understanding nuclear technology in the wake of US attack on Iran Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) India is an important member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India? (UPSC CSE 2016) (a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation (b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation (c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation (d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation What's the ongoing story: In the last two weeks, the Supreme Court has twice intervened in instances in which High Courts allowed criminal proceedings to continue in what were essentially civil disputes. Key Points to Ponder: — If a law resolves disputes between private individuals or organisations, is it a criminal law or civil law? — What do you understand by – loss of liberty? — How preponderance of probabilities and beyond a reasonable doubt are a crucial difference between civil and criminal law? — Civil proceedings are significantly more time-consuming than criminal trials. Why? — What is the history of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)? — What are the new criminal and civil laws in India? Key Takeaways: — On Wednesday, a Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan set aside a Rajasthan HC order that had denied pre-arrest bail to a couple in a case involving an unpaid sum for a plywood consignment. — On August 4, the same Bench stripped a judge of the Allahabad HC of his criminal roster for allowing criminal proceedings in a case of an unpaid business transaction. The apex court had called the HC's reasoning 'shocking' and a 'mockery of justice'. — After the Chief Justice of India intervened, the Bench on August 8 recalled its directive that the Allahabad HC judge never be assigned a criminal case. — The distinction between civil and criminal law is fundamental in India's legal system. They differ in terms of their purpose, parties involved, and procedure. — Civil law is designed to resolve disputes between private individuals or organisations. Civil cases, known as suits, typically involve disagreements over rights and duties of the parties to the case towards each other. — The goal is not to punish but to provide a remedy, usually in the form of monetary compensation (called damages) or a specific action ordered by the court to a party to do or not to do something (called an injunction). — Examples of civil cases include property disputes, contract breaches, family law matters like divorce and child custody, and cases for recovery of money. — Criminal law deals with acts that are considered offences against the state or society as a whole. The objective is to punish the offender and deter others from committing similar crimes. — The state, represented by a prosecutor, initiates criminal proceedings against the accused. If found guilty, the accused can face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment and even death. — A key distinction between civil and criminal cases is with regards to the burden of proof. In a civil case, the plaintiff must prove their case on a 'preponderance of probabilities', meaning their version of events is more likely to be true than the defendant's. — In a criminal case, the prosecution has the much higher burden of proving the guilt of the accused 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. This higher standard reflects the serious consequences of criminal conviction, which can involve the loss of liberty. — A common perception — one that was noted by the Allahabad HC judge in his subsequently overruled order — is that civil proceedings are significantly more time-consuming than criminal trials. — As of August 14, 2025, 70.17% of criminal trials were disposed of within a year, while only 37.91% of civil suits were resolved in the same timeframe. — Data from the NJDG also shows variations depending on the specific type of case. For instance, while civil suits take an average of 4.91 years for disposal, execution petitions, filed to enforce a court order in a civil case, take about 3.97 years to conclude. — Bail applications in criminal cases are decided in about 6.12 months on average. However, criminal sessions court cases involving allegations of serious criminal offences take an average of 4.65 years, which is comparable to the time taken for civil suits. Do You Know: — Before the arrival of the East India Company, the Indian legal system consisted of a patchwork of laws, administered by kings or village tribunals. Even during the Mughal rule, local administration of justice was largely ignored, except when it concerned the collection of revenue or the repression of crimes affecting the stability of the state. — According to Motilal Setalvad, the first Attorney General of India, the Company's judicial hold over India coincided with the cession of Bombay by the Portuguese to the English in 1668. — Across the rest of India, the laws were a complex array of parliamentary charters, Company regulations, English Common law, Hindu law, Muslim law, and other regional customs. — According to author David Skuy, in Macaulay and the Indian Penal Code of 1862 (1998), this chaotic legal mixture convinced legal thinkers such as Thomas Babington Macaulay that India needed a uniform set of laws. — The IPC was enacted in 1860 and came into force on January 1, 1862. It was discontinued on July 1, 2024. This makes it the longest-surviving common law code in the world. — The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), passed in Parliament last December, has replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Supreme Court's warning must be heeded: Civil disputes cannot become criminal cases 📍Explained: New crimes under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, and some grey areas Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence. (UPSC 2015) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment What's the ongoing story: At least 65 people have been killed after torrential rain triggered a flash flood at a remote village in Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday. The incident took place at Chasoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple. More than 50 people are missing. Key Points to Ponder: — Know about the location of Machail Mata temple — What are the reasons for the increase in frequency of flash floods and wildfires? — What is Western Disturbances? — What is Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOFs) and how is it related to climate change? — Why are the Himalayas more vulnerable to disasters? — What are the anthropogenic activities responsible for these increases in these climate-induced disasters? — What are the steps needed to be taken to address these challenges? Key Takeaways: — While experts hesitate to attribute a single extreme weather event solely to climate change, they point out that flash floods and wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to the global rise in temperatures and changes in weather patterns. — In J&K as elsewhere, the incidence of extreme weather events has increased with rising average temperatures, leading to the deaths of thousands of people in recent years. — Between 2010 and 2022, J&K witnessed 2,863 extreme weather events in which 552 deaths were reported, according to a 2024 study, 'Extreme weather events induced mortalities in Jammu and Kashmir, India during 2010-2022', published in Mausam, the quarterly journal of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). — Other frequent extreme weather events included flash floods (triggered by intense rainfall over a very short duration) and landslides, which occurred 168 and 186 times respectively. — While there were just 42 instances of heavy snow (when a station receives more than 30 cm of snowfall in 24 hours) during this period, they killed 182 people, the heaviest toll extracted by any extreme weather event. — The analysis also showed that the largest number of deaths due to flash floods occurred in Kishtwar (where Thursday's disaster occurred), Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Doda. — Although several factors contribute to the occurrence of extreme weather events in J&K, the three significant drivers behind these events are rising temperatures, the changing pattern of Western Disturbances, and the region's topography. — J&K is located in the western Himalayas, a region that has experienced a two-fold increase in temperature compared to the Indian subcontinent as a whole post-2000. — Due to this, the western Himalayas have witnessed increased mean and extreme precipitation. This is because warmer temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more water vapour — for every 1-degree-Celsius rise in average temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture. — Also, increased temperatures have shrunk glaciers in the region, resulting in an increase in the number of glacial lakes. Their water, when released, can cause major flooding in downstream areas. — Experts suggest that J&K could be witnessing more flash floods and rain due to global warming-induced changes in the nature of western disturbances. — These are east-moving rain-bearing wind systems that originate beyond Afghanistan and Iran, and pick up moisture from the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Arabian Sea. — While western disturbances are most common during the boreal winter months (December to March), they have now begun to impact weather outside the winter season. This has increased the risk of floods and heavy rain in India's Himalayan states. — J&K's hilly terrain makes it more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Do You Know: — GLOFs are disaster events caused by the abrupt discharge of water from glacial lakes — large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier. As a glacier withdraws, it leaves behind a depression that gets filled with meltwater, thereby forming a lake. — Incorporating local geology and hydrology into planning can significantly reduce vulnerability, ensuring infrastructure remains functional even during severe events. Additionally, promoting sustainable land-use practices, such as afforestation and slope stabilisation, can help prevent soil erosion and landslides that often accompany heavy rains. — Constructing strategically placed reservoirs and rainwater harvesting systems can regulate water flow and reduce flood peaks. Implementing early warning systems powered by advanced weather forecasting technologies enables communities to prepare just in time, saving lives and minimising property damage. — Governments should prioritise community-based disaster preparedness programmes, including education campaigns that inform residents about risks and safety procedures. Training local populations to respond effectively during floods can significantly enhance resilience, turning vulnerable communities into active participants in disaster mitigation. — On a broader scale, adopting climate-smart agricultural practices can help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather patterns. This includes shifting to flood-tolerant crops, adjusting planting schedules, and promoting soil conservation methods. Such measures reduce economic losses and ensure food security despite increasing climatic uncertainties. — Only through coordinated action at all levels — global, national, and local — can the Himalayan region safeguard its people, heritage, and ecosystems from the increasing threat posed by climate change. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Himachal floods: How can Himalayan region safeguard its people, heritage, ecosystems from climate change? Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) With reference to the glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), consider the following statements: 1. These are sudden and catastrophic floods caused by the failure of natural dams, usually formed by glacial moraines or ice. 2. Thawing of permafrost decreases the risk of GLOFs. 3. Melting of glaciers increases the risk of GLOFs. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None ALSO IN NEWS India persisted with its stance that any treaty should be agreed through consensus, and said that the text arrived at through negotiations during the previous talks in Busan, Korea, should be the basis for future negotiations. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at
