Current Affair Category: Geography

Why in News?  As climate change intensifies, the frequency and unpredictability of natural disasters—such as cyclones, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes—have increased significantly. This has strained traditional insurance systems. In this context, Catastrophe Bonds (Cat Bonds) offer an innovative financial instrument for transferring risk from governments to capital markets. Given India’s exposure to disaster risk and […]

Why in News?  The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point in recent news due to escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, particularly following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains Prelims : Zonal council Mains :   GS 2 What is the Strait of […]

Why in News ? India recently participated in the global observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable land management and climate resilience. Relevance : Pre & Mains Prelims: NAAPC/UNCCD Mains :  GS 1- Geo/ GS 3 –Environment Established: By the United Nations General Assembly in 1994, observed […]

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, established in 1999 and headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. It operates as a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) and is mandated to provide ocean information and advisory services to society, […]

Why in News ? A recent study by ETH Zurich researchers, published on May 22, 2025, indicates that cyclones will become more destructive under the SSP5-8.5 climate scenario, which assumes high greenhouse gas emissions and rapid fossil fuel use. Relevance : UPSC Pre & Mains Prelims: SSPs/RCPs Mains :  GS 1 /Geography/ GS 3 ( […]

Why in News ? In May 2025, the Yala Glacier in Langtang Valley, Nepal, was officially declared “dead” during a poignant ceremony, recognized as Asia’s first glacier funeral. This event underscored the devastating effects of climate change on the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, a critical area known as the “Third Pole” for its vast […]

 Why in News ? The Dongria Kondh tribal people of Odisha are as assertive in demonstrating their identity as they famously were in protecting the Niyamgiri Hills from mining giant Vedanta. In the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha, the indigenous tribe of Dongria Kondh lives in quiet harmony with nature, preserving ancient traditions, worshipping mountain spirits […]

Why in News? The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), one of the world’s largest irrigation projects on the Godavari River in Telangana, India, aimed to irrigate millions of acres and provide drinking water but has faced significant setbacks. Relevance : UPSC Pre & Mains Prelims : Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP)  & other important irrigation […]

Why in News? The U.S. and Ukraine signed a critical minerals and natural resources agreement on May 1, 2025, after months of tense negotiations. Relevance :  UPSC Pre & Mains Prelims: REE/Their uses/distributions Mains : GS Paper 1 (Geography) / GS Paper 3 (Technology and Economy), particularly concerning national security and self-reliance.  Key Points of deal […]

Why in News ?  The Cosmologists has recently  studied how matter clumps together in the universe post-Big Bang, forming galaxies, clusters, and cosmic structures. The concept of “clumpiness” is quantified using a parameter called Sigma 8 (S8), which measures the amplitude of matter fluctuations on scales of 26 million light-years. Relevance : Prelims : Sigma […]