UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 November 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 November 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 – 27 November 2025)

1. CJI Calls for National Judicial Policy

GS Paper 3:

2. The UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM)

2. Commonwealth Games 2030

3. Sirpur Archaeological Site

4. Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala

5. IAU Approves New Names for Martian Landforms

Mapping:

1. SC Panel Suggests Creation of a Goa Tiger Reserve

2. Aravalli Hills

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 November 2025

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GS Paper 2:

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CJI Calls for National Judicial Policy

Source: LL

Context: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has called for a uniform national judicial policy to reduce inconsistent rulings across High Courts and Supreme Court Benches.

About CJI Calls for National Judicial Policy:

What It Is?

A national judicial policy would act as a common guiding framework for all courts to follow uniform standards. It aims to bring consistent interpretation of laws across 25 High Courts and SC Benches. Helps courts speak in “one rhythm” on major constitutional and legal issues.

Need For Consistent National Judicial Policy:

• Divergent Interpretations: Different High Courts often given conflicting rulings, creating confusion for citizens and institutions.
• Multiple SC Benches Differ: Inconsistent orders from separate Benches reduce certainty in national policies and governance.
• Heavy Pendency: With 5.4 crore pending cases, standardised case management is essential across all tiers of judiciary.
• Barriers to Justice: High costs, language gaps, long distances and delays prevent marginalised groups from accessing courts.
• Uneven Infrastructure: Court facilities, technology and staffing vary widely between states, affecting equal justice.
• Need for Judicial Harmony: A unified approach ensures courts follow the same constitutional principles while acting independently

Initiatives Taken:

• Mediation Promotion: The judiciary is pushing structured mediation and training to reduce litigation and settle disputes faster.
• Digital Justice Tools: Courts now use e-filing, virtual hearings, transcripts and multilingual digital platforms to improve access.
• Strengthening Arbitration: India has upgraded arbitration centres and aligned procedures with global best practices.
• International Cooperation: Judicial exchanges help courts learn modern practices and improve cross-border legal coordination.
• Focus on Infrastructure: Emphasis is on modern court complexes, better staffing and technological upgrades to reduce delays.

Challenges Associated:

• Federal Structure Complexity: Diverse state laws, languages and local practices make it difficult to enforce a uniform judicial system across India.

Eg: Madras High Court in 2024 rejected Tamil Nadu’s proposal to use Tamil in proceedings, insisting English remain the sole court language.

• Judicial Independence Concerns: A national policy must not dilute High Courts’ constitutional autonomy under Articles 226/225 or allow executive overreach.

Eg: SC struck down parts of the Tribunal Reforms Act (2021) for undermining judicial independence in appointments and tenure.

• Infrastructure Gaps: Uneven infrastructure—poor connectivity, lack of staff, basic facilities—makes uniform digital and procedural standards impossible.

Eg: 2025 Satgawan (Jharkhand) reported frequent internet collapse; 26% courts still lack ladies’ toilets and many have no power backup.

• Judge Shortage: Massive vacancies and overwhelming caseloads make it impossible to achieve uniform timelines, case-flow management or speedy disposal.

Eg: Allahabad HC in 2025 ran with nearly 50% vacancies, leaving single judges hearing 80–100 cases per day.

• Resistance to Change: Lawyers and court staff often oppose sweeping reforms—especially digital ones—implemented without training or support systems.

Eg: Thoothukudi and Puducherry lawyers boycotted courts in 2023 over mandatory e-filing, citing lack of training and infrastructure.

• Digital Divide: Technology-heavy reforms risk excluding rural and marginalised populations who lack devices, literacy, or stable data access.

Eg: A WebEx glitch delayed Delhi HC proceedings by 45 minutes, while SC/ST communities in Kurnool lacked basic devices for virtual hearings.

Way Forward:

• Draft a National Judicial Policy: SC, HCs and Law Ministry must jointly create a framework balancing uniformity and autonomy.
• Harmonise Court Procedures: Standard rules on listing, case timelines, precedents and documentation can reduce divergence.
• Strengthen Lower Judiciary: More judges, staff, training and infrastructure are essential for uniform justice at the grassroots.
• Expand Tech Access: Digital platforms must be inclusive, secure, multilingual and accessible even in remote districts.
• Scale Up ADR & Mediation: Mandatory pre-litigation mediation can significantly reduce the court burden and ensure faster relief.
• Higher Coordination: Regular judicial conferences and structured communication will align SC and HC approaches.

Conclusion:

A national judicial policy can bring clarity, predictability and fairness across India’s justice system. By harmonising judicial behaviour and improving access, it strengthens citizens’ trust in courts. As the CJI noted, constitutional rights gain meaning only when justice is timely, consistent and accessible to all.

 

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 November 2025 GS Paper 3:

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The UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025

Source: DTE

Subject: Disaster Management

Context: The UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025 warns that Asian megacities—Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka, Manila, Shanghai, Seoul—could face 2–7°C extra heat due to the urban heat island effect, pushing temperatures far beyond global warming averages.

About The UN ESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025:

Key Findings in Report:

• Urban Heat Amplification (UHI Effect):
  • Even if global warming stabilises at 1.5–2°C, cities may heat by +7°C due to dense concrete, limited green cover, and high waste heat from vehicles and ACs.
  • Megacities like Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka are projected to experience high localised heat stress far beyond rural surroundings.
• Chronic Heat Exposure in South Asia:
  • India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: 300+ days with heat index >35°C; over 200 days above 41°C in several regions.
  • Heat index includes humidity, making it a better indicator of felt temperature.
• Rapid Rise in Extreme Heat Events:
  • 2024 was the hottest year on record, with Bangladesh’s April–May heatwave affecting 33 million people.
  • India’s long heatwave in 2024 caused ~700 deaths, the second deadliest event in the region.
• Population Exposure Trends:
  • Over 40% of South Asia’s population will face heat index >35°C and 41°C in both medium- and long-term scenarios.
  • Exposure will worsen regardless of climate policy due to continued urbanisation.
• Compounding Threat: Heat + Pollution
  • High heat intensifies wildfires, droughts, PM10/5 load, and releases VOCs.
  • Heat and pollution amplify cardiovascular and respiratory risks in a dangerous feedback loop.
• Sectoral and Economic Impacts:
  • Heat-related working-hour losses in Asia projected to rise from 75 million to 8.1 million full-time job equivalents by 2030.
  • Annual climate-related economic loss may rise to billion under high-emissions scenarios.

Why South Asia Is Most at Risk?

• High Humidity + High Temperature: Humid conditions amplify “felt heat,” pushing heat index above 35–41°C for 300+ days a year.
• Dense Urbanisation: Fast-growing megacities like Delhi, Dhaka and Karachi trap heat through concrete, vehicles and limited green cover.
• Large Outdoor Workforce: Millions rely on labour-intensive sectors—agriculture, construction—where exposure to heat is unavoidable.
• Low Adaptation Capacity: Limited access to cooling, reliable electricity, clean water and heat shelters heightens vulnerability.
• High Population Density: Even moderate heatwaves impact tens of millions due to crowded settlements and poor housing.
• Poverty & Inequality: Heat amplifies socio-economic disadvantages, making the poor disproportionately exposed and unprotected.

Challenges in Reducing Heat Risk:

• Weak Heat Action Plans: Many state and city heat plans lack funding, scientific grounding and legal backing for enforcement.
• Poor Urban Planning: Concrete-dominated cities leave little room for trees, ventilation corridors or blue-green infrastructure.
• Digital & Monitoring Gaps: Only half of global meteorological systems issue heat warnings; localised forecasts remain limited.
• Insufficient Healthcare Systems: Heat emergency units, hydration centres and rapid-response teams are inadequate in many districts.
• Labour Protection Weakness: Outdoor workers lack mandatory shade breaks, adjusted hours, or employer accountability during heatwaves.
• Electricity & Water Stress: Power outages and water shortages increase risk when cooling becomes essential for survival.

Way Forward:

• National Heat-Health Warning Network: Ensure district-level forecasts, heat alerts, and last-mile communication in local languages.
• Heat-Sensitive Urban Design: Promote cool roofs, reflective surfaces, urban forests, shaded corridors and permeable pavements.
• Protect Workers Legally: Mandate heat safety protocols—rest breaks, water access, shift changes—during extreme heat days.
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt heat-tolerant crop varieties, micro-irrigation, agroforestry and weather-indexed insurance.
• Strengthen Local Health Systems: Establish cooling shelters, mobile clinics, hydration kiosks, and emergency heat-response teams.
• Expand Social Safety Nets: Provide subsidised cooling appliances, water access, and targeted support for vulnerable households

Conclusion:

Extreme heat is emerging as the fastest-growing climate threat in Asia, with South Asia at the epicentre due to its demographic, ecological and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Without urgent adaptation measures—urban redesign, labour protection, and robust warning systems—heatwaves will become chronic humanitarian crises. A proactive, science-driven, equity-focused strategy is essential to protect lives, livelihoods and long-term climate resilience.

 

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 November 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

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Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme

Context: The EIR Programme was highlighted by Union minister as a key driver of India’s biotechnology innovation at the BRIC Annual Meeting.

About Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme:

What it is?

A government-backed scheme that allows young researchers to develop high-risk biotech ideas into workable products or startups inside research institutions.

Feature:

• Bridges Lab to Market: Helps innovators convert scientific discoveries into market-ready solutions through mentoring, incubation and industry linkages.
• Supports Young Entrepreneurs: Provides financial support, training, and structured guidance to early-stage innovators and student researchers.
• Industry–Research Connect: Encourages collaboration with private partners and venture capital, improving technology translation.
• Promotes Scientist-Entrepreneurs: Builds a culture where researchers are encouraged to innovate, patent and commercialise their ideas.

Relevance To UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS-III – Science & Technology
  • Shows how India promotes biotech innovation, startup culture, and translational research, frequently asked in UPSC S&T questions.
• GS-III – Economy
  • Demonstrates government support for entrepreneurship, innovation funding, and high-risk research, important for MSME and startup policy topics.
• Ethics & Case Studies
  • Provides examples of innovation, scientific temper, collaboration, risk-taking and public-good research, valuable for essays and ethics case studies.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 November 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

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Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM)

Source: PIB

Subject: Government Scheme

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹7,280-crore Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM) to reduce import dependence and build India’s first integrated REPM ecosystem.

About Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM):

What the scheme is?

• A first-of-its-kind national initiative to develop a complete domestic supply chain—from rare-earth oxides to metals, alloys and finished high-performance REPMs.

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines (with oversight from Department of Atomic Energy & NITI Aayog)

Targets:

• Establish 6,000 MTPA of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity
• Select 5 beneficiaries via global competitive bidding (each up to 1,200 MTPA)
• Build India’s first complete REPM value chain

Key features:

• Financial Outlay: ₹7,280 crore
  • A total of ₹7,280 crore is allocated to build India’s first large-scale, end-to-end Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) manufacturing ecosystem.
• ₹6,450 crore: Sales-linked incentives (for 5 years)
  • ₹6,450 crore will be disbursed as incentives based on actual magnet sales, encouraging high-quality production and global competitiveness.
• ₹750 crore: Capital subsidy for plant setup
  • ₹750 crore supports the heavy initial investment needed for oxide-to-metal conversion, alloying, and sintering technologies.
• Duration: 7 years
  • The entire scheme runs for 7 years, ensuring enough time for infrastructure creation, capacity building, and sustained production.
• 2-year gestation to build facilities
  • Manufacturers get two years to construct integrated plants, install metallurgical systems, and stabilise rare-earth processing lines.
• 5-year incentive period
  • For five years after commissioning, companies receive sales-based incentives to scale production and reduce import dependence.
• Integrated Manufacturing Covered
  • The scheme supports the full rare-earth value chain under one roof, promoting efficiency, cost reduction, and supply-chain security.
• Rare-earth oxides → metals → alloys → sintered REPMs
  • It enables India to convert raw rare-earth oxides into metals, process them into alloys, and finally produce high-performance NdFeB sintered magnets.

About Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM):

What They Are?

• REPMs (especially NdFeB magnets) are the strongest commercial magnets globally, made by sintering rare-earth-based alloys like Neodymium-Iron-Boron.

Current Status in India:

• India has 6.9 million tonnes REE reserves (5th largest globally)
• Yet contributes ~1% to global production
• REPM demand is almost fully import-dependent
• China controls ~90% of global REPM supply

Key Features:

• High magnetic strength
• High heat resistance
• Compact size with superior performance
• No viable substitutes in high-performance applications

 

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Commonwealth Games 2030

Source: DD News

Subject: Miscellaneous

Context: India has been formally ratified as the host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad (Amdavad), Gujarat as venue.

• This will be the centenary edition of the Games, marking 100 years since the first British Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.

About Commonwealth Games 2030:

What it is?

The Commonwealth Games are a quadrennial multi-sport event featuring athletes from member nations of the Commonwealth of Nations, blending Olympic-core sports with Games-specific disciplines like netball, lawn bowls and squash.

Brief History:

• Origin: Proposed in the late 19th–early 20th century as a “Pan-Britannic” sporting contest and first realised as the Inter-Empire Championships (1911).
• Formal start: The first British Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, with 11 countries and 400 athletes.
• Name evolution:
• British Empire Games (up to 1950)
• British Empire and Commonwealth Games (1954–1966)
• British Commonwealth Games (1970–1974)
• Commonwealth Games (from 1978 onwards), reflecting decolonisation and equality among members.

2030 Host: Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

• The Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow (Nov 2025) ratified Amdavad/Ahmedabad, Gujarat as host of the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games, after a vote of 74 member nations and territories.
• Ahmedabad’s bid builds around the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and Narendra Modi Stadium sports infrastructure, aligning also with India’s long-term ambition to bid for the 2036 Olympics.

• India has been a regular participant since 1934, and first hosted the Games in Delhi 2010, which remain India’s best-ever multi-sport performance, finishing second on the medals tally.

About The Commonwealth:

What the Commonwealth is?

• The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent and equal countries, many of which were formerly part of the British Empire, cooperating on the basis of shared values rather than formal political control.

Historical Evolution:

• Early Commonwealth

• • At the 1926 Imperial Conference, Britain and the Dominions agreed they were equal in status, forming what was then called the British Commonwealth of Nations—linked by allegiance to the British monarch but not ruled by the UK.

• Birth of the Modern Commonwealth

• • After World War II, many territories became fully independent.
  • India’s independence in 1947 created a new situation: India wanted to be a republic, yet remain in the association.
  • The London Declaration (1949) allowed republics and countries not owing allegiance to the British Crown to remain members, effectively creating the modern Commonwealth of Nations.
  • Membership later expanded to countries with no direct colonial link to Britain

 

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Sirpur Archaeological Site

Source: IE

Subject: History

Context: The Chhattisgarh government is preparing the 5th-century Sirpur archaeological site in Mahasamund district for a UNESCO World Heritage nomination, introducing digital exhibits, and battery-operated transport.

About Sirpur Archaeological Site:

What It Is?

• Sirpur is a 5th–12th century multi-religious archaeological city known for its extraordinary concentration of Hindu temples, Buddhist viharas and Jain monuments, revealing the cultural and political vibrancy of Dakshina Kosala.

Location:

• Situated on the banks of the Mahanadi River, about 2 hours from Raipur, in Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh.

History of the Site:

• First identified in 1882 by Alexander Cunningham; major excavations resumed in the 1950s, expanded in the 1990s and 2003 onwards.
• Served as the capital of Dakshina Kosala under the Panduvanshi and later Somavamshi kings (6th–8th century).
• Excavations have revealed:
  • 22 Shiva temples
  • 5 Vishnu temples
  • 10 Buddhist viharas
  • 3 Jain viharas
• Archaeological evidence shows Sirpur was both a religious centre and a flourishing commercial-urban hub with palaces, markets, residential quarters, stupas and public infrastructure.

Architecture of Sirpur: Sirpur displays a rare blend of Shaiva, Vaishnava, Buddhist and Jain architectural traditions, reflecting deep social harmony and artistic excellence.

Key Architectural Highlights:

• Lakshmana Temple (7th century):
  • One of India’s finest brick temples, built on a stone jagati.
  • Sculpted brick shikhara, intricate door jamb carvings, Vishnu depictions and Maithuna panels.
• Surang Tila Complex (7th century):
  • Dramatic panchayatana temple set on a high 9-metre terrace accessed by 37 steps.
  • Four Shiva shrines with differently coloured lingams and one Ganesha shrine.
  • 32-pillared mandapa and signs of ancient seismic damage.
• Teevardev Buddha Vihara (8th century):
  • A large monastery with a monolithic Avalokiteshvara statue, inscriptions and ornate door jamb.
  • Shows rare blending of Buddhist and Hindu iconography.
• Baleshwar Temple (8th century):
  • Carved pillars, lintels, elegant female figures and a marble Shiva lingam.
• Gandheshwar Temple (18th century):
  • A living temple enriched with reused sculptures from Sirpur’s ruins—Buddha images beside Shiva lingams—symbolising cultural continuity.
• Urban Planning Features:
  • Palace complexes, marketplaces, monasteries, stupas, meditation cells, water systems and a 6th-century market complex.

 

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Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala

Source: TW

Subject: Agriculture

Context: ICAR has strongly rebutted allegations of bias in the evaluation of two gene-edited rice lines—Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala—under the AICRPR multi-location trials.

About Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala:

What They Are?

• Two gene-edited rice varieties developed as improved versions of popular cultivars MTU1010 and Samba Mahsuri using advanced precision breeding techniques.

Developed By:

• Pusa DST-1 → Developed by ICAR–IARI
• DRR Dhan 100 Kamala → Developed by ICAR–IIRR

Aim:

• To improve tolerance to salinity and alkalinity stresses (Pusa DST-1).
• To enhance yield, resilience and overall performance under the agro-climatic conditions where Samba Mahsuri is cultivated (DRR Dhan 100 Kamala).

Key Features

• Pusa DST-1 (Improved MTU1010)

• • This is a better version of the MTU1010 rice.
  • It can grow well in salty or hard soils where normal rice struggles.
  • It gives more rice per hectare than MTU1010 — about 15% more in alkaline soil and 30% more in coastal salty areas.
  • It is mainly meant for southern states where MTU1010 is usually grown.

• DRR Dhan 100 Kamala (Improved Samba Mahsuri)

• • This is a better version of the Samba Mahsuri rice.
  • It gives more rice in both seasons than the original variety.
  • In one season, it gave about 9% more, and in the next, it gave about 22% more than Samba Mahsuri.
  • It works best in places where Samba Mahsuri is already grown.

Significance:

• Validated through rigorous AICRPR blind-coded trials across ~100 sites over 2–3 years.
• Demonstrates India’s first successful gene-edited rice lines evaluated under a national protocol.
• Enhances resilience in regions prone to soil alkalinity, salinity and climate stress.

 

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IAU Approves New Names for Martian Landforms

Source: NIE

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: A 3.5-billion-year-old crater on Mars has been officially named after Indian geologist M.S. Krishnan, following approval by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

• The IAU has also approved five Kerala-based names—Valiamala, Thumba, Bekal, Varkala and Periyar—for nearby craters and a Martian valley.

About IAU Approves New Names for Martian Landforms:

What this is?

• The International Astronomical Union (IAU)—the global authority that names planetary features—has approved a proposal by two Kerala researchers to name Martian craters and a valley (vallis) after S. Krishnan and Kerala localities.

Key Features of the Naming Decision:

• The crater is 3.5 billion years old and lies in Xanthe Terra, a region where researchers identified evidence of ancient glacial and river activity.
• Names follow IAU rules:
  • Large craters → named after deceased scientists with major contributions.
  • Small craters → named after towns/villages with cultural or historical relevance.
• The proposal was submitted by Kerala-based scientists from IIST and Government College Kasaragod.

Significance:

• This is the first time Kerala place-names have been adopted for features on Mars.
• Highlights India’s growing role in planetary science and space research.
• Immortalises M.S. Krishnan, the first Indian Director of the Geological Society of India.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 November 2025 Mapping:

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SC Panel Suggests Creation of a Goa Tiger Reserve

Source: TH

Subject: Mapping

Context: A Supreme Court–appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended creating a tiger reserve in Goa, but in phases, to reduce impact on local communities.

About SC Panel Suggests Creation of a Goa Tiger Reserve:

What It Is?

• A proposal by the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to declare a Goa Tiger Reserve in a phased, community-sensitive manner, starting with areas that have very low human presence and strong ecological connectivity.

The Issue:

• The Bombay High Court (Goa bench) ordered the State in 2023 to notify a tiger reserve.
• The Goa government objected, arguing that tigers seen in Goa were only “transient”, not resident.
• The Supreme Court referred the matter to the CEC for an independent assessment.

Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks Involved:

• To be included in Phase 1:

• • Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary – Core Area
  • Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary – Core Area
  • Bhagwan Mahavir National Park – Buffer Area
  • Northern part of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary – Buffer Area

• Considered for Phase 2 (later):

• • Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Why a Tiger Reserve Is Needed in Goa?

• These Goa forests are directly connected to the Kali Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), which has a strong, breeding tiger population.
• Connectivity allows natural movement, genetic flow, and recovery of tiger numbers in Goa.
• The region forms part of the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.
• Tiger presence (though low) is scientifically documented, and protection is needed to maintain the landscape corridor

Significance of the Proposed Goa Tiger Reserve:

• Landscape-level conservation: Combined with Kali Tiger Reserve, it creates a 1,814 sq. km protected tiger landscape.
• Minimal displacement: Phase 1 focuses on areas with very few households, reducing conflict and community stress.
• Tiger recovery: Ensures safe corridors for tigers moving between Karnataka and Goa.

 

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Aravalli Hills

Source: IE

Subject: Mapping

Context: A Forest Survey of India (FSI) assessment has revealed that the government’s new 100-metre height definition for Aravalli Hills—accepted by the Supreme Court—removes over 90% of the Aravalli landscape from protection.

About Aravalli Hills:

What It Is?

• The Aravalli Hills are one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, forming a major ecological barrier, wildlife corridor, and mineral-rich region of northern and western India.

Located In: Extends from near Delhi through southern Haryana and Rajasthan to Gujarat, running roughly 670 km.

Formation:

• Formed during the Proterozoic era through ancient tectonic collisions, part of the Aravalli–Delhi orogenic belt.
• Once very high mountains, they have been heavily eroded over millions of years.

Geological & Physical Features:

• Typically, 300–900 m high, with the highest peak Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) in Mount Abu.
• Composed of quartzite, marble, granite, copper- and zinc-bearing rocks.
• Generate rivers such as Banas, Luni, Sabarmati, and Sahibi.
• Act as a major barrier preventing sand, dust, and desertification from advancing eastward.

About Aravalli definition issue:

What is the “100-metre definition” of Aravalli Hills?

• The Supreme Court has accepted a recommendation from the Environment Ministry that only those landforms that rise 100 metres or more above their immediate surroundings (local ground level) will be counted as “Aravalli Hills.”
  • If a hill is less than 100 m tall (from base to peak), it is not considered Aravalli under the new rule.
  • Only tall hill sections remain protected and smaller hills lose protection.
• Issues Highlighted by FSI Survey:

• • New 100-metre definition excludes 90% of hills, leaving them unprotected.
  • Earlier scientific criteria (slope + 30m height) would have covered around 40%, far more than the new definition.
  • Lower hills (10–30 m) are critical windbreaks that stop sand and dust from the Thar desert.

 

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