Discuss the role of water diplomacy in India’s relations with neighbouring countries. Analyse the major constraints affecting its effectiveness.

Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations Q4. Discuss the role of water diplomacy in India’s relations with neighbouring countries. Analyse the major constraints affecting its effectiveness. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE Why the question India’s water diplomacy as an instrument of foreign policy and tests understanding of the opportunities and challenges in managing …

Why are metropolitan cities experiencing frequent urban floods despite improvements in civic infrastructure? Analyse the geographical and anthropogenic factors responsible.

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies Q2. Why are metropolitan cities experiencing frequent urban floods despite improvements in civic infrastructure? Analyse the geographical and anthropogenic factors responsible. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Recurring urban flooding in metropolitan cities, including the recent Delhi floods (July 2026), has highlighted the growing …

Why are climate-driven local extinctions becoming a major concern for biodiversity conservation? Examine their ecological consequences.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Q6. Why are climate-driven local extinctions becoming a major concern for biodiversity conservation? Examine their ecological consequences. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Recent scientific studies have highlighted the increasing incidence of climate-driven local extinctions, making biodiversity conservation under climate change. Key Demand of the …

What are the factors responsible for the occurrence of hailstorms? Analyse their implications for agriculture and rural livelihoods. Outline measures to reduce hailstorm-induced losses.

Topic: changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Q2. What are the factors responsible for the occurrence of hailstorms? Analyse their implications for agriculture and rural livelihoods. Outline measures to reduce hailstorm-induced losses. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the …

Why is integrated river basin management essential for achieving water security in India? Analyse the major challenges in its implementation. Outline suitable measures.

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent) Q2. Why is integrated river basin management essential for achieving water security in India? Analyse the major challenges in its implementation. Outline suitable measures. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: TH Why the question Growing river basin stress, recurring …

Examine the implications of declining kharif sowing for India’s food security and rural economy. Analyse the major factors responsible for such declines. Suggest measures to minimise production risks.

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); Q2. Examine the implications of declining kharif sowing for India’s food security and rural economy. Analyse the major factors responsible for such declines. Suggest measures to minimise production risks. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question …

Ground-level ozone is increasingly recognised as a transboundary environmental problem. Explain the reasons for its regional spread. Assess the limitations of city-centric pollution control strategies. Suggest an appropriate approach to address the issue.

Topic: changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Q2. Ground-level ozone is increasingly recognised as a transboundary environmental problem. Explain the reasons for its regional spread. Assess the limitations of city-centric pollution control strategies. Suggest an appropriate approach to address the issue. …

How do land use and land cover changes modify local climatic conditions? Explain their implications for urban heat stress.

Topic: changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Q1. How do land use and land cover changes modify local climatic conditions? Explain their implications for urban heat stress. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE Why the question Rapid urbanisation and changing …

India’s Poor Monsoon and Preparedness

Source: IESubject: Critical Geographical Features Context: Despite a mild revival in rainfall activity toward the end of June 2026, severe structural deficits in the monsoon's early-season coverage have raised widespread concerns over a prolonged dry season. The IMD reports that nearly 75% of India's landmass is currently experiencing an acute rainfall deficiency exceeding 20%. India's …

Examine the factors responsible for India’s emergence as a leading inland fisheries producer. Evaluate the significance of inland fisheries for rural livelihoods and the challenges to their sustainable development.

Topic: factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India) Q2. Examine the factors responsible for India’s emergence as a leading inland fisheries producer. Evaluate the significance of inland fisheries for rural livelihoods and the challenges to their sustainable development. (15 M) Difficulty Level: …

UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026

Subject: CME Context: A new UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 has revealed that nearly 392 million children in India (92% of all children) are exposed to extreme heat, while 89 million face recurrent heatwaves. UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 About UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026: What is it? The UNICEF Children’s Climate …

Evaluate the role of Western Disturbances in shaping India’s weather beyond the winter season. Analyse the challenges arising from their changing behaviour.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography Q2. Evaluate the role of Western Disturbances in shaping India’s weather beyond the winter season. Analyse the challenges arising from their changing behaviour. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Recent weather events, including pre-monsoon thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and dust storms associated with Western Disturbances, …

“The challenge of decarbonising small-scale industries lies as much in economics as in environmental regulation”. Discuss.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Q6. “The challenge of decarbonising small-scale industries lies as much in economics as in environmental regulation”. Discuss. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Decarbonisation of MSMEs and traditional industries has become crucial for achieving India’s climate commitments while maintaining industrial growth and employment generation. Key …

Evaluate the impact of extreme weather events on marine fishing activities. Examine the measures required to enhance resilience among fishing communities.

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent) Q1. Evaluate the impact of extreme weather events on marine fishing activities. Examine the measures required to enhance resilience among fishing communities. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: TH Why the question Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent …

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13 June 2026

India’s disability welfare system needs reform through a universal disability pension to ensure equal treatment, dignity, and social security for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). AI data centers, while boosting digital growth, are raising concerns over excessive water, energy use, and environmental degradation. The Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force highlighted student suicides as a systemic issue …

The El Niño

Source: NIESubject: Geography Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially confirmed the return of El Niño conditions over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The El Niño About The El Niño: What It Is? El Niño (Spanish for "The Boy Child") is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a major global climate …

How do atmospheric circulation systems influence weather and climate over the Himalayas? Examine the role of monsoon currents and Western Disturbances. Assess how climate change may alter their behaviour.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography. Q2. How do atmospheric circulation systems influence weather and climate over the Himalayas? Examine the role of monsoon currents and Western Disturbances. Assess how climate change may alter their behaviour. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and …

Examine the role of climate-resilient infrastructure in reducing disaster risks and developmental losses. Analyse the barriers to its widespread adoption. Recommend suitable policy interventions.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Disaster and disaster management. Q6. Examine the role of climate-resilient infrastructure in reducing disaster risks and developmental losses. Analyse the barriers to its widespread adoption. Recommend suitable policy interventions. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Climate-resilient infrastructure has gained prominence due to …

Discuss the climatological factors governing the onset and advancement of the Southwest Monsoon. Analyse the causes of inter-annual monsoon variability. Evaluate its implications for regional development in India.

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); Q2. Discuss the climatological factors governing the onset and advancement of the Southwest Monsoon. Analyse the causes of inter-annual monsoon variability. Evaluate its implications for regional development in India. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question …