Human & Economic Geography (Geography).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Indian & World Geography; Mains GS1
Urbanisation for UPSC: statutory and census towns, Census 2011 data, causes, slums, urban floods, 74th Amendment, Smart Cities, AMRUT, PMAY-U and way…
MoSPI released the Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey, July 2025 to June 2026, on 23 September 2026. Pilgrimage and religious travel made up 48% of overnight trips over the last 365 days. Uttar Pradesh had the highest share of visitor-trips, 15.7%. Business trips had the highest average spend per trip, Rs. 5,949.
UPSC angle: Prelims: which agency runs DTES (NSO, MoSPI).
23 Sep 2026
The Mines Ministry said on 23 June 2026 that recent auctions took critical and strategic mineral blocks successfully auctioned by the Centre to 56 out of 88 unique blocks (over 63%). The Seventh Tranche auctioned 10 blocks, a first for Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana. Exploration Licence blocks auctioned reached 11, newly covering Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
UPSC angle: Prelims: critical minerals list, auction powers.
23 Jun 2026
India's Mines Minister and the UK Foreign Secretary launched the India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory in New Delhi on 4 June 2026. Built by TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge, it is a data platform to monitor global critical mineral supply chains and flag risks. It supports the National Critical Mineral Mission.
UPSC angle: Prelims: critical minerals partnerships.
4 Jun 2026
Coal production began at Urtan (Anuppur, MP) on 15 May 2026 and Dhirauli (Singrauli, MP) on 17 May 2026. Urtan (JMS Mining) is the first underground mine to start under commercial coal auctions. Dhirauli is allocated to Mahan Energen Limited. The Ministry frames both as boosts to domestic coal supply.
UPSC angle: Prelims: coalfields of MP.
19 May 2026
The Ministry of Mines launched the second tranche of limestone block e-auctions in Jammu & Kashmir at Srinagar on 12 May 2026. Twelve blocks in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch are on offer: five first-attempt blocks and seven re-auctioned ones. They are at G3 and G4 exploration stages under UNFC. Bids are due by 21 July 2026.
UPSC angle: Prelims: minerals of J&K.
12 May 2026
The Ministry of Mines said on 7 May 2026 that 101 mineral blocks auctioned since the auction regime began in 2015 are now operational. Odisha leads with 34, followed by Karnataka (18) and Gujarat (11). Iron ore accounts for 47 blocks and limestone 29. FY 2025-26 set a record with 212 blocks auctioned in one year.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MMDR 2015.
7 May 2026