Resources (Geography).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Indian & World Geography; Mains GS1
Jal Jeevan Mission for UPSC: aims, FHTC norms, funding, Paani Samitis, water quality testing, progress to 15.7 crore taps, challenges and way…
Critical minerals for UPSC: meaning, India's 30 critical minerals, National Critical Mineral Mission, rare earths, China dependence, KABIL, challenges.
Indus Waters Treaty for UPSC: Indus system, eastern and western rivers, India's rights, Indus Commission, Kishenganga and Ratle, and the 2025 abeyance.
Renewable energy for UPSC: solar, wind, hydro and bioenergy potential, the 500 GW target, PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar, solar parks, storage, grid…
A PIB backgrounder of 19 October 2026 explains how pumped storage projects (PSPs) will store solar and wind power for India’s grid. India runs 7.43 GW of pumped storage today, is building 15.87 GW more and has an assessed potential of 345.38 GW. A roadmap aims to add about 100 GW between 2025-26 and 2035-36.
UPSC angle: Prelims: PSP types, CEA, ISTS waiver, IRENA ranking. · Mains GS-III: storage and the clean energy transition.
19 Oct 2026
On 2 October 2026 the Ministry of Mines reported that two limestone blocks in Anantnag, Koot-Kapran and Wantrag, had been auctioned, a first for the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The J&K Government entrusted the auction to the Union Ministry of Mines, which used a transparent competitive process under the Central mineral auction system.
UPSC angle: Prelims: exploration stages; limestone uses.
2 Oct 2026
On 1 October 2026 the Ministry of Mines launched the auction of two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea, Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01 off Great Nicobar, for Composite Licence. Together they cover over 1,632 sq km and hold polymetallic nodules and crusts with cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper and rare earth elements.
UPSC angle: Prelims: minerals in polymetallic nodules; location. · Mains: Offshore mining and marine ecology.
1 Oct 2026
NMDC Ltd has commissioned a 2 million tonne per annum pellet plant at Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh, as part of a ₹5,427 crore project. It also includes an iron ore processing plant at Bacheli and a 135 km, 15 MTPA slurry pipeline carrying ore concentrate from the Bailadila mines to Nagarnar instead of by road.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Bailadila location; pellets vs fines.
27 Sep 2026
The 7th High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 22 September 2026, co-chaired by the Petroleum Minister and OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais. Talks covered oil market stability, energy security and timely investment. The dialogue began in 2015; the 8th meeting will be in Vienna.
UPSC angle: Prelims: OPEC HQ; India not a member.
22 Sep 2026
On 17 September 2026 the Coal Ministry launched the 16th round of commercial coal mine auctions, offering 25 blocks in nine States: 21 fully explored and four partially explored. Agreements were also signed for six mines sold in earlier rounds. Since commercial mining opened in 2020, 147 mines have been auctioned.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CMDPA; commercial coal mining since 2020.
17 Sep 2026