GS1/GS3 · Geography, climateA study by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, reported by DST on 10 September 2026, measured magnetic minerals in sediments of Bakhira Lake in Sant Kabir Nagar, UP, to track 25,000 years of Indian Summer Monsoon change. Bakhira is an oxbow wetland of the Rapti and a Ramsar site since 2022. The record can improve monsoon models.
UPPCS angle: GS-V (UP geography): Bakhira is one of the largest wetlands of UP and an oxbow of the Rapti in Sant Kabir Nagar.
10 Sep 2026GS3 · Water resourcesA PIB Backgrounder of 21 August 2026 answers questions on the Ken-Betwa Link Project, the first river-interlinking project under the National Perspective Plan to reach implementation. Costing ₹44,605 crore, it moves Ken water to the Betwa basin through the 96.7 m Daudhan Dam and a 216.465 km canal. It will irrigate 10.62 lakh hectares in Bundelkhand by 2030.
UPPCS angle: GS6 (UP geography): Jhansi, Mahoba, Banda, Lalitpur in UP Bundelkhand benefit; Betwa flows through UP.
21 Aug 2026UPPCS GS-VIOn 23 March 2026 the UP Cabinet approved the Uttar Pradesh Safe Reuse of Treated Water Policy-2026. It promotes the safe reuse of water from sewage treatment plants and faecal sludge treatment plants for non-potable uses. The policy rolls out in three phases, from municipal use and gardens to industry and, finally, dual pipe supply to homes.
UPPCS angle: GS-VI: water resources of UP. Use the three-phase reuse plan in answers on urban water management and river pollution.
23 Mar 2026UPPCS GS-VOn 10 March 2026 the UP Cabinet approved its share of ₹356.07 crore in the Lakhwar multipurpose project on the Yamuna in Uttarakhand and ₹361.04 crore in the Renukaji dam on the Giri in Himachal Pradesh. Both shares are based on UP's 31.05 per cent water-use share. Both are national projects and will feed UP's Yamuna canals.
UPPCS angle: GS-VI: rivers and irrigation of UP. Link upstream storage with the Eastern Yamuna and Agra canal systems.
10 Mar 2026UPPCS GS-VIVillages trapped between rivers and forests need relocation, not repeated relief.
UPPCS angle: GS-VI: disaster rehabilitation.
29 Jan 2026UPPCS GS-VIThe Ganga in UP holds a large share of the Gangetic dolphin, so the count starting at Bijnor fits.
UPPCS angle: GS-VI: wildlife conservation.
17 Jan 2026 
