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August 21st Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – August 21st

Table of Contents

Southern Zonal Council: Shah Calls for Early Resolution of Water Issues in South India

Why is this news?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while chairing the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Tamil Nadu, called for the early resolution of pending inter-State water disputes in southern India through dialogue and constructive solutions. The participating States supported the approach of resolving disputes through mutual consultation.

What is the Southern Zonal Council?

The Southern Zonal Council (SZC) is one of India’s five Zonal Councils created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

States covered

  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Telangana

Union Territories

  • Puducherry
  • Lakshadweep
  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Zonal Council provides a platform for Centre–State and inter-State cooperation and helps discuss and resolve issues of common interest.

Key Water Issues Discussed

A. Cauvery Water Dispute

The Cauvery dispute primarily involves:

  • Karnataka
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Kerala
  • Puducherry

The major issue is the sharing of Cauvery waters, particularly between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

At the meeting, Karnataka reiterated its support for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, while Tamil Nadu remains concerned about its impact on downstream water availability.

B. Mullaperiyar Issue

The dispute involves Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Kerala has raised concerns regarding the safety of the existing Mullaperiyar dam and proposed a new dam. Kerala also offered to bear the cost of constructing a new dam while assuring Tamil Nadu of continued water supply. Tamil Nadu rejected the proposal.

C. Krishna River Dispute

The Krishna river is particularly important for:

  • Telangana
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Maharashtra

Telangana has sought protection of its rights over Krishna waters and raised concerns regarding projects undertaken by neighbouring States.

Amit Shah's Proposal: Dialogue and Cooperation

The Union Home Minister emphasised that long-pending water disputes should be resolved through:

  • Mutual dialogue
  • Constructive solutions
  • Cooperative federalism
  • Greater coordination between neighbouring States
  • Exploring river-linking possibilities where feasible

Shah also referred to the possibility of linking major rivers such as the Brahmaputra, Godavari and Cauvery as a broader approach to addressing water shortages, although river interlinking remains a complex ecological, economic and federal issue.

Constitutional & Legal Framework

Inter-State River Water Disputes

The Constitution provides a specific framework under:

Article 262

Parliament may provide by law for:

  1. Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers/river valleys.
  2. Exclusion of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other courts in such disputes, subject to the law made by Parliament.

Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956

It provides for adjudication of inter-State river-water disputes through tribunals.

River Boards Act, 1956

Provides for establishment of River Boards for regulation and development of inter-State river valleys.

Zonal Council vs Inter-State Council

Feature

Zonal Council

Inter-State Council

Basis

States Reorganisation Act, 1956

Article 263

Nature

Statutory

Constitutional provision

Main purpose

Regional cooperation

Centre-State & inter-State coordination

Chairman

Union Home Minister

Prime Minister

Number

Five Zonal Councils

One Inter-State Council

Remember:
Zonal Councils are NOT constitutional bodies. They are statutory bodies created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

Why are Water Disputes Difficult to Resolve?

  1. Upstream vs downstream interests

Upstream States want greater control over water, while downstream States depend on assured flows.

  1. Growing water demand

Increasing:

  • Population
  • Irrigation
  • Urbanisation
  • Industrialisation

has intensified competition for water.

  1. Climate change

Changing rainfall patterns, droughts and extreme rainfall events make water availability increasingly uncertain.

  1. Federal tensions

River disputes often become politically sensitive because water is closely linked with State interests and regional identity.

  1. Delayed adjudication

Tribunal proceedings and implementation of awards can take considerable time.

Significance for Cooperative Federalism

The Southern Zonal Council provides a negotiation and coordination platform before disputes become more contentious.

It can help in:

Dialogue → Negotiation → Consensus → Cooperation

rather than:

Conflict → Litigation → Political confrontation

This makes the issue important from the perspective of cooperative federalism and water governance.

Core Sector Growth Slows to 5.4% in July as Fertiliser and Oil Output Falls

Why in News?

India’s Index of Core Industries (ICI) grew by 5.4% year-on-year in July 2026, slowing from the revised 6% growth in June 2026. The moderation was mainly associated with slower growth in iron ore, electricity and steel, while fertiliser and crude oil production contracted.

Importantly, India has recently revised the ICI series, changing the base year from 2011–12 to 2022–23 and adding iron ore as the ninth core industry.

What is the Index of Core Industries?

The Index of Core Industries (ICI) measures the production performance of key infrastructure and industrial sectors of the Indian economy.

These industries are considered the backbone of industrial activity because their output is closely connected with infrastructure, manufacturing, construction, energy and agriculture.

The ICI is released by the:

Office of Economic Adviser (OEA)
→ Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
→ Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Nine Core Industries

The ICI consists of 9 industries:

Industry

Electricity

Refinery Products

Steel

Crude Oil

Coal

Iron Ore

Cement

Natural Gas

Fertilisers

UPSC Fact:

Earlier there were 8 core industries.
Iron ore has now been added as the 9th core industry.

What happened in July 2026?

The overall core sector grew 5.4% in July, compared with 6% in June.

Major growth sectors

  • Iron ore: +29.5%
  • Cement: +13.1%
  • Electricity: +9%
  • Coal: +7.6%
  • Steel: +2.9%
  • Refinery products: +2.7%

Sectors recording contraction

  • Fertiliser: −8%
  • Crude oil: −5.3%
  • Natural gas: −3.7%

Thus, the headline highlights the weakness in fertiliser and oil production, even though several infrastructure-related sectors continued to expand.

Why is the 5.4% growth important?

The core sector is an important leading indicator of industrial activity.

Higher core-sector output generally indicates stronger activity in areas such as:

Mining → Energy → Manufacturing → Construction → Infrastructure

Therefore, the July data provides an indication of the broader industrial environment.

However, the moderation from 6% to 5.4% suggests that the pace of expansion has weakened somewhat.

Why is Fertiliser Production Important?

Fertiliser is directly connected with agricultural productivity and food security.

A fall of 8% in fertiliser production can have implications for:

  • Domestic availability of fertilisers
  • Agricultural input costs
  • Import dependence
  • Government subsidy burden
  • Farm productivity
  • Food security

India is particularly dependent on imports for several important fertiliser nutrients and raw materials, making domestic production and supply-chain stability important.

UPSC Linkage

Fertiliser → Agriculture → Food Security → Import Dependence → Subsidy → Fiscal Burden

Why is Crude Oil Production Important?

India’s crude oil production contracted by 5.3% in July.

India is a major net importer of crude oil.

Lower domestic production can therefore increase dependence on imports.

Possible implications:

Lower domestic crude production
↓
Higher import dependence
↓
Greater exposure to global crude prices
↓
Pressure on trade balance/current account
↓
Potential inflationary pressure

It also has implications for energy security.

Significance of Iron Ore

Iron ore has been added to the ICI under the revised series because of its extensive use in industrial production and its contribution to industrial development.

Iron ore is an essential input for:

Iron Ore → Steel → Construction + Infrastructure + Manufacturing

Its production increased by 29.5% in July, although this was slower than the 44.5% growth recorded in June.

Satkosia Tiger Reserve: Odisha Moves to Revive Tiger Population Amid Relocation Concerns

Why in News?

Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha is in the news in the context of efforts to revive its tiger population and concerns over the relocation of villages from the reserve.

In June 2026, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gave in-principle approval to Odisha’s proposal to resume tiger reintroduction in Satkosia. The plan includes voluntary village relocation, prey augmentation, creation of inviolate spaces and strengthening of protection and staff capacity.

More recently, Odisha constituted a five-member committee to examine the village relocation process in Satkosia, including whether provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and NTCA guidelines were followed.

Where is Satkosia Tiger Reserve?

Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in Odisha, primarily across the Angul and Nayagarh landscape.

It is ecologically significant because it lies at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats biogeographic regions.

Important geographical feature

The Mahanadi River passes through the reserve, creating the spectacular Satkosia Gorge.

The reserve therefore has importance not only for terrestrial biodiversity but also for riverine and aquatic ecosystems. The gorge is about 22.5 km long.

Key Facts about Satkosia Tiger Reserve

Feature

Details

State

Odisha

Tiger Reserve notified

2007

Important river

Mahanadi

Major landscape

Eastern Ghats–Deccan Peninsula transition

Important feature

Satkosia Gorge

Major constituent areas

Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary + Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary

Biodiversity

Tigers, elephants, gharial and other wildlife

The reserve was notified as a tiger reserve in 2007.

Why is Tiger Reintroduction Important?

Satkosia had historically supported tigers, but the population declined significantly because of factors such as:

  • Poaching
  • Habitat pressures
  • Declining prey base
  • Human disturbance
  • Human–wildlife conflict

An earlier tiger translocation programme was attempted in 2018, but it did not produce the desired long-term recovery.

The new plan seeks to create suitable conditions before and alongside reintroduction, rather than simply releasing tigers into the landscape.

Proposed measures include:

Tiger reintroduction
↓
Prey-base augmentation
↓
Habitat improvement
↓
Inviolate spaces
↓
Better protection & monitoring

The NTCA’s 2026 approval specifically emphasised these supporting measures.

The Human Relocation Issue

Tiger conservation sometimes requires creating inviolate areas where human activities are minimised.

Consequently, villages located inside critical wildlife habitats may be relocated.

However, relocation raises questions about:

  • Livelihood security
  • Consent of local communities
  • Compensation
  • Forest rights
  • Rehabilitation
  • Participation in decision-making
  • Protection of tribal and forest-dwelling communities

The Odisha government has now constituted a committee to examine whether the Satkosia relocation process complied with relevant laws and NTCA guidelines.

Forest Rights Act, 2006

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly called the Forest Rights Act (FRA), recognises certain forest rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.

Important for conservation:

Wildlife conservation cannot simply mean removing communities without considering their legal rights and rehabilitation.

This creates the need to balance:

Wildlife Conservation + Community Rights

This is a key theme in India’s modern conservation policy.

Tiger Reserves and the Wildlife Protection Act

Tiger reserves operate under the legal framework of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, particularly following amendments that strengthened the institutional framework for tiger conservation.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

The NTCA is the apex statutory body for tiger conservation in India.

It is responsible for providing:

  • Technical guidance
  • Conservation standards
  • Monitoring
  • Approval and oversight of tiger conservation plans
  • Support for tiger reserves

The Satkosia reintroduction proposal required NTCA approval, highlighting the authority’s role in India’s tiger conservation framework.

Kathakali: Kerala’s Classical Dance-Drama and a Rich Tradition of Storytelling

Why in News?

Kathakali, the famous classical dance-drama tradition of Kerala, has been in focus in the cultural context covered by The Hindu. For UPSC, the topic is important under Indian Art & Culture, particularly Classical Dance, Theatre, Performing Arts and Cultural Heritage.

Kathakali combines dance, drama, music, elaborate costumes, facial expressions and hand gestures to narrate stories, traditionally drawing heavily from Indian epics and Puranic traditions.

What is Kathakali?

Kathakali literally relates to “Katha” (story) + “Kali” (performance/play).

It is a highly stylised dance-drama of Kerala in which the story is communicated through:

  • Facial expressions
  • Hand gestures (Mudras)
  • Eye movements
  • Body movements
  • Music
  • Percussion
  • Elaborate costumes
  • Distinctive facial make-up

Unlike ordinary dance forms, Kathakali has a strong theatrical and narrative component.

Origin and Development

Kathakali developed in Kerala and evolved from Kerala’s older performance traditions.

It is associated with the cultural environment of temples and royal courts of Kerala.

Important influences

Kathakali developed through interaction with earlier Kerala traditions such as:

  • Krishnanattam
  • Ramanattam
  • Koodiyattam
  • Other Sanskrit and regional theatrical traditions

Important point for UPSC

Kathakali should not be confused with Koodiyattam.

Koodiyattam is an ancient Sanskrit theatre tradition of Kerala and is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Kathakali is a later, highly stylised dance-drama tradition.

Major Features of Kathakali

Facial Expressions

Abhinaya is extremely important.

The performer communicates emotions through:

  • Eyes
  • Eyebrows
  • Facial muscles
  • Hand gestures
  • Body movements

The eyes are particularly important because they help convey emotions and advance the narrative.

Mudras

Hand gestures are used as a symbolic language.

Instead of speaking every line, the performer can communicate:

  • Objects
  • Actions
  • Emotions
  • Relationships
  • Ideas

This makes Kathakali a highly codified performance tradition.

Kathakali Make-up — Very Important for Prelims

One of the most distinctive features of Kathakali is its colour-coded facial make-up.

Pacha — Green

Generally represents noble, heroic and virtuous characters.

Example:

  • Krishna
  • Rama

Kathi — Knife

Associated with arrogant, powerful or anti-heroic characters.

Thadi — Beard

There are different types:

  • Chuvanna Thadi — Red beard → extremely wicked characters
  • Vellathadi — White beard → refined/supernatural characters, especially Hanuman
  • Karutha Thadi — Black beard → relatively evil characters

Kari — Black

Generally associated with hunters, forest dwellers and certain negative characters.

Minukku

Used for female characters and other gentle/light characters, such as sages and messengers.

These character classifications and make-up conventions are an important part of Kathakali’s codified performance system.

What is Chutti?

Chutti is the distinctive white raised facial border around the lower part of the face.

It enhances the facial features and makes expressions more visible to the audience.

Traditionally, it was made using rice-powder paste; paper is also used in contemporary practice.

The application itself can take considerable time.

Prelims fact:

Chutti → Kathakali facial make-up

Costume and Headgear

Kathakali performers wear:

  • Large circular skirts
  • Elaborate ornaments
  • Large headgear/crowns
  • Decorative jewellery
  • Character-specific costumes

The costumes are deliberately exaggerated so that characters and their qualities can be recognised from a distance.

The various costume accessories are collectively referred to as Koppu.

Music and Instruments

Kathakali combines vocal music with percussion.

Important instruments include:

Chenda

A cylindrical percussion instrument producing powerful rhythms.

Maddalam

Another important barrel-shaped percussion instrument.

Chengila

A metallic gong-like instrument.

Ilathalam

Small cymbals used to maintain rhythm.

Thus:

Dance + Drama + Music + Percussion + Abhinaya = Kathakali

Stories and Themes

Traditional Kathakali performances frequently draw upon:

  • Ramayana
  • Mahabharata
  • Puranas
  • Other mythological and devotional narratives

The performance uses stylised acting rather than ordinary conversational theatre.

The narrative is conveyed through a combination of:

Mudra + Abhinaya + Music + Body movements + Facial expressions

Kathakali and Malayalam

Kathakali developed in the Malayalam-speaking region of Kerala.

Its literary and performance traditions evolved alongside the development of Malayalam cultural traditions.

Therefore, for UPSC:

Kathakali → Kerala → Malayalam cultural tradition → Dance-drama

Kathakali vs Mohiniyattam

Feature

Kathakali

Mohiniyattam

State

Kerala

Kerala

Nature

Dance-drama

Classical dance

Style

Dramatic and vigorous

Graceful and lyrical

Make-up

Elaborate, colour-coded

Relatively subtle

Costumes

Large and elaborate

Traditional white/gold costume

Narrative

Strong theatrical element

Expressive and graceful

Themes

Epics, Puranic stories

Devotional and romantic themes

Quick trick:

Kathakali → Drama + elaborate make-up

Mohiniyattam → Grace + Lasya

Kathakali and UNESCO

For UPSC, distinguish between classical dance status and UNESCO recognition.

Kathakali is one of India’s major classical dance traditions, but do not automatically assume that every Indian classical dance is individually listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage element.

Kerala’s Koodiyattam, on the other hand, is specifically recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

NAMASTE Scheme: Centre Plans to Expand Mechanised Sanitation to Rural India

Why in News?

The Centre is looking at expanding the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) beyond urban areas to rural India. The move is aimed at extending safer, machine-based sanitation practices and social-security support to sanitation workers in rural areas.

The scheme currently focuses on eliminating hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, while providing sanitation workers with occupational safety, health and livelihood support.

What is the NAMASTE Scheme?

NAMASTE = National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem

It is a Central Sector Scheme jointly implemented by:

  • Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE)
  • Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

It was launched in 2023–24 and evolved from earlier efforts for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers.

Main objective

To ensure the safety, dignity and social security of sanitation workers while eliminating hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

The broader goal is to move towards zero fatalities in sanitation work and prevent workers from coming into direct contact with human faecal matter.

Why is Rural Expansion Important?

The existing implementation has focused on Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). A major concern is that sanitation work also takes place in rural areas, particularly in septic tanks and local sanitation systems.

Expansion to rural India can help:

  • Reduce hazardous manual entry into septic tanks.
  • Promote mechanised sanitation equipment.
  • Extend PPE and occupational safety training.
  • Improve access to health insurance.
  • Provide livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities.
  • Reduce deaths and injuries among sanitation workers.

Thus, the expansion represents a shift from urban sanitation safety → nationwide sanitation safety.

Who are the Major Beneficiaries?

The scheme primarily covers:

  1. Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs)

Workers involved in cleaning and maintaining sewer and septic-tank systems.

2. Waste Pickers

Waste pickers have also been brought within the broader NAMASTE framework from FY 2024–25.

Major Components of NAMASTE

① Identification and Profiling

Sanitation workers are identified and profiled so that they can access government benefits.

A nationwide survey covering 4,800+ Urban Local Bodies has been undertaken for identifying Sewer and Septic Tank Workers.

② Mechanisation of Sanitation

The scheme promotes the use of:

  • Sewer-cleaning machines
  • Septic-tank cleaning equipment
  • Safety devices
  • Other mechanised sanitation technologies

The objective is:

Machine enters the sewer/septic tank → NOT the worker

③ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Workers are provided with appropriate safety equipment and occupational safety training.

As of July 2026, more than 87,000 PPE kits had been distributed to sewer and septic-tank workers.

④ Health Protection

Workers are provided access to health protection, including coverage through:

Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY / State health schemes

Health cards have also been issued to thousands of sanitation workers.

⑤ Livelihood Support

NAMASTE is not limited to safety equipment.

It also promotes:

  • Skill development
  • Self-employment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Alternative livelihood opportunities
  • Financial support for purchasing sanitation equipment

This is important for breaking the intergenerational nature of hazardous sanitation work.

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