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May 27th Current Affair

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – May 27

Table of Contents

Rare Earth Elements in News: China’s Export Curbs and India’s Strategic Challenge

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) have once again become a major global issue after China tightened export controls on critical minerals and rare earth magnets used in electric vehicles, defence equipment, semiconductors and renewable energy technologies. The issue is important for UPSC because it connects geopolitics, economy, technology, national security and energy transition.

What are Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?

Rare Earth Elements are a group of 17 metallic elements including:

  • Neodymium
  • Dysprosium
  • Terbium
  • Scandium
  • Yttrium

They are called “rare” because they are difficult to extract and refine economically.

Why are REEs Important?

REEs are essential for:

  • Electric Vehicles (EV motors)
  • Wind turbines
  • Mobile phones and electronics
  • Missiles and defence systems
  • Semiconductors and chip manufacturing
  • Nuclear and space technologies

Thus, they are classified as critical minerals.

Why is it in News?

  • China has imposed stricter export controls on several rare earth minerals and magnets citing national security concerns. These restrictions have disrupted global supply chains and affected countries like the US, Japan and India.

    Recently:      

    • China defended its export restrictions as “lawful”.
    • Japan faced shortages of heavy rare earths.
    • India has increased diplomatic engagement and policy efforts to secure supplies.

China’s Dominance in REEs

China dominates the global rare earth sector:

  • Around 60–70% of global mining
  • Nearly 90% of refining and processing capacity
  • Monopoly in rare-earth magnets manufacturing

This gives China major geopolitical leverage.

Impact on India

  • India depends heavily on imports of processed REEs and magnets from China for:

    • EV industry
    • Electronics manufacturing
    • Renewable energy sector
    • Defence production

    Supply disruptions can increase production costs and delay manufacturing.

India’s Response

  • India is taking several measures:                                                    

    1. National Critical Minerals Mission
    2. Strategic stockpiling of critical minerals
    3. Auctioning critical mineral blocks
    4. Encouraging domestic processing and refining
    5. Partnerships with countries like Australia and Japan

    PLI-like support for rare-earth magnets manufacturing

Challenges for India

    • Limited refining technology
    • Environmental concerns in mining
    • Heavy dependence on China
    • Lack of private investment

    Weak downstream manufacturing ecosystem

Way Forward

  • Develop indigenous refining capacity
  • Diversify import sources
  • Invest in recycling of critical minerals
  • Strengthen international mineral partnerships
  •  

India’s Energy Strategy: Balancing Energy Security with Green Transition

India’s energy strategy is in the news due to renewed focus on energy security, renewable energy expansion, green hydrogen, battery storage and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels amid rising global geopolitical uncertainties and climate commitments. The discussions gained momentum during India Energy Week 2026 and recent policy debates on India’s clean energy transition.

Why is it Important?

India is:               

  • The world’s 3rd largest energy consumer
  • Rapidly industrialising and urbanising
  • Dependent on imports for crude oil and gas
  • Simultaneously committed to achieving Net Zero by 2070

Hence, India’s strategy aims to achieve:

  1. Energy Security
  2. Affordable Energy Access
  3. Sustainable Low-Carbon Growth

Key Features of India’s Energy Strategy

1. Renewable Energy Expansion

India is aggressively expanding:

  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy
  • Hydropower
  • Battery storage systems

India has already crossed 50% non-fossil installed electricity capacity ahead of schedule.

The government is also strengthening:

  • Green Energy Corridors
  • Smart grids
  • Transmission infrastructure

2. Green Hydrogen Mission    

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to become a global hub for:

  • Green hydrogen production
  • Green ammonia exports
  • Decarbonisation of steel, fertiliser and transport sectors

This strategy is important to reduce dependence on imported natural gas and fossil fuels.

3. Energy Security through Diversification

India is diversifying energy sources through:

  • Ethanol blending
  • Biofuels
  • LNG agreements
  • Nuclear energy
  • Coal gasification

India achieved nearly 20% ethanol blending in petrol during 2025–26.

4. Coal Still Remains Important

Despite renewable growth, coal continues to play a major role in:

  • Baseload electricity generation
  • Grid stability
  • Industrial energy demand

India is expected to continue coal production expansion for near-term energy reliability.

5. Battery Storage and Grid Modernisation

Recent news highlighted:

  • Large-scale battery storage systems
  • Renewable energy curtailment due to grid constraints
  • Need for transmission upgrades

India lost nearly 300 GWh of renewable power recently because of transmission bottlenecks and coal-grid dominance.

Major Challenges

  • Heavy dependence on crude oil imports
  • Coal dependence versus climate goals
  • Grid integration challenges
  • Financing requirements
  • Rare earth and critical mineral dependency
  • DISCOM financial stress

India’s Long-Term Targets

India aims to:              

  • Achieve 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030
  • Reduce emissions intensity
  • Reach Net Zero by 2070
  • Build self-reliant clean energy infrastructure

Marco Rubio’s India Visit: U.S. Moves to Repair and Strengthen Strategic Ties with India

Why is the Visit Important?

The visit comes at a time when:

  • India–U.S. relations have witnessed friction over trade and tariffs.
  • The U.S. is recalibrating its China policy.
  • Indo-Pacific security concerns are rising.
  • West Asian instability has affected global energy markets.

Analysts describe Rubio’s visit as an attempt to “reset” and stabilize strategic relations between Washington and New Delhi.

Key Issues Discussed

  • 1. Quad and Indo-Pacific Security

    The visit focused heavily on strengthening the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue involving India, the U.S., Japan and Australia.

    Rubio described the Quad as a “linchpin” of U.S. global strategy and emphasized maritime security, supply chains and counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

    2. Trade and Economic Relations          

    The two sides discussed:

    • Trade disputes
    • Tariff issues
    • Technology cooperation
    • Semiconductor supply chains
    • Energy partnerships

    The U.S. also pushed for increased Indian imports of American energy resources.

    3. Strategic and Defence Cooperation

    India and the U.S. reaffirmed cooperation in:

    • Defence technology
    • Maritime security
    • Intelligence sharing
    • Critical and emerging technologies

    The visit highlights India’s growing importance in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.

    4. Diplomatic Significance

    Rubio’s India visit included:

    • Meetings with top Indian leadership
    • Participation in Quad-related engagements
    • Cultural diplomacy visits to the Taj Mahal and Amer Fort

    The trip symbolized continued U.S. outreach toward India despite recent tensions.

Why is this Important for UPSC?

    • The issue is relevant for:

      • India–U.S. bilateral relations
      • Indo-Pacific geopolitics
      • Quad grouping
      • China containment strategy
      • Energy and trade diplomacy

      Strategic autonomy in Indian foreign policy

Challenges in India–U.S. Relations

    • Despite cooperation, differences remain regarding:

      • Trade tariffs
      • India’s ties with Russia
      • Energy imports
      • U.S.–Pakistan engagement
      • Immigration and visa concerns

Wetlands in India: India Expands Ramsar Network Amid Conservation Push

Wetlands are in the news after India added new wetlands to the list of Ramsar Sites and intensified discussions on wetland conservation ahead of World Wetlands Day 2026. India’s growing Ramsar network reflects increasing focus on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and water security.

Why is it in News?

Recently:

  • India added Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari-Dhand Wetland (Gujarat) to the Ramsar List.
  • India’s total Ramsar Sites increased significantly from 26 in 2014 to 98 in early 2026.
  • Later, Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh became India’s 99th Ramsar Site.

What are Wetlands?

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil either permanently or seasonally. Examples include:

  • Marshes
  • Mangroves
  • Floodplains
  • Lakes
  • Estuaries
  • Peatlands

Wetlands act as transitional ecosystems between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Ramsar Convention

    • The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for wetland conservation adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. India became a signatory in 1982.

Importance of Wetlands

Wetlands provide:

  • Flood control
  • Groundwater recharge
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Livelihood support
  • Climate regulation

They are often called the “kidneys of the Earth” because they filter pollutants naturally.

Key Facts

  • India has 99 Ramsar Sites as of April 2026.
  • Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites among states.
  • Wetlands are regulated under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.

Major Threats to Wetlands

  • India’s wetlands face threats from:

    • Urbanisation
    • Encroachment
    • Pollution
    • Sand mining
    • Climate change
    • Infrastructure projects
    • Invasive species

    Reports highlighted ecological degradation in wetlands like Deepor Beel, Sambhar Lake and Pallikaranai Marsh.

Government Initiatives

  • India has undertaken:

    1. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)
    2. Wetlands Rules, 2017
    3. Amrit Dharohar Scheme
    4. Ramsar Site designation expansion
    5. Community-based conservation programmes

Ecological Significance

  • Wetlands support:

    • Migratory birds
    • Aquatic biodiversity
    • Fisheries
    • Local livelihoods
    • Drought mitigation

    Many wetlands are also important carbon sinks and help combat climate change.

PM-AJAY in News: Government Launches Digital Portal and Mobile App for SC Welfare Monitoring

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile App to digitise and strengthen the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) across the country. The move aims to improve transparency, real-time monitoring and efficient delivery of welfare benefits to Scheduled Caste communities.

What is PM-AJAY?

    • The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in FY 2021–22 for the socio-economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs). It is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Objective of the Scheme

The scheme aims to:       

  • Reduce poverty among SC communities
  • Generate employment through skill development
  • Promote income-generating activities
  • Improve infrastructure in SC-dominated villages
  • Increase educational opportunities through hostels and residential facilities

Why is it in News?

    • The government recently launched:

      • PM-AJAY digital portal
      • AJAY mobile application

      The new system will:         

      • Enable real-time monitoring
      • Digitise beneficiary tracking
      • Improve fund utilisation
      • Strengthen transparency in welfare implementation across nearly 47,000 villages

Major Components of PM-AJAY

1. Development of “Adarsh Gram”

SC-majority villages are developed into model villages with:

  • Drinking water
  • Sanitation
  • Roads
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Digital access
  • Livelihood infrastructure

2. Grant-in-Aid for Livelihood Projects

Financial assistance is provided for:

  • Skill development
  • Self-employment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Asset creation
  • Cooperative activities

Beneficiaries can receive assistance for businesses like:

  • Beauty parlours
  • Dairy farming
  • Poultry farming
  • Tailoring
  • Mobile repair
  • Small shops and logistics services

3. Hostel Construction

The scheme supports construction of hostels for SC students in:

  • Schools
  • Universities
  • Higher educational institutions

This aims to reduce dropout rates and improve educational access.

Key Features

  • 100% centrally funded scheme
  • Focus on sustainable livelihoods
  • Digital monitoring and MIS integration
  • Emphasis on women beneficiaries and skill development

Achievements

According to government data:

  • More than 47,000 villages are covered
  • Over 44,000 development works completed
  • Millions of beneficiaries covered under different components

Challenges

  • Delays in fund utilisation
  • Implementation gaps at state level
  • Need for better awareness among beneficiaries

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