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October 28th Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – October 28th

Table of Contents

Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)

Why is it in the news?

The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh has returned to the headlines amid protests against the mega-dam. On October 23, 2026, violence broke out in Pasighat following protests, with an NHPC office and a police station reportedly set ablaze. The dispute has intensified concerns over local consent, security measures and the project’s environmental and social consequences.

What is the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project?

  • Location: Siang River, in the Siang and Upper Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Proposed capacity: Approximately 11,200 MW of hydropower.
  • Implementing agency: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
  • Nature: A proposed large dam and water-storage project intended to support hydropower generation, flood moderation and water security.
  • Current stage: Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) and related surveys. The exact dam site has not yet been finalised, and the project should not be treated as an already operational or fully approved dam.

The project was declared a national project in 2008. Its development has been delayed by technical and administrative issues, as well as opposition from sections of the local population.

Why is the project strategically important?

The project has gained importance partly because of China’s proposed 60,000 MW hydropower project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet.

Understand the river’s journey:

Tibet, China

Yarlung Tsangpo River

Arunachal Pradesh, India

Siang River

Assam, India

Brahmaputra River

Strategic significance

  • Water security: A large storage reservoir could help regulate river flows, subject to its final design and operating rules.
  • Flood moderation: Storage may help manage certain high-flow events, although effectiveness would depend on reservoir capacity, operating conditions and flood forecasts.
  • National security: India is concerned about the possible downstream effects of major upstream water infrastructure in China. The actual risks depend on the project’s design and operation.
  • Energy security: The proposed 11,200 MW capacity could add substantial hydroelectric power to India’s energy mix.
  • Regional development: Construction and associated infrastructure could create employment and improve connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh.
  •  

Why are local communities opposing the project?

Sections of the indigenous Adi community, along with local farmers and other residents, have raised several concerns.

  • Displacement: Villages and agricultural land could be submerged, depending on the final dam and reservoir design.
  • Loss of livelihoods: Residents fear losing farmland, horticultural resources and other sources of income.
  • Cultural heritage: The Siang River and surrounding ancestral lands have deep cultural, spiritual and social significance for indigenous communities.
  • Environmental damage: A mega-dam may alter river ecology, aquatic habitats, sediment transport and forest landscapes.
  • Seismic risks: Arunachal Pradesh lies in a highly earthquake-prone region. The project requires rigorous seismic and geological assessment.
  • Lack of trust and consultation: Some residents allege that their concerns and consent have not been adequately addressed.

These concerns have contributed to repeated protests and delays in completing the project’s surveys.

 

What is the current status of SUMP?

As of 28 October 2026:

  1. Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR): Surveys and technical investigations are intended to determine whether and where the project can be built.
  2. Site selection: Three potential locations have been identified for investigation — Uggeng, Dite Dime and Parong. The final site has not been determined.
  3. Further assessments: If the project is found feasible, subsequent stages are expected to include environmental and social impact assessments and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
  4. Public consultation: The state government has stated that affected communities should be consulted and their concerns addressed.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has said that the feasibility stage should not be rushed and that the project should not proceed if technical studies establish that it is unviable.

Way forward

A balanced approach is essential.

    • Scientific assessment: Conduct independent geological, seismic, hydrological and environmental studies.
    • Meaningful public participation: Involve Gram Panchayats, indigenous institutions and affected families in transparent consultations.
    • Fair rehabilitation: Ensure appropriate compensation, livelihood restoration and adequate facilities for any relocated communities.
    • Transparent communication: Publish accessible information about reservoir dimensions, submergence, costs, safety and expected benefits.
    • Diplomatic engagement: Seek reliable information from China on its upstream hydropower project and its possible downstream implications.
    • Alternatives assessment: Compare SUMP with other water-management, flood-mitigation and energy options before making an irreversible decision.

India’s ‘Balancing Act’ Risks Eroding Russia’s Trust

Why in News?

The Hindu’s editorial discussion, published on 28 October 2026, argues that India’s balancing strategy could weaken Russia’s trust if New Delhi’s diplomatic actions appear more performative than substantive.

This issue matters because India must manage its relationships with Russia, the United States, China and other powers while protecting its defence, economic and security interests.

Background: What changed in India's diplomatic position?

The article focuses on two important diplomatic developments in 2026.

  1. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit
  • The SCO summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31–September 1, 2026.
  • India endorsed a declaration condemning attacks on Iran and mourning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following US-Israeli airstrikes.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi also publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

These positions were interpreted as a shift in India’s diplomatic signalling, particularly in relation to the United States and Russia.

  1. BRICS Summit in New Delhi
  • The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.
  • India sought to maintain cooperation among emerging economies while managing differences between its partners.
  • India also continued its engagement with Russia on defence, energy, trade and international affairs.

India’s challenge is to preserve the credibility of BRICS without compromising its relationships with Western countries.

Why is Russia important to India?

India and Russia have maintained a close strategic partnership since the Cold War. The relationship remains important in several areas.

  • Defence: India operates several Russian-origin military platforms and depends on Russia for maintenance, spare parts and certain defence systems.
  • Energy: Russian crude oil has been an important source of India’s energy imports.
  • Nuclear energy and space: Both countries have a history of cooperation in civil nuclear energy and space technology.
  • Diplomacy: Russia has supported India’s interests in a multipolar international order and cooperates with India in forums such as BRICS and the SCO.
  • Economic relations: Both countries aim to expand bilateral trade and diversify cooperation beyond traditional defence and energy sectors.

However, India has also been diversifying its defence purchases and expanding ties with the United States, France, Israel and other partners.

What is the central concern raised by the article?

The key concern is that India’s attempt to reassure different international partners may reduce confidence among all of them if its diplomatic positions appear inconsistent.

Russia may interpret India’s public statements on Ukraine and the Iran conflict as an attempt to signal alignment with Western preferences, even while India continues to benefit from its partnership with Moscow.

At the same time, India cannot ignore its relations with the United States, which are important for advanced technology, investment, defence cooperation and Indo-Pacific security.

This creates three major challenges:

  1. Russia

Preserve defence cooperation, energy security and strategic trust.

  1. United States

Strengthen technology, economic and security partnerships.

  1. China

Manage border tensions and strategic competition while maintaining diplomatic engagement.

Key concepts for UPSC

Concept

Meaning

Strategic autonomy

India’s ability to make independent foreign-policy decisions.

Multi-alignment

Maintaining constructive relations with countries belonging to different geopolitical groupings.

Multipolarity

An international system in which power is distributed among several major centres.

National interest

Decisions based on India’s security, economic development and strategic priorities.

Diplomatic signalling

Statements and actions used to communicate a country’s intentions to other states.

Strategic autonomy is not the same as neutrality. India can take a position on an international conflict while retaining the freedom to cooperate with countries on other issues.

 

What should India do? — Way forward

  • Follow issue-based diplomacy: Make decisions according to India’s interests rather than automatically supporting any geopolitical bloc.
  • Maintain consistent communication: Explain India’s positions to Russia, the United States and other partners to minimise misunderstandings.
  • Diversify defence production: Reduce excessive dependence on any single supplier through domestic manufacturing, technology transfer and joint production.
  • Strengthen economic resilience: Expand exports, investment and energy sources so that external pressure does not disproportionately affect domestic priorities.
  • Preserve diplomatic credibility: Support dialogue, international law and peaceful settlement of disputes consistently, while recognising the specific circumstances of each conflict.
  • Use multilateral platforms effectively: Engage with BRICS, the SCO, the G20 and the United Nations without allowing membership in one grouping to dictate every bilateral relationship.

River Pollution: Supreme Court Pulls Up Rajasthan Over Jojari River Contamination and Illegal Mining

What exactly is the river pollution issue?

The central issue is the continuing contamination of Rajasthan’s Jojari River by industrial wastewater, particularly from textile-dyeing and other industrial units. The problem also affects the connected regional river system, including the Luni and Bandi rivers. The Supreme Court has criticised the State government’s failure to effectively prevent pollution and illegal mining.

Rivers involved

River

Key information

Jojari

A seasonal river affected by industrial effluents around Jodhpur.

Luni

An important seasonal river of western Rajasthan, flowing towards the Rann of Kutch.

Bandi

Part of the regional river system affected by pollution from industrial and urban activities.

These rivers are especially vulnerable because they flow through Rajasthan’s arid region, where clean water is already scarce.

Why is the Supreme Court concerned?

The Supreme Court has been hearing the issue through suo motu proceedings — proceedings initiated by the Court on its own initiative.

According to recent reporting:

  • Pollution threatens the health and livelihoods of nearly 20 lakh people dependent on the affected river system.
  • The Court has questioned the regularisation of mining leases despite alleged violations.
  • It has directed authorities to address illegal wastewater discharge points.
  • Earlier directions restricted construction within 100 metres of riverbanks and hazardous industries or activities within 500 metres of the existing flood lines.
  • The Court has warned that it could order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe if the State fails to take corrective action.

UPSC takeaway: River pollution is not merely an environmental problem; it can also indicate failures in governance, enforcement and public accountability.

Causes of river pollution

  • Industrial effluents: Untreated or inadequately treated wastewater from textile-dyeing and steelworking industries.
  • Inadequate sewage treatment: Treatment plants lack sufficient capacity or are not fully utilised.
  • Illegal discharge points: Some industries may bypass treatment systems and discharge wastewater directly into rivers.
  • Illegal sand mining: Excessive extraction damages riverbeds, alters flow patterns and can destabilise riverbanks.
  • Weak enforcement: Failure to penalise polluters allows environmental violations to continue.

Environmental and social impacts

  1. Ecological damage

Toxic substances can degrade water quality, harm aquatic organisms and disrupt river ecosystems.

  1. Human health

Contaminated water can expose people to harmful chemicals and pathogens, depending on the pollutants involved.

  1. Agriculture and livelihoods

Polluted irrigation water can contaminate soils and crops, affecting farmers and communities dependent on the river.

  1. Water insecurity

Pollution further reduces the availability of usable freshwater in an already water-stressed region.

Constitutional and legal framework

Provision / law

Relevance

Article 21

The right to life has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to a clean and healthy environment.

Article 48A

Directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.

Article 51A(g)

Makes environmental protection a fundamental duty of citizens.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

Provides the principal framework for preventing and controlling water pollution.

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Empowers the Central Government to take measures to protect and improve the environment.

National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

Provides for specialised adjudication of environmental disputes within its jurisdiction.

The case also highlights the importance of the polluter pays principle, under which polluters may be required to bear the cost of preventing and remedying environmental damage.



Government measures and way forward

  • Enforce existing laws: Take action against industries that release untreated wastewater and officials who enable violations.
  • Upgrade treatment capacity: Ensure sewage treatment plants (STPs) and effluent treatment plants (ETPs) function effectively.
  • Improve common effluent treatment plants (CETPs): Industrial clusters should treat wastewater collectively where appropriate, with regular monitoring of performance.
  • Use real-time monitoring: Install sensors and strengthen independent inspections to detect illegal discharges.
  • Restore river ecosystems: Combine pollution control with riverbank protection, scientifically planned sand extraction and ecological restoration.
  • Adopt basin-level management: Coordinate industrial regulation, urban sewage management and river restoration across the entire river system.
  • Ensure accountability: Publish water-quality data, enforce environmental compensation and make responsible authorities answerable for non-compliance.

India’s Next Investment Cycle Will Shape Its Carbon Future

The article examines how India’s next phase of investment will influence its economic growth, industrial development and carbon emissions. The central question is whether India can expand manufacturing and infrastructure while moving towards a cleaner, low-carbon economy.

Why is it in the news?

The editorial highlights that India is entering a major phase of infrastructure and building expansion. Decisions taken today about buildings, electricity networks, steel, cement and transport will influence India’s greenhouse-gas emissions for decades.

The key concern is that infrastructure built without energy-efficient designs and low-carbon technologies could lock India into high emissions and require expensive retrofitting later.

Key facts and figures

86%

Estimated share of India’s 2070 building stock yet to be constructed.

18 → 42 billion m²

Projected increase in global floor space from 2020 to 2070, highlighting future building-related energy demand.

60 GW

Renewable energy capacity reportedly held back by transmission bottlenecks in India.

What is the main argument?

India must pursue economic development without creating long-term dependence on carbon-intensive infrastructure.

  1. The conventional development path

Coal-intensive electricity, inefficient buildings and conventional steel and cement production can increase emissions and create long-lived carbon-intensive assets.

  1. The low-carbon development path

Energy-efficient buildings, renewable electricity, modern transmission networks and cleaner industrial production can reduce emissions over the lifetime of infrastructure.

The editorial’s central message is that it is cheaper and more effective to incorporate decarbonisation at the planning and construction stages than to retrofit infrastructure later.

Major challenges facing India

  1. Buildings and urbanisation
  • India’s growing cities will require housing, commercial buildings and public infrastructure.
  • Buildings designed without energy efficiency can increase electricity consumption for cooling, lighting and appliances.
  • Although 27 States have notified the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), only 21 have legally incorporated it, according to the article’s summary.
  1. Renewable energy and transmission
  • Solar and wind capacity cannot be fully utilised without adequate transmission infrastructure.
  • The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that transmission constraints have held back around 60 GW of renewable capacity in India.
  • Renewable energy projects also face financing challenges: the cost of capital for grid-scale renewable projects in India is estimated to be around 80% higher than in advanced economies.
  1. Hard-to-abate industries

Steel and cement are essential for India’s infrastructure expansion but difficult to decarbonise.

  • Steel: Conventional production relies heavily on coal. Green hydrogen-based steelmaking offers an alternative, but costs and technological constraints remain.
  • Cement: Emissions arise both from fuel consumption and the chemical process of producing clinker. Carbon capture could help, but large-scale deployment remains challenging.
  • Public procurement: Government agencies can create demand for lower-emission steel and cement by incorporating emissions standards into infrastructure contracts.

Government policies and initiatives

Initiative

Importance

Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)

Promotes energy-efficient commercial buildings.

Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC), 2024

Provides updated energy-efficiency standards for commercial buildings.

Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS), 2024

Promotes energy-efficient residential buildings.

Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)

Establishes a framework for trading carbon credits to encourage emissions reduction.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

Supports the development and use of green hydrogen, including in hard-to-abate industries.

Renewable energy expansion

Reduces dependence on fossil fuels, provided grid integration and storage keep pace.

These policies need effective implementation, adequate financing and coordination between the Union government, State governments, industries and financial institutions.

 

Way forward

  1. Build energy-efficient infrastructure: Apply building codes consistently and encourage passive cooling, insulation and efficient appliances.
  2. Modernise the electricity grid: Expand transmission corridors, energy storage and grid flexibility to integrate renewable energy.
  3. Promote green materials: Use emissions-based standards and green public procurement to create markets for low-carbon steel and cement.
  4. Mobilise climate finance: Use blended finance, guarantees and other risk-sharing mechanisms to attract private investment.
  5. Strengthen research and innovation: Support green hydrogen, industrial electrification, carbon capture and other technologies suited to India’s circumstances.
  6. Avoid carbon lock-in: Assess the lifetime emissions and long-term economic viability of major infrastructure projects before approving them.

“SC Collegium Recommends Four High Court Chief Justices”

Why is it in the news?

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended judges for appointment as Chief Justices of four High Courts, following its meeting on 26 October 2026. It has also made recommendations concerning appointments to the Bombay and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.

The development is important because judicial appointments affect the functioning of courts, the filling of vacancies and the independence of the judiciary.

What is the Supreme Court Collegium?

The Supreme Court Collegium is the body of senior judges responsible for recommending appointments and transfers of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.

  • For appointments to the Supreme Court, it consists of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the four senior-most Supreme Court judges.
  • For appointments to a High Court, the Supreme Court Collegium generally consists of the CJI and the two senior-most Supreme Court judges, with relevant consultations.

The Collegium system evolved through Supreme Court judgments rather than being explicitly established in the Constitution.

How does the appointment process work?

Supreme Court Collegium

    1. Recommends a candidate for appointment
    2. Union Government
    3. Examines the recommendation and processes the appointment
    4. President of India
    5. Formally appoints the judge

Constitutional provisions

Article

Provision

Article 124

Appointment of Supreme Court judges.

Article 217

Appointment and conditions of office of High Court judges.

Article 222

Transfer of a judge from one High Court to another.

Article 50

Separation of the judiciary from the executive in the State’s public services.

Why is the Collegium system important?

  • Judicial independence: Limits direct political control over judicial appointments.
  • Separation of powers: Helps protect the judiciary from executive interference.
  • Institutional continuity: Enables experienced judges to assess candidates’ competence and suitability.
  • Vacancy management: Timely recommendations can help courts function more effectively and reduce delays.

Criticism and challenges

  • Lack of transparency: Selection criteria and deliberations are not always sufficiently clear to the public.
  • Accountability concerns: Critics argue that the process needs stronger safeguards against favouritism.
  • Executive–judiciary tensions: Disagreements and delays over recommendations can leave judicial vacancies unfilled.
  • Representation: Greater diversity across gender, regions and social backgrounds remains an important concern.
  • No comprehensive statutory framework: The system primarily rests on judicial precedents and the Memorandum of Procedure.

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