upsc current affairs for 27 November 2025

by Vajiram & Ravi - 27 November 2025

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily upsc current affairs for 27 November 2025, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Mekedatu Dam Project

November 27, 2025
Mekedatu Dam Project

Mekedatu Dam Project Latest News

Recently, the Karnataka government decided that it would submit a “revised” Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Centre on the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the interstate river Cauvery.

About Mekedatu Dam Project

  • It is a multi-purpose (drinking water and power) project involving the construction of a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in the Ramanagara district, Karnataka. 
  • It is about 90 km away from Bengaluru and 4 km ahead of the border with Tamil Nadu.
  • The project is proposed at the confluence of the Cauvery River with its tributary Arkavathi.
  • The plan involves building a 99-metre-high, 735-metre-long concrete gravity dam, an underground powerhouse, and a water conductor system.
  • While the dam will have a capacity of holding about 66 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water, it would generate 400 MW of hydroelectricity once operational. 
  • Once completed, it is expected to supply over 4 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water to Bengaluru city for drinking purposes.
  • Issue:
    • Tamil Nadu, the lower riparian state, has been opposing the project, raising apprehensions that the state would be affected if the project takes shape. 
    • Tamil Nadu says, Mekedatu area represents the last free point in Karnataka from where Cauvery water flows unrestricted into Tamil Nadu, and the Mekedatu dam project is an attempt by Karnataka to block this free flow of water.

Source: TH

Mekedatu Dam Project FAQs

Q1: The Mekedatu Dam Project is proposed to be constructed in which location?

Ans: Near Kanakapura in the Ramanagara district, Karnataka.

Q2: The Mekedatu project is planned at the confluence of which two rivers?

Ans: The project is proposed at the confluence of the Cauvery River with its tributary Arkavathi.

Q3: What is the primary purpose of the Mekedatu Dam Project?

Ans: To provide drinking water to the Bengaluru city and to generate hydroelectric power.

Hawfinch

November 27, 2025
Hawfinch

Hawfinch Latest News

A Hawfinch bird, a species native to Europe, North Africa, and East Asia, was recently recorded at Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.

About Hawfinch

  • It is a large passerine bird native to Europe, North Africa, and East Asia.
  • It is the biggest bird of the Fringillidae family.
  • Scientific Name: Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Hawfinch Distribution

  • Hawfinches are found across Europe, Eastern Asia (the Palearctic including North Japan), and North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria). 
  • They are mainly resident in Europe, but many Asian birds migrate further south in the winter.
  • Habitat: The hawfinch frequents deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, parks, and also the vegetation along the streams.

Hawfinch Features

  • It is a robust, heavy-billed finch about 18 cm long, with a wingspan of 29–33 cm. 
  • It has a thick neck, a large round head, and a wide, strong conical beak with a metallic appearance. 
  • It has short pinkish legs with a light hue, and it has a short tail. It has brown eyes. 
  • The plumage of the female is slightly paler than that of the male. 
  • The overall color is light brown, its head having an orange hue to it.
  • Its eyes have a black circle around them.
  • Its powerful beak allows it to crack hard seeds, nuts, and berries. 

Hawfinch Conservation Status

It is classified as 'Least Concern' under the IUCN Red List.

Key Facts about Jim Corbett National Park

  • It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.
  • It is part of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve.
  • It is part of the sub-Himalayan ecosystem.
  • It is India’s oldest national park.
    • It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park.
    • It was later renamed in 1957 in memory of Jim Corbett, a famous hunter and conservationist who played a key role in the establishment of the park.
  • It covers an area of over 520 sq.km.
  • Rivers:
    • The eastern periphery of Corbett National Park is entirely fed by the Kosi River.
    • The Ramganga River (West), along with its significant tributaries Sonanadi, Palain, and Mandal, forms the prominent hydrological resource for the Corbett.
  • Flora: Almost three-quarters of the park is encompassed by deciduous forest, including peepal, rohini, and mango trees. Another 10% of the park is accounted for by grasslands. 
  • Fauna: Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, leopards, sloth bears, deer, and over 600 species of birds.

Source: HT

Hawfinch FAQs

Q1: The Hawfinch is native to which of the following regions?

Ans: Europe, North Africa, and East Asia.

Q2: What is the scientific name of the Hawfinch?

Ans: Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Q3: What is the IUCN conservation status of the Hawfinch?

Ans: Least Concern

Bnei Menashe

November 27, 2025
Bnei Menashe Community

Bnei Menashe Latest News

Israel's government recently approved a proposal to bring all the remaining 5,800 Jews from India's north-eastern region, commonly referred to as Bnei Menashe, over the next five years.

About Bnei Menashe

  • Bnei Menashe is an ethnic community that hails from the northeastern states of Mizoram and Manipur. 
  • They claim to be the descendants of the biblical tribe of Manasseh, considered one of the "lost tribes" of Israel. 
  • They are Christians converted into Jews and observe traditional Jewish practices and celebrate holidays such as Sukkot. 
  • Historians believe this community may have arrived in India within the last 300–500 years.
  • Their ancestors were exiled long before the Roman dispersion, but they continued to practice Judaism across the generations, even if not in a contemporary Orthodox way. 
  • Once they  came into contact with Israel and global Jewry in the 1980s, they embraced modern Jewish learning and practice.
  • Nearly half of the 'Bnei Menashe' population migrated to Israel over a period of time and became its citizens.
  • According to the recent Israeli Government plan, approximately 1,200 community members are expected to immigrate to Israel by the end of 2026. 
  • A second stage, slated for completion by 2030, will bring an additional 4,600 people, effectively completing the arrival of the entire community. 

Source: TH

Bnei Menashe FAQs

Q1: The Bnei Menashe community primarily hails from which Indian states?

Ans: Mizoram and Manipur

Q2: Which biblical tribe do the Bnei Menashe claim to descend from?

Ans: Bnei Menashe claim to be the descendants of the biblical tribe of Manasseh, considered one of the "lost tribes" of Israel.

Q3: When do historians believe the Bnei Menashe may have arrived in India?

Ans: Historians believe this community may have arrived in India within the last 300–500 years.

Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme

November 27, 2025
Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme

Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology said that the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme is gaining popularity among young startups, innovators.

About Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme

  • It is one of the programs introduced under National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI).
  • It aims to encourage graduate students to take to entrepreneurship as a prospective career option by providing financial and non-financial support in the form of a fellowship. 

Features of Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme

  • Financial Support: Recipient is eligible to get financial support of up to INR 30,000/- monthly.
  • It is offered to graduate students for a maximum period of 12 months.
  • The Programme includes access to the infrastructure facilities at the TBI, mentoring support and guidance, technical and financial advice, industry connections etc.
  • Implementation: It is implemented by the Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of India in association with NCL Venture Centre, Pune.

What is the NIDHI Programme ?

  • National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) as an umbrella programme for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.

 Source: PIB

Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of the EIR Programme?

Ans: To encourage graduate students to pursue entrepreneurship as a career option

Q2: What is the financial support provided to EIR fellows?

Ans: Up to ₹30,000 monthly for 12 months

Young Stellar Objects

November 27, 2025
Young Stellar Objects

Young Stellar Objects Latest News

Recently, a team of researchers has decoded the early lives of young stars called Young Stellar Objects (YSO) using a decade of data from NASA satellites Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) and its extended mission NEOWISE.

About Young Stellar Objects

  • These are stars in the earliest stages of their lives where stars stably fuse hydrogen in their cores.
    • This is the stage before the stars enter the main sequence of what is called the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (a plot showing stars in various stages of evolution based on their temperature and brightness).
  • These objects typically reside within dense molecular clouds rich in gas and interstellar material.
  • Formation: YSOs form from the collapse of dense molecular clouds, triggered by events like nearby supernova explosions, stellar radiation, or turbulence in the interstellar medium.
  • Types: There are two principal kinds of YSOs: Protostars and Pre-main sequence stars.

Stages of Young Stellar Objects

  • Class 0 and Class I phases: These are mostly visible in infrared and radio wavelengths due to their thick dust envelopes.
  • Class II and Class III: In this phase the object becomes visible in optical wavelengths as it clears away its surrounding envelope.

Significance of studying Young Stellar Objects

  • Understanding Star Formation: They provide insights into the processes that lead to star formation, including magnetic activity, stellar winds, and outflows.
  • Planet Formation: They help in understanding the conditions that lead to planet formation and the early solar system.

Source: PIB

Young Stellar Objects FAQs

Q1: Where are Young Stellar Objects typically found?

Ans: Dense molecular clouds

Q2: What are the stages of YSOs in order?

Ans: Class 0, Class I, Class II, Class III

Finn’s Weaver Bird

November 27, 2025
Finn’s Weaver Bird

Finn’s Weaver Bird Latest News

Recently, Ornithologists have been alerted that the Finn’s Weaver bird is silently disappearing from the marshy lowlands of the Terai region in India.

About Finn’s Weaver Bird

  • Finn's weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus ) is also known as Finn's baya and yellow weaver is a weaver bird species.
  • The weaver bird was named Finn’s Weaver after Frank Finn, the British officer.
  • Distribution: It is native to the Ganges and Brahmaputra valleys in India and Nepal.
  • Habitat: They live close to dams and reservoirs. Water, marshy soil, tall grasses, Semal (silk cotton) and Shisham (rosewood) trees make up its natural habitat.
  • These birds build their nests on tall grass and these trees.
  • Weaver birds are largely granivorous birds, with adults feeding mainly on seeds, supplemented with invertebrates
  • Threats: Human activities including expansion of agriculture, grass cutting, construction work, residential buildings, and increase in industrial units across the Terai has disrupted the natural habitat of these birds. 

Conservation Status of Finn’s Weaver Bird

Source: DTE

Finn’s Weaver Bird FAQs

Q1: What is the scientific name of Finn's Weaver Bird?

Ans: Ploceus megarhynchus

Q2: Where is Finn's Weaver Bird primarily found?

Ans: Ganges and Brahmaputra valleys in India and Nepal

International Astronomical Union (IAU)

November 27, 2025
International Astronomical Union

International Astronomical Union (IAU) Latest News

A 3.5-billion-year-old Martian crater has been named after pioneering Indian geologist M.S. Krishnan, following the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU’s) approval of this and several other Kerala-proposed names for Martian landforms.

About International Astronomical Union (IAU)

  • It was founded in 1919 as a senior body governing international professional astronomical activities worldwide.
  • Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education, and development, through international cooperation. 
  • Activities:
  • Definition of fundamental astronomical and dynamical constants and unambiguous astronomical nomenclature
  • Rapid dissemination of new discoveries
  • Organization of international observing campaigns
  • Promotion of educational activities in astronomy to early informal discussions of possible future international large-scale facilities.
  • It is the only organization recognized professionally for the naming of astronomical bodies, which it does solely on the basis of merit, history, or discoverer’s privilege. 
  • The IAU holds a general assembly every three years in varying parts of the world. The long-term policy of the IAU is defined by the General Assembly.
  • Headquarters: Paris, France.
  • A key activity of the IAU is the organization of scientific meetings. Every year the IAU sponsors 9 international IAU Symposia. 
  • Membership:
    • Its individual Members — structured into Divisions, Commissions, and Working Groups — are professional astronomers from all over the world, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, who are active in professional research, education and outreach in astronomy. 
    • The IAU also has Junior Members. 
    • The IAU has a total membership of 12742. 
    • These members are labeled as "active" in the IAU database, meaning they have a valid email (are able to vote and stay connected to the IAU activities) and are affiliated to at least one Division. 
    • IAU membership spans 92 countries. Out of those countries, 85 are National Members.

Source: TH

International Astronomical Union (IAU) FAQs

Q1: In which year was the International Astronomical Union (IAU) founded?

Ans: It was founded in 1919.

Q2: What is the primary mission of the IAU?

Ans: Promote and safeguard the science of astronomy through international cooperation.

Q3: Where is the headquarters of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) located?

Ans: Paris, France

Q4: How often does the International Astronomical Union (IAU) hold its General Assembly?

Ans: The IAU holds a general assembly every three years in varying parts of the world.

Rare Earth Magnet Scheme to Build Domestic Supply Chain

November 27, 2025
Rare Earth Magnet

Rare Earth Magnet Latest News

  • The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs. 7,280-crore scheme to establish India’s first integrated manufacturing ecosystem for Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).

Rationale for the Rare Earth Magnet Scheme

  • India currently imports almost all the rare earth permanent magnets it uses, around 900 tonnes annually, despite having the world's 5th largest rare earth reserves. 
  • These magnets are among the strongest permanent magnets and are indispensable to high-tech systems:
    • EV traction motors, power steering, wiper motors, braking systems,
    • Wind turbine generators,
    • Consumer electronics and industrial equipment,
    • Aerospace and defence applications.
  • Demand is expected to double by 2030, driven primarily by the EV and renewable energy sectors. 
  • The disruptions caused by Chinese export controls in 2024-25 further underlined the need for India to develop secure, domestic REPM capabilities. 

Key Features of the Approved Scheme

  • Rs. 7,280-Crore Outlay with Dual Incentive Structure
    • As detailed across the three reports, the financial structure includes:
      • Rs. 6,450 crore in sales-linked incentives (spread over five years),
      • Rs. 750 crore in capital subsidy for setting up facilities. 
      • This is part of a seven-year scheme period, two years for plant establishment and five years for incentive disbursement. 
  • 5 Beneficiaries via Global Competitive Bidding
    • The total capacity of 6,000 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) will be allocated to five selected manufacturers, each eligible for up to 1,200 MTPA. 
    • Applicants will be chosen through a transparent international bidding process. 
  • End-to-End Integrated Manufacturing
    • Beneficiaries must build full-stack facilities capable of converting:
    • rare earth oxides > metals > alloys > finished magnets. 
    • This integration is central to reducing India's reliance not only on finished REPMs but also on upstream value chains currently controlled by foreign markets. 

Strategic Importance for India’s Clean-Tech and Defence Ecosystem

  • Boosting Electric Mobility & Renewable Energy
    • REPMs, especially Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets, are crucial for efficient and powerful EV motors. 
    • The auto sector welcomed the scheme as a major step toward a stable, localised component supply chain, reducing risks of shortages and preventing EV price escalation. 
  • Strengthening Defence and Aerospace Capabilities
    • Magnets are critical in precision-guided munitions, unmanned systems, avionics, and radar technologies. Local manufacturing enhances India’s defence security and reduces dependence on geopolitically sensitive supply chains.
  • Alignment with Net Zero and Critical Minerals Strategy
    • The scheme aligns with India’s target of Net Zero by 2070 and builds on the National Critical Minerals Mission, which identifies REPMs as strategic components for energy transition and advanced manufacturing. 
    • Experts highlighted that this initiative will catalyse mining, processing, alloying, and high-value materials research. 

Industry Response and Global Context

  • Automobile & Component Manufacturers
    • Automotive bodies termed the decision pivotal for India’s long-term competitiveness and integration into global value chains. They emphasised that local REPM production would:
      • reduce import dependence,
      • protect manufacturers from Chinese export restrictions,
      • unlock investments in advanced mobility technologies. 
  • China’s Dominance and Supply Chain Constraints
    • Globally, China controls over 80% of REPM processing and has increasingly tightened export controls, impacting EV and electronics manufacturers worldwide. 
    • Indian automakers faced procurement delays due to prolonged Chinese approval procedures requiring end-user licences and bureaucratic clearance. 
    • This backdrop makes India’s initiative not merely economic but geostrategic, ensuring insulation from external shocks.

Implementation Challenges and Considerations

  • Experts caution that success depends on:
    • securing advanced technologies for processing and sintering,
    • building high-purity oxide-to-metal conversion capabilities,
    • maintaining ESG standards, responsible mining, and sustainable extraction,
    • ensuring disciplined execution and adherence to global quality benchmarks. 
  • These are essential for India to eventually compete in the global REPM market.

Source: TH | IE

Rare Earth Magnet FAQs

Q1: What is the target capacity under the REPM scheme?

Ans: The scheme aims to create 6,000 MTPA of domestic rare earth magnet manufacturing capacity.

Q2: How many companies will be selected?

Ans: Five beneficiaries will be chosen via global competitive bidding.

Q3: What incentives does the scheme offer?

Ans: Rs. 6,450 crore in sales-linked incentives and Rs. 750 crore as capital subsidy.

Q4: Why does India need this scheme?

Ans: India imports almost all REPMs despite rising demand and large rare earth reserves.

Q5: Which sectors benefit the most?

Ans: EVs, renewable energy, defence, aerospace, and advanced electronics.

How Delhi’s Air Quality Monitors Work: Methods, Errors & CAG Findings Explained

November 27, 2025
Air Quality

Air Quality Latest News

  • The Supreme Court has asked authorities to justify whether Delhi’s air-quality monitoring equipment is appropriate for the city’s conditions. 
  • Delhi currently operates 40 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), each functioning as a compact, automated laboratory housed in a temperature-controlled cabin. 
  • These stations, positioned across the city for representative measurement, monitor eight key pollutants — PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃, ammonia and lead — as mandated by CPCB’s 2012 guidelines. 
  • Inside each dust-proof, air-conditioned unit, racks of analysers, pumps and data loggers process samples drawn through inlets mounted on masts above the station roof.

How Delhi’s AQI Stations Measure Pollutants

  • Delhi’s air-quality monitors use specialised, CPCB-approved techniques to measure each pollutant. 
  • Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) is tracked using Beta Attenuation Monitors, which gauge how dust collected on filter tape reduces beta-ray transmission. 
  • Gaseous pollutants are measured through optical and chemical methods: 
    • sulphur dioxide via UV fluorescence, 
    • ozone by UV photometry, and 
    • carbon monoxide with Non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) absorption. 
      • NDIR absorption is a gas sensing technology that measures the concentration of a specific gas by analyzing how much infrared light it absorbs.
  • Nitrogen oxides are detected through chemiluminescence, while ammonia is measured using optical spectroscopy. 
    • Chemiluminescence is the emission of light as a result of a chemical reaction.
    • Optical spectroscopy is a scientific technique that studies the interaction of light with matter to determine a sample's physical and chemical properties.
  • These instrument-based techniques comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards to ensure uniform, reliable data nationwide.

Factors That Distort Air-Quality Readings

  • AQI accuracy depends on equipment reliability and the volume of validated data recorded daily. 
  • Stations often miss CPCB’s 16-hour data requirement due to shutdowns caused by calibration, power cuts, extreme weather or transmission failures. 
  • A recent CAG report found many Delhi stations failed to log complete data or measure key pollutants like lead, weakening daily AQI assessments. 
  • Technical issues also distort readings: high humidity inflates particulate measurements, instruments drift without frequent calibration, and poor station siting near buildings or vents skews airflow. 
  • Together, these operational and environmental challenges reduce the precision of Delhi’s air-quality readings.

What Research Reveals About PM Measurement Errors

  • Multiple studies show that Delhi’s particulate readings — especially from Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAM) — can significantly overestimate pollution under certain weather and loading conditions. 
  • A 2021 CSIR–NPL and AcSIR study found that beta gauge accuracy declines sharply when relative humidity (RH) exceeds 60%, causing particles to absorb moisture and appear heavier. 
  • The study reported more than 30% overestimation, with bias rising up to fivefold during high-pollution events when particle mass loading is high. 
  • Seasonal effects worsen errors, particularly in winter and post-monsoon months.
  • Researchers advised using site-specific correction factors, which lowered biases from 46% to below 2%. 
  • The U.S. EPA similarly warns that heavy particle accumulation can disrupt airflow and destabilise readings. 
  • These issues help explain why Delhi’s stations experienced data dropouts on Diwali night, when sudden pollution spikes overloaded the instruments.

Ensuring Reliable Air-Quality Data: Calibration, Compliance & Oversight

  • Calibration and Maintenance Are Crucial
    • Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) must follow strict calibration schedules.
    • CPCB’s 2012 guidelines mandate maintaining detailed calibration records for every particulate monitor.
    • Regular checks are essential because even minor instrument drift affects readings — especially for gases measured through sensitive optical methods.
  • Major Gaps in Data Reporting
    • The CAG audit exposed serious shortcomings in Delhi’s monitoring network:
      • None of DPCC’s 24 stations measured lead (Pb), despite its mandatory inclusion in AQI calculations.
      • Monthly AQI data was incomplete for 12% of months (2014–2021), meaning many stations failed to produce the minimum required valid data.
  • Need to Upgrade and Reposition Stations
    • CAG recommendations include:
      • Relocating stations obstructed by buildings, trees or improper siting.
      • Upgrading or replacing equipment unable to measure all mandated pollutants.
      • Ensuring daily data availability for all pollutants to provide a complete air-quality picture.
  • Third-Party Audits for Accountability
    • Experts, including Anumita Roychowdhury (CSE), stress the need for regular independent audits to verify:
      • Whether stations follow CPCB protocols,
      • Equipment calibration accuracy,
      • Data generation and reporting standards.

Source: IE | CNBC

Air Quality FAQs

Q1: How do Delhi’s AQI monitors measure particulate matter?

Ans: Stations use Beta Attenuation Monitors that measure how dust collected on filter tape reduces beta-ray transmission, enabling automated PM2.5 and PM10 quantification.

Q2: What causes inaccurate air-quality readings in Delhi?

Ans: High humidity, poor calibration, power issues, incorrect station placement, and data gaps often distort readings and reduce compliance with CPCB’s minimum data requirements.

Q3: What did recent studies find about PM measurement errors?

Ans: A CSIR–NPL study found PM2.5 readings can be overestimated by over 30% when humidity exceeds 60%, with biases rising fivefold during high-pollution episodes.

Q4: What gaps did the CAG report highlight?

Ans: CAG found Delhi’s stations often failed to record adequate valid data, didn’t measure lead, and lacked proper calibration or suitable siting, weakening AQI reliability.

Q5: How can Delhi improve AQI data quality?

Ans: Regular calibration, equipment upgrades, better station siting, mandatory third-party audits, and ensuring complete pollutant data are essential to strengthen AQI accuracy.

Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025: Key Provisions, Concerns & NEP 2020 Link

November 27, 2025
Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025

Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025 Latest News

  • Five years after NEP 2020 proposed it, the government is set to table the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill 2025 in the upcoming Winter Session. 
  • The Bill aims to merge the regulatory roles of the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE into one unified authority, marking the second attempt to establish a single higher education regulator in India.

HECI: India’s Proposed Single Regulator for Higher Education

  • The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill draws directly from NEP 2020, which recommended replacing the fragmented regulatory structure with a single overarching authority.
  • Currently, India’s higher education landscape is regulated by multiple statutory bodies: 
    • the University Grants Commission (UGC) oversees higher education, 
    • the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) regulates technical and professional education, and 
    • the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) governs teacher education.

Four Verticals Under HECI

  • NEP 2020 outlines four specialised bodies within HECI:
    • National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC): Regulates all higher education except medical and legal fields.
    • National Accreditation Council (NAC): Serves as the accrediting authority.
    • General Education Council (GEC): Frames academic learning outcomes and standards.
    • Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC): Handles funding and grants (though officials indicate funding may still rest with the government).
  • HECI itself will function as a compact body of eminent experts overseeing the four verticals.

Reducing Red Tape and Conflict of Interest

  • NEP 2020 criticised the existing system for being “mechanistic and disempowering”, with concentrated powers, regulatory overlap, and conflicts of interest. 
  • The new commission aims to streamline governance, ensure accountability, and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.

Autonomy and Quality Focus

  • The Bill seeks to empower higher education institutions to operate as “independent self-governing institutions” while ensuring excellence through a transparent accreditation system and enhanced institutional autonomy.

The 2018 HECI Bill: Key Provisions and Why It Stalled

  • The government’s first attempt to replace the UGC came through the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, 2018. 
  • It proposed a new commission with a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and 12 members appointed by the Centre. 
  • Since the Bill did not merge AICTE and NCTE, their chairpersons were included as members.
  • The 2018 draft limited HECI’s powers to setting academic standards and granting autonomy while leaving funding authority with the Ministry of Human Resource Development. 
  • It also planned an advisory council headed by the HRD Minister and comprising state higher education council heads.
  • However, the Bill drew criticism for potentially centralising authority and creating excessive overregulation. 
  • Following strong pushback during public consultations, it was shelved and revisited for alignment with the NEP 2020 framework.

Opposition to HECI: Concerns Over Centralisation and Autonomy

  • Fears of Excessive Centralisation
    • Critics argue that the HECI framework concentrates too much authority with the Union government. 
    • The 2018 Bill shifted UGC’s financial powers to the MHRD, raising concerns that universities could lose autonomy and become dependent on central directives.
  • Lack of Diverse Representation
    • Opposition leaders objected to the commission’s composition. 
    • They noted the absence of representation from disadvantaged groups — women, Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, minorities, and persons with disabilities — while industry stakeholders were prominently included.
  • Apprehensions From States
    • The then CM of Tamil Nadu warned that centralised funding could lead to biased resource allocation. 
    • He feared that replacing UGC grants with ministry-controlled funding might shift to a 60:40 Centre-state share, reducing states’ financial autonomy.
  • Parliamentary Panel’s Warning
    • A parliamentary standing committee flagged “excess centralisation” concerns. 
    • The panel noted that while multiple regulators create inconsistency, the proposed HECI model risks trapping state universities between national and state rules, with insufficient state representation in decision-making.
  • Overall Concern
    • Across political and academic circles, the prevailing worry is that HECI could weaken federalism, dilute institutional autonomy, and marginalise key stakeholders in higher education governance.

Source: IE | IT

Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is the Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025?

Ans: It is a proposed legislation to merge UGC, AICTE and NCTE into a single higher education regulator, as recommended by NEP 2020, to streamline governance and standards.

Q2: Why is the HECI Bill being introduced now?

Ans: Five years after NEP 2020 suggested regulatory unification, the government is pushing the Bill to modernise oversight, reduce overlaps and improve accountability in higher education.

Q3: What are the four verticals proposed under HECI?

Ans: HECI will include NHERC for regulation, NAC for accreditation, GEC for learning outcomes, and HEGC for grants, though funding may remain with the government.

Q4: Why did the earlier 2018 HECI Bill fail?

Ans: The 2018 Bill faced criticism for centralising power, excluding key stakeholders, and removing UGC's funding role, prompting the government to withdraw it for revision

Q5: What are major concerns about the new HECI structure?

Ans: Opposition parties fear excessive centralisation, limited state representation, weakened federalism, and potential constraints on university autonomy and equitable resource distribution.

Amylotropic Lateral Sclerosis

November 27, 2025
Amylotropic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Latest News

A research paper highlighted that the number of cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the world will increase from 222,801 in 2015 to 376,674 in 2040, representing an increase of 69%. 

About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

  • It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects muscle movement. 
  • It can occur at any age but symptoms commonly develop between the age of 55 and 75, with men more than women likely to develop the condition.
  • Causes: In few people with ALS, a genetic cause can be identified. For the rest, the cause is not known.

How does ALS Affect the Body?

  • In people with ALS, the motor neurons degenerate and die and messages sent by the brain do not reach the muscles which results in muscle atrophy (lose strength and become weak).
  • Eventually, the brain loses control over voluntary movements including walking, chewing and even breathing, as the condition progresses. 

Symptoms and Progression of ALS

  • It includes muscle twitches in the arms, leg, shoulders or tongue; muscle cramps;
  • Tightness or stiffness of muscles; muscle weakness in a limb or the neck; and difficulty in chewing or swallowing. 

Treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

  • There is no treatment to reverse nerve degeneration, but some therapy may help to delay progression.
  • A treatment would include physical, occupational and speech therapy to improve quality of life. 

Source: TH

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis FAQs

Q1: Which type of neurons are affected in ALS?

Ans: Motor neurons

Q2: What is another name for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

Ans: Lou Gehrig's disease

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