UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 23 September 2025

River Pollution in India – CPCB Shows Marginal Reduction

September 23, 2025

River Pollution Latest News

The CPCB’s latest report shows a marginal reduction in polluted river stretches across India, though several rivers, especially in Maharashtra, remain critically contaminated.

Introduction

Rivers are the lifelines of India, sustaining agriculture, industry, and millions of people.
However, unchecked urbanisation, untreated sewage, and industrial effluents have turned several rivers into highly polluted water bodies.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) regularly monitors river health, measuring biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels to identify polluted stretches.
- BOD measures the oxygen consumed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water, serving as a key indicator of organic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Its latest report indicates a marginal reduction in the number of polluted river stretches across India, though concerns remain about severely contaminated segments.

River Pollution in India

River pollution in India has been a persistent challenge, with most urban centres discharging untreated sewage directly into rivers.
Industrial units, despite regulations, contribute chemical pollutants, while agricultural runoff adds pesticides and fertilisers.
According to CPCB, a polluted river stretch is defined as two or more consecutive locations on a river where BOD levels exceed 3 mg/L, rendering water unfit for bathing.
Major Causes
- Untreated sewage - Cities generate over 72,000 MLD of sewage, of which only about 30% is treated.
- Industrial effluents - Chemical and textile hubs like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu release toxic waste.
- Agricultural runoff - Fertilisers and pesticides flow into rivers during monsoons.
- Encroachments and sand mining - These degrade river ecosystems and floodplains.
Impact
- Decline in aquatic biodiversity.
- Unsafe drinking and bathing water, leading to waterborne diseases.
- Economic loss to fisheries and agriculture.
- Social unrest, as seen in protests around rivers like the Yamuna and Ganga.
The Ganga, Yamuna, Sabarmati, Godavari, and Musi are among India’s most polluted rivers, with stretches frequently falling into the CPCB’s “Priority I” category, meaning they require immediate remediation.

News Summary: CPCB’s Latest Findings

Marginal Improvement
- According to CPCB’s 2023 report, the number of polluted river stretches decreased from 311 to 296, covering 271 rivers across 32 states and Union Territories.
Most Affected States
- Maharashtra continues to top the list with 54 polluted stretches.
- Kerala (31), Madhya Pradesh and Manipur (18 each), and Karnataka (14) also reported significant pollution.
Priority Classifications
- Priority I (BOD > 30 mg/L) - 37 stretches, down from 46 in 2022. These include the Yamuna in Delhi, the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, the Chambal in Madhya Pradesh, and stretches of the Tungabhadra and Sarabanga.
- Priority V (BOD 3.1–6 mg/L) - Indicating less polluted stretches needing minimal intervention.
Rivers Showing Deterioration
- Despite marginal progress overall, certain rivers recorded worsening conditions.
- These include Jhelum (J&K), Ganga and Sikrahna (Bihar), Hasdeo and Mahanadi (Chhattisgarh), Cauvery and Tungabhadra (Karnataka), Periyar (Kerala), and Krishna (Telangana).
Long-Term Monitoring
- CPCB, in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards, monitors water quality at over 4,700 locations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme.
Institutional Interventions
- Following a 2018 directive by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), states are mandated to prepare river rejuvenation action plans.
- The current CPCB report emphasises catchment management, sewage treatment, and floodplain protection as critical measures for reducing river pollution.

Challenges in River Rejuvenation

Infrastructure gaps - Sewage treatment plants (STPs) are under-capacity or non-functional in many cities.
Coordination failures - Overlapping jurisdictions between CPCB, State Boards, and local authorities hinder accountability.
Funding and monitoring - Many state-level action plans lack financial backing and robust evaluation.
Urbanisation pressures - Continuous encroachments and waste generation outpace clean-up efforts.

Future Outlook

While the marginal reduction in polluted stretches offers cautious optimism, India’s river rejuvenation efforts must scale up significantly.
Initiatives like the Namami Gange Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, and the push for decentralised sewage treatment are steps in the right direction.
However, tackling agricultural runoff, enforcing industrial compliance, and engaging communities will be crucial for sustainable outcomes.

Source: TH | IE

River Pollution FAQs

Q1: What is a polluted river stretch according to CPCB?

Ans: A polluted river stretch is defined as two or more consecutive river locations where BOD levels exceed 3 mg/L.

Q2: How many polluted river stretches were identified in CPCB’s latest report?

Ans: The CPCB identified 296 polluted river stretches across 271 rivers in 2023.

Q3: Which state has the highest number of polluted river stretches?

Ans: Maharashtra reported the highest number with 54 polluted river stretches.

Q4: What does the Priority I category mean in CPCB’s classification?

Ans: Priority I includes stretches with BOD exceeding 30 mg/L, marking them as the most polluted and in need of urgent action.

Q5: What measures has the CPCB recommended to address river pollution?

Ans: The CPCB has recommended sewage treatment, catchment and basin management, and floodplain protection.

SEBI Proposal May Allow FPIs to Trade in Gold, Silver and Base Metals

September 23, 2025

FPI Commodity Trading Latest News

SEBI is reviewing a proposal to let foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) trade in non-cash settled, non-agricultural commodity derivatives.
If approved, FPIs could invest in gold, silver, zinc, and other base metals, expanding investor participation and deepening India’s commodity market.

Commodity Derivatives: An Overview

Commodity derivatives are financial contracts linked to physical commodities like oil, gold, or wheat.
They help participants manage price risks or profit from market movements.

How They Work

Underlying Asset: Value is derived from commodities such as farm produce, energy, or metals.
Financial Contracts: Parties agree on future transactions at fixed prices and quantities.
Price Fluctuation: Contract value changes with commodity price movements.

Purpose and Use

Hedging: Producers and consumers secure prices to avoid losses from volatility.
Speculation: Traders invest to profit from expected price changes.

Key Types of Contracts

Futures: Binding contracts to buy/sell at a fixed price on a future date.
Options: Provide the right, not obligation, to transact at a set price within a period.

Underlying Commodities

Agricultural: Wheat, corn, cotton, coffee.
Energy: Crude oil, natural gas.
Metals: Gold, silver, copper, aluminum.

SEBI’s Proposal: FPI Entry into Commodity Derivatives

SEBI is reviewing a proposal to allow foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to trade in non-cash settled, non-agricultural commodity derivatives, including metals.
While a committee is already working on strengthening the agricultural commodities segment, a separate group will be set up to develop the non-agricultural space.
The move follows SEBI’s recent approval of a single automatic window for foreign investors, even as FPIs have offloaded over ₹60,000 crore in equities since July 2025.

Current Commodity Trading Rules for Foreign Investors

In India, commodities traded on exchanges are divided into hard commodities (metals and energy) and soft commodities (agricultural and processed products).
Presently, foreign investors are allowed to trade only in cash-settled non-agricultural contracts, such as natural gas, crude oil, and index-based futures and options.
However, they are barred from trading in ferrous metals, base metals, and precious metals under current regulations.

Expanded Trading Access for FPIs

With the proposed regulatory changes, FPIs will be allowed to trade in physically settled non-agricultural commodities such as gold, silver, zinc, and lead.
This expansion, covering base and ferrous metals along with precious metals, will give FPIs access to markets where India is a significant global player.
Experts suggest this move will enhance capital efficiency and provide investors with broader opportunities, especially in commodities like gold and silver.

Why SEBI Wants FPIs in Non-Cash Commodities

Allowing FPIs in non-cash, non-agricultural commodities aims to deepen India’s commodity markets and improve price discovery.
With their financial strength and research capabilities, FPIs can boost liquidity, especially in longer-duration contracts where trading is currently weak.
This would help industrial users hedge more effectively and reduce costs from monthly rollovers.
Greater participation could also encourage Indian corporates to hedge domestically instead of relying on international exchanges.
SEBI’s push reflects the need for stronger, more liquid markets amid global geopolitical uncertainties.

Source: IE | BS

FPI Commodity Trading FAQs

Q1: What is SEBI’s new proposal for FPIs?

Ans: SEBI is reviewing a proposal to allow foreign portfolio investors to trade in non-cash settled, non-agricultural commodities like gold, silver, zinc, and lead.

Q2: What are commodity derivatives?

Ans: Commodity derivatives are financial contracts whose value is tied to physical commodities like oil, gold, or wheat, helping participants hedge risks or profit from price movements.

Q3: What are FPIs currently allowed to trade in India?

Ans: At present, FPIs can only trade in cash-settled non-agricultural contracts such as crude oil, natural gas, and index futures or options.

Q4: How will expanded access benefit FPIs?

Ans: The new regulations will let FPIs trade in physically settled metals, improving capital efficiency, boosting liquidity, and giving access to India’s strong gold and silver markets.

Q5: Why does SEBI want FPIs in non-cash commodities?

Ans: SEBI aims to deepen markets, improve price discovery, and help corporates hedge domestically. Increased FPI participation ensures liquidity in longer-duration contracts.

GST 2.0 – Rate Rationalisation and Structural Reforms

September 23, 2025

GST 2.0 Latest News

The Goods and Services Tax (GST), India’s landmark indirect tax reform launched in July 2017, has undergone multiple tweaks.
The latest round of reforms, effective September 22, 2025, termed “GST Bachat Utsav” by the Prime Minister of India, aims at simplifying the rate structure.
This will resolve classification disputes, correct inverted duty structures, and boost household consumption.

Key Features of GST 2.0

Rate rationalisation:
- Transition from a 4-slab system (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to a 2-slab system -
  - Merit rate: 5% (516 items, mostly food items, agricultural machinery, medical devices).
  - Standard rate: 18% (640 items, industrial goods, small cars, bikes).
Special slabs:
- 0.25% for rough diamonds, semi-precious stones.
- 1.5% for cut and polished diamonds.
- 3% for precious metals like gold, silver, pearls.
- 40% for sin/de-merit goods like pan masala, tobacco, aerated beverages, yachts, luxury cars.
- 12% slab abolished, except for bricks (retained under special composition scheme).
Services covered: Exemptions and cuts -
- Life and health insurance – exempted from GST (earlier 18%).
- Hotels with per day tariff rate of below or equal to Rs 7,500 have seen a cut in GST rate to 5% without ITC (input tax credit) from 12% with ITC earlier.
- Salons, spas, wellness services – reduced from 18% to 5%.
Passing benefits to consumers:
- The Finance Ministry has asked its officers in the field to compile monthly data reports on price change of commodities pre and post-GST rate rationalisation.
- These reports will be compiled by the Ministry for the next six months in a bid to ensure that the benefits get passed on to the consumers.

Economic Rationale of GST 2.0

Boost to household consumption:
- Lower GST rates are expected to increase disposable income, spur demand, and incentivise investments.
- The government aims to offset revenue loss from cuts on over 375 items through higher consumption.
Correcting Inverted Duty Structure (IDS):
- IDS occurs when the input tax rate (on raw materials or services) is higher than the output tax rate (on the finished product), leading to capital blockage.
- Example: If textile fabric attracts a 12% GST (input tax), but the finished garments attract only an 5% GST (output tax), this creates an IDS.
- Relief provided by aligning many inputs and outputs into the same slab.

Implementation and Compliance Reforms

Simplified registration – more technology-driven and time-bound.
Pre-filled returns to minimise manual errors and mismatches.
Automated refund process for exporters and IDS cases.
Amendment to CGST Act 2017 (Section 54(6)): This will provide for 90% provisional refund for IDS cases, similar to zero-rated supplies.

Challenges

Revenue concerns: For Centre and States despite expected consumption boost.
IDS issues: Persist in bicycles, tractors, fertilisers, textiles, corrugated boxes, etc.
Enforcement gap: No legal provision to prevent profiteering, reliance on monitoring only.

Way Forward

Address residual IDS issues and ensure benefit transfer to consumers through stricter anti-profiteering mechanisms.
Strengthen state finances via improved compliance and digital monitoring.
Periodic slab reviews to maintain balance between revenue neutrality and ease of business.
Enhance trust-based compliance by sustaining tech-enabled registration, return filing, and refunds.

Conclusion

GST 2.0 marks a major restructuring of India’s indirect tax regime, focusing on simplification, boosting consumption, and improving compliance.
While it promises relief to households and businesses, addressing challenges will determine the long-term success of these reforms.

Source: IE

GST 2.0 FAQs

Q1: What are the key features of GST 2.0 rate rationalisation?

Ans: GST 2.0 replaces the four-slab system (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) with a simplified two-slab structure — merit rate of 5% and standard rate of 18%.

Q2: How is GST 2.0 expected to boost household consumption and investments?

Ans: By reducing GST rates on over 375 items, GST 2.0 increases disposable income, spurs demand-led consumption, and incentivises private investment.

Q3: What is the issue of Inverted Duty Structure (IDS) under GST?

Ans: IDS occurs when input tax rates exceed output tax, blocking working capital. GST 2.0 has aligned many items into similar slabs.

Q4: What reforms have been proposed in GST 2.0 to simplify compliance for businesses?

Ans: GST 2.0 introduces tech-driven registration, pre-filled returns, automated refunds, etc.

Q5: What challenges remain in the implementation of GST 2.0?

Ans: Persistent IDS in key sectors, absence of strict anti-profiteering provisions, and revenue concerns for Centre and States.

India’s Growing Noise Crisis: Legal Framework, Health Impact, and Solutions

September 23, 2025

Noise Pollution in India Latest News

Noise has silently emerged as a serious yet under-recognised health threat in Indian cities.
Though legally identified as an air pollutant under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and medically linked to hypertension, sleep disorders, stress, and cognitive decline that reduce life expectancy, it continues to be neglected.
Despite its dual recognition, India has made little investment in systematic monitoring or data collection to gauge the scale of the problem.

Legal Framework for Noise Pollution in India

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, noise is defined as unwanted sound.
While sound that pleases is considered music, any sound that causes pain, irritation, or annoyance qualifies as noise.

Legal Provisions

Under Section 2(a) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, noise is classified as an air pollutant.
Noise regulation is governed by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
These rules outline permissible noise levels, designate silence zones, and impose restrictions on loudspeakers, horns, construction equipment, and firecrackers.
They also assign enforcement responsibilities to authorities.

Permissible Noise Limits

The Rules define acceptable noise levels by area and time:
- Industrial Areas: 75 dB during the day, 70 dB at night.
- Commercial Areas: 65 dB during the day, 55 dB at night.
- Residential Areas: 55 dB during the day, 45 dB at night.
- Silence Zones (100 metres around hospitals, schools, and courts): 50 dB during the day, 40 dB at night.
  - Daytime is defined as 6 am to 10 pm, and nighttime as 10 pm to 6 am. These thresholds aim to protect health and ensure civic order.

The Heavy Toll of Urban Noise

Indian towns and cities regularly face noise levels well above safe limits.
While the WHO recommends daytime exposure below 55 dB and India’s rules set similar thresholds, traffic corridors often cross 70 dB.
Because noise intensity rises tenfold with every 10 dB increase, this exposure is far more damaging than it appears.
The worst impact is borne by vulnerable groups such as street vendors, delivery workers, traffic police, and residents of informal settlements.
For these groups, constant urban noise is not just an irritation but a daily occupational hazard that undermines health and well-being.

Why Noise Pollution Remains Unchecked

India’s noise crisis persists due to three systemic failures.
First, inadequate monitoring leaves policymakers blind, as noise data remains sporadic and incomplete compared to air quality tracking.
Second, weak enforcement and cultural acceptance of noisy practices prevent meaningful action.
Third, fragmented governance — split between pollution boards, municipalities, and police — dilutes responsibility and limits accountability.
As a result, symbolic steps like honking bans or festival crackdowns fail to address the deeper structural causes, leaving noise pollution an unaddressed public health crisis.

Tackling Noise Pollution: The Way Forward

Addressing noise pollution requires treating it on par with air and water pollution through evidence-based, public-health-focused interventions.
Monitoring must be expanded with real-time sensors and machine learning to identify sources like traffic, construction, and industry.
Health studies should track noise exposure near schools, hospitals, and low-income areas.
Urban planning must integrate noise mitigation with green buffers, zoning, and sustainable mobility measures such as electric buses and cycling.
Governance reforms should strengthen enforcement, ensure inter-agency coordination, and enhance accountability.
Finally, community engagement is vital—awareness campaigns and partnerships with local leaders can help shift cultural norms while ensuring inclusive solutions.

Noise as a Public Health Equity Issue

The fight against noise pollution must prioritise equity, as those most exposed often lack the means to shield themselves.
Quiet living conditions should be a universal right, not a luxury. India’s experience with air pollution shows how neglect worsens harm and deepens inequality.
Noise is already recognised as an air pollutant, but effective action demands stronger political and civic will.
By embedding noise control into clean-air agendas, urban planning, and public health strategies, India can safeguard lives, protect vulnerable communities, and uphold the fundamental right to quiet.

Source: IE | IE | IE

Noise pollution in India FAQs

Q1: What is the legal definition of noise pollution in India?

Ans: Noise is defined by the Central Pollution Control Board as unwanted sound that causes irritation, pain, or annoyance, making it a recognised air pollutant.

Q2: What are the permissible noise limits under Indian law?

Ans: The Noise Pollution Rules set limits: 75 dB in industrial areas, 65 dB in commercial, 55 dB in residential, and 50 dB in silence zones during the day.

Q3: Why is urban noise a serious health threat in India?

Ans: Indian cities often exceed 70 dB, far above safe limits, leading to hypertension, stress, cognitive decline, and shortened life expectancy among vulnerable populations.

Q4: What systemic failures keep noise pollution unchecked?

Ans: Weak monitoring, poor enforcement, and fragmented governance dilute accountability, while symbolic actions like honking bans fail to address structural causes.

Q5: What measures can effectively tackle noise pollution?

Ans: Solutions include real-time monitoring, noise-sensitive urban planning, green buffers, electric mobility, stricter enforcement, and community-driven awareness campaigns.