Keeping the upcoming competitive exams in 2026, which include current affairs, in mind, the Sankalp Institute has put together this article highlighting all significant places in the news from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. It presents key events and locations across India, helping aspirants quickly understand what matters for the exam.
1. Demchok (Ladakh)
Demchok is an important border settlement with high strategic relevance situated in the eastern region of Ladakh just south of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which separates India from China. It is positioned near to the Charding Ninglung Nullah, a major tributary of the Indus River. The climatic conditions in Demchok are classified as extremely cold desert due to its high elevation of over 4,300 metres and therefore sparse vegetation. Additionally, the geography of this area places it in an extremely high-altitude environment within the Trans-Himalayas; logistics, troop movements and deployment become increasingly complicated due to access issues. The area has long been the source of disagreement as a friction point between both India and China based upon their differing assessments of what the LAC is, and has been one of the more prominent topics on military and diplomatic engagement discussions since the 2020 standoff. Border infrastructure, surveillance capabilities and boundary disputes based upon watercourses are major factors in Himalayan geopolitics.
2. Ana Sagar Lake (Rajasthan - Ajmer)
Ana Sagar Lake is a man-made freshwater lake located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It was created in 1135 AD by Anaji, a ruler from the Chauhan dynasty. The lake was created by utilizing several tributaries to the Luni River to dam them into a large reservoir of water; the reservoir illustrates the advanced technology and engineering used during the medieval period for harvesting water in semi-arid areas. Although Ana Sagar Lake is a critical water resource in Ajmer for urban uses, it is also heavily influenced by urbanisation and associated watercourse pollution, through the processes of eutrophication (where nutrients in the form of phosphates and nitrates enlarge algal populations) and the subsequent consequence of increasing low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water due to untreated domestic sewage, agricultural runoff and non-point source pollution entering the waterway. There are issues resulting from the siltation, which has adversely affected the lake's storage capacity as an urban flood event. Restoration plans are being implemented and continue to emphasise the need for desilting, continuous protection of the lake’s catchment area, and the construction and installation of sewage interceptors.
3. Bangus Valley (Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir)
Located in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Bangus Valley is a high elevation alpine meadow ecosystem with an elevation of approximately 3000-3500 metres. Situated close to the Line of Control (LoC), it serves a critical strategic and security purpose as well. Situated in a region classified as a larger biodiversity hotspot of the Himalayas, the Valley supports alpine grasses, mixed coniferous forest types, and numerous species of rare medicinal plants. The Valley also acts as a seasonal grazing area and the location of a natural watershed that helps with the seasonal regulation of local hydrology. As a means to promote the livelihoods of local communities by facilitating limited/controlled tourism, "controlled tourism" has been developed to mitigate ecological degradation and reflect a "model of security-sensitive sustainable development in the border landscapes".
4. Dhanauri Wetland (Gautam Buddh Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh)
Dhanauri Wetland is an extremely important freshwater wetland within Gautam Buddh Nagar District in Uttar Pradesh that serves as a critical breeding and feeding habitat for the world's largest flying bird species, the Sarus Crane (Grus antigone). It also serves as a source for the recharge of the aquifer and helps to moderate flooding within the rapidly developing communities of the Upper Ganga Plain. Current ecological threats to Dhanauri Wetland include encroachment, solid waste dumping, and changes in drainage patterns. Current conservation initiatives are focused on habitat protection, buffer zone management, and community engagement programmes; and they demonstrate the critical role of urban wetlands as a resource of biodiversity and resilience to a changing climate.
5. Petrapole Land Port (West Bengal)
The Petrapole Land Port is located in the North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal, and it is the largest land port in India, accounting for over 60% of all land-based trade (by volume) between India and Bangladesh. The Petrapole Land Port connects to the Benapole Port in Bangladesh and is run by the Land Ports Authority of India. The Petrapole Land Port allows for the transportation of passenger and freight vehicles, textiles, food, and construction materials. Infrastructure modernisation is under an Integrated Check Post framework and includes digitised customs processing, warehousing and passenger terminals. The Petrapole Land Port is vital in establishing and strengthening regional supply chains, providing cross-border connectivity, and enhancing sub-regional economic integration across the eastern part of South Asia and beyond.
6. Guneri Inland Mangrove (Gujarat – Kutch)
Guneri Inland Mangroves are a unique ecological formation that exists about 45 km from the Arabian Sea inside the Kutch District of Gujarat. The reason for the existence of the Guneri Inland Mangroves is due to the saline groundwater conditions present in the Coastal Zone of Gujarat and also due to geological evidence of previous marine ingressions. Guneri Inland Mangroves are comprised primarily of the species Avicennia marina, which function as carbon sinks, aid in the stabilisation of soils in an otherwise arid landscape and contribute to regulating the microclimate within their geographical vicinity. Guneri Inland Mangroves also provide evidence of past and present global climate change, sea-level rise, and the capacity for ecosystems to adapt. Guneri Inland Mangroves provide further insight into how to protect valuable and unique ecosystems like the Guneri Inland Mangrove, as well as how to better use carbon sinks that exist outside of the coastlines.
7. Gairsain City (Uttarakhand)
Gairsain, situated at around 1650 m altitude in the Chamoli district of Uttarkhand, has been designated as the summer capital of Uttarkhand State. In addition, it serves as a symbol of regional equity for the administrative planning process as it is located in between the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. It is home to the Vidhan Sabha Complex and has been planned as a low-density administrative city to alleviate population pressure on the State capital (Dehradun). It faces a number of challenges as a result of natural disasters such as seismic activity and landslides and the outward migration of people from the city. The development of Gairsain additionally illustrates issues related to sustainable governance, infrastructure planning, and demographic stability facing Himalayan Hill States, particularly in terms of its geographical location.
8. Kancha Gachibowli (Telangana – Hyderabad)
Kancha Gachibowli is a strategically located land area adjacent to the Gachibowli and HITEC city IT and Financial corridor in Hyderabad. It is in the Cyberabad Metropolitan Area which has been the site of considerable development throughout India’s expanding digital economy. Urbanization has created ongoing dialogue regarding the environmental impact and allocation of land for urban development purposes, as well as the provision of equitable and accessible land resources for residents. As a result of the higher concentration of commercial uses within this area, it has also experienced a reduction in groundwater supplies. The Kancha Gachibowli example supports the conflict/dualism that exists between economic growth and sustainability/ecological considerations as well as equity in planning practices in urbanized areas.
9. North Sentinel Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
This island is included as part of the Andaman & Nicobar Archipelago where the Sentinelese live, one of the most isolated indigenous peoples in the world. The Government has recognized this island as being under the jurisdiction of The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation 1956, therefore creating restricted access zones around it. In addition to hunting, fishing and gathering, the natives of North Sentinel Island maintain their complete isolation from modern society. Being in an area of high seismic activity, North Sentinel Island sustained very little damage during the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 due to the use of indigenous ecological knowledge for adaptive capacity.
10. Morand – Ganjal Irrigation Project (Madhya Pradesh)
The purpose of The Morand-Ganjal Projects in Madhya Pradesh is to increase access to assured irrigation for dryland farmers via canal systems and reservoirs. The Morand Ganjal Project will provide farmers more access to irrigation methods, support diversification towards less water-demanding crops, provide increased stability in farm incomes, and encourage increased productivity and cropping intensity due to the integration of the Project with the National Irrigation and Water Efficiency Programs. Ultimately, the Morand – Ganjal project will support long-term climate resilient agriculture and long-term water security in Central India through the promotion of the efficient use of water resources and the reduction in dependence on seasonal monsoon rainfall.
11. Haji Pir Pass (Jammu & Kashmir)
Jammu & Kashmir's Haji Pir Pass is found in the Pir Panjal mountain range with an elevation of roughly 2637 m. This pass was once a crucial trade route to connect the Kashmir Valley and the Poonch region before the 1965 war, when it was occupied by the Indian Army. Following the signing of the Tashkent Agreement, it was returned to its rightful owner. Being situated close to the international border line (Line of Control) gives it a major military position for identifying infiltration routes and providing control of vital Himalayan passageways.
12. Jaladam Valley (Andhra Pradesh)
Located in Andhra Pradesh, Jaladam Valley is an irrigated river valley where agriculture and its source of irrigation depend on both surface water systems and ground water extraction. As climate change has changed both our rates of rainfall and our groundwater levels, integrated water management is becoming increasingly popular. In order for us to protect both agricultural production and rural communities within this valley, we need to make use of the most efficient irrigation systems available, implement watershed and appropriate crop diversification practices.
13. Kasampatti Sacred Grove (Tamil Nadu)
The Sacred Grove at Kasampatti (Tamil Nadu, India) is an example of a traditional ecosystem managed by the community and protected by cultural and religious beliefs. Many Sacred Groves are places where climax vegetation has survived and may contain rare, endemic, or medicinal plants. Additionally, Kasampatti provides groundwater recharge, soil conservation, and microclimatic stability for the region. The Sacred Groves serve as biodiversity reservoirs and living demonstrations of conservation rights based on indigenous peoples’ traditional ecological knowledge; they can work in conjunction with officially sanctioned Conservation.
14. Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary (Himachal Pradesh – Mandi)
The Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh and is part of the western Himalayan Ecological Corridor. It consists of the Oak, Deodar, and Rhododendron forest types as well as various wildlife species adapted to the high altitude (above 3000m) microclimate. The Sanctuary also acts as a major water collection area, providing water to several tributaries of the major Himalayan Rivers. The Shikhar Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a location that is subject to severe snowfall, steep slopes and unstable geology, making it an area in need of careful management with respect to tourism and forestry activity.
15. Nainital Lake (Uttarakhand - Nainital)
Natural tectonic lakes are formed by the movement of crustal plates where faults occur in the Lesser Himalayas, and a natural tectonic lake is located in Nainital, Uttarakhand, known as Naini Lake. Naini Lake is also the main source of water and tourism for the community of Nainital, yet due to a variety of factors including rapid urban growth, the release of untreated sewage materials, and the growing number of visitors to Naini Lake, nutrient and sedimentation levels have increased dramatically. In addition to sedimentation and increased nutrient loads, areas adjacent to Naini Lake are also subject to landslides, increasing the danger of disaster. As a result, conservation plans are being created to restore the ecological balance of Naini Lake through cleaning and maintaining its watershed, controlling construction along the adjacent areas, and sustainably managing tourism.
16. 3 Kilo Area Coal Mine (Assam)
The illegal mining practices and environmental degradation associated with the 3 Kilo Area Coal mine in Assam has gained notoriety. Mining methods within the 3 Kilo area are often done in an unscientific manner leading to deforestation, river pollution, and acid mine drainage. These practices are exacerbated by the heavy rains that increase erosion and contamination of waterways. Poor enforcement of local mining laws and inadequate rehabilitation plans create a long-term threat to both the ecosystem and local farmers' livelihoods in Assam's coal mining zone.
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| S.No | Place | State / Location | Why in News / Importance | Key Data & Facts (UPSC Ready) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demchok | Ladakh | India–China border issue | Near LAC, strategic & security relevance |
| 2 | Ana Sagar Lake | Rajasthan (Ajmer) | Conservation & heritage | Artificial lake, built 1135 AD, eutrophication |
| 3 | Bangus Valley | Jammu & Kashmir (Kupwara) | Tourism & infrastructure near LoC | High-altitude meadow, ecological zone, strategic importance |
| 4 | Dhanauri Wetland | Uttar Pradesh | Bird conservation | Sarus Crane (Vulnerable), urban wetland |
| 5 | Petrapole Land Port | West Bengal | India–Bangladesh trade | Largest land port, neighbourhood-first policy |
| 6 | Guneri Inland Mangroves | Gujarat (Kutch) | Unique ecosystem | Inland mangroves, blue carbon, 45 km from coast |
| 7 | Gairsain City | Uttarakhand | Administrative development | Summer capital, regional balance |
| 8 | Kancha Gachibowli | Telangana (Hyderabad) | Urban development debate | IT corridor, land-use & sustainable urban planning |
| 9 | North Sentinel Island | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Protection of isolated tribe | Sentinelese tribe, non-intervention policy |
| 10 | Morand–Ganjal Irrigation Project | Madhya Pradesh | Irrigation development | PMKSY-linked, drought-prone agriculture |
| 11 | Haji Pir Pass | Jammu & Kashmir | Strategic mountain pass | Pir Panjal range, India–Pakistan military history |
| 12 | Jaladam Valley | Andhra Pradesh | Irrigation & agriculture | River valley farming, IWRM relevance |
| 13 | Kasampatti Sacred Grove | Tamil Nadu | Traditional conservation | Community-protected biodiversity hotspot |
| 14 | Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary | Himachal Pradesh (Mandi) | Biodiversity & eco-tourism | Himalayan forest ecosystem, watershed role |
| 15 | Naini Lake | Uttarakhand (Nainital) | Environmental stress | Tectonic lake, tourism pressure |
| 16 | 3 Kilo Area (Coal Mine) | Assam | Mining & safety issues | Coal mining, environmental degradation |