What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

They might ask about the 'BP Das Committee' recommending '28' projects, but the final decision was for only '7'. Another trap could be confusing the 'Alaknanda and Bhagirathi' basins with other Himalayan river basins like the Beas or Sutlej.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Number of permitted hydroelectric projects (7) and their approximate total capacity (~2159 MW). 2. Target this Nodal Body: The Supreme Court (suo motu case) and the Ministries of Jal Shakti and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (joint affidavit). 3. Target this Legal Point: The concept of 'cumulative impact assessment' versus per-project assessment in environmental clearances.

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News 15 of 33

Centre Permits Only 7 Hydroelectric Projects in Upper Ganga Basin, Citing Geological Fragility & Cumulative Impact

Q: Which ministries filed the joint affidavit to the Supreme Court stating the Centre's position on hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga?

Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, The article explicitly mentions that the 'Jal Shakti and the Environment, Forest and Climate Change ministries filed a joint affidavit on behalf of the Union Government.'

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Centre's affidavit on hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga: 1. The Centre is not in favour of permitting any new hydroelectric projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins. 2. Only seven projects, which are either commissioned or in advanced stages, will be permitted to proceed. 3. The decision was based solely on the recommendations of the 2014 committee chaired by Ravi Chopra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct as per the Centre's affidavit. Statement 2 is correct as the affidavit lists seven specific projects. Statement 3 is incorrect; the decision was based on inter-ministerial consultations and revisiting multiple committee reports, including the 2020 BP Das committee report, not solely the 2014 Ravi Chopra committee.

Q: According to the Centre's affidavit, what is the approximate total capacity (in MW) of the seven hydroelectric projects permitted in the upper Ganga basin?

Approximately 2159 MW, The seven permitted projects are Tehri Stage-II (1000 MW), Tapovan Vishnugad (520 MW), Vishnugad Pipalkoti (444 MW), Signoli Bhatwari (99 MW), Phata Byung (76 MW), Madhmaheshwar (15 MW) and Kaliganga-II (4.5 MW). Summing these gives approximately 2159.5 MW.

Q: What was the primary rationale cited by the Centre for restricting new hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga basin?

To prioritize the geological fragility and ecological integrity of the region, The affidavit highlights the 'geological and ecological integrity' of the basins, their location in Seismic Zones IV & V, disaster history, and the need to maintain the river's environmental flow and biodiversity. Financial, international, or local company concerns are not cited as the primary rationale.

Environment PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

20 May 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:7 projects permittedTotal capacity ~2159 MWSeismic Zones IV & VKedarnath floods 2013

Bodies:Supreme CourtMinistry of Jal ShaktiMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The Union Government filed a joint affidavit in the Supreme Court stating it is not in favour of permitting any new hydroelectric projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River basins in Uttarakhand.

2.Only seven projects, which are either commissioned or in advanced construction stages, will be permitted. These are Tehri Stage-II (1000 MW), Tapovan Vishnugad (520 MW), Vishnugad Pipalkoti (444 MW), Signoli Bhatwari (99 MW), Phata Byung (76 MW), Madhmaheshwar (15 MW) and Kaliganga-II (4.5 MW).

3.The decision was based on inter-ministerial consultations and a review of expert committee reports, highlighting the region's geological fragility (Seismic Zones IV & V), disaster history (Kedarnath floods), and the need to protect the river's e-flow and biodiversity.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The Centre has decided against allowing any new hydroelectric projects in the upper reaches of the Ganga River basin in Uttarakhand, except for seven existing projects. This decision, submitted to the Supreme Court, prioritizes the geological and ecological integrity of the fragile Himalayan region over hydropower development.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Number of Projects Permitted7

Total Capacity (MW) of Permitted ProjectsApproximately 2159 MW

River Basins AffectedAlaknanda and Bhagirathi

StateUttarakhand

Key CommitteeExpert Body-II (BP Das Committee)

Key EventKedarnath floods (2013)

1-Minute Revision

›Number of Projects Permitted: 7
›Total Capacity (MW) of Permitted Projects: Approximately 2159 MW
›Target this Data: Number of permitted hydroelectric projects (7) and their approximate total capacity (~2159 MW).
›Target this Nodal Body: The Supreme Court (suo motu case) and the Ministries of Jal Shakti and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (joint affidavit).
›Target this Legal Point: The concept of 'cumulative impact assessment' versus per-project assessment in environmental clearances.

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News Snapshot

⚖️

Judicial Oversight

The Supreme Court has been examining the issue of hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga basin since 2013, following the Kedarnath floods.

🏔️

Ecological Priority

The Centre cited the Ganga's unique river system, its religious-cultural importance, and the geological vulnerabilities of the Himalayan region as reasons for the decision.

📊

Policy Reversal

The current decision reverses the stance of a 2020 expert committee (BP Das) which had recommended allowing 28 projects.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The debate over hydroelectric projects in the ecologically sensitive upper Ganga basin has been ongoing since the devastating Kedarnath floods of 2013. The Supreme Court took a suo motu cognizance and imposed a moratorium, leading to the formation of multiple expert committees to assess the environmental and geological impacts of such projects.

Core Analysis & Implications

The Centre's affidavit represents a significant policy shift, prioritizing long-term ecological security over immediate energy generation. It acknowledges the 'cumulative impact' of multiple projects, which earlier committees had assessed per megawatt, thus underestimating the total damage. This approach aligns with sustainable development principles and reflects lessons learned from past disasters in the fragile Himalayas.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

This decision sets a precedent for evaluating infrastructure projects in ecologically fragile zones, emphasizing a holistic assessment of cumulative impacts. It may influence similar debates in other Himalayan states. The permitted seven projects will now operate under 'strict compliance with all applicable statutory provisions and environmental safeguards', setting a higher benchmark for existing projects.

Key Facts at a Glance

Number of Projects Permitted7

Total Capacity (MW) of Permitted ProjectsApproximately 2159 MW

River Basins AffectedAlaknanda and Bhagirathi

StateUttarakhand

Key CommitteeExpert Body-II (BP Das Committee)

Key EventKedarnath floods (2013)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which ministries filed the joint affidavit to the Supreme Court stating the Centre's position on hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga?

Q2Statement-basedMediumUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Centre's affidavit on hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga:

1. The Centre is not in favour of permitting any new hydroelectric projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins.

2. Only seven projects, which are either commissioned or in advanced stages, will be permitted to proceed.

3. The decision was based solely on the recommendations of the 2014 committee chaired by Ravi Chopra.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricHardUPSC, SSC

According to the Centre's affidavit, what is the approximate total capacity (in MW) of the seven hydroelectric projects permitted in the upper Ganga basin?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What was the primary rationale cited by the Centre for restricting new hydroelectric projects in the upper Ganga basin?

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Centre Permits Only 7 Hydroelectric Projects in Upper Ganga Basin, Citing Geological Fragility & Cumulative Impact

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Judicial Oversight

Ecological Priority

Policy Reversal

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance