GS Paper I · Physical Geography
Glaciers & Ice Caps Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper I)
From the syllabus: Salient features of world's physical geography; important geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclone; changes in critical geographical features including water-bodies and ice-caps
Why it matters: Examiners analyze cryosphere melting patterns and outburst hazards to evaluate your grasp of sea level trends, freshwater availability, and climate-induced alpine changes.
In the news
October 2026
03 Oct 2026
Nepal plans to drain four critical glacial lakesFollowing devastating flash floods, Nepal has announced plans to drain four highly vulnerable glacial lakes to prevent Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The complex engineering project, which will use gated discharge structures, is...
September 2026
14 Sep 2026
Glacial Outburst Floods Threaten Himalayan Infrastructure in NepalDevastating glacier triggered floods in Nepal trapped hydropower workers underground and destroyed regional infrastructure. The disaster underlines the growing vulnerability of high altitude critical infrastructure to climate-induced...
06 Sep 2026
High-Altitude Rock-Ice Avalanches Trigger Fatal Floods in NepalA massive ice and rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border triggered a catastrophic flash flood within minutes, causing widespread loss of life and devastation downstream. Scientists noted that the sudden failure of mountain slopes...
04 Sep 2026
Home Ministry Reviews Himalayan Preparedness for Glacial Lake Outburst FloodsThe Union Home Secretary chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of Himalayan States against Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The Home Ministry urged States to transition from a purely response-oriented strategy to...
August 2026
29 Aug 2026
Nepal Glacial Outburst Triggers Transboundary FloodsDevastating flash floods in Nepal, triggered by a glacier collapse and ice-rock avalanche, have caused severe loss of life and displaced thousands across border regions. Monitoring agencies confirmed the formation of new glacial lakes...
28 Aug 2026
Climate Outbursts and Western Disturbances Trigger Nepal Flash FloodsSevere flash floods and glacial lake outburst risks in Nepal have claimed over 389 lives and stranded hundreds of Indian pilgrims. Satellite imagery revealed new lakes forming upstream of the Bhotekoshi River due to extreme rainfall...
Practise Glaciers & Ice Caps
8 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 8
Consider the following statements regarding Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): 1. GLOFs occur when the natural dam holding a glacial lake, often made of unstable moraine or ice, fails catastrophically. 2. The Hindu Kush Himalayan region has seen a decline in the formation of new glacial lakes due to uniform regional cooling. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Mains practice
India's developmental and economic priorities are increasingly shaped by a combination of external geopolitical dynamics, protectionist trade policies, and internal regulatory and ecological challenges. Analyze this statement in light of recent international trade sanctions, global workforce visa policies, and trans-boundary ecological vulnerabilities in the Himalayan region.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.