GS Paper III · Environment
Waste Management Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)
From the syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why it matters: Examiners test policy implementation regarding extended producer responsibility, segregation at source, and circular economy models for plastic, electronic, and municipal solid waste.
In the news
September 2026
20 Sep 2026
INCOIS to Deploy AI and Satellite Sensing for Marine Litter HotspotsThe Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is deploying artificial intelligence and satellite remote sensing to identify and track marine litter hotspots across Indian coastal waters. The initiative aims to map...
17 Sep 2026
Study highlights severe waste treatment deficit in Sikkim and Himalayan regionA new baseline environmental study reported that Sikkim's urban sewerage infrastructure lags significantly behind national benchmarks, despite the state's positive environmental reputation. The report noted that processing plants,...
02 Sep 2026
Global Report Emphasises Urgency of Rural Waste ManagementA report by the United Nations Environment Programme revealed that approximately 2.7 billion people globally lack solid waste collection services, with 2 billion living in rural areas. In India, uncollected rural waste frequently leads...
01 Sep 2026
Addressing Rural Solid Waste Infrastructure DeficitsFindings by the UN Environment Programme indicate that out of 2.7 billion people globally lacking waste collection, 2 billion live in rural areas. In India, uncollected rural waste leads to open burning and land pollution, severely...
August 2026
24 Aug 2026
Feedstock Sourcing Becomes Critical Lever for Compressed Bio-Gas ScalingIndustry experts highlighted that securing reliable feedstock sourcing is the most vital step to scale India's Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) ecosystem. Primary feedstocks such as agricultural residues (paddy and wheat straw), press mud from...
23 Aug 2026
Assam Uses Biochar from Invasive Plants to Restore Elephant HabitatEnvironmentalists in Assam's Udalguri district have initiated a forest restoration project across two hectares in the Khalingduar Reserve Forest using biochar made from invasive plant species. Supported by the International Elephant...
20 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Urges Household Engagement for Solid Waste ManagementThe Supreme Court of India stated that solid waste management cannot be treated as the sole responsibility of municipal sanitation workers. The apex court urged local authorities and District Collectors to engage households and...
July 2026
30 Jul 2026
Coal Ministry Pushes for Circular Economy via Scientific Mine ClosuresThe Ministry of Coal has announced plans to scientifically close more than 105 mines in the coming years, building on 42 mine closures completed over the past two years. These closures present new opportunities to integrate former...
19 Jul 2026
WRI Launches Tool to Track Urban Food Waste EmissionsThe World Resources Institute (WRI) has developed an Excel-based tool designed to help Indian cities, businesses, and resident associations quantify and reduce greenhouse gas emissions arising from food waste. The tool estimates carbon...
14 Jul 2026
The Role of Compressed Biogas in India's Energy TransitionWith India importing nearly 85 percent of its crude oil, the government is highlighting compressed biogas (CBG) as a crucial alternative for domestic energy security. Despite several national initiatives, progress in the biogas sector...
Practise Waste Management
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 13).
Question 1 of 10
The CSIR-NEERI report on 'next-generation joined firecrackers' submitted to the Supreme Court highlights which of the following advantages over conventional crackers?
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.