Prelims Focus 16th October 2025

16/10/2025

168 2 minutes read

Naying hydroelectric project

In News: The Naying Hydroelectric Project is a proposed 1000 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project planned on the Siyom (Yomgo) River in Arunachal Pradesh, India.

It is being implemented by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).
The project includes building a concrete dam, an underground powerhouse, and tunnels, with construction expected to begin around 2028 and commissioning planned for 2032.
Once operational, it is expected to generate approximately 4,966.77 GWh of electricity annually.
The environmental public hearing for this project is scheduled for November 12 in the Shi-Yomi district at the Yapik community hall.
This hearing invites the local public affected by the project to participate and voice concerns.
The project has faced delays due to environmental and social considerations, including the diversion of substantial forest land and the impact on tens of thousands of trees.
It is part of a broader hydro power mission in Arunachal Pradesh aiming to contribute to India’s net-zero goals and regional development by attracting investments and creating jobs.

Astra Mark 2 Missile

In News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working to extend the range of its Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile to over 200 kilometers, a significant increase from its previous range of around 160 kilometers.

This upgrade aims to enhance India’s indigenous beyond visual range (BVR) air combat capabilities, providing Indian fighter jets like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas with the ability to engage adversaries from much longer distances, thereby improving strategic aerial combat advantages.
The Astra Mark 2 is an advanced version of the Astra Mark 1 missile.
It features a dual-pulse rocket motor that increases its range and speed (around Mach 4.5), along with an indigenous radio frequency seeker and advanced guidance systems.
The missile retains characteristics that help it target highly maneuverable enemy aircraft while being resistant to electronic countermeasures.
The Indian Air Force plans to procure about 700 units of the Astra Mark 2 to integrate with its fighter fleet, strengthening India’s defense self-reliance and reducing dependence on imported missiles.

India Elected to UN Human Rights Council

In News: Next year, India will begin a three-year term (2026-28) in the Human Rights Council.

The United Nations has an intergovernmental organization called the Human Rights Council, which has 47 members.
In 2006, India was elected to its first term by the General Assembly, and this was the time the Council was formed.
It advances and defends human rights all over the world, surveys the state of affairs in the member states and offers a platform to discuss the matter.
The previous commission of the United Nations on human rights was replaced by the Human Rights Council.
They are held every year through elections. The five UN regional groups are also fairly distributed with one-third of members being renewed annually.

Tipping Point

In News: In the Global Tipping Points Report 2025, warm-water coral reefs are described as the first climate tipping point on the globe.

A climate tipping point is a level of global temperature beyond which the slightest change will cause a self-reinforcing and even irreversible change in a natural system.
In the case of coral reefs, this mark is predicted to be within 1degC and 1.5 °C of warming.
When surpassed, the reefs may easily deteriorate resulting in bleaching, death of corals and conversion of ecosystems to algae-based ones.