Smog and Acid Rain — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
Delhi-NCR Grapples with 'Severe' Air Quality as GRAP Stage IV Implemented
November 2024During the winter months of 2024, Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) once again faced a severe air pollution crisis, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently crossing the 'severe' and 'severe plus' categories. This led to the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which included a ban on non-essential construction, entry of trucks, and even restrictions on private vehicles. The crisis highlighted the persistent challenges of stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution, exacerbated by adverse meteorological conditions. This event underscores the ongoing failure to find sustainable, long-term solutions to North India's winter smog, despite policy interventions like NCAP and BS-VI norms.
UPSC Angle: This event is crucial for Mains GS-III (Environment) questions on air pollution, policy effectiveness (NCAP, GRAP), inter-state coordination challenges, and the socio-economic impacts of pollution. For Prelims, questions on GRAP stages, AQI categories, and sources of Delhi's winter pollution are highly probable.
New Study Links Industrial Clusters to Increased Acid Deposition in Eastern India
March 2025A recent study published in an environmental science journal has identified specific industrial clusters in Eastern India, particularly around coal-fired power plants and metallurgical industries, as significant hotspots for increased acid deposition. The research, utilizing satellite data and ground-based monitoring, indicated elevated levels of sulfate and nitrate aerosols in precipitation, leading to localized acid rain with pH levels occasionally dropping below 4.5. This finding raises concerns about potential long-term damage to agricultural lands, freshwater ecosystems, and local infrastructure in these regions, mirroring historical issues seen in developed nations.
UPSC Angle: This hook is relevant for Mains GS-III (Environment) questions on the regional impacts of industrial pollution, the efficacy of emission standards, and the need for localized mitigation strategies for acid rain. It can also be linked to questions on sustainable industrial development and the role of environmental impact assessments. For Prelims, questions on the chemical precursors of acid rain and their industrial sources, or the pH scale, could be framed.