UPSC CSE · Prelims geography
Places in News
Every place that made the news from April to September 2026 — split into India and the world for easy browsing — with its location and why it was in the news. Pick a category from the contents, filter by month, or open any place on the interactive map.
Showing 1–24 of 110 places in India
Region
Agasthyamalai
Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India
The Supreme Court took note of large-scale encroachment in this Western Ghats biosphere reserve straddling Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Jun 2026View on map →City
Ahmedabad
Gujarat, India
India's bid city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games won Cabinet approval.
Jul 2026View on map →Disputed Territory
Aksai Chin
Ladakh, India
India continued to assert its claim over this Ladakh plateau under Chinese control amid the ongoing boundary negotiations. The 25th round of India-China Special Representatives talks reached an eight-point consensus on the boundary question; Aksai Chin remains the disputed core of the western sector, claimed via the Johnson Line and countered by the Macartney-MacDonald Line.
River
Alaknanda River
Uttarakhand, India
The Centre told the Supreme Court it opposes any new hydroelectric project in the Alaknanda-Bhagirathi basin.
May 2026View on map →City
Amaravati
Andhra Pradesh, India
Parliament moved to declare it the state's sole permanent capital, and it also hosted the launch of India's first open-access quantum reference facility.
Apr 2026View on map →Lake
Ana Sagar Lake
Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
The 12th-century artificial lake built by Anaji Chauhan was in the news over lake conservation and urban water management amid pollution, siltation and encroachment pressures.
Aug 2026View on map →Mountain
Aravalli Range
Delhi to Gujarat, India
A multi-state study tied this range to dust storms and air pollution reaching the Indo-Gangetic Plain, spotlighting its ecological role.
Jun 2026View on map →State
Arunachal Pradesh
India
The eastern sector of the boundary dispute follows the McMahon Line here, and the SR talks' consensus covered reopening Himalayan trade points and increasing Kailash Mansarovar Yatra batches.
Aug 2026View on map →State
Assam
Northeast India
The state's floods were the worst in the Northeast, with over 25,000 people in relief camps, while Guwahati battled severe urban flooding.
Jul 2026View on map →Region
Banni Grasslands
Kutch district, Gujarat, India
An NTPC solar project was flagged as an ecological threat to this vast Kutch grassland, a critical habitat for migratory birds. Gujarat released 20 blackbucks into the grassland, a salt-tolerant ecosystem on the edge of the Rann of Kutch known for its rich wildlife.
Disputed Territory
Bara Hoti
Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India
This area was named as the flashpoint of the middle sector in India-China border negotiations.
Jun 2026View on map →River
Bhagirathi River
Uttarakhand, India
The Centre told the Supreme Court it opposes any new hydroelectric project in the Alaknanda-Bhagirathi basin.
May 2026View on map →Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
Odisha, India
A study found microplastics and toxic heavy metals across this Ramsar mangrove site.
May 2026View on map →Heritage Site
Bhojshala
Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India
The protected monument's religious character and management remained under judicial consideration, with archaeological surveys and legal proceedings continuing over its identity as a Saraswati temple versus a mosque.
Aug 2026View on map →Wetland
Borjuli Wetland
Sonitpur district, Assam, India
Assam notified this Sonitpur wetland as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, protecting its wild rice and heron habitat.
Jul 2026River
Brahmaputra River
Northeastern India
The river and its basin were named priority areas under the extended River Basin Management scheme, including flood protection for Majuli Island. Record flooding along this river devastated Assam, with the Brahmaputra Board under scrutiny over flood management.
River
Cauvery River
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, India
The tribunal authority upheld Karnataka's release order to Tamil Nadu, while Karnataka's Mekedatu reservoir proposal kept the dispute alive.
Jul 2026View on map →Lake
Chilika Lake
Odisha, India
Asia's largest brackish lagoon drew attention for conservation gains — rising dolphin numbers and fish productivity — alongside continuing human-pressure concerns.
Jun 2026View on map →Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Indian Ocean, Australia
India commissioned a telemetry tracking terminal here to support the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
Jul 2026View on map →Lake
Dal Lake
Jammu and Kashmir, India
Satellite analysis across 1980-2020 showed this iconic Srinagar lake shrinking and fragmenting, mirroring Wular's decline.
Jun 2026View on map →Region
Darjeeling
West Bengal, India
A committee was tasked with preparing a framework for a 'permanent political solution' to the century-old Gorkha demand for a separate administrative identity covering Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, the Terai and the Dooars.
Sep 2026View on map →Port
Deendayal Port
Gujarat, India
It topped India's major ports in FY26 cargo at 160 million tonnes as the dozen major ports crossed 915 million tonnes.
Apr 2026View on map →City
Delhi
National Capital Territory of Delhi, India
The capital drew twin alarms: ground-level ozone emerging as a major pollutant alongside PM2.5, and the country's lowest total fertility rate at 1.4.
Jun 2026View on map →River
Dhansiri River
Nagaland and Assam, India
The Brahmaputra's south-bank tributary swelled at Numaligarh, keeping the flood situation in Assam's Golaghat district critical.
Aug 2026View on map →