Why are Places in News important for UPSC exams?

They provide current affairs related to geographical locations, crucial for both UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.

How can candidates prepare for Places in News for UPSC exams?

By regularly following news updates from reliable sources and focusing on understanding the significance of these places.

What types of questions can be expected from Places in News in UPSC exams?

Questions vary from identifying locations to understanding their geopolitical, environmental, and historical importance.

Places in News for UPSC 2025 for Prelims and Mains Exam

Table of Contents

As the UPSC Civil Services Examination approaches, staying updated on current events and places in the news becomes crucial for aspirants. Understanding the geographical, cultural, and political significance of various locations can enhance your answers in both the Prelims and Mains stages of the exam. Candidates are advised to follow this article to explore the List of Places in News in India for Prelims and Complete Mapping for UPSC Prelims 2025 in detail.

Places in News for UPSC Prelims 2025

Here is the complete List of Places in News for UPSC Prelims 2025 which is scheduled to be held on 25th May 2025. Candidates are advised to check this list at the last minute of your preparation and revise it in one go before your prelims exam.

Place in News	Type	Significance/Details
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve	Ramsar Wetland	Located in Karnataka, India. Spread over 98.76 hectares. Vital nesting and roosting ground for over 30,000 waterbirds.
Aghanashini Estuary	Ramsar Wetland	Situated in Karnataka, India. Covers 4,801 hectares at the confluence of the Aghanashini River with the Arabian Sea. Provides flood and erosion risk mitigation.
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve	Ramsar Wetland	Located in Karnataka, India. Home to 166 bird species. Sanctuary for vulnerable and near-threatened species.
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary	Ramsar Wetland	Situated in Tamil Nadu, India. Encompasses 453.72 hectares. Home to around 198 bird species.
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest	Ramsar Wetland	Located in Tamil Nadu, India. Provides sanctuary to globally endangered bird species. Integral to the Western Ghats’ biodiversity.
Mediterranean Sea	Sea	Located between Europe, Africa, and Asia. Known for its climate and diverse geography. Borders numerous countries and houses several islands.
Sultanpur National Park	National Park	Situated in Haryana, India. Recognized as a national park and Ramsar site. Important habitat for migratory birds.
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Located in Andhra Pradesh, India. Spans approximately 71 square kilometers. Offers recreational activities.
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Situated in Delhi and Haryana, India. Classified under Northern Tropical Thorn Forests. Facing challenges from court orders.
Kadalundi Mudflats	Wetland	Located in Kerala, India. Renowned for its avian biodiversity. Protected under wildlife laws. Critical habitat for resident and migratory birds.
Mount Etna	Volcano	Located in Italy, Europe. Europe’s most active volcano. Recent eruptions disrupted air travel. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Located in Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, India. Strategic for conservation. Subject of a legal dispute regarding water diversion.
Dagestan	Province	A province in Russia known for its ethnic diversity and strategic coastal city. Historical and ongoing challenges.
Rafah Crossing	Border Crossing	Located at the Gaza Strip-Egypt border. Crucial access point subject to restrictions. Recent incidents drew international attention.
Dhanauri Wetland	Wetland	Located in Uttar Pradesh, India. Recognized as an Important Bird Area. Significant ecological importance. Recent attention due to Ramsar site designation.
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Situated in Karnataka, India. Protects critical tiger and elephant habitats. Rich in biodiversity.
Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary	Bird Sanctuary	Located in Maharashtra, India. Vital for bird migration and breeding. Home to over 220 bird species.
Similipal Biosphere Reserve	Biosphere Reserve	Located in Odisha, India. Known for its rich biodiversity and tiger reserve status. UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Tso Kar Lake	Salt Lake	Located in Ladakh, India. Important breeding ground for various bird species, including the Black-necked Crane.
Sundarbans National Park	National Park	Located in West Bengal, India. Largest mangrove forest in the world. Home to the Bengal tiger and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Marathandam Irrukkankudi Marsh	Wetland	Located in Tamil Nadu, India. Essential for groundwater recharge and habitat for numerous bird species.
Chilika Lake	Lagoon	Located in Odisha, India. Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. Supports biodiversity, including migratory birds.
Hokersar Wetland Sanctuary	Wetland Sanctuary	Located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Critical for migratory birds, especially waterfowl. Designated as a Ramsar site.
Lakh-Bahosi Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Situated in Uttar Pradesh, India. Rich in avifauna and biodiversity. Important for conservation efforts.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana NP)	Bird Sanctuary	Located in Rajasthan, India. Famous for birdwatching, especially during the winter migration season. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rann of Kutch	Desert	Located in Gujarat, India. One of the largest salt deserts in the world. Rich in biodiversity, including migratory birds.
Gir National Park	National Park	Situated in Gujarat, India. Only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. Houses diverse flora and fauna. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Located in Assam, India. Known for its dense population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Home to various other species of mammals and birds.
Silent Valley National Park	National Park	Located in Kerala, India. Known for its pristine tropical rainforests and rich biodiversity. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nokrek National Park	National Park	Situated in Meghalaya, India. Known for its significant population of the Asian elephant and the red panda. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife Sanctuary	Located in Gujarat, India. Protects various species of animals and birds adapted to saline desert conditions. Home to the endangered Indian wild ass.
Great Himalayan National Park	National Park	Located in Himachal Pradesh, India. Known for its biodiversity and alpine meadows. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Corbett National Park	National Park	Situated in Uttarakhand, India. India’s oldest national park. Home to Bengal tigers, elephants, and other species.
Mudumalai National Park	National Park	Located in Tamil Nadu, India. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Rich in wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and elephants.
Kaziranga National Park	National Park	Located in Assam, India. Home to the highest density of tigers among protected areas. Famous for its population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
Manas National Park	National Park	Situated in Assam, India. UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve. Important for tiger and elephant conservation.
Valley of Flowers National Park	National Park	Located in Uttarakhand, India. Famous for its alpine flowers and diverse flora.

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Places in News in World Important for UPSC 2025

Places in News 2025	Details
Paktika province	Recently Pakistani Army carried out air strikes in Paktika Province of Afghanistan. Location: In eastern Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan. Significance: Paktika is a strategically important province due to its proximity to the Durand Line, which makes it easy for militants to cross between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Durand Line:It is the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Kilauea Volcano	Recently, Kilauea volcano erupted on Hawaii’s Big Island. Location: It is located along the southeastern shore of Hawaii Island. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Volcanic Eruption: 99% of gas molecules emitted during a volcanic eruption are Water Vapor, CO2 and SO2. The remaining 1% is composed of small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride etc.
Lesotho	India has sent a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Lesotho to assist in addressing the food security and nutritional needs of its people. Location: It is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it the largest sovereign enclave globally. It is situated in the Maloti Mountains. River: Orange River (one of the longest rivers in Africa) rises in the Lesotho Highlands as Sinqu River.
Baltic Sea	North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has announced that it will boost its presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage of an undersea power cable and four internet lines recently. Location: It is an extended arm of the Atlantic Ocean in Northern Europe. Bordering Countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits.

Places	Details
Türkiye	Formerly known as Turkey internationally, now officially referred to as Türkiye by the United Nations.
Sievierodonetsk	One of the largest cities in the Donbas region of Ukraine. A significant industrial hub is known for chemical works and machine-building factories.
Aegean Sea	Located between the Greek peninsula and Asia Minor. Connected to the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Important for regional navigation and geopolitics.
Haiti	Located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. Haiti is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. It occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola.
Vale do Javari	Located in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. Home to isolated tribal groups and significant biodiversity. Hotspots for violent crimes and illegal activities like drug trafficking.
Isle of Wight	Largest and second-most populous island of England. Separated from the mainland by The Solent. Designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A recent discovery of Europe’s largest meat-eating dinosaur.
Zmiinyi Island	Also known as Snake Island. Small Ukrainian island in the Black Sea. Notable for recent airstrikes by Ukraine causing losses to the Russian military.
Baltimore	Baltimore, founded in 1729, is a vibrant city located on the Patapsco River in Maryland, USA. During the American Revolution, Baltimore played a vital role. Baltimore has always been a hub of culture and innovation
Colombia	South American country with coastlines on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The recent election of the first left-wing president. Part of the world’s seventeen megadiverse countries.
Karakalpakstan	Autonomous province in Uzbekistan. Recent protests over government plan to restrict autonomy. Karakalpak people consider themselves a distinct cultural group.
North Macedonia	Southeast European country, formerly part of Yugoslavia. Long-standing quest to join the European Union. Recent protests over EU membership hurdles.
Paracel Islands	Disputed archipelago in the South China Sea. Recent tension due to a US destroyer sailing near the islands. Claims by China and other neighbouring countries.
Odesa Port	Largest Ukrainian seaport in the Black Sea basin. Major transportation hub for freight and passengers. Base for Ukrainian Navy operations.
Nicaragua	Central American country with recent closure of Catholic Church radio stations. Tensions between government and religious institutions.
Rhine River	Key European shipping route facing low water levels due to hot and dry weather. Important for industrial transport and global trade.
Lake Garda	The largest lake in Italy, affected by severe drought causing low water levels. Significant impact on agriculture and tourism.
Paraguay	South American country where Indian Minister unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Historic ties to India’s independence movement.
Poyang Lake	China’s largest freshwater lake facing a significant water level drop due to drought. Important for regulating Yangtze River flow and biodiversity.
Sentosa Island	A tiny island off the coast of Singapore known for man-made beaches and tourist attractions. Historical significance from World War II.
Bosnia	Country in the western Balkans with a recent political crisis amid elections. The capital is Sarajevo.
Burkina Faso	West African country experiencing its second coup of the year. Landlocked and bordered by several neighbouring countries.
Mauna Loa Volcano	Largest active volcano in the world located in Hawaii. Recent warnings of potential eruption. Part of Big Island’s volcanic landscape.
Arctic Fires	Wildfires in Arctic regions intensified by global warming. Threat to peatlands and biodiversity. Presence of “zombie fires”.
Vanuatu	Melanesian island nation in the South Pacific facing existential threat from climate change. Sea level rise and other impacts affecting livelihoods and security.
Semeru Volcano	Highest volcano in Java, Indonesia. Recently erupted in Eastern Java Island. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Forms part of Island Arcs due to subduction of Indo-Australian plate below Sunda Plate.
Great Lakes	A series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in North America. Consists of Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. Important for transportation, migration, and fishing.
Schengen Zone	Passport-free zone in Europe. Guarantees free movement for EU citizens and legal residents. Croatia recently joined as the 27th nation.
Guyana	Located in South America. Bordered by Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname. Rich biodiversity, significant oil discovery in 2015. English is the official language.
Andes Mountains	Longest above-water mountain range in the world. Extends over seven countries in South America. Contains the highest peak, Mount Aconcagua. Key facts about Peru included.
River Oder	Major river in Europe, flows through Poland and Germany. Experienced an ecological disaster due to toxic algal bloom in 2022. Contributing factors include human activity, drought, and hydro morphological modifications.
Port of Haifa	Strategic port in northern Israel. Acquired by Adani Group for USD 1.2 billion. Handles container cargo and passenger traffic. Constructed in 1933 by the British.
Transnistria	Breakaway region of Moldova, not recognized as independent. Supported by Russian troops since 1990-1992. Highly dependent on Russia for subsidies and gas.
West Bank	Occupied territory by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967. Sandwiched between Israel and Jordan. Significant Palestinian population, desire for statehood.
La Reunion	French overseas department and region in the western Indian Ocean. Located east of Madagascar, southwest of Mauritius. Part of the eurozone and outermost region of the European Union.
Odessa	Major seaport and transport hub in Ukraine, located on the Black Sea. Third most populous city in Ukraine. Recently targeted by Russian forces as part of military operations.

List of Places in News in India for UPSC 2025

Places	Why in News?	Features
Yankti Kuti Valley	Multiple events of glacial advances witnessed synchronizes with climate variability.	Last valley before the border with Tibet. Dominated by Byansis, one of the four Bhotiya communities of Kumaon. Formed by the river Kuti Yankti, a headwater of the Kali River.
Annapurna Range	Skalzang Rigzin, first Indian Mountaineer to climb Mount Annapurna’s peak without Oxygen.	The tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 meters. Known as the Killer Mountain due to its fatality to summit rate. Located in the Annapurna mountain range of Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal.
Sigur Plateau	The surge in resorts and commercial establishments following Supreme Court verdict.	Located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Connects the Western and Eastern Ghats. Sustains elephant populations and their genetic diversity. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
O’Valley	Recent human deaths caused by elephants.	Union place of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka Boundary. Located between Mudumalai National Park and the New Amarambalam Reserved Forest. The main crops cultivated include tea, coffee, cardamom, cloves, pepper, ginger, and plantain. Attraction: Santhana Malai (sandalwood hill).
Hasdeo Aranya	Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to cancel coal mining blocks.	Known as the lungs of Chhattisgarh. Lies in the catchment area of the Hasdeo river. Ecologically sensitive with rich biodiversity and a large migratory corridor for elephants. Crucial for irrigation and agriculture.
Mahanadi River	IMD forecasts heavy rainfall causing a flood situation in Odisha.	The third largest river system in peninsular India. Originates in Chhattisgarh, flows through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal. Major tributaries include Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Ong, Tel, and Jonk. Supports various dams and urban centres along its course.
Loktak Lake	Loktak Lake Authority issued a notice to remove floating houses and fishing structures.	Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. Known for floating circular swamps called phumdis. Houses Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world. Designated Ramsar site and listed under the Montreux Record. Rich biodiversity.
Atal Bridge	Inaugurated as a pedestrian-only bridge on the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad.	Foot-over bridge designed for pedestrians and cyclists. Spans the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Part of the major west-flowing river system in India.
Vembanad Lake	Facing ecological decay despite Ramsar site designation.	The largest lake in Kerala and the longest in India. Bound by Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. Source of four rivers: Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa, and Manimala. Ramsar site and identified under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme. Houses Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Machilipatnam Seaport	CRZ clearance was received for a proposed seaport.	Located in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. A historic port town with European trading connections. Proposed deep sea port on the Bay of Bengal coast. Located 65 km from Vijayawada. Planned in two phases by the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board.
Thamirabarani River	‘TamiraSES’ approach adopted for river restoration.	Only perennial river in Tamil Nadu. Originates in the Pothigai hills, flows through Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. Supports diverse wildlife and mentioned in Sangam Era literature.
Maheshwar Dam: Narmada	Contracts for Maheshwar Hydroelectric Project cancelled.	Narmada is largest west-flowing river of peninsular India. It Originates from Maikala range near Amarkantak, flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat. Supports various hydro power projects. Associated with Narmada Bachao Andolan social movement.
Sukapaika River	Revival plan initiated following NGT direction.	Distributary of Mahanadi River in Odisha. Branches away from Mahanadi at Ayatpur village flows for 40 km before rejoining Mahanadi. Important for flood control and maintaining river flow.
Matihani-Sambho Bridge	The government cleared a crucial bridge project on the River Ganga.	The bridge is being built in Begusarai, Bihar. Connects Matihani and Sambho, linking NH-31 and NH-80. Exception made by NHAI for feasibility. Expected to shorten travel routes and ensure safety for industrial units.
Mathura-Vrindavan	Aim to become a net zero carbon emission tourist destination by 2041.	Mathura, a significant religious site, mentioned in Ramayan and historical records. The plan includes a ban on tourist vehicles, revival of water bodies and forests, forming ‘Parikrama Paths’. Divided into four clusters for holistic development.
Aibawk Cluster	The first cluster was completed under Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission.	Located in Aizawl district, Mizoram. SPMRM aims to develop ‘Rurban villages’. Focus on holistic development and infrastructure provision. Clusters were identified based on rural areas showing signs of urbanization.
Vizhinjam Port Project	Adani Group seeks central forces’ security due to protests.	Rs 7,525 crore port project under PPP model with Adani Ports at Vizhinjam, Kerala. Construction is ongoing, missed deadlines. Expected to boost economy, strategic importance. Protests by fishermen due to sea erosion, and livelihood concerns.
Barak River Dredging	Dredging work awarded to Dredging Corporation of India.	Assured depth dredging of Barak river (NW-16) from Badarpur to Bhanga. Aimed at improving navigability and facilitating transportation.
Parasnath Hill and Shetrunjay Hill	Parasnath Hill in Jharkhand, Shetrunjay Hill in Gujarat.	Parasnath Hill: Significant for Sammed Shikharji Jain Temple, where 20 tirthankaras achieved Moksha. Shetrunjay Hill: Considered sacred by Jains, houses temples including Adinath Temple. Shetrunji River flows nearby.
Sagol Kangjei	Modern polo originated as Sagol Kangjei in Manipur.	Associated with cultural festivals and the Manipur Pony.
Buddhist Monastery in Bharatpur	Buddhist Monastery complex discovered in West Bengal.	Adds to the region’s historical significance, reflecting Buddhism’s past presence.
Assam’s Charaideo Moidams	Represents Assam’s Tai Ahom community’s mound burial tradition.	Contains the remains of Ahom royalty, transitioning from mound burials to cremations over time.
Mughal Gardens renamed to Amrit Udyan	Renamed Mughal Gardens in Rashtrapati Bhavan.	Spread across 15 acres, blend Mughal and English landscaping styles. Houses numerous floral varieties and unique architectural features.
Siyom Bridge	Enhances troop deployment and infrastructure connectivity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).	Located in Arunachal Pradesh.
Yaya Tso Lake	Declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site due to its ecological significance and rich bird population.	Located in Ladakh.
Orang National Park	Expansion plans aim to conserve wildlife, including the gharial, while increasing its size threefold.	Located in Assam.
Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary	Maharashtra’s Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary recently saw its first bird survey, recording 186 bird species.	Home to diverse flora and fauna.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary	Set to become Odisha’s third tiger reserve, promoting wildlife conservation in the region.	Located in Odisha.
Dal Lake	‘Athwas’ initiative aims to rejuvenate Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir through community participation.	Focus on de-weeding and dredging activities.
Powai Lake	Recognized as a wetland, undergoes improvement under the National Lake Conservation Plan.	Located in Mumbai.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Known for their diverse geography, including mountains, forests, and coral reefs.	Consists of several islands.
Ujh Multipurpose Project	Aims to enhance water utilization from the Ujh River in Jammu and Kashmir.	In accordance with the Indus Waters Treaty.
Sela Tunnel Project	Strategically significant, being the longest bi-lane road tunnel in the world.	Located in Arunachal Pradesh, near completion.