12 Jan 2026 | Daily Current Affairs

Rare Earths and China’s Dominance in Global Supply Chains

Context
The US is pushing G7 countries to act faster to reduce dependence on China for rare earths and critical minerals, as China dominates mining, processing and export controls in this sector.

What are Rare Earths?
Group of 17 elements:
• 15 Lanthanides
• Scandium
• Yttrium
• Not actually “rare”, but difficult to extract and refine

Used in
• Defence: missiles, radar, fighter jets
• Clean energy: wind turbines, EV motors
• Electronics: smartphones, semiconductors
• Magnets: permanent high-strength magnets

Rare earths
Rare earths
Rare earths
Ans – C
Rare earths
Ans – A
Rare earths
Ans – B

Delimitation Commission and Post-2026 Representation Issues

Core Context

  • Post-2026 Lok Sabha delimitation may reduce the relative representation of southern States due to population-based seat allocation, despite successful population control, raising concerns over federal balance and political equity.

Delimitation

  • Process of readjusting constituencies and seat allocation of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
  • Objective: Equal representation (one person, one vote, one value)

Delimitation Commission

  • Nature: Statutory body

Constitutional basis

  • Article 82 – Lok Sabha
  • Article 170 – State Legislative Assemblies

Freeze on Delimitation

  • 42nd Amendment (1976): Freeze till 2000
  • 84th Amendment (2001): Extended till first Census after 2026

Present Concern (Post-2026)

  • Higher population growth in northern States

Possible outcomes

  • Loss of seats for southern States
  • Rewarding higher fertility

Suggested Correctives

  • Increase total Lok Sabha seats (no State loses seats)
  • Balance population with population-control performance
  • Apply Digressive Proportionality (EU Parliament model)
Delimitation Commission
Delimitation Commission
Ans – C
Delimitation Commission
Ans – D

Zehanpora Stupas and Kashmir’s Ancient Buddhist Heritage

Zehanpora Stupas (Baramulla, North Kashmir)

Location
• Zehanpora village, Baramulla district, North Kashmir

Extent
• ~10 acres

Age
• 2000+ years old

Period
• Kushan era (confirmed by archaeologists)

Why important?
• Confirms Kashmir’s deep Buddhist past
• Site earlier mistaken as natural mounds
• Adds to archaeological and cultural history of J&K

Buddhism in Kashmir
• Buddhism pre-dated Ashoka in Kashmir
• Kalhana’s Rajatarangini and Mahavamsa mention early spread
• Ashoka invited Kashmiri scholars to Buddhist Council at Pataliputra

Zehanpora stupas
Zehanpora stupas
Zehanpora stupas
Ans – C

Bhairav Battalions and Indian Army Modernisation

Context
Indian Army raising Bhairav Battalions → response to hybrid and modern warfare → debut at Army Day, Jaipur (Jan 15).

Nature
• High-speed offensive infantry units
• SF-like roles
• Operate tactical → operational depth

Role
• Bridge force → between Para SF and regular infantry

Tasks
• Deep strikes
• Rapid offensive missions
• Multi-domain ops

Features
• Drones
• Unmanned warfare
• Modern battlefield systems
• High mobility
• Tech-intensive

Structure
• 15 battalions raised
• Deployed along borders
• Target ~25 battalions

Bhairav Battalions
Bhairav Battalions
Bhairav Battalions
Ans – B
Bhairav Battalions
Ans – D

Mustard Crop Under Threat from Orobanche Weed

Context
Mustard (largest indigenous edible-oil crop) → Orobanche attack → yield loss → higher edible-oil imports.

Orobanche
• Root-parasitic
• Underground
• Steals nutrients

Impact
• Stunted growth
• Yield ↓ up to 50%
• Rajasthan–Haryana–MP belt affected

Chemical issue
• Glyphosate non-selective → kills crop
• Low-dose ineffective

Cultivable Area Ranking (Economic Survey)
Decreasing order (largest → smallest):
Foodgrains > Oilseeds > Pulses > Sugarcane

Mustard crop
Mustard crop
Mustard crop
Ans – A
Mustard crop
Ans – B
About the UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)

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