PIB Snippets
2 Topics
UPSC Prelims & Mains
PIB Snippets — October 3, 2026
Today’s official releases — 28 places in Ladakh given standard names on the Survey of India map, and the first mineral block auction in Jammu & Kashmir (Koot-Kapran and Wantrag limestone blocks)
🏔️
Ladakh: 28 Places Identified by Standard Names on the Survey of India Map
Why in News?
- The Government of India, in consultation with Ladakh UT, has standardised the names of 28 places and features on Survey of India maps to ensure accurate recognition and public awareness. The list was announced on 2 October 2026.
Full List of 28 Features
| S.No. | Name of Place | Feature Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atisha Giri | Peak |
| 2 | Brangsa | Land area |
| 3 | Chapchingal Pass | Pass |
| 4 | Kanishka Peak | Peak |
| 5 | Karun Pir | Mountain |
| 6 | Kuksel | Land area |
| 7 | Martand Giri | Peak |
| 8 | Parpik | Glacier |
| 9 | Skamri Glacier | Glacier |
| 10 | Shachmirk Pass | Pass |
| 11 | Shkorga Valley | Valley |
| 12 | Zorawar Peak | Peak |
| 13 | Dehra Compass | Land area |
| 14 | Drak Karpo | Mountain |
| 15 | Gogra | Land area |
| 16 | Jolmori | Mountain |
| 17 | Kumarayana Point | Land area |
| 18 | Panglung | Land area |
| 19 | Rinchen Zangpo | Peak |
| 20 | Sakyasri Giri | Peak |
| 21 | Guru Rinpoche | Lake |
| 22 | Shamal Lungpa | Land area |
| 23 | Yangpa River | River |
| 24 | Hot Spring | Water body |
| 25 | Marpa Lotsava Ri | Peak |
| 26 | Milarepa Kangri | Peak |
| 27 | Shiva Ri | Peak |
| 28 | Maheshvara Ri | Peak |
Source: PIB
⛏️
J&K’s First Mineral Block Auction: Koot-Kapran and Wantrag Limestone Blocks in Anantnag
Why in News?
- The Ministry of Mines auctioned two limestone blocks in Anantnag, J&K, marking the first such auction in the UT, under the Central mineral auction process.
Core Facts
| Feature | Koot-Kapran Limestone Block | Wantrag Limestone Block |
|---|---|---|
| District | Anantnag | Anantnag |
| Location | Koot and Kapran villages, Dooru Tehsil | Not specified in the release |
| Area | 22.43 hectares | 5.36 hectares |
Static + Current Affairs Linkage
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) is the main law that governs mining. It was amended in 2015 to make auctions the standard way of allotting mineral concessions.
- Mining is a State subject (Entry 23, State List), but regulation of mines and mineral development is under Union control to the extent declared by Parliament (Entry 54, Union List).
- Ministry of Mines is the nodal ministry, and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) carries out mineral surveys and exploration.
- Limestone is the main raw material for cement and is also used in steel and chemicals.
- Article 370 was abrogated on 5 August 2019, and J&K was reorganised into the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
Source: PIB
