State PCS - JAMMU & KASHMIR (JKAS)

• 09 Apr 2026

CAG Report on Disappearance of Lakes in Jammu & Kashmir

Why in News? 

A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed that nearly half of the lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have disappeared since 1967, raising concerns about a growing ecological crisis in the region. 

Key Points 

• CAG Findings: The audit found that out of 697 lakes recorded in 1967, about 315 lakes have vanished, indicating a major decline in water bodies in the region.  
  • Around 203 lakes have shrunk in size. 
  • In total, 518 lakes have experienced a reduction in area.  
  • About 63 lakes have already lost more than half of their original area, putting them at high risk of disappearing completely. 
  • 150 recorded an increase in area, while 29 showed no change. 
• Causes of Decline: The decline is attributed to encroachment, pollution, land-use changes, weak monitoring, and lack of coordinated management among government departments.  
  • Government conservation initiatives have focused mainly on six major lakes—Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Hokersar Wetland, Manasbal Lake, Surinsar Lake, and Mansar Lake—while most other lakes lack protection plans. 
• Budget Allocation: Between 2017 and 2022, only about 1% of Jammu and Kashmir’s capital expenditure budget (₹560.65 crore) was allocated to these six lakes. 

Read More: Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Dal Lake, Wular Lake 

Menaka Guruswamy Becomes India’s First Openly Queer MP

Why in News? 

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy has made history by becoming India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament after taking oath in the Rajya Sabha, marking a major milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian politics. 

Key Points 

• Historic Achievement: Menaka Guruswamy became the first openly queer MP in India after being sworn in as a member of the Rajya Sabha. 
  • She was elected to the Rajya Sabha as a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress from the state of West Bengal.  
• Legal Background: She is a renowned constitutional law expert and senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India. 
  • She has been a prominent voice for civil liberties, constitutional rights, and LGBTQ+ equality in India. 
• Landmark Case: She was one of the lawyers involved in the historic Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India case. 
  • The case led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality by reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in 2018. 
• Significance: Her entry into Parliament is viewed as a milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in governance and reflects increasing visibility and acceptance of queer voices in Indian politics. 

Read More: Rajya Sabha, Supreme Court, LGBTQ+, Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India