Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your UPSC Current Affairs hunk of knowledge for today on Copper.

Hunk of Knowledge: Copper- Properties, uses, and distribution

Subject: Economy and Science & Technology

(Relevance: Given copper’s latest fall in the global economy, it becomes important to know about this red metal not only from an economic standpoint but also through properties, consumption and geographical perspectives.)

Why in the news?

After hitting an all-time high earlier this year, copper prices on the London Metal Exchange have been sliding as the West Asia conflict weighs on the metal’s demand outlook. From $14,527.50 per tonne in late January, the price of three-month copper futures contract had cooled to $13,343.5 per tonne on February 27, just before the US and Israel attacked Iran. Since then, the three-month futures contract has fallen sharply to around $12,147 on the London Metal Exchange. 

In this context, it becomes important to not only know why copper is seen as a barometer of the economic health of a country but also understand its properties, uses and distribution. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Copper is a soft, malleable and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. It is one of the few metals that occur in nature in directly usable metallic form (native metals).

2. It is an important non-ferrous base metal with wide industrial applications. Copper is essential to the modern economy, with uses ranging from housing and manufacturing to power grids, clean energy, artificial intelligence and defence. Thus, it is often seen as a barometer of economic health.

3. A rise in copper prices is considered a signal of robust economic growth, while falling prices tend to raise concerns about an economic slowdown.

4. According to industry sources and experts, the recent sharp fall in prices of the red-metal reflects weakening demand prospects amid concerns that higher energy costs from the West Asia conflict could dampen economic growth.

5. According to the Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022, India is not self-sufficient in the production of copper ore. In addition to domestic production of ore and concentrates, India imports copper concentrates for its smelters.

6. The domestic demand for copper and its alloys is met through domestic production, recycling of scrap and by imports. Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), a Public Sector Undertaking, is the only integrated Company in the country that is involved in mining and beneficiation of ore and is engaged in smelting, refining and casting of refined copper.

7. Copper is one of the most recycled metals of all the metals. The recycling of copper scrap is gaining importance worldwide simply because of the fact that recovery of copper metal from scrap requires much less energy than  its recovery made from primary source. It also enables conservation of natural resources.

Distribution of Copper

1. According to the Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022, largest reserves/resources of copper ore (52.25%) are in the State of Rajasthan followed by Madhya Pradesh (23.28%) and Jharkhand (15.14%).

2. Copper reserves/resources in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland,  Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand and  West Bengal accounted for the remaining 9.33% of the total  All India resources.

3. As per the Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022, the world reserves of copper metal are assessed at 890 million tonnes of copper content. Chile has the largest share, accounting for about 21% of world reserves, followed by Australia (11%), Peru (9%), Russia (7%), Mexico (6%), USA (5%), Congo (Kinshasa), Poland, China & Indonesia (3% each), Kazakhstan & Zambia (2% each) and Canada (1%). The remaining 24% was contributed by other countries.

Uses of Copper

1. According to the Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022, the electronic industry is by far the largest consumer of copper, where it is used in the form of cables and winding wires, as it is the best non-precious metal conductor of electricity, encountering much less resistance and being safe for electrical distribution systems from high-voltage transmission cables to microcircuits. Notably, Copper also has relatively high creep strength as compared to other commonly used materials.

2. Copper is used in the construction industry as plumbing, taps, valves and fittings components. In the transportation industry, copper is used in various components.

3. Copper is extensively used in industrial machinery and equipment. It is used in a number of consumer products, such as coinage, utensils, fixtures, etc. Large quantities of copper are consumed in making copper-based alloys, such as brass and bronze.

BEYOND THE HUNK: Substitutes of Copper

1. Copper is vulnerable for substitution on grounds of technical superiority,  price, or weight. Aluminium is used as a substitute for copper in various products, such as electrical power cables, electrical equipment, automobile radiators and cooling/refrigeration tubing. 

2. Optical fiber has substituted copper in some telecommunication applications, and plastics are used as a substitute for copper in water pipes, plumbing, fixtures and many structural applications.

Post Read Question

With reference to copper, consider the following statements:

1. Copper is a non-ferrous metal with high electrical conductivity.

2. It occurs in nature in directly usable metallic form.

3. It is widely used in power grids and microcircuits.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

(Sources: Behind copper’s latest fall: West Asian conflict weighs on the metal’s demand outlook, ibm.gov.in, Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022 (Part- II : Metals & Alloys)

Don’t miss | UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week (23–29 March 2026) | UPSC Lifebloods | Hunk of Knowledge

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Gold prices have crashed sharply amid the ongoing war in West Asia.

Previously, prices of the yellow metal had surged in 2025 and early 2026 to multiple record highs when the US’ tariff threats had plundered markets around the world and had weighed on the US dollar.

Despite a nearly 2% rally over the last couple of days, gold prices on both the domestic and global markets are down around 27% from their January peak, despite the war in West Asia battering global markets.

Gold futures have fallen 13% to Rs 1.41 lakh per 10 grams on the Multi-Commodity Exchange since the war in West Asia started late last month.

So why is there no safe-haven demand for bullion currently, as seen earlier when geopolitical uncertainty was elevated?

The key aspect holding back safe-haven demand for gold this time is the sky-high prices of crude oil.

High crude prices lead to fears of inflation levels rising around the world, which delays rate cuts by central banks around the world. Some central banks may even consider raising interest rates to combat inflation if the situation worsens as the West Asia conflict prolongs itself.

“This time, the only negative for gold, despite everything else remaining positive, is the high crude oil prices and therefore inflation, and the strength of the dollar,” said Naveen Mathur, director of commodities and currencies at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Broking.

“Pre-war, the talk of the town was that the Fed (Federal Reserve) and other major central bankers would promote growth because inflation, to a large extent, had been anchored globally. Now, despite the global economy being in doldrums, they may not be willing to cut rates.” While high inflation levels make gold an attractive option for hedging, higher interest rates shift investor sentiment towards yield-bearing assets such as bonds and treasuries instead of non-yielding assets such as gold.

Traders now see no probability of a rate cut in the US Federal Reserve’s April meeting, according to the CME Fedwatch tool. In fact, 6% of traders now expect the Fed to raise rates by 25 basis points, the tool showed. For India, while inflation levels remain comfortably within the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) tolerance band of 2%-6% for now, the central bankers may turn hawkish in their policy stance if high crude prices for a prolonged period lead to elevated inflation. While the RBI may not raise interest rates, it will at least delay the rate cut cycle, which may weigh on the stock markets and make bonds attractive.

The US dollar has also emerged as a safe-haven asset this time around. The dollar index, which measures the strength of the dollar against many other global currencies, has strengthened by over 2% to around 100 since the West Asian war began, compared to the 96 levels it had dipped to when the US tariff threats were at a peak.

These factors have provided an opportunity for investors to book some profits in gold after its rally to the peak, leading to a fall in gold prices, and instead invest in the US dollar.

Don’t miss | UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week (23–29 March 2026) | UPSC Lifebloods | Hunk of Knowledge

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Based on his years of experience, Shivratan Agarwal founded the Bikaji brand and grew it into a multi-crore rupee business. Shivratan’s entrepreneurial path is proof that experience is one of the best ways to learn new things. Nothing helps you gain a sense of something like doing it yourself.

Who Is Shivratan Agarwal?

Shivratan Agarwal is the founder and director of Bikaji brand. The brand offers bhujia, namkeen, packaged sweets, papad as well as other munchies. Bikaji is India’s third-largest traditional snack manufacturer.  Bikaji was conferred the National Award for Industrial Excellence in 1992.

Early Life Of Shivratan Agarwal

Shivratan Agarwal is the grandson of Gangabhisan ‘Haldiram’ Bhujiawala whose business was famous as ‘Haldiram’. Shivratan’s father Moolchand was also in the bhujia making business. Since his childhood Shivratan used to take keen interest in snacks making and learnt bhuia making from his grand father. Shivratan pursued education only till class 8 and then ventured in his family business.

The Birth Of Bikaji

In the late 80s, Shivratan decided to follow his heart and forge a new identity for himself in the snacks making business. Giving the globe an authentic taste of Indian culture was Agarwal’s dream. So, he launched his Bikaneri Bhujia business in 1987. The bhujia business was renamed as Bikaji brand in 1993. 

The Hardships Shivratan Endured And How He Elevated Bikaji To International Prominence

The journey of the Bikaji Group has been filled with hardship, triumph, and accomplishment. Shivratan, the founder of Bikaji, did not have an easy journey. For a very long period, Shivratan battled to introduce the bhujia brand to the world. Agarwal was successful in laying the groundwork for his dream business at a period when there was no technology available to create bhujia on a wide scale. He began producing bhujia utilising machines. He even made a trips abroad to learn how to use machinery to create snacks. 

Under Shivratan’s capable direction, the hitherto unorganised bhujia manufacturing sector was converted into an industry unto itself. Today, Bikaji is one of the world’s largest producers of bhujia and has a significant global presence. 

Bikaji Signs Up Amitabh Bachchan As Brand Ambassador

Bikaji has roped in megastar Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador. With the brand campaign, ‘Amitji Loves Bikaji’, the company aims to make brand the go-to snack with everyone.

Bikaji IPO In Stock Market 

Bikaji has also listed on the stock market. The IPO of Bikaji opened for subscription on November 3, 2022.

Source: Bureau

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The arrest was made in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Seva Vikas Co-operative Bank fraud case, in which the bank suffered a loss of Rs 429 crore across 124 non-performing asset (NPA) loan accounts.

This led to the bank going bankrupt, causing losses to thousands of small depositors.

The ED initiated the PMLA investigation based on multiple FIRs registered in Pune against loan defaulters, including Amar Mulchandani (the former chairman of the bank), its directors, and officials.

“Investigation has revealed that the bank was being run like a family proprietorship by Amar Mulchandani without following any prudent banking norms. Loans were sanctioned in return for massive kickbacks. More than 92 per cent of the loan accounts had turned into NPAs, which ultimately led to the collapse of the bank. The RBI has cancelled the bank’s license,” said an ED official.

The ED found that Suryawanshi and his relatives had defrauded the bank for an amount of Rs 60.67 crore across 10 NPA loan accounts.

They obtained loans in connivance with Amar Mulchandani, without having sufficient creditworthiness or repaying capacity.

After the arrest, he was produced before a special PMLA Court in Mumbai, which has sent him to ED’s custody until June 26.

Earlier, properties worth Rs 122.35 crore were provisionally attached in this case.

Source: IANS

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The Centre has extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar to ration card from June 30, 2023, to September 30,2023, according to a notification issued by the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

Ration cards are provided to all households in order for them to get subsidised food grains and fuel. Apart from documentation such as a passport and a PAN card, the ration card also serves as confirmation of identification and residency.

However, there have been occasions where an individual obtains more than their fair share of rations or where individuals who are not entitled for rations receive them, depriving deserving others.

By linking the Aadhaar card to the ration card, the government will be able to prohibit individuals from obtaining duplicate ration cards. It is also feasible to detain those who are disqualified for collecting rations because their income exceeds the threshold.

This would also ensure that only those who are deserving obtain subsidised fuel or food grains.

The linkage also helps to prevent duplicate ration cards and dishonest middlemen, allowing genuine and worthy beneficiaries to receive government-sponsored benefits.

Documents needed to link Aadhaar card to Ration card

– Photocopy of original ration card

– Family member’s Aadhaar card photocopy

– Family head’s Aadhaar card photocopy

– Bank passbook photocopy

– Family’s head passport size photo: 2

Source: Bureau

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The rent for lockers at the State Bank of India (SBI) has changed, and the price depends on the location and size of the locker. Additionally, it asks that the locker holding branch sign the updated or supplemented locker agreement as necessary.

By June 30, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India has ordered all banks to ensure that at least 50 percent of its locker holders have signed the new agreement. Banks must also get 75 percent of their customers to sign the contract by September 30 and achieve 100 percent compliance by December 31.

2/11. SBI’s Small Locker Rent Charge

The bank charges urban and metro consumers Rs 2000 plus GST, while rural and semi-urban customers pay Rs 1500 plus GST.

3/11. SBI’s Medium Locker Rent Charge

The bank charges metro and urban customers Rs. 4000 plus GST, and rural and semi-urban customers pay Rs. 3000 plus GST.

4/11. SBI’s Large Locker Rent Charge

Customers in urban and metro areas pay Rs 8000+GST, while those in rural and semi-urban areas pay Rs 6000+GST.

5/11. SBI’s Extra Large Locker Rent

The bank charges metro and urban customers Rs 12,000 plus GST, and rural and semi-urban customers pay Rs 9000 plus GST.

6/11. SBI Locker Visit Charges

SBI locker owners are entitled to 12 free visits after which each additional visit would cost Rs 100 + GST.

7/11. SBI Locker Registration Charge

For small, medium, and extra-large lockers, SBI charges a one-time registration cost of Rs. 500 plus GST, and for big, Rs. 1,000 plus GST.

8/11. Locker Rent Overdue Charge

The bank assesses a late fee of 10 percent of the annual rent to be collected as the locker rent for the first quarter. The bank charges 20 percent and 30 percent in the second and third quarters, respectively. The bank assesses a 40 percent late fee for one year’s worth of unpaid locker rent. Banks have been breaking into lockers for more than a year.

9/11. Safe Deposit Articles

The one-time fee for all types of safe deposit articles is Rs 300 plus GST for an envelope and Rs 500 plus GST for large packets per quarter.

10/11. Safe Custody Charges

SBI levies a minimum of Rs 300 + GST annually and Rs 150 plus GST for each scrip.

11/11. Inoperative Locker

Even if the rent is paid on time and the locker stays inactive for seven years, the bank may transfer the contents to the hirer’s nominees or legal heirs or dispose of the items in a transparent manner.

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PM Kisan Yojana 14th instalment: Some farmers may get Rs 4,000 instead of Rs 2,000, check eligibility

So far, the government has released 13 instalments under PM Kisan Yojana. While most farmers will be receiving Rs 2000 instalments for the PM Kisan Yojana 14th instalment, a few are expected to get Rs 4000. According to reports, farmers who didn’t receive Rs 2000 in the 13th instalment are likely to get Rs 4000 in the 13th instalment.

Many farmers were not able to complete the process of their verification, owing to which they did not get the money for the 13th installment. However, a large number of farmers have now got their verification process completed. These farmers would now get Rs 4000 instead of Rs 2000.

PM-KISAN 14th Installment: How To Check Name on Beneficiary List

Eligible farmers can easily check their names on the official PM Kisan website. On the homepage of the website, you need to visit the Farmers Corner, followed by clicking on the Beneficiary Status option.

On the next page, you need to enter your details to find out if you’re eligible for receiving the benefits under PM Kisan Yoana or not. 

PM KISAN Scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions.  Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. While lakhs of eager farmers are waiting for the disbursal of Rs 2,000 in their account, there are several farmers who are not eligible for the PM KISAN Scheme.

Those excluded from the PM-KISAN include institutional land holders, farmer families holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of State or Central government as well as Public Sector Undetakings and Government Autonomous bodies. Professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers as well as retired pensioners with a monthly pension of over Rs 10,000 and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are also not eligible for the benefits.

Source: Bureau

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A bench of Justice Krishna S. Dixit gave the warning while taking up a petition submitted by Kavitha, a resident of Bikarnakatte near Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district.

“The complete report with required information should be submitted in a week before the court,” the bench directed Facebook.

It also said that the Central government should give information on what action has ibeen initiated in the case of arrest of an Indian citizen in a false case. Mangaluru police also will have to take up proper investigation and submit a report, the court said, adjourning the hearing to June 22.

Kavitha, in her plea, said that her husband Shailesh Kumar, 52 worked with a company in Saudi Arabia for 25 years, while she lived at her native place with their children.

She said that he had put up a message on Facebook in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019 but unknown people opened a fake Facebook account in his name, and posted objectionable posts against the King of Saudi Arabia and Islam. As soon as it came to his knowledge, Kumar had informed the family and Kavitha had lodged a police complaint in Mangaluru in this regard. However, Saudi police had arrested Shailesh Kumar and put him in prison.

The Mangaluru police taking up the investigation had written a letter to Facebook and sought information on the opening of the fake Facebook account. But, Facebook had not responded to the police. In 2021, petitioner had approached the High Court questioning delay in the investigation.

Kavitha had also written a letter to the Central government to get her husband released from the prison.

Source: IANS

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AWS’ investment of 12.7 billion USD in India is significant, as it will support the digitalization of the Indian economy and meet future infrastructure demand. With Asia Pacific being one of the fastest-growing cloud markets globally, this move by AWS further solidifies their comprehensive cloud offering broadly adopted in the region. As a result, there will be an increased demand for competency from startups, SMEs and Enterprises alike. According to Praveena Shenoy, Country Manager at Opsio’s office in Bangalore, this investment by AWS is likely to trigger huge demand for OPSIO services as well.

In conclusion, AWS’ decision to invest 4 billion USD annually in India for three years represents a catalyst towards realizing India’s vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy. This strategic move shows that companies are recognizing the potential growth opportunities within India’s digitization agenda and want to be part of its success story while also ensuring they have access to high-quality talent and infrastructure needed today more than ever before due to remote working trends caused by Covid-19 pandemic.

The Digitalization of the Indian Economy

Overview of the current state of digitalization in India:

India has emerged as one of the most digitally advanced nations in Asia Pacific, with a growing number of businesses adopting cloud infrastructure and offerings.

India’s digital transformation is accelerating, with a growing number of businesses adopting cloud infrastructure and cloud offerings. The country has emerged as one of the most digitally advanced nations in Asia Pacific, largely due to government initiatives aimed at driving comprehensive digitalization across various sectors.

Impact and benefits of digitalization on various sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare, education etc:

Digitalization has transformed the way Indian businesses operate and engage with customers. E-commerce companies are leveraging cloud technology to deliver personalized experiences to consumers across India’s 1,4 billion population. Healthcare providers are using telemedicine services powered by AWS India’s cloud platform to improve patient care outcomes while education institutions are using modern technologies like machine learning for personalized student engagement.

Challenges faced by India in achieving complete digitalization:

Despite progress being made towards comprehensive digitalisation there remain challenges: lack of high-quality internet access particularly outside major cities; regulatory burdens that make it difficult for small enterprises or start-ups whichare essential sources for economic growth; cybersecurity threats such as data breaches or cyber attacks could impact public confidence without proper measures taken both from private and government entities.

Meeting Future Infrastructure Demand

Details about AWS’s investment plans in India have been released as the company aims to meet future infrastructure demand and support the digitalization of the Indian economy. As part of this initiative, AWS will invest $12.7 billion USD in India, which is expected to spark a surge in demand for cloud infrastructure services such as those offered by Opsio.

To address challenges related to scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness, AWS is continuously improving its infrastructure capabilities. This includes developing comprehensive cloud offerings that are broadly adopted across businesses operating in India. Case studies highlighting successful implementation of AWS cloud services for businesses operating in India demonstrate how these solutions can provide tangible benefits.

• Details on AWS’s $12.7B investment plan
• Improved infrastructure capabilities addressing scalability, security and cost-effectiveness
• Comprehensive Cloud offerings
• Successful case studies showcasing implementation of AWS services

The Impact on Indian Startups, SMEs, and Enterprises

With AWS investing heavily in India, there is no doubt that it will have a significant impact on Startups, SMEs and Enterprises. The increased demand for competency will lead to businesses looking for more efficient and cost-effective ways to manage their IT infrastructure. This presents an opportunity for Opsio to step up and provide the necessary support needed during this transition.

As Praveena Shenoy mentions, “Opsio has always been committed towards providing the best of services to its clients, which puts is in a prime position to meet the rising demand. With our office already established in Bangalore, we are well-equipped with local talent and knowledge of the Indian market. It’s clear that AWS’ investment can act as a catalyst for digitalization across all sectors of the economy in India.

The Role of Opsio in Meeting Demand

Opsio’s expertise in AWS services and solutions is unmatched, making it the perfect partner for businesses looking to scale their operations on the cloud. With years of experience in deploying and managing complex AWS environments, Opsio has developed an unparalleled level of technical proficiency in this domain.

Moreover, Opsio offers customized solutions tailored to each client’s needs, ensuring that their specific requirements are met with precision. This approach has helped them deliver successful projects time and again, earning the trust of customers across industries. Whether it is designing a new infrastructure from scratch or optimizing existing resources for better performance, Opsio does it all with finesse and attention to detail.

Opsio in India

Opsio is a leading cloud service provider that offers innovative solutions to businesses in India. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, Opsio has helped many global companies achieve their digital transformation goals. Leveraging AWS India’s advanced capabilities, Opsio provides customized and scalable solutions that enable

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