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 Bihar

CURRENT AFFAIRS
For BPSC, Bihar SI, BSSC, Bihar Teacher and all other Competitive
Exams of Bihar

February 2025 Year 02 | Issue 02

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
BIHAR SPECIAL 1-20 ƒ World’s Largest Election
ƒ PM USHA Yojana ƒ Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules
ƒ Awareness campaign to reduce maternal mortality rate ƒ Prisons Manual
ƒ District Mineral Foundation ƒ Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas
ƒ Four New National Highways in Bihar ƒ Youth Co:Lab 2025
ƒ Viksit Bihar @ 2047 ƒ Bharatpol Portal
ƒ Buddha Samyak Darshan Sangrahalay ƒ Sanchar Saathi
ƒ Sita Mata Temple and Luv-Kush Park ƒ Masali Village
ƒ Increase in fire incidents in Valmiki Tiger Reserve ƒ V Ramasubramanian Appointed as the New
ƒ Disaster Risk Reduction Calendar 2025 Chairperson of NHRC
ƒ Historic achievement in the energy sector Economy 27
ƒ Approval of new investment proposals in Bihar
ƒ 358th Prakashotsav of Shri Guru Govind Singh Ji ƒ State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2024-25
ƒ Grants to Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) ƒ Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024’
ƒ Indo-Nepal Border Road Report
ƒ Bihar achieves significant progress in the Logistics ƒ Baanknet Portal
Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report ƒ Project VISTAAR
ƒ Pirpainti Thermal Power Unit ƒ India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster
ƒ Women’s Kabaddi World Cup ƒ EmpowHER Biz
ƒ 42nd Governor of Bihar ƒ Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural
ƒ 100 years of Danapur Railway Station Marketing
ƒ Sumitra Saha Prasad ƒ NAKSHA Scheme
ƒ Bihar’s first Gharial Sanctuary ƒ FREE AI Committe
ƒ Ancient remains of Kaimur Hills ƒ Organic Farming
ƒ Updated Voter List of Bihar ƒ National Turmeric Board
ƒ Poshan Vatika ƒ Travel and Tourism Development Index
ƒ National Ranking Pickleball Championships Economic Survey 2024-25 37
ƒ Flood Erosion Prevention Project
ƒ Status of Kisan Credit Card Scheme in Bihar ƒ Chapter: State of the Economy
ƒ Recognition to Bihar Sports University ƒ Chapter: Monetary and Financial Sector
ƒ Jeevika Didis: An example of change in society Development
through literacy ƒ Chapter: External Sector
ƒ Skills University ƒ Chapter: Investment and Infrastructure
ƒ Butterfly Garden of Bodh Gaya ƒ Chapter: Industry
ƒ ISRO will monitor disasters in Bihar ƒ Chapter: Agriculture Sector in India: Current Status
ƒ Groundwater crisis in Bihar and Future Prospects
ƒ Justice K. Vinod Chandran ƒ Chapter: Social Sector: Extending Reach and Driving
ƒ 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference Empowerment
ƒ Night Heron Bird ƒ Chapter: Employment and Skill Development:
ƒ Ancient security wall of Rajgir Strengthening Workforce Participation
One Liner ƒ Chapter: Labour in the AI Era: Crisis or Catalyst?
Budget 2025-26 54
ISSUES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE 21-84
Science and Technology 63
Polity 21

Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 I

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ƒ SpaDeX Mission ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL

ƒ Parker Solar Probe IMPORTANCE 85-90
ƒ INS Vaghsheer ƒ African Union Support Mission in Somalia
ƒ Nag Mark 2 anti-tank guided missile ƒ India Joins UN Committee on Big Data
ƒ India-U.S. Collaboration on Sonobuoy ƒ Global Cooperation Barometer, 2025
ƒ Bhargavastra Micro-Missile System ƒ Silver Notice
ƒ Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) ƒ Kerch Strait
ƒ Genome India Project ƒ Denmark Strait Cataract
ƒ Human Metapneumovirus One Liner
ƒ Anemia Phone
ƒ Development of Wideband Spectrum-Sensing Technology KNOW YOUR BIHAR 91-96
ƒ Willow-A Quantum Chip ƒ Role of Bihar In The Freedom Struggle
ƒ Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies
PRELIMS SPECIAL 97-106
Environment 70
ƒ Person in News
ƒ Ensuring Compliance with the Forest Rights Act (FRA) ƒ Places in News
ƒ India’s first-ever ‘Coastline-Waders Bird Census’ ƒ Award and Honours
ƒ Kappad and Chal Beach ƒ Important Days and Themes
ƒ Sports Events
ƒ Wetland Accredited Cities
ƒ Sports Awards/Records/Rankings
ƒ Global Plastic Treaty ƒ Books and Authors
Social Issues 72 ƒ Obituaries
ƒ Abbreviation
ƒ EAC-PM report on Migration ƒ Reports and Indices
ƒ Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises ƒ Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)/Agreements
(ASUSE) ƒ Military Exercise
Art and Culture 75 ƒ Defence and Security
ƒ Summits and Conferences
ƒ Lothal Maritime Heritage Complex ƒ National Appointments
ƒ Maha Kumbh Mela, 2025 ƒ International Appointments
ƒ Republic Day reception by President Murmu ƒ Festivals
ƒ Space Mission/Initiative
ƒ Kashmiri papier mache art
ƒ Campaigns/Initiatives/Schemes
ƒ Nati Binodini ƒ Mobile Apps/Portals
ƒ Makaravilakku Festival
PRACTICE WORK 107-124
Geography and Disaster Management 79
ƒ Mission Mausam 70th BPSC Re-Exam (04 January) (J-Series) 107
ƒ Artesian condition in Jaisalmer
ƒ Answer Key
ƒ The Sada Region
ƒ Asia’s largest shallow wave basin Current Affairs MCQs 117
One Liner ƒ Answer Key

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 BIHAR SPECIAL
PM USHA Yojana Awareness campaign to reduce maternal
mortality rate
Context: The Ministry of Education (Government of
India) has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 100 crore each Context: The Bihar government has announced to run
to Patna University and Lalit Narayan Mithila University an awareness campaign in the year 2025 to reduce the
under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan maternal mortality rate.
(PM-USHA).
Facts about the campaign
Facts about the Grant • In this campaign, women and their families will be
• This amount will be used to strengthen NIRF informed about various safety and precautionary
ranking, infrastructure, quality research and other measures during pregnancy and delivery at the
dimensions including research paper publication of district, block and panchayat levels.
these universities. • Training will be given to various ASHA, ANMs
• Patna University had applied for this grant, in workers etc. for proper handling of emergencies
which 60% contribution would be from the Central during delivery.
Government and 40% from the State Government. • The initiative will involve collaboration among
ASHA workers, GNMs, ANMs, UNICEF, WHO, and
Importance of the Grant
district health officers.
• Infrastructure Development: This funding will • The campaign will prioritise accurate documentation
empower the universities to upgrade their libraries, in the Maternal and Child Protection (MCP) Card
laboratories, and other essential infrastructure. and work towards strengthening healthcare
• Promotion of research work: This will allow the services for pregnant women.
universities to foster research initiatives by offering • This campaign of the Bihar Government is a big step
financial support to research scholars and funding towards achieving “Target 3” of the Sustainable
various research projects. Development Goals (SDGs).
• Better facilities for students: This funding can be • The maternal mortality rate in Bihar was 208 in
utilized to develop hostels, playgrounds, and other 2011-12, which has been reduced to 118 in 2022-23.
facilities for the students. • The goal of the Bihar government is to reduce the
• International collaboration: The universities can maternal mortality rate to 60.
utilize this funding to forge collaborations with
international institutions. District Mineral Foundation
About PM USHA Yojana Context: Recently a decision was taken to use the
amount collected in the District Mineral Foundation
• Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM- for various developmental initiatives.
USHA) was launched under the National Education
Policy and succeeds the Rashtriya Uchchatar Objective
Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). • This initiative aims to develop mining-affected
• It was originally launched in 2013 and followed by areas and enhance the living standards of the
a second phase in 2018. affected population from mining activities.
• It also focuses on enhancing access, equity, and • It will also be used to establish libraries, self-study
excellence in state higher education institutions centres, sports grounds, etc.
while promoting efficiency, transparency, and
Monitoring of the work
accountability.
• It covers government and government-aided • It is necessary for all the districts to provide information
institutions of the States and UTs. about the schemes to the headquarters and submit
their monitoring reports from time to time.
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 Bihar Special

• The Mines and Geology Department has directed Sitamarhi district is targeted to be completed by
the Mineral Development Officers of all the March 2025. With the improvement of this road,
districts to use this fund effectively. traffic in the district will speed up and travel time
• It is mandatory to update DMF data on the portal. will be reduced.
Important facts about the District Mineral
• NH-333 (Bariyarpur to Madhopur Bishanpur): It
connects Bariarpur in Munger district to Madhopur
Foundation
Bishanpur in Jamui district and eventually enters
• Section 9 B of the Mines and Minerals (Development Jharkhand. This 26 km long section from Jhajha to
and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowers the State Madhopur Bishanpur will be upgraded by March
Government to establish a District Mineral Foundation. 2025. The process of selection of a construction
• It should be established in all the Districts affected agency is underway.
by mining for the benefit of the people and areas
affected by mining activities. Viksit Bihar @ 2047
• As per the latest data, the total amount collected
under DMF in Bihar is about 179.91 crores. Context: The Bihar government has set a target to
make Bihar a developed state by 2047.
Four New National Highways in Bihar Facts about the goal
Context: As part of infrastructure development in • Efforts have begun to transform Bihar into a
Bihar, four new National Highways (NH) are being
developed state by 2047, with a vision document
constructed.
currently being prepared to guide this initiative.
Objective of the Project • This document will outline a comprehensive
blueprint for Bihar’s future, focusing on the social
• The aim of these projects is to improve connectivity and economic development of the state.
between major districts like Patna, Aurangabad, • This document will provide a comprehensive
Siwan, Sitamarhi, Munger and Jamui, thereby roadmap for Bihar’s development over the next
strengthening the transport network. 20 years, incorporating the goals of sustainable
development.
National Highway Under Construction
• It will ensure that the state progresses with
• NH-139 (Patna to Aurangabad): NH-139 is being a balanced focus on social, economic, and
constructed to improve connectivity between environmental growth.
Patna and Aurangabad. This highway will facilitate • The Planning and Development Department of
transportation in the region and contribute to Bihar has been given the responsibility as the
economic development. nodal department for this work. This department
• NH-227A (Siwan to Mashrakh): This 50 kilometer will prepare this vision document by inviting
long route from Siwan to Mashrakh is being made suggestions from all other departments.
a four-lane route with an estimated cost of Rs.
Efforts to improve various areas
1431.36 crores.
 It was earlier supposed to be a two-lane road, but • Under this scheme, many new initiatives will be
on the recommendation of the state government, taken to improve various sectors like education,
it was approved to be a four-lane road. This health, infrastructure, employment, agriculture
development will provide a dedicated route to and industry.
the passengers between Ayodhya and Janakpur. • Its objective is to develop Bihar as a prosperous
• NH-122A (Vishwanathpur Chowk to Kharka and capable state so that it can play a leading role
Basant): This 31.82 kilometer long highway in National Development by 2047.
from Vishwanathpur Chowk to Kharka Basant in
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 Bihar Special

Buddha Samyak Darshan Sangrahalay  The Tourism Department will also construct a
budget hotel at the Janaki Bihar complex at a
Context: Buddha Samyak Darshan Sangrahalay-cum- cost of Rs. 29.87 crore.
Smriti Stupa is being constructed in Vaishali district.
• Luv-Kush Park
Facts related to the Sangrahalay-cum-Smriti  A park commemorating Luv and Kush, the sons of
Stupa Sita Mata, will be constructed in Valmiki Nagar,
• Buddha Samyak Darshan Sangrahalay-cum-smriti West Champaran, Bihar.
Stupa is being constructed in an area of 72.94 acres  Rs. 97 crore will be provided by the Government
in Vaishali. of India for the construction of this park.
• This Sangrahalay-cum-Smriti stupa is being built  As per mythology, Maharishi Valmiki’s ashram
with an estimated cost of 550.48 crores and will be was located on the banks of three rivers in West
ready by January 2025. Champaran, where Bhagwati Sita lived in exile
• This Smriti Stupa is being constructed near the following Shri Ram’s orders and gave birth to Luv
sacred Pushkarini pond and the mythological clay and Kush.
stupa located in Vaishali.
Benefits from these projects
• The primary objective is to preserve the sacred
relics of Lord Buddha and provide accessible • Religious-cultural tourism and employment
darshan facilities for the general public. opportunities
• Pink stones imported from Rajasthan have been  More than Rs. 300 crore will be spent on these
used in its construction. projects, which will promote religious-cultural
tourism in North Bihar.
Historical importance of Vaishali
 These development works will also create local
• Vaishali is a historical and religious centre of employment opportunities.
Buddhism. This is the place where Lord Buddha
gave his last sermon. Increase in fire incidents in Valmiki Tiger
• After his Mahaparinirvana, the Second Buddhist Reserve
Council was held at Valukaram Vihara in Vaishali.
• The Second Buddhist Council was held in 383 BC. Context: According to the ‘India State of Forest
Report-2023,’ Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) ranks
This council was held under the patronage of King
third in the country for incidents of forest fires.
Kalashoka and was presided over by Sabakami.
Key points of the report
Sita Mata Temple and Luv-Kush Park
• In the fire season 2023-24, 1470 incidents of fire
Context: Bihar government plans to construct a grand were recorded in VTR. This has put it in third place
Sita Mata temple in Sitamarhi and Luv-Kush Park in
after Nagarjunasagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh)
Valmiki Nagar, West Champaran.
and Indravati Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh).
Facts about the project • VTR was also at the third spot in the previous fire
season (2022-23) when 1,524 fire incidents were
• Sita Mata Temple recorded here.
 Sita Mata Temple will be constructed in • There were 39 fire incidents reported in VTR in
Sitamarhi, Bihar. 2021-22, while the number was 1,438 in 2020-21
 For the construction of this temple, Rs.90 and 74 in 2019-20.
crore will be given by the Government of India, • The report highlighted that incidents of arson
whereas the Bihar government will provide Rs. have emerged as a significant threat to the forest
120 crore along with 50 acres of land for the resources of Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) and the
construction of the temple. wildlife that inhabits it.
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 Bihar Special

Matter of concern
 Flood: 73% of the state’s land is flood affected areas.
The rising incidence of forest fires has become a major  Earthquake: Bihar is also very vulnerable to
concern for experts and environmentalists, as it not earthquakes with a considerable amount of its
only damages the flora and fauna but also disrupts area falling under the seismic zone 4 and 5. The
biodiversity. earthquake that occurred in Bihar on 15 January
Facts related to Valmiki Tiger Reserve 1934 is one of the most devastating earthquakes
• Location: West Champaran district of Bihar state with a magnitude of 8 on the Richter scale.
• Area: About 898.45 sq km  Drought and Heatwaves: The region experiences
• Established: 1978 severe droughts and intense heat waves during
• Biodiversity: Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Rhinoceros, the summer months.
Chital, Various types of Birds and many other  Cold Wave: During winters, many districts of the
animals are found. state experience extremely cold conditions and
• Main attractions: Jungle Safari, River, Religious places cold waves.
 Landslides: The hilly and forested areas of the
Disaster Risk Reduction Calendar 2025 state are prone to landslides.
 Forest Fires: Forests located in the state are
Context: Recently, the Disaster Risk Reduction highly prone to forest fire and for example,
Calendar 2025 published by the Bihar State Disaster
Valmiki Tiger Reserve ranks third in the country
Management Authority (BSDMA) was released by the
Chief Minister of Bihar. for incidents of forest fires.
• Anthropogenic Disasters
Features of the calendar  Arson and road accidents.
• In this calendar, renowned cartoonist from Bihar,  Pandemics: Confronting global disasters like
Pawan Kumar, has conveyed essential information COVID-19.
about disaster safety through his line drawings.
Vulnerability to floods
• This initiative is an important step towards disaster
management and raising awareness. • The total area of ​​Bihar is 94,160 sq. km, out of
which 68,800 sq. km is flood-affected, i.e. about
Disaster Risk Reduction Efforts
73% of the land is flood-affected area.
The Government of Bihar and BSDMA are playing a • Bihar accounts for 30-40% of the total damage
leading role in disaster risk reduction. These efforts caused by floods in India.
can be understood through the following points: • The total flood-affected population of the state
• Community-based initiative: An effort to promote is 22.1% of the total flood-affected population of
community awareness through the calendar. India.
• Institutional preparedness: Efforts to ensure • 28 districts of the state are highly vulnerable to
disaster resilience through improved planning and floods.
management. Bihar State Disaster Management
• Future Focus: Prioritising the reduction of disaster Authority (BSDMA)
impacts through an environmentally sensitive • Bihar State Disaster Management Authority
approach. (BSDMA) is a statutory body that was established
• Source of inspiration: Bihar’s efforts in disaster in 2007 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• It aims to reduce the impact of disasters by adopting
management are setting an example for other states.
a holistic approach towards disaster risk reduction,
Bihar: Disaster-prone area management and rehabilitation in the state.
• It is chaired by the Chief Minister of the state.
Bihar is vulnerable to many disasters due to its • District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs),
geographical and climatic conditions. headed by District Collectors have been established
• Natural Calamities: at the district level.

Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 4

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 Bihar Special

Historic achievement in the energy sector  7 new grid substations are made operational in
2024, taking to a total number of 170.
Context: As per recent data, Bihar has witnessed  Upgradation of 465 dedicated agriculture
unprecedented progress in electricity availability.
feeders and 35,098 circuit kilometre distribution
Revolutionising power supply lines under the Revamped Distribution Sector
• By October 2018, electricity was provided to all Scheme (RDSS).
willing families in the state, two months before the  Solarisation of 3,681 agricultural feeders started
scheduled deadline of December 2018. under PM Kusum Yojana.
• Before the year 2005, the electricity supply was for  The state’s maximum power supply reached
7-8 hours, but at present, on average, electricity is 8,005 MW in 2024.
available 24x7. Night Time Light (NTL) Atlas
• According to ISRO’s Night Time Light (NTL) Atlas, • The Night Time Light (NTL) Atlas is a tool developed
nighttime power availability recorded an increase of by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to
474% during 2012-2021, the highest in the country. provide satellite-based assessment of artificial light
emitted by the Earth’s surface during nighttime.
Major achievements of the Energy Department • This atlas is useful for measuring and analysing
in the year 2024 growth in development, urbanisation and energy
consumption.
• Chief Minister’s Electricity Consumer Assistance
Scheme Approval of new investment proposals in
 A subsidy of ₹15,343 crore has been approved Bihar
for providing ultra-low-cost electricity.
• Chief Minister Agriculture Electricity Connection Context: To promote industrial and economic
development in the state, the State Investment
Scheme
Promotion Board has recently approved investment
 Free electricity connection to farmers. proposals totalling Rs 365.17 crore.
 Supply of electricity to farmers for irrigation at
just ₹0.55 per unit with a 92% subsidy. Details of Investment Proposals
 Target of 1.5 lakh agricultural electricity • Four new units: Four new units have been
connections achieved by December 2024. approved for the production of Calcined Petroleum
• Solar Energy Projects Coke (CPC), parboiled rice, grain-based ethanol
 Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Project and biscuits and rusks.
ƒ Under this project, solar power plants of 21 • Bharti Airtel Data Center: Bharti Airtel Limited will
MW capacity have been installed on 5,683 set up a data centre and cloud centre at a cost of
private buildings, while solar power plants of Rs. 268 crore in Sikandarpur Industrial Area, Bihta.
94.34 MW capacity have been installed on • Four-Star Hotels: To boost tourism, Four-Star
10,433 government buildings. Hotels will be established in Buxar and Motihari.
 Work on the country’s largest battery energy storage A budget of Rs. 20 crore has been allocated for the
project with 185 MW solar energy generation construction of hotels and resorts in Buxar, while a
capacity and 254 MW hour battery storage capacity heritage hotel will be developed in Motihari with
has started at Kajra in Lakhisarai district. an investment of Rs 15 crore.
 A 10 MW floating solar power project is under • New projects in the IT sector: As part of the Bihar
construction at Phulwaria, Nawada. IT Policy, five projects worth Rs 314 crore have
 2 MW solar project at Bikram, Patna. been approved. These include Bharti Airtel’s data
 Chief Minister Rural Solar Street Light Scheme: centre, a laptop and desktop manufacturing unit,
4.6 lakh solar lights were installed at the a drone manufacturing project, and software
panchayat level. development-related initiatives in the Muzaffarpur
• Other major initiatives and Patliputra industrial areas.
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 Bihar Special

358th Prakashotsav of Shri Guru Govind and Technology (DST), aims to promote research and
Singh Ji development (R&D). The scheme provides necessary
facilities for research in new and important areas, such as:
Context: The 358th Prakashotsav of Shri Guru Govind • Renovation and modernisation of laboratories
Singh Ji Maharaj, the tenth Sikh Guru, was recently
celebrated with great enthusiasm and grandeur at the
• Access to new technologies and software
Takhat Sri Patna Sahib. • Development of scientific and technical libraries
• Maintenance of existing and new facilities
Biography of Guru Govind Singh Ji
• Born: December 22, 1666 at Patna Sahib Indo-Nepal Border Road
• Childhood: Deep interest in religion and spirituality
• War and Sacrifice: He fought many wars in his Context: Recently, the construction deadline of a
375 km-long stretch of the 552 km-long “Indo-Nepal
lifetime and sacrificed his four Sahibzadas to
Border Road” in Bihar has been delayed.
protect the country and religion.
• Foundation of Khalsa Panth: In 1699 AD, on the Features and benefits of the road
occasion of Baisakhi, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji • Connectivity: This road will connect seven districts of
Maharaj founded the Khalsa sect at Anandpur Bihar - West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi,
Sahib and introduced the Panch Kakars (kangha, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj.
kada, kripan, kachha and kesh), which bestowed a • Cost: The construction of this 375 km stretch will
distinct identity upon the Sikhs. cost Rs. 2,300 crore.
Teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
• Progress: So far construction of 178 km of road has
been completed.
• To follow the path of truth, justice and compassion • Benefit:
• Love and Brotherhood  National Security: Movement and surveillance of
• Fearlessness and courage security forces on the border will improve.
• Fight to protect religion  Better connectivity: Traffic in border areas will be
smooth and people will have ease of movement.
Grants to Central University of South  Economic Development: Trade and tourism will get
Bihar (CUSB) a boost, which will strengthen the local economy.
Context: Recently, the Department of Environmental Current status of the project
Science (EVS) of the Central University of South
Bihar (CUSB) has received a grant of Rs 1.10 crore
• Although this road was targeted to be completed
from the Ministry of Science and Technology, by December 2024, it has been delayed due to
Government of India. delays in the construction of some Railway Over
Bridges (ROB).
Facts about the grant
• The primary objective of this grant is to advance Bihar achieves significant progress in the
research on critical environmental issues, including Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS)
water, soil, air pollution, climate change, and ecology. Report
To support this initiative, wet and dry laboratories
will be established within the department. Context: Recently, in the LEADS Report 2024 released
by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Bihar
• The grant is given under the Fund for Improvement has improved its position significantly.
of Science and Technology Infrastructure (FIST)
scheme. Findings of the Report

FIST Scheme
• Released by the Union Ministry of Commerce and
Industry.
The FIST scheme, run by the Department of Science • The report has highlighted Bihar’s position from the
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 Bihar Special

What is a tariff-based tender system?

"aspirational" category to the "fast-developing"
states category. • Under this system, companies participating in the
• Along with Bihar, states like Himachal Pradesh, project will have to fix electricity rates in advance
Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan are also for 25 years to ensure transparency and stability in
included in this category. electricity prices.
• This report is based on four major pillars: • Following the tender process, a Memorandum of
 Logistics Infrastructure: Development of infrastructure Understanding will be signed between the chosen
like roads, railways, airports and warehouses. company and the Power Holding Company.
 Logistics services: The quality and efficiency of • The power holding company will plan the
transportation, storage, distribution, and other distribution and utilisation of 2400 MW of power.
related services. • According to the Power Holding Company,
 Operating and Regulatory Environment: Ease thermal power units have been successfully
of doing business, government policies and constructed under a tariff-based tendering system
regulatory framework. in Maharashtra and other states.
 Sustainable Logistics: Adopting eco-friendly and • This system ensures transparency and long-term
sustainable logistics practices. sustainability of the projects.
Bihar Logistics Policy 2024 Coal India’s proposal

• This policy has attracted investors by providing • In February 2024, Coal India had proposed to set up
capital subsidies and attractive incentives, thereby a 2400 MW thermal power unit at Pirpainti. It was
boosting economic growth in the region. targeted to be completed in the next five years.
• Bihar’s first dry port and inland container depot • However, there was no agreement with the
was inaugurated at Bihta on 21 October 2024. Environment Ministry on the terms of reference.
• It offers vital services such as dry port warehousing, Also, there was a delay in getting approval from the
custom bonded facilities, cargo tracking and multi- Coal Ministry, due to which the project got stuck.
modal transportation. • It has been decided to pursue this project under
the new system. This is expected to resolve
Benefits of Bihar Logistics Policy
environmental and administrative hurdles and
• Economic growth and investment complete the project in a timely manner.
 Improved logistics infrastructure along with
better road and rail connectivity has made Bihar Women’s Kabaddi World Cup
a hub of domestic and international trade.
 The Nahar Group has announced to build a one Context: Recently, Bihar has been awarded the
responsibility of hosting the Women’s Kabaddi World
million sq ft logistics park in the state, investing
Cup, scheduled for March 2025.
US$15 million. This will create 4,000 jobs.
About the decision
Pirpainti Thermal Power Unit • The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup will be held at
Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar in March 2025.
Context: Recently, the process of construction of • Teams from 14 countries around the world will
2,400 MW thermal power generation units at Pirpainti
participate in this sports event.
in Bhagalpur district has been restarted.
• The decision was taken after the meeting between
About the Process the President of the Asian Kabaddi Federation
The construction of 2,400 MW (three units of 800 MW Dr. Abbas Khajes Awarase, the Director of the
each) thermal power generation units at Pirpainti in International Kabaddi Federation Tejashwi Gehlot
Bhagalpur district will be executed through a tariff- and Ravindra Shankaran, the Director General of
based tender system. Bihar State Sports Authority.
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Major sports events to be held in Bihar in

• He resigned from Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinet due to
2025 differences in the Shah Bano case.
Event Date Place Level • Arif Mohammad Khan served as Union Cabinet
Sports Minister holding portfolios of Energy and Civil
13 January Patna National
Conclave Aviation during 1989–90.
22-24
SGFI Cycling Patna National 100 years of Danapur Railway Station
January
Women’s Context: Danapur Railway Station completed 100
7-12 Rajgir,
Kabaddi International years of its establishment on January 1, 2025.
March Nalanda
World Cup
Sepak Takraw 18-26 Establishment and history of Danapur Railway
Patna International Division
World Cup March
Seven
• It was established on January 1, 1925, as “Dinapur”
Khelo India 14 April-14 National Railway station.
districts
Youth Games May • Its first Divisional Superintendent was C. Ayres.
of Bihar
Under-20 Administrative Structure
8-11 Asian
Rugby Asian Patna
August
Championship • In 1952 it was placed under the Kolkata-based
28 Eastern Railway (ER).
Men’s Hockey Rajgir, • In 2002 it came under the East Central Railway
August-8 Asian
Asia Cup Nalanda
September (ECR), headquartered at Hajipur.
Offices and regions
42nd Governor of Bihar
• The headquarters of the Danapur Division is
Context: Recently, Arif Mohammad Khan took oath as located in a grand building built in 1929 near
the 42nd Governor of Bihar.
Danapur station in Patna.
About the Appointment • Presently its rail network extends from Jhajha to
• Arif Mohammad Khan became the 42nd Governor Kuchaman.
of Bihar. He replaced Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. • Stations like Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, Barh, Mokama,
• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has been appointed Gulzarbagh and Bihta come under the Danapur division.
as the Governor of Kerala.
• Arif Mohammad Khan was sworn in by Chief Justice Sumitra Saha Prasad
of Patna High Court K. Vinod Chandran at the Raj
Bhavan. Context: Sumitra Saha Prasad has become the
first person from Bihar to get citizenship under the
• He served as the Governor of Kerala from 6th Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.
September 2019 and continued till 2nd January
2025 before assuming his office as the Governor Important Facts
of Bihar. • Recently, for the first
time in Bihar, citizenship
Facts related to Arif Mohammad Khan
certificates were issued
• Arif Mohammad Khan was born on 18 November under the Citizenship
1951 in Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh. Amendment Act (CAA),
• He is an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University and 2019.
Lucknow University. • Sumitra Saha Prasad, a resident of Ara, has made
• He is a staunch critic of the Muslim Personal Law history by becoming the first person to achieve this
Board. remarkable feat.
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• Sumitra Prasad, also known as Rani Saha (60), has • Gharials are found in the freshwater rivers of
been granted Indian citizenship after a long wait of North India such as the Chambal, Ghaghra, Girwa,
40 years. Ramganga, Gandak and Son Rivers.
How the Connection with India Was Severed? Conservation of Gharials

• At the age of five or six, Sumitra Rani Saha went to • The Gharial is listed as a ‘Critically Endangered’
Bangladesh with her aunt for her studies. species in the IUCN Red List.
• Due to financial constraints, she was forced to stay • In India, the gharial is protected under the Wildlife
there. (Protection) Act, 1972.
• On January 19, 1985, she returned from Bangladesh
to her father’s home in Katihar. Ancient remains of Kaimur Hills
• On 10 March 1985, she was married to
Parameshwara Prasad of Ara. Context: Recent discoveries in the Kaimur Hills have
revealed evidence of remains dating back over 10,000
• Since her marriage, Sumitra Saha Prasad has been
years.
living on a visa in Ara city of Bihar.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 Archaeological significance
• The CAA Act 2019 provides Indian citizenship to • Representation of different periods: The
people of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and archaeological sites of Chenari block represent
Christian religions who come from Afghanistan, human history from the Upper Palaeolithic period
Bangladesh and Pakistan. to the modern period.
• This provision applies to refugees who came to
India before December 31, 2014. • Important sites: Neolithic sites like Telari and
Bhundadih and Chalcolithic sites like Uradaga,
Bihar’s first Gharial Sanctuary Puraini, and Chitrataand have been discovered
here, which depict the development of ancient
Context: Bihar’s first Gharial Sanctuary will be built in human civilisation.
the Gandak River in Gopalganj.
Major sites and heritage sites
Key Points
• Conservation Objective: The sanctuary will provide • Shergarh Fort: It is a mysterious underground fort
a safe habitat for the gharials and encourage their which has been called “Bhurkudha Ka Qila” by
breeding. medieval writers.
• Number of gharials: Currently there are about • Gupta Dham Cave: This natural cave is an important
1200 to 1500 gharials in Gandak River. religious place for Shaivism.
• Action plan: A team from the Wildlife Institute • Durgawati Reservoir: Located on the border of
of India, Dehradun will visit Gopalganj district in Rohtas-Kaimur, this reservoir is both a water
February 2025 to prepare a detailed action plan resource and a famous tourist destination.
for the sanctuary.
Rock paintings of Judawan Man Village
• Monitoring and Conservation: After the
establishment of the sanctuary, priority will be • Mesolithic Art: Amazing rock paintings of the
given to the monitoring and conservation of Mesolithic period can be seen in the cave located
gharials in the Gandak river. in Judhavan Maan village.
Facts related to Gharials
• Cave Details: This cave is 10 meters long, 4 meters
wide and 8 meters high.
• The gharial is a type of Asian crocodile. • Theme of paintings: There are paintings like dogs,
• It is also sometimes called ‘Gavial’. human figures, geometric shapes and medieval
• This animal is famous for living underwater and inscriptions.
eating fishes.
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Archaeological discoveries and studies

Poshan Vatika
• Initial Discovery: These rock paintings were
discovered by Durga Prasad Pandey in the 1940s. Context: Recently, under MNREGA in Bihar, it has
been decided to build a Poshan Vatika in one school
• Further research: In 1984 Sanmukh Pandey did of each block.
research work in this field.
• New Discovery: More painted rock shelters were Purpose of Poshan Vatika
discovered during an Army trekking expedition in • The Bihar government has decided to establish
1999. Poshan Vatikas with the aim of protecting students
studying in government schools in rural areas from
Updated Voter List of Bihar malnutrition and providing them with nutritious food.
Context: Recently the updated voter list for all 243 Selection Process
assembly constituencies of Bihar has been published
by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• Under this scheme, in the first phase, one school
will be selected from each 534 blocks of Bihar
Key Facts through MNREGA.
• Recently, an online workshop was organized by
• This list is based on the status as of 1 January 2025. MNREGA to discuss this selection process. The
Names of 7,94,466 new voters have been added to topic of this workshop was, “Creation of Poshan
this updated list. Vatikas under MNREGA.”
• The total number of voters in the state has • It is mandatory for the selected schools to have
increased to 7,80,22,933 after the publication of basic facilities like boundary walls and hand pumps.
the updated voter list. These include 4.07 crore
Structure of Poshan Vatika
men, 3.72 crore women and 2,104 third gender
voters. • Local fruits like amla, drumstick, lemon, guava,
jamun, mango, jackfruit, pomegranate, litchi and
Gender ratio
custard apple along with vegetable plants will be
• An increase in gender ratio has been observed in planted in the Poshan Vatika.
this voter list. According to the latest data, the • These fruits and vegetables will be used to enhance
number of enrolled female voters in the state is the nutritional quality of the mid-day meals
914 against every 1000 male voters. This shows an provided to students.
improvement in the gender ratio. • Under this scheme, plants will be purchased from
the nursery of Jeevika Didis.
Voters by age group
• Poshan Vatika will be maintained with the
Age Group (Years) Number of Voters cooperation of the local school management
18-19 8 Lakh committee.
• This scheme will not only improve the quality of
20-29 1.55 Crore
mid-day meals but will also help in protecting
30-39 2.04 Crore students from malnutrition and increase
40-49 1.69 Crore community participation at the local level.
50-59 1.14 Crore
National Ranking Pickleball
60-69 72 Lakh
Championships
70-79 39.65 Lakh
80+ 16 Lakh Context: Recently, players from Bihar won a total
of 11 medals in the National Ranking Pickleball
Championship.

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Key Facts • Last year, in 2024, record water levels were

• The National Ranking Pickleball Championship was recorded in the major rivers Kosi, Gandak
held in Bhubaneswar. and Bagmati originating from Nepal, causing
• In this competition, the players of Bihar won a total problems like erosion, seepage and piping in many
of 11 medals including one gold, seven silver and embankments in the state.
three bronze medals. • Embankments and structures were also damaged
• In this competition, the pair of Aditya Gupta and in many places.
Ritam Chawla of Bihar won the gold medal in the • This time, the government is learning from past
under-19 boys’ doubles event. experiences and taking stronger steps so that the
• In the girls’ doubles event, the pair of Bhumi Gupta damage caused by floods can be minimised.
and Kiran Patil won the gold medal.
• In the open age group mixed doubles, the pair of Status of Kisan Credit Card Scheme in
Avinash Kumar and Bhumi Gupta won the bronze Bihar
medal.
• Abhay Kumar won the silver medal in the singles Context: Recently, in a review meeting of banks in the
presence of the Minister of Agriculture, concerns have
event in the age group above 30 years. Abhay
been raised about the dismal amount of loans given to
Kumar and Anand Singh won the silver medal in farmers under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme.
the doubles event.
• In the singles event for the age group above 40 Issues of concern
years, Anand Singh won silver, Virendra Kumar won • In the financial year 2024-25, only 2.82% of the
bronze and in the doubles event, the pair of Anand farmers have been provided KCC loans against the
Singh and Bhupendra Paul won silver medal. The target set.
pair of Virendra Kumar and Puneet Ranjan won the • The target was to provide KCC loans to 15 lakh 54
bronze medal. thousand 580 farmers in the state, but KCC cards
were made for only 43,902 farmers.
Flood Erosion Prevention Project • Instead of the target of loan disbursement of Rs.
23,199.88 crore, only Rs 502.55 crore could be
Context: Recently, the Water Resources Department disbursed.
of the Bihar Government has approved 76 anti-erosion
projects in various districts of the state ahead of the Reasons for the failure
upcoming flood season.
• Sluggish functioning of Banks: Banks are not
About the Project showing promptness in loan disbursal.
• These projects will be implemented in districts • Non-timely repayment of loans by farmers: This
like Samastipur, Khagaria, Darbhanga, Begusarai, has led to a decrease in the creation of new KCCs
Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Gopalganj, and loan disbursement.
Chhapra, Purnia, Sitamarhi and West Champaran.
Government’s effort
• Completion of these projects will provide relief
to the farmers and villagers of these areas from • Awareness Campaign: Promoting KCC Enrollment
floods and erosion and will reduce the damage to and Renewal for Farmers.
their agricultural land and other property. • Strict instructions to Banks: Instructions have been
• The Water Resources Department has set a target given to banks to provide KCC facilities to more and
to complete all these projects by May 15, 2025. more farmers.
• A budget allocation of Rs. 155.02 crore has been Way Forward
approved for these 76 anti-erosion projects.
Lessons from last year’s floods
• Banks will have to make the loan disbursal process
simple and easy.
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Importance of Sports University

• Farmers must be encouraged to maintain timely
loan repayments. • It will provide state-of-the-art training in subjects
• The government will have to monitor loan disbursal such as sports science, sports education,
and fix the accountability of banks. sports medicine, sports technology and sports
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) management.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme was launched in • It will give Bihar a prominent place on the sports
1998. map.
• Objective: The objective of the scheme is to provide • It will provide new direction and opportunities to
cash facility to farmers for immediate procurement the students to make a career in sports.
of agricultural inputs and production needs like
seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. • This university will open the doors to new
• It is implemented by Commercial Banks, RRBs, opportunities in the field of sports and education
Small Finance Banks and Cooperatives. for the youth of Bihar and will promote sports
culture in the state.
Recognition to Bihar Sports University
Jeevika Didis: An example of change in
Context: Recently, Bihar Sports University located in society through literacy
Rajgir has been granted recognition by the University
Grants Commission (UGC). Context: In a recent study it was found that nearly 80
New Courses lakhs Jeevika Didis have achieved literacy in the last
five years.
• This recognition empowers the university to offer
a range of programs in physical education, sports Empowerment through education
science, and related disciplines. New courses that • Jeevika realised that rural women are getting
are being now offered are: livelihood opportunities, but lack of education is
 Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in hindering their development. Keeping this in mind,
Sports Coaching: This course will enable students Jeevika took the initiative to provide literacy and
to specialise in two or three major sports and education up to eighth standard to women.
prepare sports coaches to represent India at the • Over 50,000 Jeevika Didis have successfully
national and international levels. completed their education up to the 8th grade.
 Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) • 35 thousand Jeevika Didis are making other rural
in Yoga: This course will promote yoga and women literate.
prepare students to become professional yoga
Benefits of Literacy
instructors.
 Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education (B.P.Ed): • Boost in Confidence: Literacy has significantly
This four-year undergraduate course will operate enhanced the confidence of Jeevika Didis.
under the approval of the National Council for • Financial Independence: Education and accounting
Teacher Education (NCTE) and will prepare knowledge have enabled them to manage their
teachers and experts in the field of physical businesses more efficiently and effectively.
education. • Access to new opportunities: After becoming
literate, Jeevika Didis have been able to avail
Objective of Sports University
benefits of government schemes and access
• To provide quality education and training in the banking services.
field of physical education and sports science.
Impact of Literacy
• To empower the students in both academic and
sports fields. • The impact of literacy has been most profound
• To encourage students to compete at national and in districts such as Patna, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga,
international levels. Madhubani, and Muzaffarpur.
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Development of butterfly garden

• Each year, around 40,000 Jeevika Didis participate
in fairs held across various states, gaining access to • The butterfly garden at JP Park, near the
better markets for their products. Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, was inaugurated
• This success of Jeevika Didis is not just an in November 2022.
example of literacy but also of self-reliance and • This park is under the State Environment, Forest
empowerment. It shows how education can bring and Climate Change Department.
positive change in life.
Features

Skills University • 35 species of butterflies are found in this garden, which

also includes butterflies found in European countries.
Context: Recently, a decision was taken by the Government • The garden features 5,000 plants, including 55
of Bihar to open a Skill University in the state.
varieties of spice plants, specifically planted to
Key Points of the Decision attract and support butterflies.
• The State Labour Resources Department is in the Religious and tourist attractions of the park
process of drafting a proposal for the establishment
of this new university. • Foreign tourists visit Bodh Gaya to buy butterflies
• Various vocational courses related to skill and release them in the open sky.
development and employment will be conducted • Earlier they used to release small birds, but after
through this university. the ban, butterflies have replaced birds.
• The key programs that will be offered include
Bachelor of Vocation, Master of Vocation, Bachelor ISRO will monitor disasters in Bihar
of Skill, and Master of Skill.
Context: Recently, an agreement was signed between
Benefits of Skills University ISRO’s institution Space Application Center (SAC),
Bihar State Disaster Management Authority and Bihar
• It would be easier to get training for employment Meteorological Service Center to monitor disasters in
for the unskilled population of the state. the state.
• The degrees awarded here will be recognised for
employment in both central and state government Key benefits of the agreement
positions. • Help in pre-disaster warning: Data from ISRO
• Fraudulent practices in training institutes will be satellites in Bihar will be utilised to provide pre-
eliminated. disaster warnings, helping to alert people in
• Skill development courses will be enhanced. advance and minimize potential losses.
• New skill development courses will become more • Protection from floods: With the help of images
streamlined. taken from satellites, the depth of rivers and
water flow can be estimated. This will help in
Skill Universities located in other states
understanding the flood situation better and the
• States such as Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, damage caused by it can be reduced.
Assam, Delhi, and Gujarat have already established • Data Useful in Disaster Management: The data
and successfully operationalised Skill Universities. obtained from satellites will be used in formulating
and implementing disaster management policies.
Butterfly Garden of Bodh Gaya • Research and Education Opportunities: Research
students from Bihar will have the opportunity to
Context: The butterfly garden developed in JP Park visit ISRO and SAC for their studies, where they can
near the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar, has
utilise the data gathered for their research. This
now emerged as a haven for European butterflies,
providing them with a thriving habitat. initiative will open up new avenues in the field of
science and technology.
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Groundwater crisis in Bihar • Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna administered

the oath to Patna High Court Chief Justice K. Vinod
Context: In a recently released report by the Central Chandran as a judge of the Supreme Court.
Groundwater Board, a rapid increase in groundwater
tapping has been observed in Bihar.
• With the swearing-in of Justice K Vinod Chandran,
the strength of judges in the Supreme Court has
Findings of the Report increased to 33, while the sanctioned strength is
• 14 lakh cubic meters of groundwater is being 34, including the Chief Justice.
tapped every year in Bihar, while only 16 lakh cubic
About Justice K. Vinod Chandran
meters of water are left for the future and the safe
water reserve is only 2 lakh cubic meters. • Justice K. Vinod Chandran was born on April 25,
• According to the report, in Bihar, groundwater is 1963, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and obtained
tapped indiscriminately for agricultural purposes his law degree from the Kerala Law Academy Law
as well as domestic use and industrial purposes. College, Thiruvananthapuram.
• In Bihar, East Champaran district is at the top in • He commenced his legal career in 1991.
groundwater tapping, while Arwal has the lowest. • He served as Special Public Prosecutor (Tax) to the
Bihar’s capital Patna is at the fourth place on this list. Government of Kerala from 2007 to 2011.
Groundwater recharge
• He was appointed as a Judge of the Kerala High
Court on November 8, 2011.
• In Bihar, most of the groundwater is recharged by • He was appointed Chief Justice of Patna High Court
rainwater. on March 29, 2023.
• However, the efforts made under the Jal Jeevan
Hariyali Abhiyan have increased the groundwater 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference
level by 2 lakh cubic meters last year.
Context: Recently, the 85th session of the All India
Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) was held in Patna.
• The Bihar government started the Jal-Jeevan-
Hariyali Abhiyan in 2019. About the Conference
• The aim of this scheme is to improve the • The conference was held from 19 to 21 January, and
environment. Also, to promote water conservation speakers and experts from across the country deliberated
for the farmers of Bihar.
• Applicants applying under this scheme are given a on the “75th glorious journey of the Indian Constitution”.
subsidy of Rs. 75,500. • It was chaired by the Lok Sabha Speaker and co-
• With this subsidy, farmers can construct ponds in hosted by the Bihar Legislature.
their fields. • The main theme of this three-day event was based on
• Under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan, the condition the “75th glorious journey of the Indian Constitution”.
of water resources in Bihar has improved in the
last few years due to measures like digging of new
• Extensive discussions were also held on the
ponds, renovation of old ponds and wells etc. contribution of Parliament and State Legislatures
in strengthening constitutional values.
Justice K. Vinod Chandran
Facts related to AIPOC
Context: Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium has • The All India Presiding Officers Conference is the
recommended the appointment of Justice K. Vinod
supreme body of legislatures in India.
Chandran, Chief Justice of Patna High Court as a Judge
of the Supreme Court. • It aims to provide a platform for sharing best practices
and innovative ideas between the Lok Sabha and all the
Key Facts State Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils.
• On January 13, 2025, President Draupadi Murmu • This conference is an important initiative towards
appointed Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice further strengthening the democratic structure of India.
of Patna High Court, as a judge of the Supreme Court. • The first session of AIPOC was held at Shimla in 1921.
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Importance of the conference Cyclopean Wall (Historical Heritage)

• This conference was organised in Bihar after a long • It has been decided to map and create a 3D model
gap of 43 years. Earlier it was organised in 1982. of the ancient security wall (Cyclopean Wall) of
• This conference was organised for the first time in Rajgir using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
Bihar in 1964. technology, under the supervision of the Indian
• This is the third time when the All India Presiding Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Officers Conference was organised in Bihar. • This initiative is an important step towards
preserving and understanding the rich historical
Night Heron Bird and cultural heritage of India.
• The Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir is considered to be
Context: Recently, the Night Heron bird has been older than the Great Wall of China. This wall is
spotted in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) of Bihar.
a symbol of the glorious history of the Magadh
About Heron bird Empire.
• After China and Vietnam in Asia, this bird has now • The Bihar government is making special efforts
been spotted in Bihar as well. to get this wall registered in the UNESCO World
• It is also called White Eared Night Heron. Heritage List.
• The Night Heron bird was first seen in the Valmiki Role of ISRO and Archaeological Survey of India
Tiger Reserve in November 2016.
• This bird is rarely seen due to its rare and elusive nature. • The Superintendent of Archaeological Survey of
• In the year 2000, it was included in the list of India (ASI), Patna has been directed to use LiDAR
endangered birds. technology to study and preserve the Cyclopean
• The scientific name of Night Heron is Gorsachius Wall. Apart from Patna, expert teams from
magnificus. Sarnath, Jodhpur, Chandigarh, Rajkot, Chennai
• This bird is nocturnal, resting during the day and and Dehradun boards have been included in this
hunting at night. project.
LiDAR technology
Ancient security wall of Rajgir
• LiDAR technology has the capability to produce
Context: Recently, it was decided to map and create highly accurate and detailed models. It uses lasers,
a 3D model of the ancient security wall (Cyclopean
scanners, and GPS survey receivers, which are
Wall) of Rajgir using LiDAR technology, under the
supervision of ISRO. mounted on a platform.

Chief Minister’s Pragati Yatra

Date District Key Points

xChief Minister Nitish Kumar started the first phase of ‘Pragati Yatra’ on 23
December 2024 from West Champaran district.
xThe foundation stone of 300 schemes worth Rs 545.24 crore and 59 schemes
West worth Rs 34.72 crore were laid in Shikarpur village of Majhaulia block.
23
Champaran xLaid the foundation stone of 39 schemes worth Rs 171.88 crore and inaugurated
December
2 schemes worth Rs 0.30 crore at Ghotwa Tola of Bagaha-2 block in West
2024
Champaran district.
xIn total, 400 schemes worth Rs 752.17 crore were inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone.
xLuv-Kush Park will be constructed in Valmikinagar.

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 Bihar Special

xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reviewed the development
works in Sundarpur village of Kesaria, located in the East Champaran district. On
24 East this occasion, he remotely inaugurated 62 schemes worth Rs.114.82 crore and
December Champaran laid the foundation stone for 42 schemes worth Rs.86.30 crore for the East
2024 Champaran district.
xA total of 104 schemes worth Rs. 201.12 crore were inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone.
xThe Chief Minister announced that the Riga sugar mill would be restarted.
xThe state government has sanctioned Rs. 52 crore for the payment of dues of
sugarcane farmers.
xGiving relief to the farmers, instructions have been given to increase the price of
sugarcane by Rs. 20 per quintal.
26 xIt was decided to repair the broken part of the embankment of Bagmati River.
December Sitamarhi xReligious and historical places Punaura Dham and Panthpakar will be developed.
2024  According to historical belief, Panthapakar is the place where the palanquin of
Mother Sita was kept while going to Ayodhya.
xTo solve power supply problems in four blocks of Sitamarhi - Majorganj, Suppi,
Bairgania and Riga, a new power grid station will be set up in Majorganj block.
xThe Chief Minister announced that 500 acres of land will be identified and new
industries will be set up on it.
xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone for 231 schemes in Sheohar district by unveiling a plaque, with
26
a total investment of Rs.187 crore.
December Sheohar
xDuring this visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed
2024
Panchayat Government Building at Mesaudha Gram Panchayat in Piprahi block
by unveiling a stone plaque, built at a cost of Rs.130.33 lakh.
xThe Chief Minister Nitish Kumar started the second phase of Pragati Yatra from
Gopalganj district.
Gopalganj
04 January xDuring this Pragati Yatra, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation
2025 stone for 72 schemes in Gopalganj district at an estimated cost of Rs.140 crore.
This includes the inauguration of 61 schemes worth Rs.7,169.08 lakh and the
foundation stone laying for 11 schemes worth Rs. 6,733.67 lakh.
xIn the second phase of the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced
projects worth Rs. 45,140.12 lakh (Rs.451.40 crore) for Muzaffarpur district.
xDuring this, he inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and started the work by
05 January
Muzaffarpur unveiling the stone slabs related to 76 schemes. These include inauguration of
2025
51 schemes at a cost of Rs 9405.46 lakh, foundation stone of 23 schemes at a
cost of Rs 24590.31 lakh and commencement of work of 2 schemes at a cost of
Rs 11144.35 lakh.
xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced projects worth
Rs. 276.80 crore for Vaishali district. He remotely inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone for 344 development schemes, including the inauguration of
118 schemes worth Rs.113.37 crore and the foundation stone laying for 226
06 January
Vaishali schemes worth Rs.163.43 crore.
2025
xDevelopment and beautification of Barila Lake will be done in Vaishali district.
This will promote tourism and fisheries.
xA big industrial park will be built on 1,293 acres of land along the Amas-
Darbhanga road in Vaishali district.

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 Bihar Special

xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced development
projects worth approximately Rs.109 crore for Siwan district.
xThe Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 127
07 January developmental schemes through remote. These include the inauguration of 122
Siwan
2025 schemes at a cost of Rs 83 crore 47 lakh 37 thousand and the foundation stone
laying of 5 schemes at a cost of Rs 25 crore 38 lakh 27 thousand.
xMouniya Baba Maharaj Mela will be given the status of a state fair. This is a
100-year-old fair.
xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced development
schemes worth approximately Rs. 985 crore for Saran district.
08 January xThe Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 52
Saran
2025 developmental schemes through remote. These schemes include the
inauguration of 32 schemes at a cost of Rs 688.17 crore and the foundation
stone laying of 20 schemes at a cost of Rs 296.42 crore.
xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced development
schemes worth approximately Rs. 1,500 crore for Darbhanga district.
xThe Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone by unveiling the
plaques related to 186 schemes. This includes the inauguration of 89 schemes at
11 January
Darbhanga a cost of Rs 935.28 crore and the foundation stone laying of 97 schemes at a
2025
cost of Rs 561.75 crore.
xBaba Kusheshwar Sthan will be beautified and developed.
xGangasagar, Hardahi, and Digdhi ponds located in Darbhanga will be beautified
and developed by integrating all three, enhancing their appeal and utility.
xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced development
12 January projects worth over Rs. 1,107 crore for Madhubani district.
Madhubani
2025 xDuring this, the Chief Minister remotely inaugurated, commenced work, and laid
the foundation stone for 139 development schemes.
xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced development
projects worth over Rs. 937 crore for Samastipur district.
xDuring this, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 198
developmental schemes remotely. This includes the inauguration of 51 schemes
worth Rs 500.82 crore and the foundation stone laying of 147 schemes worth Rs
13 January Samastipur 436.64 crore.
2025 xDuring this, it was announced to develop Muktapur-Moin of Samastipur district
as a tourist destination.
xIt was decided to remove silt from the Balan river.
xThe Balan River originates in Samastipur district. It is formed by the confluence
of the Nun River and the Jamuari River. The Balan River eventually merges with
the Budhi Gandak River in Begusarai.
xChief Minister Nitish Kumar started the third phase of Pragati Yatra from
Khagaria district.
xThe Chief Minister announced 224 development schemes worth Rs.430 crore to
Khagaria district. These include the inauguration of 89 schemes and the
16 January Khagaria
foundation stone laying for 135 schemes.
2025
xDuring the Pragati Yatra, the Chief Minister remotely inaugurated the animal
feed factory at Maheshkhunta in Gogri block, Khagaria district.
xThe animal feed factory has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 43 crore, with a
production capacity of 300 metric tonnes per day.

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 Bihar Special

xDuring the Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced development
schemes worth Rs. 56,328.56 lakh for Begusarai district from the newly
constructed building complex of the Begusarai Block-cum-Zonal Office.
xDuring this, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 641
18 January developmental schemes through remote. This includes the inauguration of 214
Begusarai
2025 schemes worth Rs 18128.666 lakh and the foundation stone laying of 427
schemes worth Rs 38199.892 lakh.
xDuring this, the Chief Minister announced the integrated development of Kawar
Lake and decided to develop it as a tourist destination.
xKawar Lake is a freshwater oxbow lake and is the first Ramsar site of Bihar.

One Liner
• Who has been honoured with the ‘All India Acharya • Who has been recently honoured with IMA’s Women
Ramchandra Shukla Critics Award’ for the year for Best Social Activity Award — Dr. Veena Singh
2022 — Dr. Arun Kumar Bhagat • Which country will adopt the India-Nepal system
• Who has been appointed as the new Governor of of customs, Raxaul Integrated Check Post (ICP)
Bihar — Arif Mohammad Khan — Russia
• Where was the the Asmitha Khelo India Women’s • Recently, which Hindi literature critic, linguist and
Kho-Kho League, 2024 organised former dean and head of the department of Shanti
— Minz Stadium, Gopalganj Niketan passed away — Prof. Dr. Siyaram Tiwari
• Which state’s women’s team won the 68th National • Who won the title of Miss Bihar 2024 which was
School Games Rugby (Under-19) competition held in Patna — Aishwarya
— Bihar • Who won the title of ‘I-Glam Miss India Noble
• In which state the Women’s World Cup Kabaddi Queen 2024-2025’ held in Kolkata
will be organised in the year 2025 — Bihar — Shweta Bharti of Katihar district
• Who inaugurated ‘Inter IIT Cultural Meet 7.0’ at IIT • Which student of Patna University has secured
Patna— Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha second position in the All India Inter University
• Bihar government has directed to increase the Yoga Competition — Prabhat Kumar
price of sugarcane by how much rupees per quintal • How much amount has been released by the Bihar
— Rs. 20 government to build an incubation centre in NIT
• Riga Sugar Mill, which has been decided to restart, Patna’s Bihta campus — Rs. 50 crore
is located in which district of Bihar — Sitamarhi • Which state won the title of Asmita Khelo India
• Which player from Bihar won the gold medal in the Inter Zonal Women’s Kho-Kho League (Junior and
68th National School Games Under-19 Taekwondo Sub Junior) — Maharashtra
Competition 2024-25 — Sneha S Kumar • Which medal did Bihar get in the Asmita Khelo
• Which player from Bihar recently won the title in India Inter Zonal Women’s Kho-Kho League (Junior
the Under-18 Boys Singles category of the All India and Sub Junior) — Two Bronze Medals
ITA Tennis Championship Series — Vaibhav Singh • Where will Bihar’s first bone bank be established
• In which city of Bihar, free Wi-Fi facility will be — Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital, Patna
provided at 15 major public places — Patna • Which medal did Akash Kumar of Bihar win in the
• Which Prakash Parv of Guru Govind Singh Ji was 35th Senior National Championship— Silver medal
celebrated recently — 358th • Which medal did Jameel Ahmed of Bihar win in the
• Founder Secretary of Mahavir Mandir Nyas Samiti National Lawn Bowls Championship held in Delhi
who passed away recently— Acharya Kishore Kunal — Bronze medal
• Who was recently honoured with the prestigious • Who administered the oath to the newly appointed
medical award ‘IMA Dr. Ketan Desai Award’ Governor Arif Mohammad Khan in Bihar
— Dr. Sahajanand Prasad Singh — Justice K. Vinod Chandran
Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 18

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 Bihar Special

• Which NGO has partnered with the government • Recently, the Bihar government has announced to
to maintain the quality of public toilets at major build how many new biological parks in the state
tourist places in Bihar — Sulabh International — Two
• Which medal did Chandan Kumar Singh of Bihar • In which district of Bihar ‘National FIDE Rating
win in the National Lawn Bowls Championship in Chess Competition’ was organised from 9 to 13
Delhi — Bronze medal January 2025 — Patna
• Where was the three-day horticulture festival • In which district of Bihar an industrial park will be
organised recently — Gandhi Maidan, Patna built on 1 thousand 293 acres of land along the
• Recently, ‘Rajkeshwar Puryag’ performed Puja Amas-Darbhanga road — Vaishali
at Vishnupad temple in Gaya. He is the former • Recently, the civil services team of which state has
President of which country — Mauritius won the gold medal in the All India Civil Services
• How much amount has been approved by the Kabaddi Tournament — Bihar
Tourism Department of Bihar for the redevelopment • Which medal did Bihar won in the 53rd Senior
of Sitakund of Chakia block in East Champaran Women National Handball Championship
district — 13 crores 10 lakh 44 thousand — Bronze medal
• In which category has Bihar been placed in the • Which medal did the pair of Aditya Gupta and
Logistics Ease 2024 report — Fast developing Ritam Chawla of Bihar win in the National Ranking
• What amount has been sanctioned by the Chief Pickleball Championship — Gold Medal
Minister Nitish Kumar for Muzaffarpur district • Which player from Bihar has won the bronze
during his Pragati Yatra — Rs. 451 crores 40 lakh medal in the individual event in the 19th Cadet
• Bihar has won the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate (Under-17) National Fencing Competition
Group (Under-16) Cricket Tournament by defeating — Ravi Kumar Yadav
which state — Tripura • What percentage of farmers in Bihar have got KCC
• How many medals did the players of Bihar win in loan in the financial year 2024-25 — 2.82%
the 34th National Strengthlifting Competition • How many medals did Anju Kumari win at the
— 10 medals (4 Gold, 3 Silver & 3 Bronze) recently held Asian Masters Athletics Championship
• Recently, which historical division of the Indian — 4 Gold medals
Railway network completed 100 years • Which university in Bihar has recently developed
— Danapur Division a machine with the help of AI to prevent fruits on
• Who recently launched the book ‘Sadan me Sushil trees from spoiling— Bihar Agricultural University
Modi’, written by former Union Minister Dr. Sanjay • Recently, Bihar State Disaster Management
Paswan — Governor Arif Mohammad Khan Authority and Bihar Meteorological Service Center
• Which DSP of Bihar’s CBI has been awarded the have signed an agreement with whom — ISRO
Union Home Minister’s Medal — Ruby Chaudhary • Which institution has topped the ranking of
• Recently, which principal of Bihar has been given incubation centres released recently by the
the Leadership Excellence Award for the year 2024 Industries Department of Bihar
by the New Delhi-based international organisation — Chandragupt Management Institute, Patna
Refacimato International — Prof. Dr. Poonam • Recently, which Chief Justice of Patna High Court
• At which place in Bihar is the target to build an has been appointed as the Judge of the Supreme
international sports institute by March 2026 Court — K. Vinod Chandran
— Patliputra Sports Complex • Which state’s tableau was selected by the Ministry
• Which foundation day of Patna College was of Defense to be displayed in the Republic Day
celebrated on January 9, 2025 — 163rd Parade, 2025 on the theme of ‘Golden India:
• Recently, it has been decided to build a new bridge Heritage and Development’ — Bihar
on which river between Ara and Chhapra • Recently, an Indigenous device related to
— Ganga River neurosurgery has been developed by— Patna AIIMS
Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 19

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 ISSUES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
POLITY  Most Nominations: Malkajgiri (Telangana) – 114
 Least Nominations: Dibrugarh (Assam) – 3
World’s Largest Election (Excluding Surat)
• Women Electors: 47.63 crore (increased from
Context: Recently, the Election Commission of India 43.85 crore in 2019)
released granular data of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 and
 Female Voter Turnout: 65.78% (higher than male
four simultaneous State Assembly Elections.
turnout at 65.55%)
Key highlight of the Election  Highest Female Turnout: Dhubri (Assam)
• The World’s largest electoral dataset, publishing – 92.17%
42 reports on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and  Puducherry: 50.03% female electors, Kerala: 51.56%
14 reports for each of the four State Assembly • Third-Gender Electors: 48,324 (increased 23.5%
Elections namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal from 2019)
Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.  Tamil Nadu: 8,467 (highest)
• This suo moto initiative aims to improve • Political Participation:
transparency and accessibility of election data,  Six national parties secured 63.35% of valid votes
aiding academicians, researchers, and election  3,921 independent candidates contested; only 7
observers in detailed analyses. won
• The released data covers electors, polling stations,  Uncontested Constituency: Surat
voter turnout, gender-based voting trends, political
party performance, and constituency-level results. Draft Digital Personal Data Protection
• It will facilitate time-series analysis to monitor Rules
long-term trends and changes in the electoral and
political landscape. Context: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology has released the Draft Digital
Key highlights from the 42 reports on the Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, inviting public
2024 Lok Sabha elections feedback and consultation.

• Total Electors: 97.97 crore (increased 7.43% from About Digital Personal Data Protection Rules,
91.19 crore in 2019) 2025
• Votes Cast: 64.64 crore (64.21 crore via EVMs; • It aims to protect citizens’ personal data rights and
42.81 lakh postal ballots) implement the Digital Personal Data Protection
 Male: 32.93 crore, Female: 31.27 crore, Third Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), supporting India’s goal
Gender: 13,058 of establishing a strong digital data protection
 Transgender Turnout: 27.09% framework.
• NOTA Votes: 63.71 lakh (0.99%, down from 1.06% • The rules are created for clarity and simplicity
in 2019) which focus on empowering citizens in India’s
• Highest Turnout: Dhubri (Assam) – 92.3% expanding digital economy.
• Lowest Turnout: Srinagar (J&K) – 38.7% (increased • They seek to safeguard citizens’ rights under the
from 14.4% in 2019) DPDP Act, balancing regulation with innovation
• Polling Stations: 10.52 lakh (increased from 10.37 to ensure the benefits of India’s growing digital
lakh in 2019) economy reach all citizens.
 Uttar Pradesh: 1,62,069 (highest)
Key Features
 Lakshadweep: 55 (lowest)
 Bihar: Largest increase (+4,739 stations) • Data Fiduciaries:
• Nominations: 12,459 (increased from 11,692 in  Provides accessible information on personal
2019) data handling, enabling informed consent.
Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 21

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 issues of national importance

More about News

 Grants rights to request data deletion, appoint
digital nominees and manage data through user- • The Union Home Minister has approved a new
friendly mechanisms. Model Prison Manual, consisting of 32 chapters, to
 Builds trust via informed consent, right to ensure uniformity in laws, rules, and regulations
erasure, grievance redressal, and parental for prison administration and prison management.
controls for children’s online safety.
Key Revisions of this Manual
• Harmony between Innovation and Regulation:
 Balances innovation and data protection. • Access to free legal services for free legal aid to the
 Reduces compliance for startups and small businesses. poor and weaker sections of society and seeks to
 Allows a sufficient transition period for ensure justice for all.
businesses to adapt to new rules. • Appointment of jail visiting advocates;
• Digital-First Approach: • Setting up of a legal aid clinic in every prison;
 Embraces a “digital by design” philosophy. • Legal literacy classes in prisons;
 Consent mechanisms, grievance resolution, and • Additional provisions for women prisoners:
the Data Protection Board operate digitally.  Comprehensive health screening for women
 Citizens can file complaints online, ensuring Ease prisoners, including tests to determine presence of
of Living and Doing Business. sexually transmitted or blood-borne diseases etc.
• Addressing Stakeholder Issues: • Rights of prisoners sentenced to death
 Eases compliance for startups and MSMEs while • Regular mental health evaluation for death row
ensuring stricter obligations for Significant Data prisoners.
Fiduciaries. • Facilitating and allowing a final meeting between a
 Sector-specific measures enhance the core prisoner and his family.
framework. • Provisions for children of women prisoners:
 Penalties consider violation severity, mitigation  Provisions for holistic development and growth of
efforts, and other factors. children, including provision of food, medical care,
 Annual assessments and audits for Significant clothing, education, and recreational facilities.
Data Fiduciaries ensure compliance. • Inspection of Prisons:
• Inclusive Approach:  Informal inspections to be carried out by senior
 Developed based on feedback from stakeholders prison officers.
and global best practices.  Formal inspection to be carried out by a
 Public input is sought on MyGov portal reflecting designated Inspector Officer.
inclusive law-making.
Provision of the Current Amendment
• Awareness Initiative:
 Promotes awareness of citizen rights and • The new rules prohibit any form of discrimination,
responsibilities under the framework, fostering classification or segregation of prisoners on the
a culture of data responsibility. basis of Caste.
 Demonstrates India’s commitment to safeguarding • According to the Prohibition of Employment as
data while supporting innovation and growth. Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act,
2013 , “manual scavenging or hazardous cleaning
Prisons Manual of a sewer or a septic tank inside a prison shall not
be permitted,”.
Context: Recently, the Union Home Ministry has
amended the prison manual rules of Model Prison Supreme Court Intervention
Manual,2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional
Services Act,2023 to address the issue of any caste- • The Supreme Court of India passed a judgement
based discrimination of prisoners. that reinforced caste-based work allocations and
segregation of prisoners unconstitutional.
Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 22

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 issues of national importance

• According to the verdict by the Supreme Court , The • To support India’s causes and work for the
right of the prison is like the fundamental rights to welfare of local Indian communities worldwide.
equality and life (Articles 14 and 21) and against • To provide a platform for overseas Indians to
discrimination, untouchability, and forced labour engage with the government and people of
(Articles 15, 17, and 23) must not be violated. their ancestral land.
Data provided by National Crime Records
• To enhance the credibility of “Incredible India”
Campaign.
Bureau (NCRB) -2022
Indian Diaspora
• According to the NCRB report, 2022 Scheduled
Caste is 22.4% of the prison population, while The Indian Diaspora includes the following categories
Scheduled Tribes are 11%, despite their population of people:
being only about 8.6% of the general population.
Persons of Non-Resident Overseas
Amendment of Bihar Prison Manual Indian Origins Indians Citizens of India
• In Bihar Prison Manual 2012, Rule 481(1)(a), the (OCI)
(PIOs): (NRIs):
mentioned phrase ‘the murder of a public servant A person who or An Indian Cardholder:
on duty’ was removed”. whose ancestors citizen who is A person who is
was an Indian ordinarily registered as the
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas citizen and who residing overseas citizen
is currently the outside India of India
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated holder of another and is holding Cardholder under
the 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in country’s an Indian the Citizenship
Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. passport. passport. Act 1955.

More about the news Status of Indian Diaspora

• This year’s event is organized in cooperation with • According to the UN world migration report
the state Government of Odisha from 08-10 Jan 2024, India is the origin of the largest number
2025 in Bhubaneshwar. of international migrants in the world, touching
• President presented 27 Pravasi Bharatiya samman nearly 18 million. Indian diaspora is spread in
Awards in the event. the Middle East, South east Asia, Europe and
History of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD)
American Countries.
• According to India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• The PBD is celebrated on 9th January every as of May 2024, approximately 35.42 million
year to mark the arrival of Gandhiji in India Indians were living abroad. This number
from South Africa in 1915. comprised around 15.85 million non-resident
• The first celebration was held in 2003 annually Indians (NRIs) and nearly 19.57 million persons
till 2015. However after that the celebration of Indian origin (PIOs).
became bi-ennielly. • Among the nations hosting the largest Indian
• The celebration is organized under the diaspora, the United States has the highest
guidance of the Ministry of External Affairs. population of Indians, totaling 5.4 million individuals
• Theme of 2025 event: “Diaspora’s contribution making about 1.6% of the total populations.
to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
Significance of Indian Diaspora
Objectives of the celebration
• The contribution in economic development: India
• To commemorate the contributions of the is the highest recipient of the remittance in
Indian diaspora to India’s development. FY2024 of about 120 billion US Dollar. This
• To create a better understanding of India contributes in the Indian Forex reserves which
abroad. accounts for about 650 billion US Dollar.
Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 23

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 issues of national importance

• Soft power diplomacy: through the Incredible Youth Co:Lab 2025

India Campaign India is showing its cultures
and diversity to the world nations which would Context: Recently, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
in collaboration with NITI Aayog, UNDP, and Citi
help in India’s global image making. E.g. Vaccine
Foundation launched the seventh edition of the Youth
Maitri Initiative during the covid pandemic Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge for 2024-25.
where India distributed Covid vaccines to
about 100 countries whereas the Developed About Youth Co:Lab
countries involved in vaccine nationalism. • It was co-created in 2017 by UNDP and Citi
• Scientific and technological collaboration: NASA Foundation to empower and invest in young
hosts about 30% of Indian scientists and people to drive the achievement of the Sustainable
engineers contributing to their economy. They Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership,
also help in technology transfer to India. social innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• Investment in Indian Economy: the overseas • It was launched in India in 2019 in partnership with
Indians are an important source of investment Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog.
in the Indian economy especially in Foreign • Till the year 2024, Youth Co:Lab, through this
Portfolio Investment. collaboration, organized six national dialogues
focused on youth social innovation and
Government of India’s initiatives for diaspora
entrepreneurship in India.
engagement
This year’s programme
• Know India Program (KIP): An initiative of MEA
for engaging with the youths of about 21 to • It will be carried out in partnership with
35 years of Indian diaspora with a three week AssisTech Foundation (ATF), to empower young
knowledge tourism experience in India. entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with disabilities
• Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): innovating for solutions that “Enhance access
Established in 2009 to assist the Indian to opportunities and well-being of Persons with
community in distress situations overseas. E.g. Disabilities”
evacuating the Indian Nationals abroad.Due to • The programme aims to support 30-35 early-stage
its significant utility, the ICWF is now extended startups with a springboard program, offering seed
to all Indian Missions and Posts abroad. grants to top performers for scaling their initiatives.
• E- Migrate system: Established to facilitate the • It encourages young founders aged 18–32,
safe and legal emigration of Indian workers passionate about solving real-world challenges or
abroad. It also helps to ease the migration creating meaningful co-innovation opportunities
process in a transparent and efficient manner. for disability inclusion.
• Inter-Governmental Labour Migration Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
Agreements: Established to facilitate • It was launched by NITI AAYOG in 2016.
cooperation and labour issues. • It is a Government of India’s flagship initiative to
• Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana: An insurance foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
scheme available to all Indian workers across the country.
• It aims to foster problem-solving mindsets in
emigrating from India, requiring a nominal schools and build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in
premium payment made to insurance universities, research, and industries.
companies.
Conclusion: The Government should engage with the BHARATPOL Portal
Indian community abroad with utmost efficiency for
cooperation in national investment and economic Context: Recently, the Union Minister of Home
Affairs launched the BHARATPOL portal, marking the
progress.
beginning of a new era for India in Global investigation.

Bihar Current Affairs | February 2025 24

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 issues of national importance

About BHARATPOL portal

• The system will ensure fast, secure transmission
• It will act as a central hub for real-time action and of Interpol Notice requests, creating an efficient
assistance in combating transnational crimes through method to locate criminals both in India and globally.
international police cooperation which is developed
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• It aims to simplify global cooperation for law • It works under the Ministry of Personnel, Pension &
enforcement, enabling faster connections between Public Grievances, and is the premier investigating
central agencies, state agencies, and Interpol to police agency in India.
accelerate investigations. • As an elite force, it safeguards public values and
• This portal was launched in response to the surge the national economy, while serving as India’s
in transnational crimes like cybercrime, financial central agency for coordinating investigations with
crimes, and human trafficking, where real-time Interpol member countries.
international cooperation is crucial for investigations. • It drives the power to investigate from the Delhi
• The new portal will enable central and state Special Police Establishment Act,1946 Section 2 of
investigation agencies to exchange and access case the Act vests DSPE with jurisdiction to investigate
information from Interpol’s 195 member countries. offences in the Union Territories only.
Features of BHARATPOL portal
• It was established on the recommendations of
the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of
• Integrated Platform: It connects the CBI, Interpol Corruption (1962-1964).
(NCB-New Delhi), and all Indian law enforcement • It is not a statutory body, as it was created through
authorities, including Superintendents of Police a resolution by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1963.
(SPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs).
• Streamlined Request System: It enables frontline SANCHAR SAATHI
officers to quickly request international assistance
from 195 Interpol member countries using Context: Recently, the Ministry of Communication
launched this App. to fortify telecom security and
standardized templates.
empower citizens, maintaining the protection, safety,
• Fast Information Sharing: It allows the CBI, as the and trustworthiness of telecom networks for everyone.
NCB, to quickly share criminal intelligence from 195
countries with all Indian law enforcement agencies. About SANCHAR SAATHI
• Enhanced use of Interpol notices: It will simplify • It provides users with critical tools to secure their
the process of drafting Red Corner Notices and telecom resources and combat telecom frauds.
other Interpol colour-coded alerts. This will enable • The aim of this app is to ensure that every individual
efficient tracking of crimes, criminals, and criminal has access to these vital services with just a few
proceeds worldwide. taps on their smartphone.
• Skill Development and Training: It offers access to
Features of App
documents, templates, and training resources, boosting
frontline officers’ ability to conduct investigations • Chakshu - Report Suspected Fraud Communication:
abroad and request foreign assistance via Interpol.  This app provides a facility for reporting about
financial fraud or cyber-crime cases.
Key modules of BHARATPOL Portal
 If someone has lost money due to cyber crimes
• There are five key modules of the BHARATPOL Portal: or financial fraud , it also suggested a cyber -
 Connect crime helpline number.
 INTERPOL Notices • Block Your Lost/ Stolen Mobile Handset:
 References  It blocks mobile devices in the network of all
 Broadcast telecom operators that were lost or stolen.
 Resources  If anyone tries to use the blocked mobile phone,
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 issues of national importance

its traceability is generated. Once a mobile the help of International Mobile Equipment Identity
phone is found it may be unblocked on the App number subscribers can check the genuineness of
or portal for its normal use by the citizens. mobile handset.
• Know Mobile Connections in Your Name: It • Know Your Wireline Internet Service Provider: It
facilitates a mobile subscriber to check the number enables the citizens to search for the presence of any
of mobile connections taken in his/her name. ISP across the length and breadth of the country by
• Know genuineness of Your Mobile Handset: With entering the PIN code, address or name of the ISP.

Masali Village
Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Context: Masali Village of Suigam taluka in • Launched: It was launched on 15th February 2024
Banaskantha (Gujarat) has become India’s first
Solar-Powered Border Village.
• Aim: The aim of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar
Muft Bijli scheme is to provide solar power to one
About the Village crore households by March 2027.
• Masali Village is located just 40 kms away from • This scheme is the world’s largest domestic rooftop
Pakistan. solar initiative by the Indian Government.
• The Village has been developed under the Border
Development Project V Ramasubramanian Appointed as the
• Under the Border Development Project, the New Chairperson of NHRC
administration has taken the initiative to make 17
villages completely solar powered village. Context: Recently, former Supreme Court judge
V Ramasubramanian was appointed as the 33rd
• The cost of the Project is Rs. 1.16 crore , it is the
chairperson of National Human Right Commission.
first among 17 such border villages in the district.
• The Project has been started with the cooperation About V Ramasubramanian
of the Revenue Department, UGVCL (Uttar Gujarat • He was born on June 30, 1958.
Vij Company Limited), Banks, and Solar Companies. • He graduated in Chemistry from Ramakrishna
• To fulfil the goal of a sustainable future by using Mission Vivekananda College in Chennai.
renewable energy the Central Government and • He pursued law at Madras Law College and was
State Government make the country self - reliant admitted to the Bar on February 16, 1983.
in the energy sector. • He was appointed an additional judge of the Madras
High Court on July 31, 2006, and later confirmed as
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 issues of national importance

Functions of the National Human Right

a permanent judge on November 9, 2009.
• He was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Commission
Himachal Pradesh High Court on June 22, 2019, • To participate in any active court cases related to
and was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on claims of human rights violations.
September 23, 2019. • To investigate human rights violations or
negligence by public servants, either on its own
National Human Right Commission (NHRC)
initiative, through petitions, or by court order.
• It is a statutory body established in the year 1993 • To inspect prisons and detention centres, evaluate
under the Protection of Human Right Act 1993. inmate conditions, and recommend improvements.
• It reflects India’s commitment to the promotion • To assess legal protections for human rights and
and protection of human rights. propose measures for better implementation.
• Section 2(1)(d) of the Act defines Human Rights • To examine issues like terrorism that hinder
as the rights related to an individual’s life, liberty, the enjoyment of human rights and suggest
equality, and dignity, as guaranteed by the appropriate corrective measures.
Constitution or outlined in international covenants,
and which are enforceable by Indian courts. ECONOMY
Objectives of National Human Right
State Finances: A Study of Budgets of
Commission
2024-25
• To enhance institutional frameworks that facilitate
a holistic and targeted approach to tackling human Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
published the report “State Finance: A Study of
rights challenges.
Budgets for 2024-25” which highlighted overall fiscal
• To independently investigate claims of misconduct sustainability at the state level.
by authorities, showcasing the government’s
dedication to protecting human rights. Key Fiscal Indicators
• To support and strengthen ongoing initiatives focused • The State’s Gross Fiscal Deficit to Gross Domestic
on advancing and safeguarding human rights. Product (GFD-GDP) ratio for 2022-23 was 2.7%,
lower than the budget estimate of 3.2% and the
Composition
Centre’s 4% limit. Although the revenue deficit
• The National Human Rights Commission is significantly decreased, the primary deficit
composed of multiple members, including a remained substantial.
chairperson and five members, each contributing • States have set a GFD-GDP ratio of 3.1% for 2023-
extensive experience and expertise to the 24, below the Centre’s 3.5% limit. However, 19
commission. states and UTs have projected a GFD-GSDP ratio
above the Fiscal Responsibility Legislation (FRL)
Appointment
limit of 3%.
The President of India appoints the chairperson and
Revenue receipts
members of the NHRC, following the recommendations
of a six-member committee. The committee is headed • The Provisional Account (PA) shows that the state’s
by the Prime Minister and include the following revenue receipts as percentage of GDP declined
member: in 2022-2023, attributed to reduced tax revenues
• Speaker of the Lok Sabha and capital grants.
• Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha • For 2023-24, states have projected a significant
• Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of increase in revenue receipts compared to 2022-23
Parliament (PA), expecting a widespread recovery across all
• Union Minister of Home Affairs key components.
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 issues of national importance

Revenue Expenditure Context: Recently, the Minister of Commerce

and Industry released the “Logistics Ease
• The revised estimates for 2022-23 show an increase Across Different States (LEADS) 2024” report in New
in States revenue expenditure as a percentage Delhi.
of GDP, provisional data indicate a significant
reduction in spending. About Logistics Ease Across Different States
• In 2023- 24, States have budgeted revenue (LEADS) Report 2024
expenditure at 14.4% of GDP, with 8.0% of GDP
allocated to social sector spending. • It is the 6th edition of the Logistic Report which
brings enhanced objectivity to its outcome.
Capital Expenditure
• It was introduced by the Union Ministry of
• Capital outlay has further improved, rising to 2.6% Commerce and Industry in collaboration with
of GDP in 2023-2024, up from 2.2% in 2023 and the Minister of Consumer Affair Food and Public
is further budgeted to increase to 2.8 percent in Distribution, to evaluate logistics performance
2024-25. across states and Union Territories in India.
• It refers to spending that results in the creation of • It assessed logistics performance based on four
physical or financial assets. key pillars: Infrastructure, Services, Operating and
Regulatory Environment, and Sustainability.
Overall Debt
• Gujarat has maintained its place in the “Achievers”
• States total outstanding debt decreased from category, the highest-performing category for the
31.0% of GDP in 2021 to 28.5% in 2024, though third consecutive time.
they remain higher than the pre-pandemic level.
It highlights the performance of various
• The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management
categories
(FRBM) Review Committee (2017) recommends
reducing it to 20%. • Coastal Group
• The states with high debt levels, including Punjab,  Achievers: Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Bihar, Kerala and West Bengal, should establish a Odisha, Tamil Nadu
clear, transparent, and time-bound plan for debt  Fast Movers: Andhra Pradesh, Goa
consolidation.  Aspires: Kerala, West Bengal
Key Recommendation
• Landlocked Group
 Achievers: Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh,
• States must manage and rationalise subsidies, Uttarakhand
such as those of electricity and farm loan waivers,  Fast Movers: Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya
to prevent the diversion of funds from more Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan
productive expenditure.  Aspires: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
• The Central government also emphasized the • North-Eastern Group
need to enhance public expenditure efficiency by  Achievers: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
adopting outcome budgeting like linking spending  Fast Movers: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,
to measurable outcomes. Sikkim, Tripura
• It highlighted the importance of states improving data  Aspires: Manipur
systems, building technical capacity and encouraging • Union Territories
inter-state knowledge sharing to standardize and  Achievers: Chandigarh, Delhi
improve climate budgeting practices.  Fast Movers: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman
and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep,
Logistics Ease Across Different States Puducherry
(LEADS) 2024’ Report  Aspires: Andaman and Nicobar Island, Ladakh

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 issues of national importance

Baanknet Portal Project VISTAAR

Context: Recently, the Department of Financial Context: Recently, IIT Madras has collaborated with
Services (Ministry of Finance) launched a revamped the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
e-auction portal “Baanknet”. on Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System for
Accessing Agricultural Resources).
About Baanknet Portal
• It is an e-auction portal that consolidates details of About Project VISTAAR
all properties put up for e-auction by public sector • It is developed by the Centre for Research on
banks (PSBs). Startups and Risk Financing at IIT Madras, by
• It provides a single destination for buyers and consolidating information on start-ups within the
investors to explore a diverse range of assets. agriculture and allied sectors.
• The new platform includes residential properties, • The initiative aims to improve the agricultural
commercial spaces, industrial land, shops, extension system’s efficiency and impact by
vehicles, machinery, and both agricultural and leveraging digital technologies.
non-agricultural land. • It will enable farmers and other stakeholders to
• The new portal comes with upgraded more easily access the services and resources
and enhanced features: provided by these start-ups.
 Seamless user experience - A single portal that • The platform features a database containing
covers the entire pre-auction, auction, and post- information on more than 12,000 start-ups in
auction processes within a single application. agriculture and farming, offering farmers access to
 An automated payments gateway and integrated innovations and technologies developed by these
KYC tools. start-ups.
 Microservices-based architecture with open APIs • It will provide farmers with easy access to this
for third-party integration. valuable information, greatly improving the
 Dashboard feature for ‘Spend Analytics’ and effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture and
one-click access to various ‘MIS Reports’. Farmers’ Welfare’s extension services.
 Dedicated helpdesk and call centre facility with a • The digitalisation of agricultural extension will
callback request option for customers. broaden its reach, allowing farmers to access
• It will help in the recovery process of PSBs, leading expert advice on crop production, marketing, value
to stronger balance sheets and increased credit addition, and supply chain management.
availability for businesses and individuals. • Agri-startup’s innovative technologies play a
• By consolidating all the information in one crucial role in promoting sustainable and climate-
location, it streamlines the process of discovering resilient agriculture.
and participating in property e-auctions, making it
more convenient for buyers and investors to spot India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster
valuable opportunities.
• It is expected to boost the economy by unlocking Context: Recently, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry & Dairying India’s launched first organic
distressed assets ‘ value and increasing investor
fisheries cluster in Soreng, Sikkim, under the Pradhan
confidence, with technology making the process Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
more transparent, efficient, and accessible.
• The Department of Financial Services has trained More on the News
PSB executives and Recovery Officers in DRTs • The projects announced at the North Eastern
on the ‘Baanknet’ portal’s features to ensure its Region State Meet 2025, cover multiple North
effective use. Eastern Region (NER) States, excluding Arunachal
• Additionally, more than 1,22,500 properties have Pradesh and Mizoram.
been transferred to the new portal for auction.
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 issues of national importance

Move Towards Sustainability Fisheries Focus in the North-East Region

• The initiative aims to promote organic fisheries and • The Northeastern Region (NER) leads India’s
aquaculture in line with Sikkim’s organic farming path to self-reliance in fisheries and aquaculture,
practices, fostering sustainable and eco-friendly demonstrating the government’s commitment to
production. inclusive development.
• The cluster will adopt eco-friendly fish farming • With rich freshwater resources and diverse aquatic
practices, avoiding harmful chemicals and biodiversity, the NER is a thriving hub of progress,
minimizing environmental pollution. not just a region of potential.
• This approach promotes sustainable production, • This region is globally recognized as a biodiversity
reduces ecosystem harm, and aligns with the hotspot which is a part of India’s strategy for
growing demand for organic products, with key economic growth and livelihood improvement.
species like amur carp involved.
India’s Position
• Organic products typically attract higher prices in
both domestic and international markets. • India is the second-largest fish producer globally,
contributing 8% to world output. It ranks second
Supporting Stakeholder
in aquaculture, leads in shrimp production and
• National Bank for Agricultural and Rural export, and is the third-largest in capture fisheries.
Development funding for infrastructure, enhancing • The fisheries and aquaculture sector is vital to
capacity building and establishing fisheries-based India’s economy, supporting around 3 crore fishers
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPPOs). and farmers and creating numerous employment
• This initiative will boost private investment in opportunities along the value chain.
aquaculture, promote Sikkim’s coldwater fisheries, About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
attract tourism, strengthen the value chain, • The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries,
empower local fishers and farmers, and support Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the
sustainable growth in Sikkim’s fisheries sector. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
with a ₹20,050 crore investment across all States
Cluster Based Approach and UTs for 5 years.
• It aims to address key gaps in fish production,
• It implements a cluster-based approach aimed at quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure,
boosting competitiveness, generating economies and value chain modernization, focusing on
of scale, and strengthening the fisheries value traceability and quality improvement
chains throughout India. • The Department of Fisheries is implementing the
scheme across India from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25
• This model connects production to export,
encouraging collaboration and filling value EmpowHER Biz
chain gaps to create business opportunities and
livelihoods. Context: Recently, the Women Entrepreneurship
Platform (WEP) of NITI Aayog, in collaboration with
• The cluster-based approach improves
New Shop, launched EmpowHer Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan.
competitiveness and efficiency by bringing
together enterprises of all sizes across the fisheries About EmpowHER Biz
value chain, from production to exports. • It aims to empower women entrepreneurs by
• The Department of Fisheries has envisaged a focus providing them with the necessary skills and
on cluster-based development as production and resources to thrive in the organized retail industry.
processing clusters across key areas including • It will provide mentorship and thorough training,
Pearl, Seaweed, ornamental Fisheries, Reservoir focusing on retail management, digital tools,
Fisheries, Saline Water Aquaculture etc as per the financial literacy, and business development for
sectoral and location-specific needs. aspiring women entrepreneurs.
• Fifty participants between the ages of 18 and 35 will
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 issues of national importance

be chosen through an online application process, in collaboration with respective state agencies.
with selection based on predefined criteria. • To enhance efficiency and competition, the
• The top twenty participants will be granted a full development of diverse marketing channels will be
waiver on New Shop franchise fees, enabling them encouraged, involving both the public and private
to establish and run their retail business with sectors.
greatly minimized entry barriers. • To collaborate with States and stakeholders
• It has been launched for women from the regions to establish a market information system that
of Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, reduces information gaps and supports market-
Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. driven production.
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) • To evaluate the current system and redesign a
• It was launched in 2018 as an aggregator platform comprehensive value chain supported by a strong
within NITI Aayog and evolved into a public-private capacity-building framework.
partnership in 2022.
• It aims to empower women entrepreneurs Market Structure in the Country and Policy
by addressing information gaps and offering Initiatives
continuous support across various pillars:
9 Access to Finance • Private wholesale markets:
9 Market Linkages  These markets have been established with the
9 Training and Skilling aim of enhancing farmer-market connections
9 Mentoring and Networking and fostering competition.
9 Compliance & Legal Assistance and Business
 There are approximately 125 wholesale private
Development Services.
• Since 2023, the ‘Award to Reward’ initiative markets across the states of Maharashtra,
under the Women Entrepreneurship Platform Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
has provided a ready-to-use framework for • Farmer-Consumer Markets:
stakeholders to create impactful programs.  There are about 700 farmer-consumer markets,
where farmers sell their produce, primarily
Draft National Policy Framework on perishables, directly to consumers in retail.
Agricultural Marketing
Digital Trading Platforms/Markets
Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of Agriculture • Private e-Market
and Farmers Welfare launched the draft of the National
 Trading on e-platforms enhances transparency
Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM).
and helps farmers with better price discovery.
Salient features of draft NPFAW  There are two states providing provisions in their
• To build a dynamic marketing ecosystem across APMC Acts for the establishment and operation
the country, where farmers of all types can find a of private e-trading platforms, with 11 states
market that suits their needs and secure the best having already notified the corresponding rules.
price for their produce. • e–NAM
• It will be achieved through greater efficiency,  It is a nationwide electronic trading portal
increased competition with diverse marketing designed to provide farmers with digital access
channels, elimination of monopsonistic structures, to various markets and buyers, ensuring they
transparency, improved infrastructure, and the receive competitive prices for their produce in a
use of innovative digital technologies which focus transparent manner.
on agri-value chain-based marketing.
Policy Interventions
Mission of National Policy Framework
• To enhance farmers’ market access and increase
• To evaluate the gaps in marketing and support market density across states, the Department of
infrastructure across States and Union Territories, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare will strive to:
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 issues of national importance

Market/Price – Risk Mitigating Measures

 Strengthen farmer-market linkages and improve
accessibility near farm gates/villages, states may • Contract Farming as Tools for Market and Price
designate a significant number of need-based Risk Mitigation:
warehouses and cold storages as sub-market  The system where agro-processing, exporting,
yards. or trading units contract with farmers or FPOs to
 It will study private wholesale markets to buy a set quantity of agricultural products at an
evaluate operational challenges, sustainable agreed price.
business models, and the benefits for farmers in • Market linkage through FPO:
collaboration with states.  The main objective of promoting FPOs is to
 To engage with the Department of Economic connect small and marginal farmers to markets,
Affairs, SEBI, and Commodity Exchanges for among other benefits, by utilizing collective
regularizing futures trade policies and expanding efforts.
FPO integration with futures platforms. • Price Insurance Scheme on the lines of PM-Fasal
Bima Yojana (PMFBY):
 Its objective is to:
ƒ Stabilize the income of farmers.
ƒ Encourage farmers to adopt innovative and
modern agricultural practices.
Marketing Mechanism for North-Eastern and
Hilly Region and Policy Intervention
• Develop local market ecosystems aligned with
regional, national, and global value chains.
• Focus on branding, packing, quality testing,
certification, and promoting organic/natural products.
Capacity Building
Enhancing and Modernizing Agri Value Chains,
Marketing Infrastructure, and Policy • Market Committees can conduct awareness programs
for farmers, while the directorate of marketing and
• Value Chain Centric Infrastructure: inspection can take an active participatory role.
 According to the World Bank “Value chain” is the • Develop targeted training programs for marketing
entire set of activities involved in producing and staff and professionals.
delivering a product or service, from sourcing
Concern
raw materials to final production.
• Post-Harvest Value Chain-Centric Infrastructure: • The policy ignores the need for a legal guarantee
 The insufficient post-harvest infrastructure, for MSP.
leading to marketing inefficiencies, must be • It leaves state governments powerless and
improved. voiceless, undermining federalism.
• Digital Infrastructure (DI): • It promises to enhance agricultural infrastructure
 It is critical for improving marketing efficiency & but fails to allocate necessary funds.
transparency and maintaining digital data banks. • It transfers storage infrastructure to private
It can be developed by the public sector, private corporations, removing farmers’ safety net during
sector, or through PPP models. price fluctuations and stripping them of bargaining
 This includes creating digital infrastructure using power.
blockchain, AI, and ML to streamline the entire • It does not include a regulation mandating traders
food supply chain. to share a portion of the surplus with producers.
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• Promises to improve agricultural infrastructure outdated due to shortage of manpower in the

without committing any funds. revenue department.
• Various land development of land such as housing,
NAKSHA Scheme commercial, mixed land use, congested old city
areas, regularised unauthorized colonies etc.
Context: Recently, the Department of Land Resource
launched pilot program, the National Geospatial Digital India Land Records
Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations Modernization Programme
(NAKSHA). • It was implemented in 2016 as a Central Sector
Scheme to create a modern and transparent system
About the Scheme for managing land records.
• It has been extended up to March 2026 with 100%
• It stated that digitally updated and transparent land financial assistance from the Central Government
records facilitate optimization of land resources since 2016-17.
• The objective of the program is to provide online
and sharing of information with various agencies access to land records and registration information,
for assisting in policy and planning. helping to prevent fraudulent or benami
• It emphasised the importance of strong coordination transactions and reduce land disputes.
between the Central and state governments and • The digitization of Records of Rights (RoRs) has
urged the Department of Land Resources and state been completed for 98.5% of available land records
in rural areas excluding certain Northeast states
government to collaborate closely. and Ladakh.
Features
FREE AI Committe
• To establish an updated digitized land record in
150 cities across the country within the next few Context: Recently, RBI has constituted an eight-
years. member committee to develop a Framework for
• Its objective is to associate each land parcel with Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial
information about its owner and the type of Intelligence (FREE-AI) in the Financial Sector.
development on it.
About the Committee
• To cover the entire urban area of the country over
a period of 5 years. • This committee will be led by Pushpak
Bhattacharyya, Professor, Department of
Need for digitalisation of Urban land records
Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay.
• It provides information about updated maps and • This committee will review AI adoption in financial
land records, which are crucial for improved city services, review regulatory and supervisory
planning and development. approaches with focus on the financial sector
• Making land ownership records accessible online, globally, and recommend governance and risk
along with key information like pending court mitigation.
cases, will accelerate the planned development • This committee also recommended ethical
and redevelopment of cities. adoption of AI Models or applications in the Indian
• Enhanced urban land and property record systems financial sector and any other matter related to
can provide legal recognition and safeguard citizens Artificial Intelligence.
rights, alleviate concerns related to transactions, • The Committee will be required to submit its report
and help minimize land dispute over time. within six months from the date of its first meeting.
Challenges in updation of Urban Lands
• Reserve Bank of India ,Central Office and Fintech
Department will provide the secretarial support to
Records
the Committee.
• Legacy issues persist as land records remain
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 issues of national importance

Members of this Committee are

Trade Leads and connect with global buyers. This
S. No. Members Profession will also include online Training and capacity building
Distinguished Fellow, NITI sessions for operators on Organic production and also
1.
Debjani Aayog, Independent Director, information on Organic Trade events.
Ghosh Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, • TraceNet 2.0: The upgraded online Organic traceability
and Ex-President, NASSCOM. system for seamless operations and enhanced tools
Professor and Head, for regulatory oversight. It will ensure transparency,
Balaraman
2. Wadhwani School of Data traceability, and compliance for organic agricultural
Ravindran
Science and AI, IIT Madras.
and processed food products from farm to market.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of By integrating technology with agriculture, TraceNet
Abhishek
3. Electronics and Information empowers stakeholders to streamline operations and
Singh
Technology, Government of India.
meet global organic certification standards.
4.
Rahul
Partner, Trilegal • APEDA portal: Redesigned and revamped APEDA
Matthan
portal with enhanced user experience and
Anjani Group Head and Chief Digital information for the benefit of Agri and Processed
5.
Rathor Experience Officer, HDFC Bank Ltd. food products’ stakeholders.
6.
Sree Hari Head of Security AI Research, • AgriXchange portal: Redesigned and revamped
Nagaralu Microsoft India (R&D). AgriXchange portal enables more user-friendly
Suvendu CGM, FinTech Department, data analysis and generation of reports & data of
7.
Pati Reserve Bank of India Agricultural exports making it accessible for the
general public. Exporters can seamlessly connect with
international buyers and sellers as well as explore
comprehensive trade insights at their fingertips.
Difference between Organic farming and the
Natural farming
Organic Farming Natural Farming
xIt also does not have the
xNo use of synthetic
use of Chemical fertilizers
or chemical inputs
or the pesticide.
and pesticides.
xHere, the natural inputs
xUse of organic
are used for the
inputs could be
production processes.
allowed in the
xFour verticals are:
production process
Organic Farming  Jeevamrit
of the crops.
 Beejamrit
xIt involves the
Context: Recently, the Minister of Commerce  Whapasa(soil aeration)
greater use of
and Industry unveiled various portals for the organic inputs like
 mulching(Mix of crops
promotion of organic production in the country as residues like leaves, straw)
the neem oil, soil
well as its exports for farmers’ benefits. xIntegrated Pest
worms and other
management includes:
Details of portals unveiled during the event inputs that controls
 Neemastra
the pests in
• NPOP portal: This dedicated portal for the 'National  Brahmastra
agricultural
 Crop rotation
Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) will processes.
 Plant protection etc.
provide more visibility and ease of operations for
Organic stakeholders.
About Organic farming
• Organic Promotion Portal: Farmers, FPOs and exporters
can showcase their certified organic products, generate According to the FSSAI, the Organic farming refers to the
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 issues of national importance

agricultural practices without the use of chemical fertilizers • Reduction of India’s imports of chemical fertilizers as
and the pesticides for growing crops. However, various India is dependent on imports of Phosphate fertilizers.
organic inputs could be used in the cultivation process. • Minimize the cost of production and it will benefit
the poor farmers the most.
Government initiatives for the promotion of
• Improving the soil health as it would regenerate
the Organic production
the soil favourable insects and bacteria.
• National Program for Organic Production (NPOP): • It would also reduce the water consumption and
The National Programme for Organic Production plant’s resiliency against the pests and diseases.
(NPOP) is a key government programme that
Limitations of the organic production
strengthens India’s organic certification system,
promoting sustainable farming practices and • Lack of scientific evidence: as the scientific evidence
opening new opportunities for farmers and has not proven the viability and production of organic
exporters. farming, the need of more research would require.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the • Limitations in production and food security: as the
North East Region (MOVCD): population is growing there might be the issues of
 The Government of India is promoting the limited production which could not sustain the
organic production in the North-East region. population and its need.
It’s a submission on the national program on • Availability of organic inputs: the cost of organic
sustainable agriculture (NMSA). inputs are also high that hinders the adoption of
 The program was launched by the Ministry organic farming.
of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2015 • Marketing and branding issues: due to the high
for implementation in the states of Arunachal cost of organic products , its marketing and supply
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, becomes hampered.
Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
Way forward
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):
launched in 2015 was aimed at enhancing the • More research and development in the field of
organic cluster villages through participatory organic farming.
Guarantee Scheme(PGS). • Awareness generation among the farmers as well
• Zero Budget Natural Farming: it is also called as as the populace about the importance of organic
the Subhash Palekar Zero Budget natural farming products.
which prohibits the use of chemicals and synthetic • Government initiatives to enhance the organic
pesticides in agriculture. adoption in the country.
• PM PRANAM scheme: this scheme was launched • Marketing and branding of the organic products so
to promote the use of alternative fertilizers and that it becomes affordable to the market populace.
organic inputs in agriculture. For this purpose, the • Enhancing the capacity of the FPOs, Cooperatives
Government will incentivise the the states for the and private participation.
adoption of the organic farming systems.
• National Cooperatives Organic seeds limited: for National Turmeric Board
the preservation and promotion of the organic
farming and the sustainable farming practices. Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Commerce
and Industry launched the National Turmeric Board
Significance of Organic farming with its headquarter at Nizamabad, Telangana.
• The reduction of chemical inputs in agriculture About National Turmeric Board
would enhance the health security of the humans • It is established to create awareness on the
as well as the environment as is also envisaged essential and medical properties of turmeric,
under the One Health Approach. exploring methods to improve its yield, and
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 issues of national importance

enhancing logistics and supply chains to expand • India has been ranked highest in South Asian nations
trade into new markets. and among the Lower -Middle - Income Economies.
• It is also known as the ‘Golden Spice,’ which focuses • India climbed the ranking in this index ,it shows
on the welfare of turmeric farmers in 20 states, that it’s reflecting the resurgence of global tourism
including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, post - pandemic.
Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maghalaya, and others. • Despite a decline compared to 2019, India performs
• It will encourage research and development well due to increased consciousness of sustainable
of innovative turmeric products and explore long stays among inbound visitors.
opportunities for adding value to turmeric-based • In the Top 10 countries across all resource pillars ,
products for international markets. India is one of only three countries to score in Top.
• It will contribute to increasing turmeric production • For the Improvement in the Tourism sector the Indian
in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while the Government initiated various schemes, one of the
establishment of the Turmeric Board will enhance major schemes is PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation
the income of turmeric producers nationwide. and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive).
• It will also include Maharashtra and Telangana, • Pawapuri and Champapuri are Holy Sites of Jain
the top two turmeric-producing states, along with Religion located in Nalanda District of Bihar.
Meghalaya which is famous for its Lakadong Turmeric.
List of Project sanctioned under Swadesh
• It will offer leadership, strengthen efforts, and ensure
Darshan Scheme
coordination with other government departments
and agencies on issues related to the turmeric sector, S.No. Circuit of Bihar Description
promoting its growth and development nationwide. Development of
Tirthankar
Production of Turmeric Vaishali- Arrah- Masad-
1. Circuit (2016
Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri-
- 2017)
• In the 2023-24 period, turmeric was cultivated Champapuri
across 3.05 lakh hectares in India, yielding a total Development of Kanwari
production of 10.74 lakh tonnes. Spiritual Circuit
Route
• India accounts for more than 70% of global turmeric 2.
(2016 - 2017)
xSultanganj
production and mentioned that the country xDharamshala
xDeoghar
produces 30 different varieties of turmeric.
• India is the world’s leading producer, consumer, Buddhist xConstruction of
3. Scheme Convention Centre at
and exporter of turmeric, holding over 62% of the
(2016-2017) Bodhgaya
global market share.
Development of
xChandrahia Village (East
Travel and Tourism Development Index Rural Circuit
4. Champaran)
(2017- 2018)
Context: Recently, a report, titled, ‘Travel and Tourism xTurkauli (East
Champaran)
Development Index’ was released by the World
Economic Forum in collaboration with the UK - based Spiritual Circuit xDevelopment of Mandar
5.
University of Surrey. (2017 -2018) Hill and Ang Pradesh

About the Index • West Asia has shown the highest recovery rates in
• India’s rank on the WEF (TTDI) Travel and Tourism the International tourist arrivals.
Development Index 2024 has risen to 39th place • Europe ,Africa and the Americans showed a strong
with an overall score of 4.25 previously it was 54th recovery (90% in 2023),while the Middle East had
position in 2021. the highest recovery rates in International Tourist.
• The top five countries in the 2024 list are : The • This biennial Index analysed the travel and tourism
United States ,Spain, Japan,France and Australia. sectors of 119 countries.
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 issues of national importance

India’s Rank in Various Sectors 25th Port Infrastructure

Rank Sector 6th Natural Resources
18th For Price Competitiveness 9th Cultural
26th Air transport 9th Non - Leisure Resources

ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024-25

• The Economic Survey is prepared by the Economic
Division of the Department of Economic Affairs
under the Ministry of Finance.
• The preparation is done under the supervision of
the “Chief Economic Adviser”.
• The first Economic Survey was introduced in 1950-
51 as part of the budget documents.
• In the 1960s, it was separated from the Union Budget.
• The Economic Survey is tabled a day before the
presentation of the Budget.
• The Constitution does not bind the government to
present the Economic Survey.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE

ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024-25

Chapter: State of the Economy

Expected Growth in
Sector
percentage
Agriculture 3.8%
Industry 6.2%
Services 7.2%

• As per Central Statistics Office (CSO), MoSPI:

 Retail Headline Inflation has softened from
5.4 per cent in FY24 to 4.9 per cent in April –
December 2024.
 Food Price Index (CFPI), has increased from 7.5
per cent in FY24 to 8.4 per cent in FY25.
• India’s consumer price inflation will gradually align
with the target of around 4 per cent in FY26 as per
RBI and IMF.
• Capital expenditure (capex), as a percent of the
• According to first estimates released by the total expenditure of the union, has continuously
National Statistics Office (NSO), Gross Fixed Capital improved from FY21 to FY24.
Formation (GFCF) (at constant prices) is estimated • As per RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR),
to grow by 6.4 per cent.  The gross non-performing assets (NPAs) in the
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 issues of national importance

banking system have declined to a 12-year low reflecting positive impact of Government’s
of 2.6 per cent of gross loans and advances. initiatives in reshaping income distribution.
 The capital-to-risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) • The share of government health expenditure has
for Schedule Commercial Banks stands at 16.7 increased from 29.0 per cent to 48.0 per cent.
percent as of September 2024. During the same period, the share of out-of-pocket
expenditure in total health expenditure declined
from 62.6 percent to 39.4 percent.
• As per CGA monthly provisional accounts, the fiscal
deficit indicators of the union were comfortably
placed, leaving ample room for developmental and
capital expenditure in the rest of the year.

Chapter: Monetary and Financial Sector

Development

Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs)

• Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs) are vital in
ensuring inclusive growth through financial
inclusion, credit accessibility, agricultural financing,
and empowerment of rural entrepreneurs.
• These institutions comprise a network of
organisations that provide banking and financial
services in rural areas.The system supports rural
• The Gini coefficient, which is a measure of India through a network of banking outlets, which
inequality in consumption expenditure, has been include branches and banking correspondents.
declining in recent years. • This multi-agency system includes Regional Rural
Banks (RRBs), Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs),
SCBs, Small Finance Banks, NBFCs, Micro Finance
Institutions, and local area banks.
• As of 31 March 2024, there were 43 RRBs
sponsored by 12 SCBs.

 For rural areas it declined to 0.237 in 2023-24

from 0.266 in 2022-23 and for urban areas, it
fell to 0.284 in 2023-24 from 0.314 in 2022-23,
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 issues of national importance

• The government approved ₹10,890 crore in coordination, financial sector development and
recapitalisation assistance to RRBs during FY22 the maintenance of financial stability.
and FY23.This recapitalisation scheme included  In view of the increasing digitisation of the
operational and governance reforms as part of the financial sector, FSDC has been focusing on
Sustainable Viability Plan designed to revitalise RRBs. cyber security issues as strengthening the
• As a result of this recapitalisation assistance and cyber resilience of the financial sector is key to
the implementation of the viability plan, the maintaining financial stability.
performance of RRBs at a consolidated level has • The Global Financial Security Report is released by
shown significant improvement over time. the IMF.
• The number of profit-making RRBs grew from 37 in • Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN): It is a
FY23 to 40 in FY24, while the number of loss-making framework of API (Application Programming Interface)
RRBs fell from 6 to 3 during the same period. that connects lenders with borrowers to make credit
• All RRBs successfully met the regulatory targets more accessible. OCEN’s goal is to streamline the
and sub-targets set by the RBI under the Priority credit distribution process and create new financial
Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines during FY24. products for small and medium enterprises.

Chapter: External Sector

• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism(CBAM):

CBAM aims to align the cost of carbon emissions for
imported goods with that of domestically produced
products.Under the mechanism, importers will
buy carbon certificates corresponding to the
carbon price paid by the domestic producers/
manufacturers under the EU's carbon pricing
rules. Thus, CBAM is effectively a carbon price
equalisation measure.
 The share of CBAM exports in total Indian exports
to the EU has increased substantially from 6.3
per cent in 2014 to 10.5 per cent in 2023.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence by Banks • European Union Deforestation Regulation: The
 The Hiroshima AI Process Comprehensive Policy EUDR seeks to regulate the consumption of
Framework established in December 2023, products derived from deforested land.The EUDR
includes a set of guiding principles and a code places several compliances on the operators and
of conduct, marking a significant step towards a traders of the relevant products.It requires the
coordinated global approach for the responsible operators and traders to ensure that the products
development of AI. placed in the EU market are:
 The RBI announced the establishment of 1. deforestation-free
a committee to create a Framework for 2. should be produced by the relevant legislation of
Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial the country where the product is produced; and
Intelligence (FREE-AI) in the financial sector. 3. covers the submission of a due diligence
• Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) statement, including supply chain integrity
 The FSDC is the apex body for addressing high- through an elaborate trace and track system
level policy issues and fostering inter-regulatory before placing the products in the EU.
coordination among key financial sector regulators. • Textile Sector: The textile and apparel industry
 The FSDC facilitates inter-regulatory contributes 2.3 percent of GDP, 13 per cent to
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 issues of national importance

industrial production, and 12 per cent to exports.54  91 Gati Shakti Multi-modal Cargo Terminals are
It is also one of the largest employment generators now operational.
after agriculture, with over 45 million people  Target set for 100% electrification of the entire
employed directly, including many women and the rail network by 2029–30.
rural population. • Key Initiatives
• Current account: India’s current account deficit  Automatic Block Signalling: Implemented to
(CAD) moderated slightly to 1.2 per cent of GDP in improve train spacing and efficiency on high-
Q2 of FY25 against 1.3 per cent of the GDP recorded density routes.
in Q2 of FY24. The recent rise in the CAD can be  Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project:
attributed to an increase in the merchandise trade A 508 km corridor sanctioned in 2015 with
deficit, which rose to USD 75.3 billion in Q2 of FY25 support from Japan.
from USD 64.5 billion in the corresponding quarter  Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): As of
of the previous year. November 2024, 2,741 km (96.4 percent) of
• Performance of FDI inflows the planned 2,843 km DFC network has been
 FDI recorded a revival in FY25, with gross FDI commissioned.
inflows increasing from USD 47.2 billion in the first  Kavach: This indigenously developed Automated
eight months of FY24 to USD 55.6 billion in the Train Protection system has seen ₹1,547 crore
same period of FY25, a YoY growth of 17.9 per cent. invested (till November 2024). The specification
 Sectoral trends in FDI (H1 of FY25)- share in total version 4.0 was approved on July 16, 2024.
FDI equity inflows  One Station One Product Scheme: This scheme
Services Sector 19.1% is operational at 1,900 stations.
Computer software and 2. Road Sector
14.1%
hardware
• Current Status
Trading 9.1%
 India’s road network spans 63.4 lakh km, including
146,195 km of National Highways (NH). NHs
Chapter: Investment and Infrastructure handle about 40% of the country’s road freight.
 5,853 km of NH were constructed in FY25.
The government has placed significant emphasis on • Key Initiatives
infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth and  Bharatmala Pariyojana: Launched in 2017 to
societal improvement, as evidenced by increased develop 83,000 km of NH. By 2022, 70% of
capital expenditure and the implementation of various projects (26,425 km) had been awarded, and
schemes. 9,547 km were constructed.
While progress is evident, the document highlights the  MultiModal Logistics Parks (MMLP): Plans for 11
need for sustained investment, innovative financing MMLPs and 36 key SMLPs in locations such as
models, and greater private sector participation to Chennai, Indore, Nagpur, Jaipur, Jogighopa, and
achieve the nation's developmental goals, particularly Bangalore.
in the context of "Viksit Bharat@2047".  Char Dham Mahamarg Pariyojna: As of 2024,
out of a total length of 825 km, 620 km have
Key themes and findings
been completed.
Physical Infrastructure: A Snapshot of Recent
ƒ Chardham project comprises improvement of
Developments
5 existing National Highways (NHs) connecting
1. Railways Chardham viz. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath
• Current Status and Badrinath including Tanakpur to
 Indian Railways has introduced 10 new Vande Pithoragarh section of Kailas-Mansarovar yatra
Bharat train pairs.
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3. Civil Aviation Sector • Jal Marg Vikas Project on NW-1: This project
enhances cargo transport on the Ganga-Bhagirathi-
• Current Status Hooghly river system, achieving 65 per cent physical
 Airport cargo handling capacity reached 4.14 progress with a revised cost of ₹5,061.15 crore.
million tonnes in FY21. • Jal Marg Vikas Project II (Arth Ganga): Focused on
 Connectivity spans 619 routes, including water sustainable development, this project includes the
aerodromes and helipads. construction of community jetties and navigation
improvements, with 49 out of 60 approved
4. Ports, Shipping, and Inland Waterways community jetties already commissioned.
• Current Status 5. Energy Infrastructure
 India ranks second among the top 10 maritime • Current Status
nations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions  Installed capacity grew by 7.2% year-on-year,
per average shipping distance. reaching 456.7 GW as of November 2024.
 Government measures are boosting coastal  Renewable energy now accounts for 40% of
shipping to enhance trade. India’s total installed capacity.
 Water transport’s share of overall freight  Total renewable energy installed capacity rose by
movement increased from 31% in 2014 to 43% 15.8% year-on-year to 180.8 GW in December 2023.
in 2021. • Key Initiatives
• International Linkages  Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme:
 Chabahar Port and INSTC: Shahid Beheshti Port Strengthening power distribution networks.
at Chabahar connects Mumbai to Eurasia via the  Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana
INSTC, reducing transport costs and time, leading (SAUBHAGYA): Ensuring electricity access to all
to a 43 percent increase in vessel traffic and a 34 households.
percent rise in container traffic for FY24.
 Sittwe Port, Myanmar: Sittwe Port, part of the
Kaladan Project, offers an alternative route to
north-eastern states, reducing transport costs
between Kolkata and Mizoram.
Inland waterways transformation:
key projects and initiatives
India is enhancing waterway connectivity to the
North-East by developing waterways in
Bangladesh and funding 80 per cent of the ₹305
crore project. India is also investing ₹1,010
crore to improve the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers
and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route.
Key initiatives include:
• Harit nauka Guidelines: Launched in January
2024, these guidelines aim to green 1,000 inland
vessels over the next ten years.
• Cargo promotion Scheme: This initiative
encourages cargo owners to switch from rail and
road to inland waterways transport, promoting it
as a sustainable alternative.
• River cruise tourism: Improved waterways have
benefited both cargo and tourism, with 82,587
passengers on day cruises by October 2024 and • Rooftop solar PV simplification: Rules were
a fivefold increase in night cruise passengers to
amended in February 2024 to ease and accelerate
11,431 in FY24 compared to FY19.
the installation of rooftop solar systems.
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6. Digital Infrastructure
 Smart Cities Mission: 65% of proposed projects
Telecommunication Sector completed in 100 smart cities.
• Current Status  Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (2018):
 As of October 31, 2024, 5G services have been Over 1.25 crore houses sanctioned; 64 lakh
rolled out across all states and union territories. already completed.
• Key Initiatives • Key Initiatives
 Bharat Net Project: Aiming to connect every  Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U):
Gram Panchayat and village with high-speed Enhancing cleanliness and sanitation in urban areas.
broadband.  Urban Transport Initiatives: Strengthening
 Aspirational district scheme: 502-Village public transport and mobility solutions.
Scheme: 215 towers commissioned, covering
9. Tourism Sector
251 villages across 112 districts in 4 states;
7,287-Village Scheme: 2,497 sites commissioned, • Current Status
covering 3,804 villages in 5 states  Under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), aimed at
Information Technology Sector
developing tourism infrastructure in pilgrimage
 Current Status destinations and heritage cities, 26 out of 48
ƒ As of November 2024, the National Informatics projects were completed by December 2024.
Centre (NIC) supports 1,917 applications under  Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 (2022),
the MeghRaj GI Cloud initiative. focused on promoting sustainable and
ƒ MeghRaj provides secure ICT services through responsible tourism, 75 out of 76 projects were
cloud computing. completed by December 2024.
ƒ India’s data center market is projected to • Key Initiatives
expand from US$4.5 billion in 2023 to US$11.1  PRASHAD: Strengthens infrastructure at key
billion by 2028. pilgrimage and heritage sites to boost tourism.
7. Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Sector
 Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Develops thematic tourist
circuits to foster balanced regional growth and
• Current Status enhance visitor experiences.
 Jal Jeevan Mission (2019): Over 12 crore families 10. Space Sector
have gained access to piped water since its
launch. • Current Status
 Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen Phase II  India operates 56 active space assets, comprising
(SBM-G2): More than 2.4 lakh villages have been 19 communication satellites, 9 navigation
declared ODF Plus. satellites, 4 scientific satellites, and 24 earth
• Key Initiatives observation satellites.
 Jal Jeevan Mission: Ensuring safe and adequate • Key Initiatives
drinking water supply to rural households.  Government’s Space Vision 2047 features four
 Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen (SBM-G2): major projects:
Sustaining open defecation-free communities ƒ Gaganyaan follow-on mission: Feasibility study
and improving overall sanitation. for the first module of the Bhartiya Aarkash
Station.
8. Urban Sector
ƒ Chandrayaan-4: Lunar Sample Return Mission
• Current Status and Venus Orbiter Mission.
 Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban ƒ Next Generation Launch Vehicle: Development
Transformation (AMRUT): 80% of projects of advanced launch capabilities.
completed in 500 cities.
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Recent Progress in the Agriculture Sector

Chapter: Industry
1. Agricultural Growth Rate
The Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) • From the financial year 2016-17 to 2022-23, the
sector is important to India’s progress. As of November agricultural sector recorded an average annual
26, 2024, MSMEs have reported employing 23.24 growth rate of 5%.
crore individuals. • The estimated production of Kharif food grains in
2024 is 1647.05 lakh metric tons (LMT), which is
Some key initiatives to boost industries sector
89.37 LMT higher than the previous year.
in India
2. Agricultural Yield and Productivity
• Udyam Registration Portal: In order to simplify the • India contributes 11.6% to global grain production.
process of registering MSMEs and to enable ease • The annual growth rate of oilseed production was
of doing business the government launched the only 1.9%, leading to an increased reliance on the
Udyam Registration Portal. import of edible oils.
• Udyam Assist Platform (UAP):The government in • India imports 60% of its edible oil requirements.
collaboration with SIDBI. introduced the Udyam 3. Floriculture:
Assist Platform (UAP) to formalise Informal Micro • It is under a 100% export-oriented policy.
Enterprises. • Major exporting states: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
• TReDS (Trade Receivables Electronic Discounting Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and
System) regulated by the RBI, is a marketplace that Maharashtra.
enables buyers such as government departments, • Major importing countries: United States, Netherlands,
public sector undertakings, corporates etc. to UAE, United Kingdom, Canada, and Malaysia.
honour timely payments to their MSME suppliers
as per MSME Act 2006.
• Micro and Small Enterprises-Cluster Development
Programme (MSE-CDP) to develop clusters across
the country. Under this, Common Facility Centres
(CFCs) are channels to address common issues,
such as improvement of technology, skills, quality,
etc., for MSEs
• CHAMPIONS (Creation and Harmonious Application
of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and
National Strength) Portal: It is a technology-driven
centralised control room,grievance management
and information platform.The portal’s goal is to
give MSME a one stop shop,assist small businesses State-wise Agricultural Performance (As per
in expanding and settle their complaints while also CACP data)
helping them with other aspects of the company.
• From 2011-12 to 2020-21, Andhra Pradesh has
Chapter: Agriculture Sector in India: been the leading state with an 8.8% CAGR in
Current Status and Future Prospects agriculture and allied sectors.
• Madhya Pradesh (6.3%) and Tamil Nadu (4.8%)
Introduction were also major contributors.
According to MoSPI, the ‘Agriculture and Allied • Key crop diversification:
Activities' sector contributes approximately 16  Andhra Pradesh: Sorghum
percent of the country’s GDP for FY 2024 at current  Madhya Pradesh: Mung beans
prices and 46.1 percent of the population.  Tamil Nadu: Maize
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 issues of national importance

Government Policies and Schemes

• Digital Agriculture Mission: Data-driven
The Indian government has implemented various agricultural solutions and the expansion of the
schemes to improve agricultural productivity and e-NAM platform.
farmers' income: • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN):
4. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Direct income support for farmers.
₹6,000 annual financial assistance.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Its Role
5. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):
Protection against natural calamities. • In the 2018-19 Union Budget, MSP was fixed at 1.5
6. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): ₹1 lakh crore times the cost of production.
assistance. • In FY 2024-25:
7. National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): Digital  59% increase in Arhar
agricultural market facility.  77% increase in Bajra
8. Soil Health Card Scheme: Encouraging balanced  89% increase in Masoor
use of fertilizers.  98% increase in Rapeseed
9. Blue Revolution and White Revolution: Plans to
Seed Quality and Fertilizer Use
promote growth in fisheries and dairy sectors.
• Availability of High-Quality Seeds
Recent Changes in the Indian Agricultural Sector
 In FY 2023-24, the Indian Council of Agricultural
The demand for non-food crops, especially Research (ICAR) released 1,798 varieties of 81
horticulture, livestock, and fisheries, has increased in crops.
comparison to food grains.  1.06 lakh quintals of breeder seeds were produced.
• Rise of the Horticulture Sector (Some Key Facts as  2,593 new climate-resilient varieties have been
per APEDA): released since 2014.
 The horticulture sector in India is more • Fertilizer Management and Innovation
productive and profitable compared to  Urea Gold: Sulfur-enriched urea to enhance
traditional agriculture. nutrient absorption.
 India will export 343,982.34 metric tons of fresh  Drones and fertigation technology: Targeted
grapes worth ₹3,460.70 crore (417.07 million fertilizer use.
USD) in 2023-24.  PM-PRANAM (Programme for Restoration,
 Major Grape-Producing States: Maharashtra, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Mizoram Amelioration of Mother Earth) Scheme:
 Maharashtra contributes over 67% of India’s Promoting nano-urea, Nano Diammonium
total grape production. phosphate (DAP) and organic fertilizers.
• Socio-Economic Impact:
Climate Change and Agriculture
 Grape cultivation has increased farmers' incomes.
 It has attracted young farmers to technology- • Irrigation Coverage and Climate Instability (As per
supported farming. Agriculture Census, 2015):
 New technologies, like real-time monitoring  Marginal and small farmers (with less than
systems, have been introduced. 2 hectares of land) represent 85% of India's
agricultural holdings.
Key Initiatives for Crop Productivity Growth
 Only 55% of sowable land is irrigated, with the
• Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): A plan to enhance rest dependent on rainfall.
water conservation and irrigation efficiency.  Two-thirds of India's agricultural land is at risk
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture of drought.
(NMSA): Promoting organic fertilizers and  Studies show a 27% increase in drought
alternative farming practices. frequency between 1981 and 2011.
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 Incidents of daily rainfall exceeding 150 mm • Currently, only 8% of irrigated area comes under
increased by 75% between 1950 and 2015 in minor irrigation, which is comparatively lesser
central India. than the US (68.6%) and China (13.7%).
• Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural  Water consumption reduced by 39-55%
Production (Important Studies)  Crop yield increased by 33-41%
 According to a study by Negi and Ramaswamy  Profit margin increased to 52.92-114.50%
(2024), a strong relationship between rainfall
Agricultural Finance and Credit
deficits and crop yield reductions was found for
nine major crops during the Kharif season at the • Kisan Credit Card (KCC) by March 2024: 7.75 crore
district level. current KCC accounts; 1.24 lakh KCC (Fisheries) and
ƒ This statistical phenomenon, termed "Lower 40.40 lakh KCC (Animal Husbandry) issued
Tail Dependence," indicates that “extreme • Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): It is
rainfall deficits have a disproportionately large currently the world's largest farmer enrollment
impact on agricultural production." insurance program. In 2023-24:
 A potential increase of 2°C in temperature and  Farmer enrollment increased by 26% to 4 crores.
a 7% rise in rainfall by 2099 could reduce India's  Insured area increased by 19% to 600 lakh
agricultural productivity by 8-12%. hectares.
 According to Birathal and others (2021), the • Through technological empowerment, YES-Tech,
negative impacts of temperature rise have WINDS and Insurance intermediary apps, the
been increasing over time, adversely affecting premium rates have reduced by up to 32%.
agricultural production.
Impact of climate change in agriculture: Policy
 States in the Indo-Gangetic plains, including Uttar
and Sustainability
Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, and Haryana, as well as rice-
dominated states such as Jharkhand and Assam, 1. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
are more vulnerable to climate change impacts. (NMSA): It has been established as a flagship
mission under the National Action Plan on Climate
Irrigation Coverage and Its Progress
Change (NAPCC).
 Between 2015-16 and 2020-21, there has been a Following are the main climate adaptation strategies
significant increase in the coverage and intensity of NMSA:
of the irrigated area in India.  Enhancing water efficiency,
 The coverage of the irrigated area increased  Managing soil health and nutrients,
from 49.3% to 55%, while irrigation intensity  Providing crop insurance,
rose from 144.2% to 154.5%.  Offering credit support,
• States with the highest irrigated area:  Strengthening value chains,
 Punjab (98%)  Delivering agro-advisories,
 Haryana (94%)  Promoting farm mechanization,
 Uttar Pradesh (84%)  Managing agricultural waste,
 Telangana (86%)  Developing integrated farming systems and
• States with the lowest irrigated area:  Supporting organic and natural farming practices
 Jharkhand (<20%) 2. Encouragement of organic farming: The
 Assam (<20%) government has implemented two dedicated
schemes to promote organic farming since 2015:
Micro irrigation and agricultural efficiency
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Under
• In India, there are 140 million hectares of this scheme, 52,289 clusters have been established
cultivable land, which has extensive potential for in 14.99 lakh hectare area by 2023-24, benefiting
minor irrigation. 25.30 lakh farmers.
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• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North • Fish production (FY14): 95.79 lakh tonnes →
Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Under this scheme, 2.19 (FY23): 184.02 lakh tonnes
lakh farmers have been trained for organic farming in • Seafood export growth (FY20-FY24): ₹46,662.85
an area of ​​1.73 lakh hectares. 434 Farmer Producer crore → ₹60,523.89 crore (29.70% increase)
Companies (FPCs) have also been established. • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Yojana
3. Spatial mapping of agricultural sustainability: The (PM-MKSSY): Registration of 16.35 lakh fish
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has producers, workers, and sellers.
developed the Composite Index of Agricultural 6. Cooperative Societies: The Backbone of Rural
Sustainability (IAS) based on 51 indicators. Development
• National average IAS: 0.49 (medium sustainability)
Major initiatives taken by the government to
• Best performing states: Mizoram, Kerala, Madhya
empower cooperative societies:
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, West Bengal,
Uttarakhand • Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit
• State with least sustainability: Rajasthan (due to Societies (PACS)
dry climate) • Plan to convert PACS into Common Service Center
4. Livestock Sector: Driver of Agricultural Growth: (CSC)
The contribution of the livestock sector to the gross • Establishment of retail petrol-diesel outlet and
value added (GVA) of agriculture and allied sectors micro ATMs
increased from 24.38% (FY15) to 30.23% (FY23). • RuPay Kisan Credit Card (for dairy cooperative
• Contribution of livestock sector to total GVA: 5.5% societies)
• Total revenue of milk industry: ₹11.16 lakh crore • 9000+ PACS, dairy and fishery cooperative societies
(133.16 billion USD) established
• Livestock production value (FY23): ₹17.25 lakh • 35,293 PACS developed as Pradhan Mantri Kisan
crore (205.81 billion USD) Samridhi Kendra (PM-KSK)
7. Food Processing Industry: Important for the
Major Government Initiatives
Economy
 Rashtriya Gokul Mission: For the conservation • The food processing industry in India is one of the
of indigenous bovine breeds largest employers within organized manufacturing,
 Livestock Health and Disease Control providing 12.41 percent of total employment in
Programme: For Animal Welfare the organized sector.
 IVF technology and sex-sorted semen production: • In FY 2023-24, the value of agri-food exports,
To increase the productivity of female cows. including processed food exports, is about 11.7
 Promotion of Farmer Producer Organization percent of India's total exports.
(FPO) and Self Help Group (SHG) • The share of processed food exports in agri-food
 Availability of breeding inputs was ensured by exports has increased from 14.9 percent in FY
providing training to 38736 MAITRI technicians. 2017-18 to 23.4 percent in FY 2023-24.
5. Fisheries: Steps towards sustainable development:
Government Initiatives and Schemes
The Government has taken several initiatives to
increase the production and productivity of the • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY):
fisheries sector:  The scheme focuses on developing modern
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana infrastructure and optimizing the supply chain
(PMMSY): To improve aquaculture productivity from farm to retail.
and fisheries management.  It aims to reduce post-harvest losses, increase
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure processing capabilities and increase export levels.
Development Fund (FIDF): For development of  As of October 31, 2024, 1,079 PMKSY projects
marine and inland fisheries infrastructure. have been completed.
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Measures to support food grain storage

• Production-Linked Incentive Scheme for Food
Processing Industry (PLISFPI): infrastructure
 The scheme, launched in 2021, facilitates 1. Steel Silo under PPP Model:
branding and marketing in international markets  Steel silos are being built under the PPP model to
to strengthen the role of the food processing increase storage capacity in India.
industry in global competition.  Under the "hub and spoke" model, the hub silo
 As of October 31, 2024, 171 applications have will have a railway siding and container depot
been approved under the scheme, with a total facility, while transportation from the spoke silo
investment of ₹8,910 crore and ₹1,084.01 crore to the hub will be by road.
given as incentives. 2. Mobile Storage Unit (MSU):
• Prime Minister Micro Food Processing Enterprises  The government, in collaboration with the World
Formalization Scheme (PMFME): Food Program (WFP), is setting up Flowspan
 The scheme, launched in 2020, aims to provide Mobile Storage Units in hilly and remote areas.
technical, financial, and business assistance to  Under a pilot project, they have been used in
micro food processing enterprises. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan,
 As of October 31, 2024, 407,819 applications were Mizoram, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.
received, out of which loans totaling ₹8.63 thousand 3. Smart Warehouse:
crore were sanctioned to 108,580 applicants.  The government is testing smart warehouses
 672 master trainers, 1,120 district-level trainers, in collaboration with the World Food Program
and 87,477 beneficiaries were trained in 36 and the Indian Institute of Grain Storage
states and union territories. Management and Research.
Food Management: Enabling Food Security
 These warehouses use sensors to monitor
temperature, humidity, air flow and pest activity,
The basic concept of food security is to ensure that helping to improve storage and reduce losses.
every citizen gets the food necessary for his active and
healthy life. Its main characteristics are availability, Chapter: Social Sector: Extending Reach
accessibility, utilization and stability of food supply. and Driving Empowerment
1. National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013:
 The Act guarantees to provide free food grains Introduction
under the Targeted Public Distribution System In alignment with this vision for growth-led development,
(TPDS) to 75 percent of the rural population and the government has adopted interventions to ensure
50 percent of the urban population. welfare for all. Inclusive economic growth is central to
 This provision is applicable to 81.35 crore people the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
as per 2011 census.
1. Social Services Expenditure (SSE) Trends
2. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY):
 This scheme was launched to help the poor and • Percentage of Total Expenditure: Social Services
vulnerable sections during the Covid-19 pandemic. Expenditure (SSE) as a percentage of total
 Free food grains will be distributed to 80 crore expenditure rose from 23.3% in FY21 to 26.2% in
beneficiaries under this scheme for the next five FY25 (Budget Estimate).
years from January 1, 2024. • Growth Rates: Social services expenditure increased
3. One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC): by 21% in FY24 (Revised Estimate) over FY23 and is
 The scheme allows beneficiaries to receive projected to increase by another 10% in FY25.
rations anywhere, regardless of their home state. • SSE grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate
 To promote e-KYC-based authentication, the (CAGR) of 15% from FY21 to FY25.
government is working to ensure 100 percent • Expenditure on education grew at a CAGR of 12% from
compliance. ₹ 5.8 lakh crore in FY21 to ₹ 9.2 lakh crore in FY25 (BE).
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• Expenditure on health grew at a CAGR of 18% from ₹ integrating vocational and digital education... to
3.2 lakh crore in FY21 to ₹ 6.1 lakh crore in FY25 (BE). enable the smooth transition of a GER of 100 per
• Overall Outlays: Combined expenditure by the cent at the secondary level by 2030."
central and state governments on social services • Life Skills Education:
rose from ₹14.8 lakh crore in FY21 to ₹25.7 lakh  The "Tim Tim Tare" (TTT) initiative provides
crore in FY25 (BE). essential life skills to adolescent students, with a
focus on soft skills rather than vocational training.
2. Household Consumption Expenditure
 It is a pioneering initiative that aims to impart essential
• Narrowing Urban-Rural Gap: "The urban-rural gap life skills to adolescent students across India."
in MPCE has declined to 71 percent in 2022–23 • Digital Divide: 63 percent of males and 55 percent
from 84 percent in 2011–12. It has further come of females in rural areas can search the internet for
down to 70 percent in 2023-24." information compared to 74 percent of males and
• Average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE): 69 percent of females in urban areas.
 Rural MPCE: ₹4,122 (₹4,247 with imputed values). • Inclusive Digital Education:
 Urban MPCE: ₹6,996 (₹7,078 with imputed values).  The government is working to ensure inclusive
• Inequality Reduction: "The Gini coefficient digital education for Divyang students through
improved for rural areas (declined to 0.237 in 2023- programs like DIKSHA and SWAYAM.
24 from 0.266 in 2022-23) and urban areas (declined  Multidisciplinary Higher Education Institutions
to 0.284 in 2023-24 from 0.314 in 2022-23)." (HEIs): By 2040, all HEIs are to become
• Public Distribution System (PDS) Impact: PDS/ multidisciplinary institutions.
PMGKAY subsidies are equivalent to 4% of the
5. Healthcare
average MPCE, with a higher relative benefit for
rural areas (4%) compared to urban areas (2%). • Medical Colleges: The number of medical colleges
• "In 2022-23, the value of the subsidy accounted, on grew from 499 to 648 in FY23 to 780 in FY25.
average, for 7 percent of household consumption • Affordability of Medical Education: Despite
among the rural bottom 20 percent but only for 2 regulations, high fees in private medical colleges
percent among the top 20 percent." remain a barrier. Fees remain high—at ₹60 lakh to
1 crore or more in the private sector, which holds
3. Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) and Self-
48 percent of MBBS seats."
Help Groups (SHGs)
• Geographical Skew: Medical education
• A survey among less financially privileged rural opportunities are skewed towards southern states
women receiving loans from SHGs highlighted that and urban areas.The urban to rural doctor density
while 59% of those surveyed reported having used ratio being 3.8:1."
DBTs, expenditure patterns varied by wealth. • Skewed Specializations: Certain specializations
are preferred over others (radiology, dermatology,
4. Education
gynecology, cardiology, etc.), while others
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The (psychiatry, geriatrics, etc.) are neglected.
government has been working to achieve the • Total Health Expenditure (THE): According to the
objectives of the NEP 2020 through various programs. latest National Health Accounts statistics for 2021-
• "The government has been striving to achieve 22, released in 2024, the Total Health Expenditure
the objectives of NEP 2020 through a range of (THE) in FY22 is estimated to be 3.8 percent of GDP.
programs and schemes." • Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE): Declined from
• Emphasis on Holistic Schooling: Integrating vocational 62.6% to 39.4% of THE due to insurance schemes and
and digital education, aiming for 100% Gross increased public spending. "During the same period,
Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the secondary level by 2030. the share of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) in
• "NEP 2020 emphasises holistic schooling by THE declined from 62.6 percent to 39.4 percent."
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 issues of national importance

• Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya

Yojana (AB-PMJAY, 2018): Key in reducing OOPE,
covering over 12 crore families, with over ₹1.25
lakh crore in savings recorded.
AI in Healthcare
 On 11 September 2024, the expansion of AB
PMJAY was approved to include senior citizens • The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence
aged 70 and above, irrespective of their socio- (2018) developed by NITI Aayog discussed how
economic status." AI could help address the challenges of quality,
accessibility, and affordability for a large section
AB PMJAY (Key Statistics)
of the population.
6. Mental Well-being

Other Initiatives
• Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM): Significant
progress in operationalizing AAMs, along with
screenings and wellness sessions.
• Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health
Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM, 2021): Aiming
to strengthen public health infrastructure by filling
gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance, and
health research by FY26.
• Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI, 2015): Ensures
availability of essential drugs at public health 7. Rural Development
facilities.
• Jan Aushadhi Scheme, 2008: Provides affordable • Rural Infrastructure Progress: Significant progress
medicines through over 14,000 kendras but faces in road construction, housing, drinking water
challenges. access, and sanitation.
• Technology Integration: The use of wearable • Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G, 2016):
devices, telehealth (e-Sanjeevani), and the Aimed at providing housing for rural poor, contributing
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) are to identity, economic growth, and an improved standard
expanding digital healthcare. of living. It aims to provide a pucca house with basic
 E-Sanjeevani has emerged as the world's amenities to all houseless families... by 2029."
largest telemedicine implementation in primary • Food, Nutrition, Health, and WASH (FNHW, 2016): The
healthcare." program is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-
 U-WIN: The U-WIN portal marks a transformative National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
step in India’s immunization efforts, digitizing • Social Inclusion and Gender: State Rural Livelihoods
vaccination records for pregnant women and Missions (SRLMs) implement interventions to
children up to 16 years under the UIP. address gender-based issues.
• Drone Technology: Drones are used to deliver • Gram Nyayalayas (Gram Nyayalayas Act was
medical supplies, addressing access barriers. passed in 2008): Aim to provide access to justice at
 Project ‘i-DRONE’: It was launched under the the grassroots level.
aegis of the MoHFW to assess the feasibility of • National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): A
using drones to deliver vaccines and medical social security program for vulnerable populations.
supplies." • Enhancing rural incomes:
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 issues of national importance

 Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural • India has about 26% of its people aged 10-24 years,
Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM, 2011): Aims which is a great chance for the country.
at reducing poverty through self and wage • Since India is one of the youngest nations, its
employment and through building community success depends on giving people good and useful
institutions, financial inclusion, and sustainable jobs so that everyone benefits in the long run.
livelihoods.
2. India’s growing economy and young population
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Provides wage • In 2014, India was the 10th biggest economy, but
employment, now also focused on asset creation. now it has become the 4th biggest, even bigger
than the UK.
• By 2030, India might become the 3rd largest
economy, after the USA and China.
• More working-age people and strong factory
production are helping India grow.
• India's average age is about 28 years, which is
younger than many developed countries. This
helps India grow faster.
3. Fewer dependents, more workers

• Fewer children depend on others because families

are having fewer kids.
• Older people need more support as they live longer.
• The total number of dependents has reduced:
 2011: 64.6%
 2021: 55.7%
Chapter: Employment and Skill  Expected in 2026: 54.3%
Development: Strengthening Workforce • If more people in the working age get jobs, India
Participation can grow even more.
4. More jobs are needed for a growing population
India's job market has improved a lot in recent years.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, things have started to • India needs to create 78.5 lakh jobs outside farming
get better, and more people are getting proper jobs. every year until 2030.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey shows that • Good jobs are important for fair and steady growth.
unemployment has decreased, and more people • People’s job dreams should match the move from
are working now. The factories are also hiring more farm jobs to other types of work.
workers, which is a good sign.
5. J
 obs and skill development – challenges and
To make the most of India’s young population, we
solutions Employment trend is focussed on
need to create quality jobs that will help people earn
a stable income. • Jobs in different sectors
The government is also helping by providing training programs • Number of men and women working
and making rules easier for businesses. This will help more • Jobs available in different states
people find jobs and make India’s economy stronger.
To create more jobs, India is working on
1. Employment and a better life for all
• Changing labour laws
• Jobs play a big role in improving people's lives • Finding the best industries for job growth
when the economy grows. • Improving skill training programs
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STATE OF EMPLOYMENT (As per 2023-24 annual

 These changes indicate that the workforce has
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report by shifted towards structured self-employment and
the National Statistical Organisation (NSO) data) flexible work arrangements.
• Trend of employment growth and unemployment • Women’s employment trends
 India experienced strong employment growth  A decline in regular wage/salaried jobs for
in past years, which was due to sustained and women (2017-18 to 2023-24):
continuous economic momentum. ƒ Rural India: 10.5% → 7.8%
 Unemployment rate (UR) for individuals aged ƒ Urban India: 52.1% → 49.4%
15+ years (Usual Status): ƒ Biggest drop in 2020-21: 54.2% → 50.1%
ƒ 2017-18: 6.0%  Women working as "own account workers/
ƒ 2023-24: 3.2% employers" increased from 19.0% in 2017-18
 The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and to 31.2% in 2023-24. Unpaid family labour rose
Worker-Population Ratio (WPR) have increased. from 38.7% to 42.3% in the same period.
 Current Weekly Status (CWS) criteria:  More women in cities started their own small work,
Employment levels have jumped back strongly increasing from 23.7% to 28.5%. More also joined
in both urban and rural areas, which shows that family businesses, rising from 11.0% to 13.8%.
the post-pandemic recovery was broad-based.  Many women left regular jobs and started
• Trend of urban employment flexible work like small businesses because
 Urban unemployment fell slightly from 6.6% in schools were closed, and they had to take care
Q2 FY24 to 6.4% in Q2 FY25. Urban LFPR rose of children and elders.
from 49.3% to 50.4%, while WPR increased from  Own account work increased as a flexible
46.0% to 47.2% in the same period. employment option post-pandemic.
• Government help for jobs and skills
 The government started schemes such as Mudra
Yojana, Skill India, Start-Up India, and Stand-Up
India to help people start businesses, learn new
• State-wise employment trends skills, and get financial support for work.
 Among 36 states and Union Territories: • Jobs in Different Sectors
ƒ 12 states have WPR (all ages) below the  Agriculture still has the most workers, increasing
national average of 43.7% from 44.1% in 2017-18 to 46.1% in 2023-24.
ƒ 12 states have LFPR (all ages) below the Fewer people are working in factories (12.1% to
national average of 45.1% 11.4%) and services (31.1% to 29.7%). More men
ƒ More than 10% increase in WPR was seen in moved from farming to construction, trade, and
14 states since 2017-18. transport, while more women took up farming,
ƒ 11 states saw more than 10% in LFPR since 2017-18. especially in villages, due to fewer non-farm jobs.
• Workforce composition changes (2017-18 to 2023-24) • Wages and Earnings
 Self-employment increased:  Wages have increased, especially for daily
ƒ 2017-18: 52.2% wage workers in villages. Women’s wages have
ƒ 2023-24: 58.4% grown faster than men’s, but they still earn less.
 Regular/salaried jobs declined: Informal jobs now pay better than before.
ƒ 2017-18: 22.8% • Factory Jobs and Manufacturing Growth
ƒ 2023-24: 21.7% (but trend stabilised  The manufacturing sector added 22 lakh jobs
post-2020-21) between FY19 and FY23. More big factories (100+
 Casual workers declined: workers) have opened, now employing 80% of
ƒ 2017-18: 24.9% workers in this sector. Jobs in textiles, automobiles,
ƒ 2023-24: 19.8% electronics, and chemicals have increased.
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 issues of national importance

• More People in Formal Jobs

 EPFO data shows formal jobs are growing, with
new additions rising from 61 lakh (FY19) to 131
lakh (FY24). Many young people (18-25 years)
are getting these jobs. The eShram portal has
registered 30.51 crore unorganised workers,
giving them access to social security benefits.
Job Creation: Action Towards Enhanced
2. Need for More Skills: New tech means we
Employment Opportunities
need new skills, especially in things like AI and
1. Job Rules: Safety vs. Easy Hiring: The government computers. The National Education Policy (NEP)
is making new job rules so companies can hire 2020 wants schools and colleges to teach skills
people easily but still keep workers safe. In 2020, a to 50% of students by 2025. We need to plan for
law passed by the government helped gig workers more skills to help India grow by 2047.
like delivery boys get benefits like health insurance.
There are also schemes like PMSBY and PMJJBY to
give workers some security.
2. Online Jobs Growing: More people are working
online using apps for delivery, freelancing, and
other jobs. By 2025, online work will be worth a
huge amount of money. By 2030, there might be
23.5 crore gig workers. Women can also work from
home and earn money. 3. Schools and Companies Working Together
3. Green Energy Jobs: Many people now work in solar Skills need to match what companies want. Schools
and wind energy. In 2023, over 1 million workers and companies must work together to make sure
had jobs in this field. Projects like Solar Urja Lamps students are ready for jobs. Things like internships
help women earn money. Solar power is also and real-life learning are becoming more important.
helping farmers and small shop owners. Vocational schools need to update their courses to
4. Factory Jobs Increasing: After COVID-19, factories teach new skills like AI.
around the country have started hiring workers 4. Government Spending on Skills: In 2024-25, the
again. Between FY19 and FY23, 22 lakh new jobs government is spending ₹2 lakh crore on job training.
were added. Big factories with 100+ workers now This will help 4.1 crore young people get better skills.
have most of the jobs. Food, clothing, chemicals, The FutureSkills Prime platform is trying to teach
and electronics industries are growing. 13.21 lakh people about AI and tech by 2027.
5. AI and Skills Training: Training must include how to
Skill Development: Upskilling, Reskilling and
use AI, not just how to work in AI jobs. AI is going
New Skilling For A Changing World
to change a lot of jobs, so we need a lot of different
1. Learning New Skills for New Jobs: India is changing training programs. Right now, people working in IT,
how it teaches people new skills because of new government jobs, and teaching are learning about AI.
technology and other big changes. Things like 6. Companies Helping with Training: Companies
robots, AI, and climate change are changing jobs. like Dassault (for aeroplanes) and Skoda (for cars)
More young people are getting skills – 4.9% are are working with schools to teach the right skills.
learning in school and 21.2% are learning in other Employers need to know what skills will be needed
ways. The government is helping by using online in the future, and trainers need to create lessons
platforms for learning. for those jobs.

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 issues of national importance

7. Indian Workers Going Global: India has 32 million • National Association of Software and Service
people working in other countries. By 2025, the Companies (NASSCOM) estimates that the Indian
world will need 97 million more workers, especially AI market will grow with a compounded annual
in healthcare, IT, and finance. This is a big chance growth rate (CAGR) of 25 to 35% by 2027.
for Indian workers to get jobs around the world. • The first Industrial revolution exemplifies this
dynamic, with workers who were laid off facing
Conclusion
sustained unemployment well into the 19th
India has seen good job growth in recent years, Century – a period known as ‘Engle’s pause’.
especially after the pandemic. More people are getting
The Impact of AI on Labour Markets
formal jobs, and businesses are growing because of
better rules and skill training. • Job Displacement: AI can disrupt the labour market
The government has made changes to labour laws to globally and can displace millions of jobs.
help workers, especially women. Now, women can  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated
work night shifts safely, get longer maternity leave, that job displacement would be particularly fatal
and have equal pay. These changes make workplaces for emerging markets and developing economies,
fair and safe for everyone. which are not well placed to use the technology
By making rules simpler and giving businesses more compared to the advanced economies.
freedom, more jobs are being created. This helps  The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
the economy grow and gives people better work estimates that nearly 75 million jobs globally are
opportunities. When businesses find it easy to grow, at complete risk of automation due to AI.
they hire more workers and use better machines. This  IIM Ahmedabad Survey highlights that 68% of
creates a cycle where jobs keep increasing, helping the surveyed employees expect their jobs to be
the country move forward. partially or fully automated by AI within the next
five years.
Chapter: Labour in the AI Era: Crisis or • Rising Inequality: tThe effect of AI-driven
Catalyst? automation can be seen in rising economic
inequality as the gap between high-skilled and low-
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing in a rapid manner skilled workers might increase.
which presents both challenges and opportunities for • New Job Creation: While AI will eliminate some
India, especially for the labour markets. jobs, it will also create demand for roles requiring
• Barriers to large scale adoption of AI: skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and
 Reliability creativity.
 Resource inefficiencies India’s Position
 Infrastructure deficits
 AI’s experimental nature • India would have to create an average of 78.5 lakh
• Achieving benefits from India’s demographic jobs every year in the non-farm sector till 2030 to
advantage and diverse economic landscape will fulfill the demand of jobs of the rising workforce.
require: • To manage AI’s impact, India needs robust
 Investments in education institutions that can:
 Workforce skilling  Enable workforce adaptation through education
 Enabling, insuring, and stewarding institutions. and training in AI-related skills.
 By fostering collaboration between policymakers,  Insure workers by providing social security and
the private sector, and academia. economic safety nets.
• For maximising the benefits and minimising  Steward AI development by ensuring ethical
disruptions of AI, inclusivity and sustainability has AI use and minimising risks such as bias,
to be ensured in this transition. misinformation, and monopolisation.
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 Building these institutions requires collaboration  Better education: Schools and colleges must
between the government, private sector, and teach AI so students can learn early. People
academia. should also have ways to keep learning after
• AI’s potential for India school.
 AI-Augmented work: Instead of the concern that  AI policies: The government must make policies
AI will take all jobs, it can help doctors, teachers, regarding AI that should ensure transparency,
and customer service people do their work in an fairness, and accountability.
efficient and better manner.  Helping jobless people: People who lose jobs
 Expanding job markets: AI will create new jobs because of AI should get financial assistance, and
in fintech, shopping websites (e-commerce), should be helped to develop new skills to ensure
and machine work (automation) for skilled their social security.
professionals.  Public-Private collaboration: Partnerships
 Skill development: India must teach people between the government, tech companies, and
new skills so they can work with AI and not get educational institutions should be promoted to
replaced by it. align AI innovation with national goals.
 Leveraging AI for economic growth: If India uses  Infrastructure development: Investing in AI-
AI properly, companies can work faster, other ready digital and physical infrastructure,
countries will invest money, and the Indian including cloud computing, high-speed internet,
economy will grow at a faster pace. and research centres should be focussed on
• Policy recommendations for an AI-ready India tackling the threat of jobs being replaced by AI.

BUDGET 2025-26
Context: Recently, the finance minister presented the
Union Budget 2025-26 in Parliament. e. 70 per cent women in economic activities; and
f. Farmers making our country the ‘food basket of
Key Highlights of the Budget the world’.
In this budget, the proposed development measures
Budget Theme: “Sabka Vikas” span ten broad areas, focusing on Garib, Youth,
Our economy is the fastest-growing among all major Annadata, and Nari.
global economies. 1. Spurring Agricultural Growth and Productivity;
Our development track record of the past 10 years 2. Building Rural Prosperity and Resilience;
and structural reforms have drawn global attention. 3. Taking Everyone Together on an Inclusive Growth path;
Confidence in India’s capability and potential has 4. Boosting Manufacturing and Furthering Make in India;
only grown in this period. We see the next five years 5. Supporting MSMEs;
as a unique opportunity to realize ‘Sabka Vikas’, 6. Enabling Employment-led Development;
stimulating balanced growth of all regions. 7. Investing in people, economy and innovation;
The great Telugu poet and playwright Gurajada Appa 8. Securing Energy Supplies;
Rao had said, ‘Desamante Matti Kaadoi, Desamante 9. Promoting Exports; and
Manushuloi’; meaning, ‘A country is not just its soil, 10.Nurturing Innovation.
a country is its people.’ In line with this, for us, Viksit
For this journey of development,
Bharat encompasses:
a. zero-poverty; a. Our four powerful engines are: Agriculture,
b. 100 percent good quality school education; MSME, Investment, and Exports
c. access to high-quality, affordable, and b. The fuel: our Reforms
comprehensive healthcare; c. Our guiding spirit: Inclusivity
d. 100 percent skilled labour with meaningful employment; d. And the destination: Viksit Bharat
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 issues of national importance

cobalt powder and lithium-ion battery waste,

scrap, and 12 other critical minerals.
 37 new medicines and 13 new patient assistance
programs will be included in the exemption list.
 Six life-saving medicines will be added to a list
with a concessional customs duty of 5%.
 Fully extend BCD on wet blue leather. Exempt
crust leather from 20% duty
 Reduce BCD from 30% to 5% on frozen fish paste.
Reduce BCD from 15% to 5% fish hydrolycates.
 BCD on interactive flat panel displays from 10%
to 20% and reduce the BCD on open cell and
other components for LCDs and LEDs to 5%.

This budget aims to initiate transformative reforms

across six domains. These domains are:
1. Taxation
2. Power Sector
3. Urban Development
4. Mining
5. Financial Sector and
6. Regulatory Reforms
These areas are central to the government’s focus on
driving growth, improving infrastructure, enhancing
governance, and ensuring sustainable development
across various sectors.
Taxation

• Tax Reform: The government will soon be

introducing a new Income Tax bill to take forward
the “trust first, scrutinise later” concept.
Financial Sector
• Direct Tax Proposals:
 There will be no income tax till income up to Rs Increased from 74% to 100%
12 lakh. Insurance FDI for insurers investing their
 The annual limit for TDS on rent has been raised entire premium within India.
from Rs 2.40 lakh to Rs 6 lakh, benefiting small Grameen Credit Banks to maintain a Grameen
taxpayers receiving smaller payments. Score for Self-Help credit score for self-help
 Tax deduction limit for senior citizens doubled Groups groups.
from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 to be
 Time to file tax returns extended from two years introduced to decriminalise
to four years. Jan Vishwas 2.0 Bill over 100 provisions.
Investment-friendly index of
• Cess and Tariff: states to be launched in 2025.
 Full exemption of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on
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Agriculture
 Important Producing Areas: Madhya Pradesh,
• Jan Dhanya Krishi Yojana initiative will focus on Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and
100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop Karnataka. It is grown on about 11% of the total
intensity, and below-average credit access. It aims sown area in India.
include crop diversification, augmenting storage,  India is the largest producer and consumer: India
improving irrigation, and facilitating long and is the largest producer as well as consumer of
short-term credit for farmers pulses in the world.
• Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program: It is a • National Mission for Edible Oil and seeds aims at
scheme designed to tackle underemployment in AatmaNirbharta in the sector.
agriculture.  Direct procurement by NAFED and NCCF for
• ‘Atmanirbharta Mission’ for Pulses has been income stability.
launched. The programme is to be spread over 6 • For Atmanirbharta in urea production, a plant
years aimed at bringing about self-sufficiency in with annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes
pulses production. will be set up in Assam.
 Major pulses that are grown in India: Tur, urad, • For Atmanirbharta, the National Institute of Food
moong, masur, peas and gram. Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management
 Chief Characteristics: will be in Bihar.
ƒ It will provide a strong fillip to food processing
activities in the entire Eastern region.
• Fisheries:
 The government will bring an enabling framework
for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in India’s
economic zone.
 Government will introduce a framework for the
sustainable development of fisheries, particularly
focusing on the Andaman and Lakshadweep
regions.
 To promote exports, the Budget for 2025-26 will
facilitate the export of Frozen Fish Paste and will
reduce the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on fish
hydrolysate, used for manufacturing fish and
shrimp feeds, from 15 percent to 5 per cent.
 Kisan credit cards facilitate short term loans for
7.7 crore farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers.
 The loan limit will be enhanced from Rs 3 lakh to
Rs 5 lakh.
 India ranks second largest globally in fishery
products.
ƒ Pulses are the major sources of protein in a • Mission for Cotton productivity will facilitate
vegetarian diet. significant improvement in cotton farming.
ƒ Being leguminous crops, all the above- • Makahana Board: A Makhana Board will be set up
mentioned pulses (except tur) help in restoring in Bihar to enhance processing and value addition.
soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. The board will offer support and trade-related
 Pulses need less moisture and survive even in technologies while ensuring that farmers benefit
dry conditions. from all relevant government schemes.

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Note: Mithila Makhana, or Makhan xSmt. Nirmala Sitharaman

• It is a unique variety of aquatic fox nut cultivated in announced that broadband
the Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal. connectivity will be provided to
• It is one of the three prestigious cultural identities Bharat-Net
all Government secondary
of Mithila, alongside Pan and Machh (fish). Project
schools and primary health
• Makhana is particularly significant during the centres in rural areas under the
Kojagara festival celebrated by Maithil Brahmins Bharat-net project.
for newly married couples.
• Nutritionally, it is rich in protein, fiber, and xIt has a corpus of Rs 25,000 crore
micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and will be used to finance
Maritime
and phosphorus. long-term industry growth, with
Development
• In 2022, it received a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. 49% government contribution.
Fund
xThis fund will also be used for Ship
Infrastructure, Logistics and Urbanisation Building Financial Assistance Policy.
xThe Centre will set up an Urban
xTo transform Indian post as a Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore
“large public logistics Urban
to implement the proposal for
organisation”. Challenge
‘cities as growth hubs’, ‘creative
xTo facilitate serving the needs of Fund
re-development of cities’, and
women, entrepreneurs, large ‘water and sanitation.’
business organisation,
India Post xThe budget proposed that a
Vishwakarma’s, self-help groups as
Logistics National Geospatial Mission
well as large business organisations.
Provider would be started to develop
xRural Post Offices will be
complimented by the India Post National foundational geospatial
Payment Bank and a network of Geospatial infrastructure and data.
dark bucks will be repositioned to Mission xThis mission would facilitate
act as a catalyst for the rural modernisation of land records,
economy. urban planning, and design of
infrastructure projects.
xThe government will establish a
digital public trade infrastructure x50,000 dwelling units in stressed
‘Bharat Trade Net’, and support housing projects have been
Bharat Trade completed and keys handed over
domestic manufacturing to boost Special
Net (BTN) to homebuyers.
India’s global competitiveness. Window for
xThis will complement the Unified xA SWAMIH Fund 2 will be
Affordable
Logistics Interface Platform. established with ₹15000 crore
and Mid-
allocation to help complete an
x3-year pipeline of projects by Income
additional 1 lakh housing units.
PPP in states in PPP mode, ₹1.5 lakh Housing
xThe SWAMIH Fund 2 aims at
Infrastructure crore outlay for 50-year interest- (SWAMIH)
helping middle class families who
free loans. Fund
are paying EMIs on loan taken
xThe government will launch an for apartment and also paying
Export Promotion Mission with rent for current dwelling units.
an outlay of Rs 2,250 crore to
facilitate easy access to export Social Sectors: Education, Healthcare and
Export credit, cross-border factoring Labour & Employment
Promotion support, and help MSMEs tackle
Mission non-tariff measures in overseas A. Healthcare:
markets.
xIt will be driven jointly by the
• Day Care Centres: The Finance Minster announced
Ministries of Commerce, MSMEs the establishment of Daycare Centres for cancer
and Finance. treatment at all district hospitals in 3 years.
• 36 lifesaving drugs for cancer, rare diseases and
chronic illness will be exempted from customs duty.
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• Customs duty on bulk drug purchases for

manufacturing these medicines will also be nil or
charged at a concessional rate.
• Specified drugs and medicines under Patient
Assistance Programme run by pharmaceutical
companies are fully exempt from Basic Custom Duty.
• Children: Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
programme to provide support for 8 crore children.
• Medical Tourism and ‘Heal in India’: Promotion in
partnership with the private sector.
• PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): The budget
announced that the gig workers would be provided
healthcare under the PM-JAY.
 Gig workers enter into formal agreement with
on-demand companies to provide services to the
latter’s clients. Brands such as Zomato, Swiggy,
Amazon and Flipkart employ them.
 The government will arrange for their identity • A Centre of Excellence for AI in Education will be
cards and registration on the e-Shram portal. established with an outlay of Rs 500 crore.
B. Education: • Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs): 50,000 Atal
• Gyan Bharatam Mission: The Budget announced Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) will be set up in
a special mission for the survey, documentation, government schools in the next 5 years to foster
and conservation of India’s manuscript heritage. It scientific temper in young minds. Broadband
intends to cover more than one crore manuscripts. connectivity is to be provided to all secondary
• The Budget also announced plans to set up a schools.
national digital repository of Indian knowledge • A Deep-Tech Fund of Funds will be explored
systems (IKS) for knowledge sharing. to support technological advancements, while
• Five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling 10,000 fellowships will be provided for tech
will be established to equip the youth with the research at IITs and IISc under the PM Research
necessary skills for global opportunities. Fellowship Scheme.
• Additionally, infrastructure will be expanded in • Over the next 5 years, the scheme will offer
IITs set up after 2015, allowing for 6,500 more 10,000 scholarships to further tech innovation and
students across five IITs. research.
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• A Bhartiya Bhasha Pustak scheme will be • The Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for
implemented for Indian language books for Nuclear Damage Act will be amended to allow
schools and higher education. private sector partnerships for development of
nuclear energy.
• A ‘Nuclear Energy Mission’ will be launched for
the development of 'Small Modular Reactors’
with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore.
 Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are the small
nuclear reactors, that typically produce less than
300 MW of the electricity.
Manufacturing and Industry
The scheme will support
design capacity,
component manufacturing,
and machinery required for
the production of non-
leather quality footwear,
Focus Product besides support for leather
Scheme footwear and products.
This scheme will be
expecting to generate 2.2
million jobs, Rs 4 trillion
turnover, and targeted
exports of more than Rs 1.1
trillion.
The scheme will focus on
development of clusters,
skills, and a manufacturing
ecosystem that will create
Sustainable Toys high-quality, unique,
Manufacturing innovative, and sustainable
Scheme toys that will represent the
C. Labour and Employment: 'Made in India' brand.
• PM SVANidhi Scheme to provide affordable loans To make India a global hub
for toys by focusing on
to street vendors will be revamped to provide UPI- cluster development.
linked credit cards with a Rs 30,000 limit, enhanced
bank loans, and capacity-building support. It would support clean tech,
and build an ecosystem for
• A scheme will be launched to provide loans up to two solar cells, EV batteries, and
crore rupees to five lakh women, scheduled castes, high voltage transmission
and scheduled tribes first-time entrepreneurs. equipment manufacturing at
• Another scheme for socio-economic upliftment National
the local level.
of urban workers will be implemented to help The Mission’s mandate
Manufacturing
includes five focus areas: ease
improve incomes. Mission
and cost of doing business,
Energy future ready workforce for
in-demand jobs, a vibrant and
• Additional borrowing of 0.5% of GSDP will be allowed dynamic MSME sector,
to states based on electricity distribution reforms availability of technology,
and augmenting intra-state transmission capacity. and quality products.

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Bihar Specific • Primary Deficit: 0.8% of GDP

• Makhana Board:
 The Budget has announced a Makhana Board
will be set up in Bihar to improve production,
processes, value addition, and the marketing of
Makhana, or fox nuts.
 It is expected to benefit farmers in north Bihar
districts such as Darbhanga, Madhubani,
Sitamarhi, Samastipur, Purnea, and the Kaithar.
• National Institute of Food Technology:
 A National Institute of Food Technology,
Entrepreneurship, and Management will be set
up in Bihar to boost food processing activities in
the eastern region of the state.
 This will result:
ƒ Enhanced income for the farmers through
value addition to their produce.
ƒ Skilling, entrepreneurship and employment
opportunities for the youth.
• Expansion of IIT Patna: The Budget announced the
hostel and other infrastructure capacity at IIT Patna
would be expanded as part of the government’s
initiative to enhance IITs across India.
• New Airports: Greenfield airports will be set up
in Bihar, and Patna airport will be expanded. A
brownfield airport will come up in Bihta, Danapur
tenshil, Patna.
• Western Kosi Canal Project: The finance minister
said financial support would be provided for the
“Western Kosi Canal Project," benefiting farmers
cultivating over 50,000 hectares of land in the
Mithilanchal region comprising Supaul, Saharsa,
Madhepura, Darbhanga, and Madhubani.
Fiscal Consolidation
Budget Estimates (BE) for 2025-26
• Total Receipts other than Borrowing: ₹34.96 lakh
crore
• Revenue Receipts: ₹34.2 lakh crore
• Capital Receipts: ₹16.4 lakh crore
• Net tax receipts: ₹ 28.37 lakh crore
• Total expenditure: ₹50.65 lakh crore (₹50,65,345
crore, i.e., 7.4% higher than the revised estimate
of 2024-25)
• Fiscal Deficit: 4.4% of GDP
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Revised Estimate (RE) for 2024-25

an upward trend, increasing from ₹17.1 lakh crore
• Total receipts (excluding borrowings): ₹31.47 lakh crore (Actual) in 2023-24 to a Budgeted Estimate (BE) of
• Net tax receipts: ₹25.57 lakh crore. ₹16.9 lakh crore for 2024-25.
• Total expenditure: ₹47.16 lakh crore
• Capital expenditure: ₹10.18 lakh crore. Expenditure Patterns
• Fiscal deficit: 4.8% of GDP

• Capital Expenditure: Capital expenditure, initially

budgeted at ₹15.0 lakh crore for 2024-25, was
Major sources of revenue and expenditure revised down to ₹13.2 lakh crore (RE).
from the budget  "Capital expenditure rose from ₹12.5 lakh crore
• Revenue Receipts: Revenue receipts have shown to ₹15.0 lakh crore (BE) but was later revised to
a clear upward trend, increasing from ₹27.3 lakh ₹13.2 lakh crore."
crore (Actual) in 2023-24 to a Budgeted Estimate • Effective Capital Expenditure: There is a decrease
(BE) of ₹31.3 lakh crore for 2024-25. in effective capital expenditure from ₹17.1 lakh
• Capital Receipts: Capital receipts have also shown crore to ₹16.3 lakh crore (RE).
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• Revenue Expenditure: Revenue expenditure has • Non-debt Capital Receipts: Non-debt capital
increased from ₹34.9 lakh crore to ₹37.0 lakh crore receipts, including disinvestment proceeds and
(RE). loan recoveries, amounted to ₹0.8 lakh crore in
2024-25 (RE).
Deficit Trends (as % of GDP)
• Total Central Government Net Receipts: The total
• Fiscal Deficit: 3.3% in 2023-24, and the estimate figure comes from the sum of ₹28.4 (Tax Revenue),
for 2024-25 (RE) remains unchanged at 3.3%. ₹5.8 (Non-Tax Revenue), and ₹0.8 lakh crore (Non-
 Revised Estimate 2024-25 Fiscal Deficit: 4.8% of debt Capital Receipts), totalling ₹35.0 lakh crore.
GDP.
Government estimated expenditure on
 Budget Estimate 2025-26 Fiscal Deficit: 4.4% of
different ministries and departments
GDP.
• Revenue Deficit: 0.3% in 2023-24, which increased
slightly to 0.8% in 2024-25 (RE), and the effective
revenue deficit in 2023-24 was 0.3%, and for 2024-
25 (RE), it was at 0.8%.

Transfers to States and Union Territories:

• Increase: Total transfers to States and Union
Territories have seen a considerable increase from Indian Budget: Additional Facts
₹20.65 lakh crore in 2023-24 to ₹22.76 lakh crore in • First Union Budget of India: 7 April, 1860 (by James
the 2024-25 revised estimates (RE). Furthermore, Wilson)
it is projected to increase further to ₹25.60 lakh • First Budget of Independent India: 26 November
crore in 2025-26 (BE). 1947 (by R.K. Shanmukham Chetty, First Finance
Minister of India)
Net Receipt of the Central Government • First Budget in Hindi: 1955
(2024-25 RE) • First woman to present budget: Indira Gandhi
(1970)
• Tax Revenue: The Central government’s net tax • Dream Budget: 1997-98
revenue collection for 2024-25 (RE) stands at ₹28.4 • First paperless Budget: 2021
lakh crore, while non-tax revenue was ₹5.8 lakh crore. • Merger of Railway Budget into Union Budget:

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2017 (Merged into Union Budget in 1924 on the (SDX01, the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target) in
recommendations of the Acworth Committee)
• Maximum number of Budgets presented by a lower earth orbit.
woman Finance Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman (8) • The secondary objectives include:
• Maximum number of Budgets presented by a  Demonstrating electric power transfer between
Finance Minister: Morarji Desai (10 Budgets), P. docked spacecraft for future in-space robotics.
Chidambaram (9 Budgets)  Composite spacecraft control.
• Change in date of budget presentation: 2017 (from
last working day of February to 1 February)
 Payload operations post-undocking.
• Indian Prime Ministers who presented the budget: Mission Overview
Jawaharlal Nehru (1958), Indira Gandhi (1970),
Rajiv Gandhi (1987) • So far, only Russia, the US, and China have
developed this advanced technology, positioning
Union Budget: Constitutional Provisions
India to become the fourth nationwide to master
Articles Provisions docking technology.
112 Annual Financial Statement • It involves two small spacecraft (approximately 220
113 Demands for Grants kg each), launched simultaneously by PSLV-C60 into
a 470 km circular orbit at a 55-degree inclination,
114 Appropriation Bill
with a local time cycle of about 66 days.
Supplementary, or • Along with its objective, the mission will use the
115
Additional Grants
PSLV’s spent fourth stage, called POEM-4 (PSLV
116 Vote on Account Orbital Experimental Module), as a platform for
117 Money Bill conducting microgravity experiments.
Consolidated Fund and Mission Execution
266
Public Account
267 Indian Contingency Fund
• The Chaser and Target will be launched separately
but at the same time into orbit and ensure a small
280 Finance Commission relative velocity between the satellites.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY • Chaser and Target spacecraft will begin with a velocity
difference to establish a 10-20 km separation.
SpaDeX Mission • Propulsion systems will then align both spacecraft into
the same orbit, reaching the Far Rendezvous phase.
Context: Recently, ISRO has announced the • The Chaser will gradually close the gap with the
postponement of its SpaDeX Mission which will
Target, reducing the distance in stages from 5 km
demonstrate India’s capability in space docking.
to 1.5 km to 500 m to 225 m, to 3 m and ultimately
About SpaDeX Mission leading to docking of the two spacecrafts.
• It is a cost-effective technology demonstrator New Technologies
mission for in-space docking using two small
spacecraft launched by PSLV. • The indigenous technologies developed for
• India’s space goals such as sending Indians to the enabling this docking mission are as follows:
Moon, samples returning from the Moon, building  Docking system
and operating of Bhartiya Antariksh Station (BAS),  A set of four rendezvous and docking sensors
etc will be achieved by using this mission.  Power transfer technology
 Indigenous, innovative autonomous rendezvous
Objectives
and docking approach
• The primary objective of this mission is to design  Inter-satellite communication link (ISL) for autonomous
and evaluate the system needed for the meeting, spacecraft communication, with integrated intelligence
docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft to monitor the state of the other spacecraft etc.
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Parker Solar Probe INS Vaghsheer

Context: Recently, NASA announced that the Parker Context: Recently, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
Solar Probe has survived the closest-ever approach to (MDL) in Mumbai achieved a major milestone by
the Sun. delivering the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine,
INS Vaghsheer to the Indian Navy.
About the Parker Solar Probe
• Launched: It was launched in 2018. About INS Vaghsheer
• Developed as a part of NASA’s ‘Living with a Star’ • It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
program to explore the aspects of the Sun - Earth Limited (MDL), an Indian shipbuilding company,
system. in partnership with the French shipbuilder Naval
• Main purpose: To find answers to some mysteries, Group.
like “A better understanding of solar winds” and • It is the sixth submarine of Project 75 in the first
“Why is the corona so hot?” set of six Kalvari-class submarines commissioned
• Size: The size of the probe is like a small car that for the Indian Navy.
carries four instrument suites. • The other five submarines of this project are INS
• Over the years, this probe has completed 21 orbits Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, and INS Vela, and
around the Sun. the fifth being INS Vagir.
• This probe helps to forecast changes in the space • It was launched in April 2022, underwent rigorous
environment. trials to test its endurance, stealth, and combat
capabilities.
Features

• The travelling speed of the probe is 6,92,000 km/

hr, it endured temperatures up to 1,377 degree
celsius.
• It was able to survive such high temperatures
because it is protected by a 4.5 inch (11.43cm)
thick Carbon Composite Shield.
• The data provided by the Probe help us to understand
the Origin of the Solar winds as it affects not only
the space environment but also life on Earth.
• The measurements from the Parker Solar Probe
will help us , a continuous flow of material escaping
the Sun.

Features

• It is equipped with cutting-edge stealth features,

such as minimal radiated noise and an advanced
hydrodynamic design, it ranks among the quietest
submarines globally.
• It can deploy precision-guided weapons like
torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles
• It is built for a variety of missions, including anti-
submarine warfare and intelligence collection, it
is fully equipped to function in various maritime
conditions.
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 issues of national importance

• It features several improvements over previous India-U.S. Collaboration on Sonobuoy

models, including domestically developed systems
such as the air-conditioning plant, internal Context: Recently, India and the U.S. announced
cooperation on the co-production of U.S. sonobuoys for
communication network, and Ku-Band SATCOM
Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy.
system.
• These enhancements support India’s defense About Sonobuoy
strategy to decrease dependence on foreign • The sonobuoys are small and expendable devices
technology and strengthen domestic production used in underwater acoustics and sonar systems to
capabilities. detect submarines and other hostile objects and to
carry out precision attacks to eliminate threats.
Nag Mark 2 anti-tank guided missile • The initiative aims to promote the joint
development of cutting-edge defense technologies
Context: Recently, India has successfully conducted and strengthen cooperation between the two
a test of the upgraded Nag Mark 2 anti-tank guided
nations in the defense sector.
missile at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
• Its key components for Anti-Submarine Warfare
About Nag MK 2 Missile (ASW)- will be jointly manufactured in both the
United States and India, supporting India’s ‘Make
• It is an indigenously developed, third-generation in India’ initiative.
Anti-Tank Fire and Forget guided missile by DRDO. • This initiative will not only strengthen India’s
• It is specifically designed to neutralise modern defense self-reliance but also improve the
armoured threats. operational readiness of the Indian Navy for critical
missions, such as anti-submarine warfare.
Features of Nag MK 2 Missile
Significance
• Third-Generation Fire-and-Forget Technology:
Enables precision targeting with minimal operator • After Maritime Domain Awareness, Undersea
intervention after launch. Domain Awareness (UDA) has become a key
• Versatile Performance: Capable of incapacitating priority for India and the Quad nations.
modern armored vehicles fitted with Explosive • India is set to acquire US sonobuoys and associated
Reactive Armor (ERA). technology transfer to boost underwater threat
• Platform Compatibility: Effectively integrated detection amid growing Chinese activity in the region.
with Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA), improving • It will be essential to ensure that this area of
battlefield mobility and deployment versatility. the region remains secure and safe for trade,
• The missile is a crucial enhancement to India’s commerce, and overall prosperity.
defense capabilities, strengthening anti-tank
warfare. Bhargavastra Micro-Missile System
• Its introduction will bolster the Indian Army’s
capacity to tackle emerging armor threats, Context: Recently, India successfully tested its
indigenous Bhargavastra micro-missile system to
especially along the borders.
counter the swarm drones.
• In the three field trials, the missile systems
accurately hit all targets at both maximum and About the Bhargavastra Micro-missile system
minimum ranges, confirming its effective firing
range. • The system can detect small drones at over 6 km
• The success of the missile tests also underscored and take them down using guided micro munitions.
India’s advancements in achieving self-reliance • The new micro missile system designed for the
through the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Indian Army, could engage virtual targets beyond
2.5 km.
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 issues of national importance

• The two successful firings concluded at the Energy Commission of India in March 1954 with
Gopalpur Seaward Firing Range (GSFR), Odisha. enhanced power and mandate.
• The system can detect over 64 Micro-missiles • First Chairperson of AEC: Dr. Homi Jahangir
simultaneously. Bhabha(1948-66).
• Developed by the Economic Explosives Ltd. which • HQ. - Mumbai, Maharashtra.
is a mobile platform mounted system.
Functions
• Its design accommodates operations across
various terrain including high altitude regions • Scientific research and development in the field of
meeting specific military requirements. nuclear energy and its application.
• Extraction of nuclear materials for the Industrial uses.
• It executed the Nuclear explosion in May 1974
in Pokhran, Rajasthan in the name of "Smiling
Buddha", making India the nuclear capable country.
Composition of the AEC

• The AEC also includes Pankaj Kumar Mishra who

took over as Member (Finance) last year.
• The reconstituted AEC has Ajit Kumar Mohanty,
Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, as its
Chairman.
• Ex-Officio members include:
 Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor.
 Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Scientific
Advisor to the PM.
 Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary.
 T.V. Somanathan, Cabinet Secretary.
 Manoj Govil, Expenditure Secretary.
AEC operates six key research centres

• BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) ,Mumbai.

• Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR),
Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
• Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology
Note: (RRCAT), Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Economic Explosives Limited is a Non-govt company, • Variable energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata,
incorporated on 16 Aug, 1995. It’s a public unlisted company West Bengal.
and is classified as’ company limited by shares’.
• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Research (AMD), Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership
Context: Recently, the Government has (GCNEP), Bahadurgarh, Haryana.
reconstituted the Atomic Energy Commission
which falls directly under the purview of the Prime
Genome India Project
Minister’s Office (PMO) of India.
About the AEC Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India praised
the completion of the Genome India Project, describing
• Established on 3 August 1948 under the Department it as a significant milestone in global research.
of Scientific Research, reconstituted as the Atomic
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About Genome India

be freely accessible across the globe as per
• It is a national initiative launched in 2020 and international open-access standards. The
funded by the Department of Biotechnology. submitter, however, may choose to restrict the
• It aims to decode the genetic diversity of India’s data access for a defined period of time.
population through large scale genome sequencing.  Managed/Controlled access: Data would not be
• It involved sequencing the genomes of individuals made accessible freely and can only be accessed
from 99 different ethnic groups across India, through prior permission through IBDC from the
representing about 2% of the country’s 4,600 original data submitter.
population groups.
About Framework for Exchange of Data
Key highlights of the Project Protocols (FeED)
• Sequencing the genome of 10,000 individuals: The • This initiative is launched under the Biotech-PRIDE
project has successfully sequenced the genomes of Guidelines to ensure that high-quality, nation-
10,074 individuals from 99 ethnic groups. specific data which will be shared transparently,
• Creation of genetic database: Data is securely equitably, and responsibly.
stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre and will  The Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines, launched in 2021,
serve as a reference of researchers. reflect India’s dedication to promoting ethical
• Genetic insights for improving public health: The and secure data sharing practices.
study revealed unique genetic variations, some • India now ranks 12th globally in biotech and 3rd in
form clinical significance, paving the way for the Asia-Pacific region.
precision medicine. • The impressive growth of biotech startups in India,
• Sample collection milestones: Over 19,000 blood expanding from just 50 in 2014 to over 8,500 in
samples have been collected, exceeding the initial 2023, highlights the country’s emerging leadership
target, and stored in the GenomeIndia Biobank for in biotechnology and its ability to transform the
future research. global bioeconomy.
• Phase 1 analysis: Comprehensive quality checks
and joint genotyping of 5,750 samples have Human Metapneumovirus
revealed genetic variations specific to Indian
populations. Context: Recently, China is facing an outbreak of the
respiratory illness Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
• Phase 2 analysis: Seek to enlarge the database to
which has raised worldwide concern.
one million sequences , incorporating genetic data
from individuals with particular diseases. About Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
About Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC)
• It is one of several respiratory viruses that can
• It is the first national repository for life science data infect people of all ages, especially during the
in India supported by the Government of India (GOI) winter and early spring seasons.
through the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). • According to the US Centres for Disease Control
• It is established at the Regional Centre of and Prevention (CDC), it was first discovered in
Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad in collaboration 2001 in the Netherlands.
with the National Informatics Centre (NIC). • It mainly spreads through close contact with
• It will provide effortless access to crucial genetic infected individuals, through respiratory droplets
data, allowing researchers to investigate genetic from coughing or sneezing, or by touching
variations and develop more precise genomic contaminated surfaces such as toys and doorknobs.
tools. • It occurs simultaneously with the peak seasons
• It would have majorly two data access types: of other respiratory infections like Respiratory
 Open access/Time-release access: Data will Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu.
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• It is not confined to China and is present globally,  Haemoglobin is essential for carrying oxygen, so
categorised as a common respiratory pathogen. if there are too few or abnormal red blood cells,
or insufficient hemoglobin, the blood’s ability to
Symptoms
transport oxygen to the body’s tissues is reduced.
• The symptoms of HMPV can vary in severity and • Anemia affects about 50 -70% of women in India.
typically involve a cough, fever, nasal congestion or • Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia
runny nose, and a sore throat. across the world.
• Some people may also experience wheezing and • The level of Anemia is much more prevalent in
difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and in some instances, tribal women in India.
a rash may appear as a result of the infection.
• In a few people, complications such as bronchitis or
pneumonia may arise which require medical care.
• People with lung conditions such as asthma or
COPD are more susceptible.
Preventable Measures

• Wash your hands properly with soap and water.

• Avoid close contact with infected persons.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes and mouth
and wear a mask.
Treatment
How does the device or technology work?
• There is no vaccine or there is no antiviral treatment
available for HMPV. • The technology is a test strip that can be coupled
• Most people need over-the-counter medications to with small, portable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled
reduce fever and pain, possibly along with a decongestant. test strip readers for its functioning.
• Antibiotics are not effective against HMPV. • The technology requires a small finger stick, a drop
of blood on a test strip similar to a COVID-19 home
Anemia Phone test, and a few minutes for the reader to assess.
• After it, the doctors or the practitioners could
Context: Recently Cornell University (USA) has developed assess and determine the results of the test.
a unique device Anemia Phone that will accurately detect
Iron deficiency and the cases of anemia.
• The technology could help in fighting anaemia and
contribute to the Anaemia Mukta Bharat as the
About new technology Government of India targets it to eradicate by 2047.

• This technology has been transferred to the ICMR Development of Wideband Spectrum-
for integration into its programmes for anaemia, Sensing Technology
women’s health, and maternal and child health
throughout the country. Context: Recently, the Centre for Development of
Telematics (C-DOT) and IIT Mandi have signed an
• This would enhance the efficiency of anaemia agreement to develop a Semiconductor Chip of Wideband
diagnosis and treatment to the patients. Spectrum Sensor for Dynamic Spectrum Access.
About Anemia About the Agreement
• Anemia is a condition where the number of red • It aims to enable broadband and mobile services
blood cells or the haemoglobin levels within them affordable, helping bridge India’s digital divide
are below normal. across India.
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• This initiative is signed under the Telecom Technology • A quantum bit, or qubit, has two distinct states
Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department representing 0 and 1.
of Telecommunication, Government of India. • Willow houses 105 physical qubits and operates
• It is established to support Indian startups, at temperatures close to the theoretically possible
academia, and R&D institutions in designing, lowest temperature (0 K, -273.15° C).
developing, and commercialising telecom products • A Classical Computer is a collection of bits
and solutions. together,and the information flowing in and out of
bits is controlled by physical operations (Quantum
Features of the Initiative
Gate) that change the states of qubits to perform
• Its main objective is to create an efficient wideband calculation.
spectrum sensing (WSS) algorithm to enhance • In 1998 “Isaac Chuang”, “Neil Gershenfeld”,
spectrum use and provide broadband in rural India. and “Mark Kubinec” created the First Quantum
• It will design hardware-friendly communication Computer.
algorithms for sensing wideband spectrum (beyond 2
GHz) to detect and use under-utilized bands, improving
spectrum efficiency in communication systems.
• It will also develop efficient hardware architectures
for spectrum sensors, ensuring fast sensing, high
data throughput, and improved hardware efficiency.
• It will exhibit a wideband cognitive radio module
designed for spectrum sensing and communication
in the 6 GHz satellite band (5.925-7.125).
• This initiative will offer a hardware solution
capable for scanning more than 2GHz of spectrum Compact Research Module for Orbital
with minimal sensing time for: Plant Studies
 Enhancing the throughput of cognitive radio network
 Demonstrate a wideband cognitive radio module. Context: The lobia (black-eyed pea) seeds that the
ISRO sent to space as a part of its Compact Research
 Simulated in a field-programmable gate array
Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) has
(FPGA) environment. successfully been germinated.
 Create intellectual property (IP) for dynamic
spectrum access technology. About the CROPS
• The ISRO CROPS box is like a mini greenhouse and
WILLOW -A Quantum Chip it has a soil-like medium, lobia, water, sunlight-
mimicking lights, and Earth-like air.
Context: Recently, Google has launched its latest • ISRO used some highly porous clay comprising tiny
quantum chip, ‘Willow’ that could solve problems that
pellets, consisting of a water - activated slow -
even the most powerful classical computers struggle
with. release fertilizer which was to provide nutrients
to the plant in a controlled manner over a period
About Willow of time.
• It can solve a computation within five minutes • For the Photosynthesis , ISRO used LED Lights that
that would take a supercomputer 10 septillion are programmed to be on for 16 hours and 8 hours
years (10^25) to solve. ,simulating Day and Night conditions.
• The advantage that a quantum computer would • The range of the temperature inside the module
have over a classical computer is not only its regulated between 20 to 30 degree celsius.
computational speed, but also that it is close to • Water was injected into the soil-like medium by an
how nature operates. electric valve operated from Earth.
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Plants in Space Objectives

• The most common way in which plants can be • It recognises the rights of forest-dwelling tribal and
grown in space is Hydroponics. other traditional communities to forest resources,
• Plants can also be grown aeroponically, which essential for their livelihood, shelter and socio-
eliminates the need for soil or any other medium, in cultural needs.
this medium plants absorb more minerals and vitamins • It recognises the deep connection between
Scheduled Tribes and and forests, highlighting
Ideal Plants can Grow in Space
their reliance on and traditional knowledge for
• Leafy green vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and forest conservation.
kale, which grow quickly, require little space, and • It provides legal rights to forest land and resources
are rich in nutrients, Beans and peas, Radish and for these communities.
Carrot are also cultivated. • It strengthens forest conservation by assigning
Forest Rights holders responsibility and authority
ENVIRONMENT for sustainable use, biodiversity conservation, and
ecological balance.
Ensuring Compliance with the Forest
Rights Act (FRA) India’s first-ever ‘Coastline-Waders Bird
Census’
Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs
has directed the state governments to set up an Context: Recently, the Gujarat government announced
institutional mechanism to ensure adherence to the that it conducted the country’s first Coastline-wader
Forest Right Act (FRA), 2006. birds census in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
About the directive Key highlight of the Census
Directive from the Ministry to the States • It is conducted by the State Forest Department in
• The Ministry has requested a report from the state collaboration with the Bird Conservation Society at
tribal development and forest departments outlining: the Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary.
 Village within Tiger Reserve: The name and • It is a three day program organised from 3 to 5
number of villages situated in tiger reserve. January 2025.
 Demographic Data: The tribal and forest-  On the first day, it will feature expert talks by
dependent communities in these villages. specialists in forestry and wildlife.
 Claims for Forest Rights: All forest rights claims  On the second day bird counting activities took place.
submitted, granted, and denied.  On the third day knowledge sharing programmes
 Approval and Compensation: It has also requested were held.
information on the process for obtaining consent • Biodiversity Conservation Society of Gujarat
and the potential compensation. is a non-profit organisation committed to bird
• This Ministry stated that Section 4(2) of the Forest conservation, conducting censuses, monitoring,
Rights Act (FRA) includes safeguards that require and promoting public awareness of avian science
obtaining the written, free, and informed consent through a range of initiatives.
of Gram Sabha for relocation.
About Marine National Park and Marine
Forest Right Act 2006 Sanctuary
• The Forest Rights Act, 2006, also known as the
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest • It is India’s first designated Marine National Park
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, is a located in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat.
significant legislation designed to acknowledge • It is an archipelago of 42 tropical islands and spans
and protect the rights of communities that live in
forests across India. approximately 170 Km of coastline between Okha
and Navlakhi.
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 issues of national importance

Aout Blue Flag Certification

• It was established to conserve marine biodiversity • The certification is accorded by a globally recognised
and the mangrove ecosystem. international agency “Foundation for Environment
• It was the only location in India where visitors Education, Denmark”.
could walk and explore marine life during low tide, • The certification is awarded based on 33 criteria,
unlike other sites where scuba diving is necessary. which are categorised under four main headings:
• It is home to over 300 species of resident and 9 Environmental Education and Information
9 Bathing Water Quality
migratory birds, including more than 50 species of 9 Environment Management and Conservation
wader birds. 9 Safety and Services in the beaches.
• Among these are species such as the ‘Shnakhlo’ • It serves as an eco-tourism model, aiming to offer
(Crab Plover) and ‘Moto Kichadiyo’ (Great Knot), visitors, clean and safe bathing water, essential
which are rarely seen in other parts of the country facilities, a healthy environment, and promote
but are found in this sanctuary. sustainable development in the area.
Wetland Accredited Cities
Kappad and Chal Beach
Context: Recently, Indore and Udaipur have become
Conext: Recently, the Kappad beach and Chal beach the first two Indian cities to gain international
in Kerala has been bestowed Blue Flag Certification recognition as accredited wetland cities under the
from the Foundation for Environmental Education Ramsar Convention 1971.
(FEE), Denmark.
About the Wetland Cities
About Kappad Beach • Indore is situated in Madhya Pradesh and Udaipur is
• It is the first beach in Kozhikode, Kerala to be located in Rajasthan , Bhopal is the third city which
awarded the status of Blue Flag Certification. was nominated along with Indore and Udaipur by India.
• It is famously known as the landing spot of • The global list of 74 accredited wetland cities
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama on May 20, comprises the highest 22 from China followed by
1498, marking the beginning of European trade in 9 by France.
India. • The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental
• It presents a distinctive combination of history, treaty focused on wetland conservation .
rich biodiversity, and picturesque beauty. • It provides a framework for the conservation and
• It serves as an essential nesting ground for wise use of wetlands and their resources and the
endangered Olive Ridley turtles who return city accreditation is valid for 6 years.
annually to lay their eggs in the soft sands. • Voluntary accreditation scheme got recognition
during the Ramsar Convention COP12 held in the
About Chal Beach
year 2015.
• It is a 800 meters long beach located 10 km north • The aim of this convention is to promote
of Kannur. conservation and wise use of Urban and Peri
• It features a designated safe zone of 300 meters in - Urban wetlands as well as sustainable socio -
which a person can ventrue into the sea. economic benefits for local populations.
• It also serves as an educational center,
fostering environmental awareness through its Global Plastic Treaty
‘Environmental and Sustainability Education
Outreach’ initiative. Context: Recently, the discussion on the Global
Plastic Treaty ended without consensus at the 5th
• The turtle hatchery offers a rare chance to learn UN Intergovernmental Negotiating (INC-5) meeting in
about the conservation of Olive Ridley turtles Busan, South Korea.
during the nesting season, enhancing the beach’s
appeal and educational significance. Background
• The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
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held its fifth session in 2022, where it adopted a  It also damages wildlife in marine, freshwater,
historic resolution to combat plastic pollution globally. and terrestrial ecosystems.
• The resolution instructed the Intergovernmental • Impact of plastic on Climate Change:
Negotiating Committee (INC) to create a legally  In 2020, plastic contributed to 3.6% of global
binding international agreement on plastic pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, with 90% of these
initiating a process toward a global accord. emissions arising from plastic production, which
• The UNEA resolution set the goal of finalizing the relies on fossil fuels.
INC negotiations by 2024.  The remaining 10% of emissions were generated
• Since 2022, four sessions of the Intergovernmental during the management and disposal of plastic waste.
Negotiating Committee have taken place in
India’s position on plastic pollution
Uruguay, France, Canada, and Kenya, with India
actively participating in the discussions. • A study published in the journal “Nature” revealed
that India contributes a fifth of global plastic pollution.
More about the Treaty
• India generates 20% i.e., 9.3 million tonnes of
• It focuses on creating global regulations to tackle global plastic pollution, , far greater than Nigeria
plastic pollution throughout its life cycle, from (3.5 mt), Indonesia (3.4 mt), and China (2.8 mt).
fossil fuel production to waste management.
India’s Stance on the Global Plastic Treaty
• The final rules could prohibit certain plastics,
plastic products, and chemical additives while • India has stated it opposes restrictions on polymer
establishing mandatory recycling and recycled production, arguing such limits go beyond the
content goals for consumer goods. UNEA’s 2022 resolution in Nairobi.
Need for a Global Plastic Treaty
• It also demands the addition of financial and
technical assistance and technology transfer in the
• Increase in the production of plastics: substantive provisions of any final treaty.
 Due to its versatility and adaptability, plastic has • It emphasised that decisions on harmful chemicals
become essential, leading to a surge in global in plastic production should rely on scientific
production in recent decades. studies, with regulation handled domestically.
 Global plastic production doubled from 234
India’s approach to tackle Plastic pollution
million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in
2019, with Asia producing nearly half, followed • In 2022, India imposed a ban on single-use plastics
by North America (19%) and Europe (15%) across 19 categories.
 According to the OECD, plastic production is • It has adopted a “pragmatic” approach to phasing
projected to reach 700 million tonnes by 2040. out certain plastic items in the final treaty, with
• Impact of plastic on the Environment: regulations tailored to national circumstances.
 The 2023 study by the Lancet found that plastic • India emphasised the need to assess financial
takes 20 to 500 years to decompose, with less resources for waste management which ensures
than 10% recycled so far. adequate and predictable funding.
 A large amount of plastic waste ends up in rivers
and oceans, breaking down into microplastics SOCIAL ISSUES
and nanoplastics.
• Impact of plastic on Human and Aquatic life: EAC-PM report on Migration
 The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has
found that chemicals in plastics can disrupt Context: Recently, the Economic Advisory Council to
the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) in its report estimated
hormones and lead to various health issues, such
a 12% decrease in the number of domestic migrants
as cancer, diabetes, reproductive problems, and since 2011.
developmental impairments.
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Key highlight of EAC-PM report Reasons for the decline in Migration

• Decrease in Migration: As of 2023, the estimated • Enhanced economic prospects in smaller cities:
migrant population is 40.20 crore, down from For example, with the rise of tech hubs like Kochi
45.57 crore in the 2011 Census. in Kerala and Jaipur in Rajasthan, these cities are
• Migration Rate: The migration rate, recorded at attracting businesses and skilled workers, offering
37.64% in the 2011 Census, has since dropped to better career opportunities and economic growth.
an estimated 28.88% in 2023. • Availability of improved service: For example service
• Migratant States: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, like education, health, infrastructure and connectivity.
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal
collectively make up around 48% of the total
outbound migrants, including those migrating
within their own states.
• Apart from Assam, there is minimal outward migration
from most states in the Northeast. While migration
does occur, it is usually to neighbouring states.
• Migrant recipient States: Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil
Nadu collectively represent approximately 48% of
all incoming migrants, including those migrating
within the same state.
• Urban Accumulation: The top origin districts are
clustered around major urban centers such as
Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and others.
• The districts with the highest migrant arrivals
include Mumbai, Bengaluru Urban, Howrah,
High-Frequency Data Utilization
Central Delhi, and Hyderabad.
• Migration corridor: The primary migration corridor • Previous studies primarily relied on the Census, but
for migrant movement includes Uttar Pradesh- the EAC-PM report utilized high-frequency datasets
Delhi, Gujarat-Maharashtra, Telangana-Andhra to provide real-time insights into migration trends.
Pradesh, and Bihar-Delhi. These datasets included:
• Seasonal Migration: The peak months for  Indian Railways’ Unreserved Ticketing System
movement are from April to June, with November (UTS): This data captured passenger volumes, which
and December experiencing a secondary surge. showed a reliable indicator of migration patterns.
• The increase in travel during the winter months  Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
may be linked to the festival and wedding seasons. Roaming Data: Mobile subscriber data helped in
In contrast, January seems to be the month with tracking seasonal and circular migration.
the least travel activity.  District-Level Banking Data: It allows us to get
information on the economic impact of migration
Further, the current Census data on migration
on the places of origin.
reasons is categorized into the following options
Economic Advisory Council-PM
• Employment/Work • It is an independent entity established to provide
• Business economic and related advice to the Government of
• Education India, particularly to the Prime Minister.
• Marriage • The Term of Reference involves examining any issue,
whether economic or otherwise, assigned to it by
• Relocated after birth the Prime Minister and offering recommendations.
• Relocated with the household.
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 issues of national importance

• It focuses on addressing macroeconomic matters

and sharing its insights with the Prime Minister.
• The sector employed over 12 crore workers from
These could be either suo-motu or on reference October 2023 to September 2024, an increase of
from the Prime Minister or anyone else. over one crore from 2022-23, indicating strong
• They are also responsible for handling any other labour market growth.
tasks as assigned by the Prime Minister as needed. • The “Other Services” sector experienced the
Composition highest annual growth at 17.86%, followed by the
manufacturing sector with a 10.03% increase.
• It is headed by a chairperson and comprises • The share of female-owned proprietary
distinguished economists as its members. establishments rose from 22.9% in 2022-23 to
• It is assisted in its operation by a team of officials 26.2% in ASUSE 2023-24.
and administrators. • This trend reflects a positive change in women’s
• The exact number of members and staff in the involvement in business ownership, underscoring the
EAC-PM is not fixed or defined. growth of female entrepreneurship during the period.
• The average earnings per hired worker grew by
Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector 13% in 2023-24 compared to 2022-23, indicating
Enterprises (ASUSE) an improvement in wage levels.
• This wage growth acts as a catalyst, bolstering the
Context: The National Statistical Office (NSO) of labor market, boosting productivity, and driving
India will conduct the 2022-23 Annual Survey of
broader economic demand. The manufacturing
Unincorporated Sector Enterprise (ASUSE) from
October 2022 to September 2023. sector saw the largest increase in this metric, with
a growth of just over 16%.
Key highlights from the ASUSE 2023-24
results
• It shows notable growth in establishments,
employment, and productivity within the
unincorporated non-agricultural sector, reflecting
its recovery and strong rebound from pandemic
setbacks.
Increase in the Number of Establishments,
Gross Value Added, and Productivity Indicators
• The sector saw a significant rise in the total Improved Digital Access
number of establishments, growing from 6.50 • The proportion of establishments using the
crore in 2022-23 to 7.34 crore in 2023-24, marking internet has increased notably, rising from 21.1%
an impressive growth of 12.84% in 2022-23 to 26.7% in ASUSE 2023-24.
• The “Other Services” sector saw a 23.55% rise in • This significant growth indicates a robust shift
establishments, while the manufacturing sector toward digital adoption, emphasizing the growing
experienced a 13% growth. dependence on the internet business activities.
• In the same period, Gross Value Added (GVA) • The annual estimates for ASUSE 2023-24 across
increased by 16.52%, fueled by a 26.17% growth in broad activity categories are available in the
the “Other Services” sector. facesheet on the Ministry’s website (https://www.
• In the same period, the Gross Value of Output mospi.gov.in)
(GVO) per establishment grew from Rs. 4,63,389 • An overview of the coverage, sampling
to Rs 4,91,962 at current prices. methodology, sample size, and data collection
process in the Annual Survey of Unincorporated
Strong labour Market Performance
Sector Enterprises (ASUSE):
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 issues of national importance

Annual Survey of Unincorporated

Sector Enterprises (ASUSE)
• The unincorporated non-agricultural sector
is crucial to the Indian economy, significantly
contributing to employment, GDP, and the socio-
economic landscape.
• This sector supports millions of livelihoods and
strengthens the incorporated sector by providing
essential goods and services, bolstering the
domestic value chain.
• The primary objective of ASUSE is to measure
the economic and operational characteristics of
unincorporated non-agricultural establishments in
manufacturing, trade and other services sectors
(excluding construction).
Coverage of ASUSE • The survey gathers data on economic characteristics
like workforce size, GVA, wages, assets, and loans,
• It covers both rural and urban areas across India, as well as operational details such as ownership
excluding hard-to-reach villages in the Andaman type, operation nature, registration status, and ICT
and Nicobar Islands. usage.
• The survey covers unincorporated non-agricultural
establishments in three sectors: Manufacturing,
ART AND CULTURE
Trade, and Other Services.
• It includes unincorporated non-agricultural establishments Lothal Maritime Heritage Complex
with proprietorship, partnerships (excluding LLPs), SHGs,
co-operatives, and societies/trusts. Context: Lothal, an ancient city of the Indus Valley
Civilization, is set to become a global centre for
Sampling Scheme maritime heritage with the development of the
National Maritime Heritage Complex.
• The survey uses a multi-stage stratified sampling,
with census villages as first stage units (FSUs) in About National Maritime Heritage Complex
rural areas (except rural Kerala, where Panchayat (NMHC)
wards are used) and Urban Frame Survey (UFS) • It will be developed as a world-class centre
blocks in urban areas. combining education, tourism, and cultural
• The final stage units are establishments in both preservation under the Sagarmala Programme.
sectors. For large FSUs, an intermediate sampling • It is expected to be completed by the year 2028.
stage is conducted using hamlet groups in rural • Archaeological excavations have discovered the
areas and sub-blocks in urban areas. oldest manmade dockyard, over 500 years old.
Sample Size
• It aims to become one of the world’s largest
maritime complexes, blending historical, cultural,
• In ASUSE 2023-24, data were gathered from economic, educational growth and modern
4,98,024 establishments (2,73,085 rural and maritime activities.
2,24,939 urban) across 16,842 FSUs (8,523 rural
Key Features
and 8,319 urban).
Method of Data Collection
• The development of NMHC is planned in multiple
phases, including:
• Data were collected from selected establishments  14 thematic galleries
via oral inquiries for the ‘monthly’ reference  Open Aquatic Gallery and Lighthouse Museum
period, except for large establishments that  Eco-resorts, theme parks, and maritime research
provided annual data from their audited accounts. institutes
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 issues of national importance

Key dates for the Maha Kumbh and its

• India’s maritime heritage adopted an innovative
“edutainment” approach: significance
 Combines learning and entertainment to captive The Maha kumbh Mela 2025 began on January 13,
visitors. 2025, with the Paush Purnima Snan, and will conclude
 Focus on the evolution of maritime history from on February 26, 2025, aligning with Maha Shivratri.
ancient to contemporary times.
Important bathing dates
• Development:
 65% construction work of Phase 1A has already Important
been finished. Occasion
Bathing Dates
 The project is on schedule to become a global
January 13, 2025 Paush Purnima Snan (Opening Day)
leader in maritime heritage.
• Economic and social benefits: January 15, 2025 Makar Sankranti Snan
 It will boost tourism at a global level. Mauni Amavasya Snan (Royal
January 29, 2025
 It will help in generating employment. Bath/Shahi Snan)
 It will provide a platform for Maritime education. Basant Panchami Snan (Royal
February 3, 2025
• India’s maritime history is globally significant for Bath/Shahi Snan)
linking ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, February 12, 2025 Maghi Purnima Snan
Egypt, and Arabia through trade, and fostering
Maha Shivratri Snan
cultural and economic exchange. February 26, 2025
(Concluding Day)
• The ancient dockyard like Lothal, and its trade
networks highlight India’s leadership in maritime • The snan is variously referred to as beneficial to
innovation and cooperation. the devotees as it cleanse the sins and paves the
About Lothal way for the grace of gods.
• It is one of the Harappan trade centres situated Major Highlights of the Maha Kumbh at
approximately 30 km inland from the current
coastline of the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat. Prayagraj 2025
• The port city is thought to have been established • Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri
around 2,200 BC.
• Its earliest inhabitants were likely indigenous Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara were the first
craftsmen and traders, influenced by the Sindh and ones to take ‘Amrit Snan’.
Kachchh regions. • It is expected that about 35 to 40 crores of devotees
• Over the next 200-300 years, the Harappans will take the holy dip in the Triveni in the month
developed Lothal into a planned town, creating long Kumbh mela.
industries, a dockyard, and expanding trade.
• It was a bustling trade hub, exporting beads, gems,
• Makar Sankranti forms the major highlights in
and ornaments to West Asia and Africa. between this month long fair as it is celebrated on
• Lothal had the world’s oldest known dock, linking 14th of January every year.
the city to the ancient Sabarmati River and the Note:
trade route between Harappan cities in Sindh and • Celebrated on January 14 every year, Makar
Saurashtra. Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into
Capricorn, signifying the end of the winter solstice
Maha Kumbh Mela, 2025 and the beginning of longer days. It is a harvest
festival dedicated to the Sun God and holds
Context: Recently, the Maha kumbh fair was immense cultural and spiritual significance.
inaugurated at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on
January 13, 2025 and will continue till February
• Shahi Snan as it was previously Called, the Amrit
26, 2025 where devotees will gather for spiritual Snan marks the beginning of the Kumbh fair with
purification and growth at the holy site. dips starting with the sadhus and Naga Saints in
the holy Triveni.
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 issues of national importance

History of the Kumbh Mela Origins

• Spiritual Discourses: Renowned scholars and spiritual
• The origins of the Kumbh Mela trace back to leaders deliver sermons and philosophical talks,
Hindu mythology, specifically the legend of offering insights into religion, spirituality, and life.
Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean.
• According to ancient scriptures, this celestial Republic Day reception by President
event was a collaborative effort between the Murmu
Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) to retrieve
Amrit, the nectar of immortality. Context: Recently, President Murmu extended an
invitation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to commemorate
• During the process, a Kumbh (pot) filled with the 76th Republic day by sending a curated box of GI-
sacred nectar emerged. tagged crafts from South India.
• To safeguard it from the demons, Lord Vishnu,
disguised as Mohini, seized the pot and fled. About the Invitation
• Along his journey, a few drops of the nectar
spilt at four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, • The idea was proposed by Droupadi Murmu which
and Nashik, making them holy sites for the was implemented by Rashtrapati Bhavan with
Kumbh Mela. the support from the National Institute of Design
• These four sites became sacred, hosting the campuses in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
Kumbh Mela on a rotating basis. • Traditionally the invitation features a stiff white
• The Kumbh Mela follows a 12-year cycle based card embossed with the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
on the celestial positions of the Sun, Moon, • The artefacts in the invitation box reflect Bharat’s
and Jupiter. 5,000-year civilization, emphasizing the theme of
sustainability.
Significance of the 2025 Kumbh Mela
• The craft items in the invitation box are made in
• This time the Kumbh Mela is being organized at the southern states, carry GI tags, and are part of the
Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj ( formerly Allahabad) “One District One Product” initiative.
at the sacred confluence of the three Rivers namely
Significance of Crafts Items
Ganges, Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati.
Kalamkari on bamboo
• The 2025 Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is especially
rare, occurring once every 144 years. • It is practised in two distinct regions of Andhra
• Pilgrims take a holy dip in the rivers, seeking Pradesh, each with its own unique Style.
purification and moksha (liberation). • It is the art of painting with a bamboo pen and
• Beyond its religious significance, the Kumbh Mela natural dyes.
reflects India’s rich cultural heritage, uniting millions • It has two forms: Srikalahasti style and the
in a grand celebration of faith, devotion, and harmony. Machilipatnam style.
Key Rituals at the Kumbh Mela
• The literary source indicates that it was first
used during the reign of Krishana deva Raya of
• Shahi Snan (Royal Bath): A sacred dip performed Vijayanagara Empire.
by saints, including Naga sadhus and spiritual • It evolved with the patronage of the Mughal
leaders, in the holy rivers. It is believed to cleanse Kingdom and the Golconda Sultanate.
sins and bestow divine blessings.
Etikoppaka toys
• Sankirtan and Bhajans: Devotees sing hymns,
chants, and bhajans, filling the atmosphere with • It is a scenic village located on the bank of Varaha
spiritual energy and devotion. river in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh.
• Yoga and Meditation: Pilgrims participate in yoga • It is the traditional craft of creating wooden toys
and meditation sessions to achieve physical, using non-toxic paints and natural dyes.
mental, and spiritual well-being.
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 issues of national importance

Pochampally Ikat on a pencil pouch

• Its sculptures serve as an affordable building
• It is a fabric produced in Bhoodan Pochampalli, material for various traditional and ceremonial
located in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Telangana. activities, as well as in arts and crafts.
• The fabric features a traditional geometric pattern • During the Mughal era, its use was extended to
created using the Ikat dyeing technique. include many items of home furniture that were
• These intricates are commonly seen in sarees and made in Kashmir.
dress material. • It can be made by either gluing paper strips or a
method of adding glue to paper pulp from soaked
or boiled paper.
• It requires reinforcement using wire, chicken wire,
lightweight shapes, balloons or textiles.
• The designs incorporate floral patterns, forest
prints, and detailed motifs reflecting cultural and
ecological themes.
• These are crafted in homes, and workshops, across
Srinagar, and the Kashmir Valley and are marketed
mainly within India, with a notable international
demand.
• The product is protected under the Geographical
Indication Act 1999 of Government of India to
ensure authenticity and culture.
• Kashmir Paper Machie was registered by the
Controller General of Patents Designs and
Trademarks between April 2011 to March 2012.
Kanchipuram silk as a pouch
About dodo (Raphus cucullatus)
• The silk are exquisite stories intricately woven on
a six-yard canvas of pure silk, adorned with radiant • It was a flightless
zari fromTamil Nadu. bird, roughly the size
• It is world renown for richness and elegance. of a male turkey,
with a long, curved
Kashmiri papier mache art beak and the quirky
appeal of an emperor
Context: Recently, Kashmir artisans have recreated penguin.
the extinct dodo in papier mache art, 343 years after
its extinction.
• It was native to the
small Indian Ocean
About Kashmiri papier mache art island of Mauritius, and has been extinct since the 17th
• The French word for century.
“chewed paper” refers to • It serves as a symbol of conservation and a
objects crafted by moulding remainder of humanities harmful impact on the
paper pulp into different natural world.
shapes and decorating • They were almost certainly a very active and fast
them with colorful designs. animal.
• It is a handicraft of Kashmir • These creatures were well-suited to their
and was introduced to environment, but the islands they inhabited had
India in the 14th century no mammalian predator.
by the Persian mystic Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. • IUCN status:- Extinct
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 issues of national importance

NATI BINODINI • Climbing the 18 Holy steps of the temple located at

the hill shrine.
Context: Recently, West Bengal CM announced that • Offering prayers at the Sabarimala Temple.
Kolkata’s Star Theatre (Cultural Institution) would be
renamed as “Binodini Manch” or “Binodini Theatre”.
• Thiruvabharanam procession
• Lighting lamps and fireworks.
About Binodini • Makara Jyothi Viewing.
• This step has been taken as This festival is celebrated across the country however
a “correction of a 141-year- with a different name as Makar Sankranti in Northern
old wrong” committed India, Pongal in Tamilnadu, Magh Bihu in Assam,
against Binodini Dasi, or Uttarayan in Gujarat etc. These festivals symbolize the
Nati (performer) Binodini. Indian cultural diversities which need to be preserved
Binodini was one of the first and conserved for the social and national unity and
few women to join theatre in progress.
Bengal as professional actors.
• When the theatre was finally ready in 1883, it was GEOGRAPHY AND DISASTER
named Star Theatre. his betrayal caused Binodini MANAGEMENT
to quit acting.
• In 1913, her autobiography, Aamar Katha was Mission Mausam
published, in which she wrote in detail about the
challenges caste, class, and patriarchy threw her way. Context: Recently, the Union government launched
‘Mission Mausam’ at the 150th foundation day
celebration of the Indian Meteorological Department.
Makaravilakku Festival
About Mission Mausam
Context: The Kerala police has deployed about 5000
police personnel at the site of Sabarimala Temple for
the safe passage and darshan of Lord Ayappa.
• It aims to enhance the capabilities of India’s
weather department in forecasting, modeling, and
About Makaravilakku festival communication.
• Makaravilakku is an annual festival celebrated at • The initiative by the Ministry of Earth Science
the temple of Sabarimala, in kerala and dedicated (MoES) with a ₹2,000 crore budget over two years
to the deity Lord Ayappa, the son of Lord Shiva and to make India as a global leader in weather and
the demoness Mahishi. climate science, making the nation ‘Weather
• It starts in mid-November and culminates with Ready’ and ‘Climate Smart’ to meet International
the harvest festivals of Makar Sankranti, which is standards.
celebrated on 14th of January every year. • It seeks to enhance weather and climate services
• One of the central elements of the festival is by providing accurate and timely observations,
Makaravilakku, or the Makara Jyothi, the sacred modeling, and forecasts for various sectors, such
light that is believed to emanate from the god, as agriculture, disaster management, and rural
Lord Ayappa. development.
• It is said that lord Ayappa was born to destroy the • The mission will also focus on “managing” specific
evil forces and establish righteousness. weather events, with the capability to enhance or
• The festival is unique in the sense that it allows the reduce rainfall, hail, fog, and eventually, lightning
people from all walks of life and castes to visit and strikes as needed.
take the grace of God. • The program aims to enhance data collection and
analysis through these technologies, improving
Important rituals of the festivals
the spatial and temporal precision of forecast and
• The 41 -day pilgrimage (Vrathnam) addressing the challenges of climate change.
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 issues of national importance

The main objectives of Mission Mausam are

• It is surrounded by poorly permeable rocks that
• To strengthen India’s weather forecasting result in high pressure ground and when a rupture
capabilities across different timeframes- short term, (like through drilling) happens, that underground
medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal. pressure forces water upward.
• Develop high-resolution models to enhance
Artesian Condition in Desert Region
accuracy in predicting monsoon patterns.
• Strengthen observational networks using advanced • In the desert area, water is trapped beneath a
radars, satellites, and automated weather stations. geological layer of sandstone.
• Provide actionable advisories for sectors including • When the top layer is breached, the water is forced to
agriculture, water resources, energy, health, and rise due to the intense underground water pressure.
disaster management. • Similar Artesian conditions have been observed in
• Build capacity through research partnerships with the desert region of Australia and Africa.
national and international institutions.
The Sada Region
Significance of Mission Mausam are

• Agrarian Economy: Climate change has led to Context: Recently, a research report revealed that
the villages in the sada have access to fresh water all
unpredictable rainfall patterns, enhancing farmers’
year round even though they are located between dry,
vulnerability. Accurate monsoon forecasts enable better rocky open land.
planning for sowing, irrigation, crop yield predictions.
• Disaster Readiness: India experiences frequent Characteristics of Sada region
extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, and • Located in the Konkan region, they are rolling hills
droughts. Improving prediction abilities can help with flat tops resulting from centuries of erosion.
save lives and minimize economic losses. • They remain barren for most of the year, but
• Rural development: Enhanced weather services during the monsoons, they undergo a remarkable
can assist rural communities by improving water transformation.
resource management, safeguarding livestock, and • They are similar to the plateaux, or pathar, in
supporting infrastructure planning. Maharashtra with the Kaas Plateau being a well-
known example.
Artesian condition in Jaisalmer • Biodiversity:
 The survey documented 459 species, 105 of
Context: Recently, a large volume of water started which are endemic to the Konkan region.
emerging from beneath the ground in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
 It identified 31 reptile species, 13 amphibian
which is due to the presence of Artesian conditions.
species, 169 bird species, and 41 mammal
About Artesian condition species in the region.
• The United States Geological Survey defines an • Agriculture:
artesian aquifer as a water source confined under  In the monsoon season, locals cultivate rice and
pressure, situated between layers of sediment and millets, such as nanchani (Eleusine coracana), on
soil beneath the earth’s surface. small patches of Sada using traditional methods
• It is also referred to as “confined” water due to the that avoid pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
impermeable materials above and below it. • Water Catchment:
 A study by a hydrogeologist (pending peer
Formation
review) revealed that the villages in this region
• Artesian wells are formed when a well taps into a have access to fresh water throughout the year.
confined aquifer, which consists of a permeable  Despite being situated between dry, rocky
layer of rock or sediment trapped between terrain and valleys filled with meandering saline
impermeable layers such as clay or rock. creeks and mangrove forests.
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 issues of national importance

Objectives of the Research Facility

 The weathered lateritic soil layer on the surface
serves as a catchment for rainwater, helping to • Boosting marine research and development.
recharge the groundwater. • Boost India’s technological independence.
• Geoglyphs: Location of research facility: IIT-M’s satellite campus
 The area is home to geoglyphs, artworks believed in Thaiyur,Madras, Tamil Nadu.
to be around 10,000 years old.
• Animal habitat: Significance
 The area provides diverse habitats for freshwater
turtles, including the vulnerable Indian flapshell • It is the multidirectional shallow wave basin
turtle (Lissemys punctata), as well as water research facility.
sources for leopards, jackals, hyenas, barking • It can handle complex waves and current
deer, migratory birds, and more. interaction, addressing problems faced by Indian
• Wasteland: ports, waterways and coastal engineering issues.
 It is classified as a ‘wasteland’ in the Wasteland Atlas. • The technological development will cater to India’s
needs of self-reliance for economic prosperity.
Asia’s largest shallow wave basin • Established by: The National Technology Centre
for Ports, Waterways & Coasts, under Ministry of
Context: Recently, the IIT-Madras has commissioned Shipping.
Asia’s largest shallow wave basin research facility to
cater to research and industry requirements.

One Liner
• What is the name of the farmers leader who has • What is the name of the 40-day period of harshest
been on hunger strike since 26th November 2024, winter, which began in the state of Jammu &
at the border of Punjab and Haryana, in demand Kashmir on — “Chillai Kalan”.
for legal guarantee for MSP on crops • ‘T.R.Ranganathan’, who passed away recently, was
— Jagjit Singh Dallewal. associated with which field
• What is the name of an all-woman producer — Sports Journalism.
organization that cultivates indigenous and organic • Birth anniversary of which former Prime Minister is
varieties of paddy in Nayagram block of Jhargram celebrated as the ‘National Farmers Day’ on 23rd
district of West Bengal — ‘Aamon’. December — Shri. Chaudhary Charan Singh.
• What is the amount of investment proposals • Where will be the headquarter of the recently
received in the recently held Global Investors founded South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone
Summit called ‘Bihar Business Connect-2024’, in — Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
Patna (Bihar) — Rs.1.80 lakh crores. • Who has been appointed as the new chairman of
• Who was the legendary Malayalam singer known the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
for his expressive singing who passed away recently — Dr. V Narayanan.
— P Jayachandran. • Which is the first Indian state to link the forest
• Recently, a tragic accident occurred in which ecosystem with Green Gross Domestic Product
district of Assam where coal miners were trapped (GDP) — Chhattisgarh.
for over a week — Dima Hasao district. • A 2.35 km long ‘Banihal Bypass’ was recently
• Recently, the toxic chemical waste from the Union inaugurated in which district of Jammu & Kashmir
Carbide factory in Bhopal was shifted to which — Ramban district.
place • Who has been recently appointed as the new
— Pithampur Industrial Waste Management Director-General(DG) of the Directorate General of
Facility, Dhar district, M.P the Civil Aviation (DGCA) — Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.
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 issues of national importance

• Who was a key figure in the growth of FabIndia and • Who has been recently elected as the new secretary
a passionate advocate for Indian Handicrafts, who of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
passed away recently — Devajit Saikia.
— Bim Bissell (Bimla Nanda Bissell). • Recently, which Indian chess player has won the
• Which famous marathon runner has been declared women’s World rapid chess championship held in
as the International Event Ambassador of the 20th New York — Koneru Humpy.
Mumbai Marathon — Mo Farah. • Who has been recently appointed as the new
• The Ministry of Railways has directed the Integral Chairperson of the National Human Rights
Coach Factory, Chennai to manufacture how many Commission (NHRC)
‘Amrit Bharat’ trains in the next two years — 50. — Justice (Retd.) V. Ramasubramanian.
• Who has become only the second Indian Woman • Denmark based Foundation for Environmental
Cricketer after Mithali Raj to score more than 4,000 Education (FEE) has recently bestowed the coveted
runs in Women’s One day Internationals (ODIs) ‘Blue Flag certification’ for which two beaches of
— Smriti Mandhana. India
• Who has been recently appointed as the CEO of — Kappad beach (Kozhikode) and Chal
the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) beach (Kannur) both in Kerala.
— Bhuvnesh Kumar. • The Supreme Court recently suggested to constitute
• Which institute has collaborated with the Union two regional benches of the Armed Forces Tribunal
Ministry of Agriculture to launch the project (AFT) to deal with the growing pendency in defence-
“VISTAAR”, to modernize India’s agriculture related cases in which two states
education system — IIT Madras. — Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
• The Chief Minister of which state has announced a • Recently, the 6th edition of ‘Logistics Ease Across
prize money of $1million for decoding Indus Valley Different States (LEADS) 2024’ report was released
Script — Tamil Nadu (M.K.Stalin). by which Union Ministry
• India has recently handed over defence equipment — Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
and stores to which Indian ocean nation • ‘Boda Tyohar festival’ also known as ‘Magho ka
— Maldives. Tyohar’ Celebrated by the ‘Hatti tribes’ was held in
• Who has been appointed as the acting chief of the which state — Himachal Pradesh.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)— Vitul Kumar. • Which institute has recently developed a needle-
• Which Indian village has become the first border free ‘shock syringe’ for painless drug delivery
solar village to generate 100 % of its electricity — IIT Bombay.
through solar power • The government has spent around Rs.900 crores
— Masali village, Banaskantha district, Gujarat. to resettle the ‘Bru inhabitants’ (Tribes) in which
• How many people are expected to take holy dip in state of northeast — Tripura.
the 1.5 month long Holy festival of ‘Mahakumbh in • Recently, the West Bengal government has decided
Prayagraj (U.P) ’ — 45 crores. to supply water to farmlands through the pipelines
• Which Indian cricketer was adjudged as the “Player by which river — Teesta river.
of the Series”, in the recently concluded Border- • The 55th Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council
Gavaskar Trophy in Australia — Jasprit Bumrah. (which oversees operations and reforms of the
• Recently, a Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj indirect tax) meeting was convened at which place
was installed on the banks of which lake by the — Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).
Maratha Light Infantry of the Indian Army • Who was the Chief guest at the 18th Pravasi
— Pangong Tso lake (Eastern Ladakh). Bhartiya Divas Convention held in Bhubaneshwar
• An Artesian well (a type of well in which water rises (Odisha) from 8-10 th January, 2025
naturally to the surface of the earth) was recently — Christine Carla Kangaloo (President
formed in which district of Rajasthan — Jaisalmer. of Trinidad & Tobago).
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 issues of national importance

• Recently, the 27th International Congress of as ‘most vulnerable to landslide-induced natural

Vedanta was held in dams’ — Alakananda River.
— New Delhi (Jawaharlal Nehru University). • Where will be the Headquarters of the recently
• Where is the ‘Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife launched ‘National Turmeric Board’, by the Union
Sanctuary’ located, where the National Board of Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Wildlife (NBWL) has approved a proposal to carry — Nizamabad (Telangana).
out oil and gas exploration — Assam. • Where has the Indian Railways recently unveiled
• Which edition of Project ‘Veer Gatha’, an initiative India’s first Cable-stayed rail bridge
to raise awareness about Gallantry awardees’ will — Anji Khad Bridge (Reasi district,
be part of this year’s Republic Day celebrations Jammu & Kashmir).
— 4th edition. • Recently, seeds of which plant were sent into
• Where was the 25th National Conference of space by the Indian Space Research Organisation
Chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions (ISRO) as a part of its compact Research Module
held recently — Bengaluru (Karnataka). for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) and the seeds
• What is the rank of India in the recently released germinated — LOBIA (black-eyed pea) seeds.
Henley Passport Index 2025 — 80th. • What is the name of the sixth and final Scorpene-
• The famous ‘Makaravilakku Festival’ is celebrated class submarine, recently delivered by the Mumbai-
annually in which Indian state based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
— Kerala (Sabarimala Temple). — INS Vaghsheer.
• What amount of donations has the ‘Prime • The ‘World’s Most powerful Hydrogen Train
Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Engine’ will undergo its first trial run on which
Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund)’ route in India — Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.
received during the financial year-2022-23 • Which former judge of the Supreme Court of India
— 912 crores. has been appointed as the Ombudsman as well as
• Where is the famous ‘Vembanad Lake’ situated, the ethics officer of the BCCI (Board of Control for
which is facing extreme water pollution due to Cricket in India)
drainage from slaughterhouses and shrimp peeling — Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.
sheds — Kerala. • Who was the chief guest of the 76th Republic
• What is the name of the recently inaugurated Republic day celebrations on 26th January, 2025
6.5 km long two lane tunnel on the Srinagar- Leh — Prabowo Subianto (President of Indonesia).
Highway in Jammu and Kashmir • Which city hosted the ‘Army Day’ parade on 15th
— Z-Morh tunnel (aka Sonmarg tunnel). January, 2025 — Pune (Maharashtra).
• India’s coastline has been recalculated from 7,516 • Who was ‘Pritish Nandy’, who passed away recently
km in 1970 to how much, in the year 2023-24 — Renowned Journalist, Poet and Filmmaker.
— 11,098 km (48 % increase over the past 53 years). • Which former Supreme Court judge has been
• According to a recent study conducted by the nominated to chair the newly formed Advisory
researchers at the IIT Roorkee, which river flowing Board of the ID verification and data sharing
through the Garhwal region has been identified platform “Equal” — Justice B.N. Srikrishna.

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 ISSUES OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE
About AUSSOM
African Union Support Mission in Somalia
• It will be the African Union’s new peacekeeping
Context: Recently, the UNSC supported the African and stabilisation mission in Somalia.
Union Peace and Security Council’s decision to replace
the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia
• It will be deployed in a shifting geopolitical context,
(ATMIS) with African Union Support and Stabilisation with rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia,
Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). which contributes troops of ATMIS.
• Its priority will be to strengthen the Somali Security
Key highlights Forces operations and focus on capacity building.
• Purpose: To support Somalia’s government in • It includes troops from East African countries such as
combating terrorist groups like ISIL/Da’esh and Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya, and Burundi.
Al-Shabaab.
About Somalia
• Duration: The mission will last 12 months from 1
January 2025. • It is located in the Horn of Africa, sharing borders
• Personnel: Up to 12,626 uniformed personnel, with Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
including 1,040 police officers, will be deployed. • It is surrounded by the Gulf of Aden to the north
• Transition Deadline: The transition from ATMIS to and the Indian Ocean to the East.
AUSSOM must be completed by 30 June 2025. • Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia.
• Funding Model: A “hybrid” financing model will • It occupies a key position in the Horn of Africa region,
be applied, combining UN contributions (up to strategically located near the Southern entrance to the
75%) with funds from the African Union and other Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the crucial maritime routes
partners. to pass through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
• Progress: Since 2022, Somalia has taken over
security from 7,000 ATMIS troops. The new mission
aims to complete the transition by 30 June 2025.
Voting Positions on Resolution 2767 (2024)

• United States: Abstained from voting, arguing that

the hybrid funding model would make the UN’s
financial contribution too high.
• China, Russia, and Ethiopia: Supported the
resolution, emphasizing the importance of African-
led solutions to African problems.
• European Nations: Countries like France, Malta,
Switzerland, and Slovenia supported the funding
model, warning that delays in funding could
destabilize Somalia.
Significance of Resolution 2719 (2023)

• Resolution 2719 provides a framework for

predictable funding for African Union peace
missions by allowing UN-assessed contributions.
This ensures sustainable financing for missions like India Joins UN Committee on Big Data
AUSSOM, preventing funding delays that could
weaken peace efforts. Context: Recently, India joined the UN Committee of
Experts on Big Data and Data Science for official Statistics.

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 issues of international importance

About Big Data UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data

Science for Official Statistics (UN-CEBD)
• It refers to vast and rapidly growing information • It provides a strategic vision, direction and
sets, characterized by their Volume of information, coordination for a global programme on big data
Velocity of generation, and Variety or scope of for official statistics.
data point (commonly called 3 V’s). • It was established at the 45th session of the UN
• It serves as the foundation for data mining. Statistical Commission in 2014, and had Australia
as its first Chair.
Significance of India’s Inclusion in the • It consists of 31 member states and 16 international
Committee of Experts organisations collaborating together in various groups.
• It aims to provide strategic direction and
• India’s inclusion in the Committee of Experts marks coordination for a global big data program in
a major step for its statistical ecosystem, allowing official statistics, including for the 2030 Agenda for
the country to help shape global standards in using Sustainable Development indicators.
big data science for official statistics.
• It emphasises India’s rising prominence in the Global Cooperation Barometer, 2025
global statistical community and its dedication
to using data and technology for informed Context: Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF)
has released the Global Cooperation Barometer report
decision-making.
ahead of its Annual Meeting in Davos to be held from
• India’s active participation will help inthe Jan 20, 2025.
establishment of a data innovation lab and
exploration of alternate data sources such as More about the News
satellite imagery etc. • The report was released by the World Economic
• India plans to modernise its statistical processes by Forum and developed in collaboration with
using non-traditional data sources like IoT, satellite McKinsey & Company.
imagery, and private sector data, improving • The Report uses 41 indicators to measure the
estimate accuracy and ensuring timely access to current state of global cooperation in various
vital data for policy making. fields.
This involvement will also support India’s
• The Barometer has in total Five pillars along which
the report is published.
ongoing efforts to
The five Pillars of the Global Cooperation
• Streamline Statistical Production: Foster
Barometer Report
innovation in data collection, processing, and
analysis to shorten the delay in data availability. • Trade and capital flows,
• Improve Decision-Making: Equip policymakers • Innovation and technology
with real-time insights to make evidence-based • Climate and natural capital.
decisions that tackle key socio-economic issues. • Health and wellness, and
• Foster International Collaboration: Share India’s • Peace and security.
expertise and learning from global best practices
Major Highlights of the Report, 2025
to develop strong, future-proof statistical
frameworks. • The peace and security pillars have declined in
• India’s participation in the Committee of Experts the past seven years due to global geopolitics and
on Big Data and Data Science marks a move tensions in the Middle-East, China-US tensions,
towards transforming statistical production and Russia-Ukraine wars and much more.
distribution, supporting a more resilient and data- • Cooperation in innovation and technology
driven world. increased due to the digitization of the global
economy despite some competitions in the
semiconductors and the critical minerals.
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 issues of international importance

• Cooperation in the global climate crisis Kerch Strait

increased in the past years with enhanced
financial flows. However, there is a need to Context: Recently Russia has formed the emergency
task force to contain the oil spread in the southern
augment the finance and technology transfer
Krasnodar region of the Kerch Strait.
to meet the net zero goal.
• Some health outcomes, including life expectancy, About Kerch Strait
continued to improve post-pandemic, but overall • The strait links the sea of Azov to the Black sea
progress is slowing compared to pre-2020. The which is the only shipping route of Mainland Russia
digitization of health systems also improved the to the Black sea.
access of affordable healthcare to all. • It separates the Kerch peninsula in the west from
• The goods trade declined by 5% due to the the Taman peninsula in the east of Russia.
slower growth of the Chinese economy and other • It is about 3 km long, 15 km broad, and 18 metres
developing economies while global fragmentation deep.
continued to reduce trade between Western and • The city of Kerch lies near the middle of the strait,
Eastern-aligned blocs. on the Crimean side.
• It has also been a key point of conflict between
Silver Notice Russia and Ukraine after Mosco annexed the
peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.
Context: Recently, the International Criminal Police
Organisation, or Interpol, has introduced its first ‘Silver About the Kerch strait Bridge
Notice’.
• It links mainland Russia to the Crimea peninsula.
About Silver Notice • The bridge was completed in 2018 and is the symbol
• It is the latest addition to Interpol’s series of colour- of Russian annexation of the Black sea peninsula.
coded alerts which is designed to help countries • It is Rail cum road bridge on the Kerch Strait.
track and recover criminally acquired assets. • The Bridge was recently also in the news due to
• This notice enables participating countries to attacks on it during the Russia-Ukraine war which
seek information on assets connected to criminal is still ongoing.
activities like fraud, corruption, drug trafficking,
and environmental offences.
• It aimed to track laundered assets across borders
and is part of a pilot project with 52 countries,
including India.
• The project will continue until at least November
2025, with 500 notices allocated for distribution
among the participating countries.
What is India’s involvement in this?

• India is involved in this pilot project and stands to Denmark Strait Cataract
gain considerable advantages.
• With the presence of many fugitive economic Context: The Denmark Strait Cataract is the Earth’s
largest waterfall and plays a key role in global ocean
offenders and a large sum of illicit black money
circulation and impacting climate and marine life.
moved abroad, the Silver Notice could play a
crucial role in tracking and recovering these assets. About Denmark Strait Cataract
• It could assist in locating assets that criminals have • It is the submarine waterfall on earth that lies in the
shifted to tax havens, assuming they are beyond Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland in
reach. an underwater channel.
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 issues of international importance

• It is the world’s largest waterfall, with a vertical • The stark difference in temperature and salinity
drop of 11,500 feet—- three times the height of causes the cold water to rush along the ocean
Angel Falls. floor, generating a powerful current that moves
• This massive phenomenon stretches 300 miles vast amounts of water through the depths.
(480 kilometers) wide and functions underwater,
Effect on Global Ecosystems
concealed beneath the Arctic Ocean.
• Despite its immense size, the Denmark Strait • The flowing waters of the Denmark Strait cataract
cataract stays hidden beneath the waves and is play a crucial role in preserving the balance of
undetectable from the surface. Earth’s ecosystems.
Features of Denmark Strait Cataract
• Without the Denmark Strait cataract, Earth’s
climate and marine ecosystem would be drastically
Formation
altered, as the currents it generates are vital
• It was formed during the last Ice Age, between for distributing nutrients and energy across the
17,500 to 11,500 years ago. oceans.
• Glacial movements in the area shaped the seabed, • The waterfall helps maintain the stability of global
creating a path that directs cold water from the processes, directly affecting ecosystems and
Nordic Seas into the Irminger Sea. climate balance worldwide.
Temperature Contrast
Note: The Denmark Strait cataract is not the only underwater
• The waterfall occurs when cold, dense water from waterfall, but other known cascades are much smaller. There
are features known as knickpoints along with continental
the Nordic Seas collides with warmer, lighter water margins that often resemble land-based waterfalls.
from the Atlantic Ocean.

One Liner
• Who has been elected as the head of state of and famine in which African Country — Sudan.
Lebanon after two years of presidential vacuum • What is the name of the wildfire that has destroyed
— Joseph Aoun. more than 17,000 acres of land in the South
• Martin Guptill, the famous batsman who recently California region of the USA recently
announced his retirement from International — Palisades fire.
cricket, belongs to which country — New Zealand. • Who has been recently sworn in as the president
• Which Southeast Asian nation has recently joined of the Latin American country, Venezuela for the
the BRICS economic alliance as a full time member third time — Nicolas Maduro.
— Indonesia. • Recently, Pope Francis has named which Italian
• What is the name of the Italian journalist who was nun as the first woman to head a major Vatican
recently freed after spending three weeks in an office — Sister Simona Brambilla.
Iranian prison — Cecilia Sala. • The famous ‘Trevi Fountain’, was recently restored
• India has recently joined which country to jointly in which European city — Rome (Italy).
manufacture interoperable Sonobuoys for the • Which bird has been officially declared as the
Indian Navy — United States (USA). national bird of the USA after 250 years
• Who was the oldest living person in the world, who — Bald Eagle.
died recently at the age of 116 • Who has won the ‘Miss Global Asian Pageant
— Tomiko Itooka (A Japanese Woman). Crown-2025’
• According to a recently released report of the — Bhavana Reddy Chinnathambu (India).
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around • Who is the impeached president of South Korea
3.2 million children under the age of 5 are expected who is facing detention by the law enforcement
to face acute malnutrition due to ongoing civil war agencies — Yoon Suk Yeol.
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 issues of international importance

• Rooppur nuclear power plant, which was recently • Which former judge of the Supreme Court of India
in news, is the first nuclear power plant of which has been appointed as the Chairperson of the
country — Bangladesh. ‘United Nations Justice Council’
• Where was recently a high-level meeting between — Justice (Retd.) Madan B Lokur.
Senior Indian officials and Afghan Taliban officials • Recently, two pandas were gifted to the Padmaja
held — Dubai. Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNZP), Darjeeling
• QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) which (West Bengal, India) as a Christmas gift by which
is a strategic diplomatic partnership between country — Netherlands (Rotterdam Zoo).
Australia, India, Japan and the USA, has marked • Nawaf Salam, who is currently the head of the
how many years of cooperation — 20 Years. International Court of Justice is set to become the
• Recently, which former judge of the Supreme Prime Minister of which Country — Lebanon.
Court of India has been appointed as a member of • Bangladesh is reportedly planning to purchase
Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC) which missile system from Pakistan in the recent
— Justice (Retd.) Sanjay Kishan Kaul. months
• Who was the legendary Japanese Businessmen — Abdali Short Range Ballistic Missiles
and the chairman of the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SRBMs), also known as Hatf 2 missiles.
who passed away recently — Osama Suzuki. • Who has been named as the best male javelin
• Recently, where did an aircraft of Jeju Airlines thrower in the world in 2024 by the ‘Track and
crashed killing 179 passengers Field News’ — Neeraj Chopra.
— Muan International Airport (South Korea). • Where is the ‘Kilauea Volcano’ located, which is
• Which institution/organization has recently one of the world’s most active volcanoes and has
released the ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’ recently started to erupt again
— World Economic Forum (WEF) — Hawaii Big Island (Hawaii Volcanoes
• Recently, India, as part of its humanitarian National PARK, USA).
assistance programme dispatched a consignment • Which Caribbean island nation has declared
of 1000 metric tonnes of rice to which African emergency due to rising cases of unprecedented
nation — Lesotho. violence and crime — Trinidad & Tobago.
• The ‘Kerch Strait’, which recently witnessed a • Which organization has declared that the year-
major oil spill, connects which two water bodies 2024 is the warmest year on record
— Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. — World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• Tarun Das (Former Director General of • The World Meditation day is celebrated every year
Confederation of Indian Industry) has been on which day — 21st December.
bestowed the highest honour of which country • India has become only the fourth country in world
recently — Singapore. after which three countries to dock two satellites
• Where has the Indian government-owned (Chaser and Target) in space
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), — USA, Russia and China.
recently commissioned the first two units of • What will be the new name of ‘Gulf of Mexico’
‘Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project(PHEP-II)’ as proposed by the newly elected president of the
— Bhutan. USA, Mr. Donald Trump
• Which European country has recently experienced — Gulf of America.
its first outbreak of the highly contagious viral • Mount Ibu, an active Volcano which has erupted
disease named Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD) of recently, is located in which east asian country
livestocks in nearly 40 years — Germany. — Indonesia.
• India has secured what percentage of the global • Which country has reported the outbreak of
remittances in the year 2024 ‘Norovirus’ in the month of December, 2024
— 14.3 %. ($129.1 billion). — USA.
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 issues of international importance

• The newly elected President of the USA , Mr. recently in the news, is situated in which Ocean
Donald Trump,has expressed interest in buying the — Indian Ocean.
island of Greenland from which country • Which European country has recently announced
— Denmark. the development of a quantum clock to enhance
• Which European country has recently terminated its military strength — United Kingdom (UK).
the controversial Golden Visa programme • Recently, a research team of which country has
(residence by investment plan) — Spain. developed Electrokinetic Mining Technology for
• Which country will host the first-ever ‘World Audio the eco-friendly extraction of rare earth elements
Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), 2025’ (REEs) — China.
— India. • Tulip Siddiq, the niece of former Prime Minister
• Which Institution/ Organization has recently of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has resigned as a
released the ‘Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025’ Cabinet Minister of which Country
Report— World Economic Forum in collaboration — UK (United Kingdom).
with Accenture. • Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya who was recently in
• Who has become the first male footballer to win news is on a death row since 2018 in which country
‘Presidential medal of Freedom’, the highest — Yemen.
civilian honour of USA — Lionel Messi. • Who has been nominated as the caretaker
• ‘Diego Garcia island’ (UK Territory), which was Chancellor of Austria — Alexander Schallenberg.

BPSC & UPPCS

Prelims Solved Papers
वषर्वार - िवषयवार ��ों का संकलन
��ों की िवस्तृत व्याख्या
परीक्षा का िवस्तृत पाठ्य�म
िवगत वष� की परीक्षा का ��ड एनािलिसस

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 KNOW YOUR BIHAR
Role of Bihar In The Freedom Struggle Sahabad district and joined the movement under
the leadership of Kunwar Singh.
Bihar played a significant role in the freedom • Kunwar Singh was a notable figure who led the
movement, from the onset of British rule to India’s 1857 revolt in Bihar and sacrificed his life in the
independence. Bihar was one of the states that actively fight for independence from British rule.
participated in the uprising movement during the • Amar Singh, the brother of Babu Kunwar Singh ran
struggle for independence from British rule. Whether a parallel government from Jagidshpur and was
it is a religious-political movement or a constitutional involved in the guerrilla war from Kaimur Hills.
struggle, a radical revolutionary explosion or a
2. Role of Bihar in Wahhabi Movement
satyagraha under the inspiring leadership of Mahatma
Gandhi, Bihar always made an immense contribution • The Wahhabi Movement was the Muslim reformist
towards them. movement under the leadership of Syed Ahmed of
Rai Bareily.
CONTRIBUTION OF BIHAR IN FREEDOM
• During his halt at Patna, Syed Ahmad appointed
STRUGGLE
four Khalifs or spiritual vice-regents to manage and
1. In the Revolt of 1857 maintain it. They were Wilayat Ali, Inayet Ali, Shah
2. Wahhabi Movement Muhammad Husain and Farhat Husain.
3. Bihar in INC • The main centre of the Wahhabi Movement in
4. Home rule Movement Bihar was Patna for 46 years (1822-68).
5. Champaran Satyagraha • Further, Maulvi Wilayat Ali was considered the
6. Revolutionary Movement foremost leader of this movement in Bihar.
7. Khilafat Movement • The British Army of 7000 men under General Sir Neville
8. Non-Cooperation Movement Chamberlain on the 18th of October, 1863 advanced
9. Swaraj party in Bihar into the famous Ambeyla Pass to destroy the Wahabi
10. Boycott of Simon Commission Force with their leader, M. Abdullah of Patna, but failed.
11. Civil Disobedience Movement  On the 16th of December, they succeeded in
12. Individual Satyagraha defeating the Bonair tribe who were partners in
13. Quit India Movement the Wahhabi Movement, and they defeated the
14. Role of women Wahabi Force.
 M Abdullah took refuge in the mountains of
1. Role of Bihar in the Revolt of 1857
Afghanistan after the defeat.
• The revolt started in Bihar by the 32nd Regiment 3. Bihar in Indian National Congress (INC)
of Native Infantry and a portion of the 5th Irregular
Cavalry under Major McDonald on 12th of June, • Bihar actively participated in the sessions of the
1857 at Rohini village in the Deoghar subdivision of Indian National Congress (INC).
Santhal Paragana. • Important Association formed:
 Lieutenant Norman Leslie and a surgeon Dr.  Under the chairmanship of Mr. Afak Khan, the
Grant Leslie were killed. “Boys’ Association”, was established on the 3rd
 Major Macdonald suppressed this uprising by March 1899, in the Rajmaidan at Darbhanga.
inflicting horrible punishment on the revolters. ƒ Founder-patriot: Shri Surajdeo Narain Varma
• On 3 July, a widespread rebellion broke out in ƒ Founder-Secretary: Shri Kamaleswari Charan
Patna under the leadership of Peer Ali who was Sinha
then arrested and hanged. ƒ Joint Secretaries: Shri Gostha Behary Banerjee,
• On 25 July, soldiers of three regiments mutinied Shri Dinanath Singh Jha and Shri Jagadishwar
in Danapur Cantonment and marched towards Prasad Ojha.
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 know your bihar

 The establishment of the Saraswati Academy on and bullocks. They had to engage the tenants to
the 1st of January, 1901 work for them who were entirely ill-paid for their
ƒ Shri Kamaleswari Gharan Sinha and Shri labour.
Brajkishore Prasad were associated with it.  Assamiwar: The factory owners got indigo lands
• At the Sonepur fair in 1908, an important meeting cultivated by the tenants. The most prevalent
was held under the Presidentship of Nawab method under this system was known as
Sarfaraz Hosain Khan Bahadur at which a Bihar Tinkathia. The other methods were Kushki and
Provincial Congress Committee was formed with Kurtauli.
headquarters in Patna. • It was the first Civil Disobedience movement
 The first session met at Patna early in 1908 with started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 to fight
Ali Imam as its President. against the Tinkathia system in Bihar.
 It held its second session at Bhagalpur on the 9th  In this system, every farmer had to grow crops
and 10th of April, 1909, with Shri Sachchidananda on the 3/20th part of the land.
Sinha as the chairman. A special feature of this  If a farmer wanted to be free from it, he was
session was the presence of Shri G.K. Gokhale required to pay Tawan tax, i.e. damages to the
and Shri Khare. extent of Rs. 100 per bigha in consideration of
• A total of 39 delegates from Bihar participated in their waiving their right to indigo cultivation.
the Allahabad session of Congress in 1910.  Bihar delegates under Raj Kumar Shukla
• 27th session of INC, 1912 was held in Bankipur requested Gandhiji to come to Champaran
(Patna), under the leadership of R N Mudholkar. during the 31st session of the Congress in
• 37th session of INC, 1922 in Gaya, under Lucknow in 1916.
the leadership of C R Das strengthened the  After returning from Lucknow, Shri Rajkumar
commitment of Bihar in the freedom struggle. Shukla wrote a letter to Mahatma Gandhi on the
27th of February 1917 stating the miseries of 19
4. Home Rule Movement
lakh people of Champaran.
• "Home Rule" meeting was held at Bankipur on the  In April 2017, Raj Kumar Shukla met Mahatma
16th December, 1916. Gandhi in Calcutta in the house of Bhupandra
• In Bihar it was started under the presidentship Nath Basu.
of Mazharul Haque along with Vice-Presidents  Gandhi reached Patna on 10th April 1917 and
- Sarfaraz Hussain Khan and Purnendra Narayan went to the house of Rajendra Prasad and later
Sinha, and Secretaries - Chandravanshi Sahay and to the house of Shri Mazharul Haque.
Vaidyanath Narayan Singh.  J. B. Kriplani received Mahatmaji at the
• To further strengthen the Home Rule movement, Muzaffarpur railway station.
Annie Besant travelled to Patna on 18th, of April  On the 15th of April 1917, Mahatma Gandhi
and 25th July, 1918. reached Motihari with Babu Dharanidhar and
• Janakdhari Prasad founded the Home Rule League Babu Ramnavami Prasad.
in Muzaffarpur.  On the 10th June, the Government of Bihar
passed a resolution regarding appointment of
5. Champaran Satyagraha
a Committee of Enquiry to examine and report
• Colonel Hickey established an indigo factory at on the agrarian conditions in Champaran. The
Barachakiya, Champaran in 1813. members were:
• European indigo planters in north Bihar carried on ƒ President: F. G. Sly
indigo cultivation under two systems ƒ Members: L.G. Adami, Raja Harihar Prasad
 Zerait: They managed indigo cultivation under Narayan Singh, Mr. D. J. Reid, G. Rainy, Esq and
their direct management using their own ploughs Mahatma Gandhi

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 know your bihar

• Committee signed a unanimous report on the 3rd • Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chandra Chaki
October, 1917, and placed it the next day before attempted an unsuccessful assassination of
the Government of Bihar. infamous judge Kingsford of Muzaffarpur on 30th
• The Government of Bihar accepted almost all the April 1908. They threw the bomb on the carriage
recommendations of the Committee and published of the wife and daughter of Mr. Pringle Kennedy, a
their resolution on the 18th October, 1917. These leading leader of the Muzaffarpur Bar.
recommendations have been summarised as • Khudiram was tried (from 9th June, 1908 to 13th
follows: June, 1908) under section 302 of the Indian Penal
 The Tinkathia system, whether for growing indigo Code by a special Judge named Mr. Curnduff.
or other crops, should be completely abolished. Shrijut Kalidas Basu of Muzaffarpur appeared as a
 If any agreement be executed for growing indigo defence pleader for him. Khudiram was executed
it should be done on the following conditions: on 11th of August, 1908.
ƒ The agreement should be voluntary. • Khudiram Bose was associated with the secret
ƒ Its term should not exceed 3 years. revolutionary organization called Yugantar.
• On the 29th November, Mr. Maude introduced • Sachindranath Sanyal established a branch of
the Champaran Agrarian Bill into the Legislative Anushilan Samiti in Patna in 1913.
Council. • Bankimchandra Mitra distributed Liberty Leaflets
• On the 14th of November, 1917, Mahatma Gandhi in 1915 and later he was arrested under the
started the first school in Champaran at the village Benaras Conspiracy Case.
of Barharwa Lakhan Sen in the house of Babu • Yogendra Shukla, a prominent revolutionary
Shivgulam Lal. movement of Bihar was arrested under the Tirhut
• This Satyagraha became the watershed in the Conspiracy case in 1930.
freedom struggle and the powerhouse of many • The important centers of Hindustan Socialist
further farmer movements in India. Republican Association (HSRA) in Bihar were
Chhapra and Patna.
• Ramdeni Singh, a leader from Chhapratried to
loot the mail bag at Hajipur station and was then
sentenced to death.
• Barindra Kumar Ghosh established the Golden
League in Deoghar to promote the Swadeshi
Movement.
• Phanindranath Ghosh, the official witness in the
Lahore Conspiracy Case was stabbed to death
in Bettiah by Baikunth Shukla in 1932. For this
Baikunth Shukla was hanged to death.
• Thus Bihar played a key role in spreading the
revolutionary movement and attaining freedom.
6. Revolutionary Movement 7. Khilafat Movement

• Babaji Thakurdas, Khudiram Bose, Prafulla • Bihar actively participated in the Khilafat
Chandra Chaki, Sachindranath Sanyal etc. Movement.
were important personalities involved in the • 6th April was celebrated as Humility and Worship
revolutionary movement in Bihar. Day in Patna. On this day, a huge procession was
• Babaji Thakurdas established Ramakrishna taken out under the leadership of Hasan Imam.
Society in Patna in 1906 and started publishing a • Meetings were organised at Patna on the 24th
newspaper called Motherland. and 25th April, 1920, in which Maulana Shaukat
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Ali exhorted the assembled people to be ready to • There was a strike in Patna’s government press
make whatever sacrifices would be required to and also the boycott of ferries and pounds auctions
solve the Khilafat question for which they were in Munger and Bhagalpur.
fighting under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. • There were also police strike in the region Patna,
• A conference of Muslim Ulema was held at Purnea, Munger and Champaran.
Phulwari Sharif, in which a resolution calling for • The Prince of Wales arrived in Patna in December
non-cooperation with the British Government was 1921 and was shown black flag everywhere in
passed. Bihar and a total hartal was observed in the city.
8. Non Cooperation Movement
• Gandhiji inaugurated Bihar National College and
Bihar Vidyapeeth on 6 February 1921. Mahzarul
• At the 12th session of the Bihar Provincial Haque became the Chancellor and Babu Brajkishore
Conference, which met at Bhagalpur on the 28th Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, of the Vidyapeeth and
and 29th August under the PresidentShip of Rajendra Prasad became Principal of the National
Rajendra Prasad, who in his address in Hindi “put College.
in a strong plea for Non-Co-operation”. • Patna was the main center of the Non-Cooperation
• In the September 1920 session of the Congress movement in Bihar. The most widespread
the resolution on Non-Cooperation was moved movement was seen in Muzaffarpur and Shahbad
by Mahatma Gandhi. It was carried by 1885 votes district.
against 873, and about 180 of the Bihar delegates • In consultation with Mahatma Gandhi, District
voting for it. Committees were formed which will act on the
• The Non-Cooperation movement was started in advice of the Organisation Committee. Some
1920 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi leaders for the movement in their respective areas
with the aim of Swaraj as its goal. The movement were:
was accepted in September 1920 in the Calcutta  Babu Gorakh Prasad in Champaran,
special session held under the chairmanship of Lala  Babu Brajakishore Prasad in Darbhanga,
Lajpat Rai. Further in the Nagpur session it was  Babu Krishna Prakash Sen Sinhain Gaya.
fully endorsed.  Babu Gajadliar Prasad in Bhagalpur.
• In Bihar, the Non-Cooperation resolution was  Babu Bajrang Sahay in Hazaribagh.
passed under the presidency of Rajendra Prasad.  Maulavi Muhammad Shafi, in Muzaffarpur.
The resolution was proposed by Dharnidhar  Maulavi Zakaria Hashmi in Saran,
Prasad and Shah Muhammad Zubair.  Maulavi Muhammad Zubair in Munger
• Boycott of govt services, schools & colleges, courts, • Mahatma Gandhi expressed his opinion in an
offices etc. was seen in both urban and rural Bihar. article, titled “Repression in Bihar” reporduced in
• In 1920 Gandhiji visited Bhagalpur to start liquor the ‘Searchlight’ on 13th March, 1921, and from
ban movement. the ‘Young India’ on 2nd March, 1921.
• Mazharul Haque, Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah • On the 6th April, 1921, Satyagraha day was
Narayan Singh, Brajkishore Prasad, Shah observed under the leadership of Rajendra Prasad
Mohammad Zubair etc. were the prominent in Patna.
personalities in Bihar during this movement. • Bihar celebrated the death anniversary of
• During this movement drug prohibition movement Lokamanya Tilak on the 1st August, 1921 by
was started in Dumrao in 1920. organising processions and meetings at all
• Mazharul Haq established Sadaqat Ashram in important places.
Patna where he started a newspaper called ‘The • On the 16th August, 1921, a meeting of the All-
Motherland’ to spread NCM and Hindu-Muslim India Congress Workuig Committee was held in
unity. the Sadaqat Ashram at Patna in the prescence

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 know your bihar

of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Motilal Nehru, Shri • The Salt Satyagraha in Patna was started on 16th
Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Muhammad Ah and Seth April 1930 under the leadership of Jagatnarayan
Jamna Lai Bajaj. It passed eighteen resolutions. Lal, Ramdayalu Singh led the movement from
• On the 30th September, Khaddar processions Muzaffarpur, Satyanarayan Singh from Darbhanga,
were taken out and meetings were held at Patna Shri Krishna Singh from Munger etc.
Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and other places. • Boycott: Boycott of foreign goods, government
• The Bihar Provincial Conference met at Arrah in services, courts, education centres and titles.
October, 1921, under the presidency of Maulavi • Role of Women: Protest by women on liquor,
Muhammad Shaft and resolution of the Karachi opium and foreign cloth shops. Mrs Hasan Imam
conference was endorsed, and a resolution was and Vindhyavasini Devi played an important role in
passed to boycott the visit of the Prince of Wales. this. For the first time two women, Saraswati Devi
• The Seva Samiti movement was convened at Arrah and Sadhna Devi, were arrested.
on the 3rd October, 1921. • No tax campaign: The most important program
• On 27th November, 1921, the Bihar Provincial of this movement was the Karbandi or no-tax
Congress Committee, following the instructions campaign. Chowkidari tax ban campaign in Saran,
issued by the Working Committee of the All India Champaran, Shahbad, Purnia, Munger, Patna etc.
Congress formed the Bihar National Volunteer Corps Chandravati Devi gave a speech in Gaya for not
(Qaumi Sevak Dal) with headquarters at Muzzafarpur. paying Chowkdari tax.
• Gandhiji called off NCM due to Chauri-Chaura • Nangi Hartal: During this movement, the prisoners
incident that occurred in the Gorakhpur district of of Chhapra Jail started Nangi Hartal on the demand
Uttar Pradesh. of Swadeshi clothes.
9. Swaraj party in Bihar
• Constructive work: Emphasis was given on the
use of Khadi and gave a strong message against
• After a meeting at Patna on the 26th February, intoxicating drinks.
1923 Swaraj Party in Bihar was formed. • Swadeshi League was formed in Patna under the
 Shri Narayan Prasad was the first president presidency of Sir Ali Imam in 1930.
and Abdulwari was the Secetrary of the Swaraj
12. Individual Satyagraha
Party.
• Under the leadership of Shri Krishna Singh, a • Individual Satyagraha was started in Bihar on 28
branch of Swaraj Dal was formed in 1923 in Bihar. November 1940.
10. Boycott of Simon Commission
• Shri Krishna Singh was the first Satyagrahi while
Anugrah Narayan Sinha was the second Satyagrahi.
• Simon Commission reached Patna in December • The chosen Satyagrahi was surrounded by the
1928 where it faced black flag and slogan of public and made a speech till their arrest and if the
‘Simon Go Back’ all across Bihar. government didn’t arrest, the Satyagrahi would
• The boycott of this commission was under the repeat the speech and march towards Delhi.
chairmanship of Sir Ali Imam at the All-Party • Women such as Priyanka Devi, Jagat Rani Devi,
conference. Janki Devi etc. were arrested from Gaya.
11. Civil Disobedience Movement 13. Quit India Movement

• Gandhi Dandi March: Girivardhari Chowdhary was • Bihar actively participated in the Quit India
the only satyagrahi (among 78 volunteers) from Movement.
Bihar who participated. • To prevent the outbreak of the movement, many
• Spread of the Movement: The Civil Disobedience nationalist of Bihar like Rajendra Prasad, Phulan
Movement in Bihar was started on 15th April 1930 Prasad Verma, Anugraha Narayan Singh, Shri
from Champaran and Saran by making salt. Krishna Singh etc. were arrested in the early hours.
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 know your bihar

• Rajendra Prasad was taken to Bankipur Jail in the Gandhiji campaign, the participation of women
Patna while Baldev Singh resigned from the post was at an all-time high.
of Advocate General. • During the Non-cooperation movement:
• Role of Students : Students played a heroic role in this  Sarla Devi led the boycott movement against the
movement. On 11 August, a procession of students Prince of Wales’s visit to India in 1921.
marched to hoist the national flag on the Patna  During Gandhi’s visit to Bihar, women donated
Secretariat building. The District Magistrate W.G. their jewelry to the Deshbandhu Fund, especially
Archer ordered indiscriminate firing on unarmed Prabhavati Devi, the wife of Jai Prakash Narayan.
students which led to martyred of seven students. • During the Civil Disobedience Movement:
The eighth student was successful in hoisting the  During the Civil Disobedience Movement
Indian flag by taking down the British flag. Shailbala Rai, women from Santhal Pargana
• This intensified the movement which resulted in broke the salt law.
uprooted the railway lines, damaged telegraph  Saraswati Devi and Sadhna Devi of Hazaribagh
wires and telephones, burnt down police were sentenced to six months for the violation
stations, seized post offices and destroyed other of the Salt law.
government buildings.  Under the leadership of Mrs. Hasan Imam and
• There was a complete hartal in Patna on 12 August Vindhyavasini Devi protested successfully in
to protest against the Secretariat firing. front of foreign cloth shops.
• Role of Jai Prakash Narayan : Jai Prakash Narayan  Rajvanshi Devi and Chandravati Devi were
founded the Azad Dasta to fight against the arrested in Patna, for celebrating Independence
Britishers. He was successful in escaping from Day on 26th January and sentenced to one and a
Hajaribagh jail on Diwali night. half years imprisonment.
 He formed a trained Guerrilla army to fight • During Individual Satyagraha:
against British rule. The Headquarter of Azad  Prominent women such as Priyanka Devi, Jagat
Dasta was located in the terai region of Nepal. Rani Devi, Janaki Devi etc. were arrested while
 The objectives of Azad Dasta include : doing Satyagraha.
Accumulation of arms and ammunition, • During the Quit India Movement:
disruption of communication channel,  During the Quit India Movement, a huge
railway track, industrial establishment, fire to procession of women took place in Patna under
government files etc. the leadership of Bhagwati Devi.
 With the arrest of Jai Prakash Narayan and other  Saraswati Devi was rescued by a group of
important leaders, gradually the Azad Dasta students in Hajaribagh and sent to Bhagalpur Jail.
stopped working.  Pyari Devi, Sharda Devi, Saraswati Devi etc. were
arrested from Gaya for hoisting the national flag.
14. Role of Women
 During the Quit India movement, many
• Women played an important role in the freedom women were also martyred. Some prominent
struggle in Bihar. From the Swadeshi movement to personalities were Viraj Madhiyain, Akeli Devi,
India’s freedom, women played a key role. During Kumari Dhaturi Devi etc.

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 PRELIMS SPECIAL
Person in News
S. No. Person Associated Field
1. Salman Khan He has been named as the Brand Ambassador for KHO KHO World Cup.
She won the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship 2024 which was held in
2. Koneru Humpy
New York.
He is known as the “Drag King” in Indian motorsport, and he won a triple crown in
Hemanth
3. the 2024 MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship at
Muddappa
the Madras International Circuit (MIC).
She captained the Indian women’s team to win the first Kho Kho World Cup in
4. Priyanka Ingle
Delhi by defeating Nepal 78-40.
She is related to Shooting, and awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
Award (India’s highest sporting honor) by the President.
5. Manu Bhaker
She was awarded for her exceptional performance in the Olympics ,and won
Double olympic medalist.
He is a renowned chess grandmaster who made history by becoming the
youngest World Chess Champion.
6. D. Gukesh
In recognition of his exceptional achievements in the sport, he was awarded the
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor.
She has won the Under-17 Girls Singles title at the British Junior Open in
7. Anahat Singh
Birmingham, England.
He announced his retirement from international cricket and is a cricketer of New
8. Martin Guptil
Zealand.

Places in News
S. No. Place In News
Bayuemas Oval in Kuala
1. The First edition of the Under -19 Women Asia Cup 2024 was held.
Lumpur (Malaysia)
The world’s second-largest human congregation (Gangasagar Mela) is
2. Sagar Island (West Bengal)
held here during Makar Sankranti in the month of January.
Mansar (Nagpur, The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways inaugurated
3.
Maharashtra) Asia’s first highway stretch with a bio - bitumen blended surface.
This Volcano erupted at Summit Caldera in Hawaii .
4. Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
It is one of the World’s largest active Volcano
MGM Park (Visakhapatnam, Nearly 1500 Kuchipudi dancers from various parts of the country took
5.
Andhra Pradesh) part in Dance Congress in this park.
The 7.1 magnitude of Earthquake in the Tibet region killed nearly 126
6. Zhacun Village, Xigaze, Tibet
people and damaged thousands of buildings.
Kappad Beach in Kozhikode
Both the Beaches received the ‘Blue Flag Certification’ from
7. and Chal Beach in Kannur,
Denmark’s Foundation for Environmental Education.
Kerala

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Award and Honours

Person/
S. No. Award About Person/Award
Organisation
Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the
Order of Mubarak Al
1. Narendra Modi Amir of Kuwait, conferred upon this Award to the PM of
Kabir
India; it is the highest national award of Kuwait.
The Kalam Ratna
Award under Neerja This award was bestowed upon her for her dedication to
2.
Chaudhary Charan Chaudhary insightful journalism.
Singh 2024
Raja Mansingh Tomar Sanand Nyas This award has been instituted by the Government of
3.
Award 2023 Sansta Madhya Pradesh in honor of Music Emperor Tansen.
Gagan Gill received the award for her poetry book Main
Jab Tak Aai Bahar.
Easterine Kire (Nagaland) won the Sahitya Akademi Award
Sahitya Akademi Gagan Gill & 2024 for her novel Spirit Nights.
4.
Awards Hindi & English Easterine Kire This Award was established in 1954 and the first awardees
were Makhanlal Chaturvedi (Hindi) in 1955 and R.K.
Narayan (English) in 1960
It is given to the most outstanding books of literary merit.
Caitlin Sandra This event was held in New Jersey (USA).
5. Miss India USA 2024
Neil Caitlin Sandra Neil is an Indian-American born in Chennai.
Sri Chandrasekarendra He was awarded this award for Public Leadership by the
6. S . Jaishankar
Saraswathi award 2024 South Indian Education Society.
She was awarded with the Gangadhar National Award for
Gangadhar National
7. Pratia Satpathy Poetry-2023 during the 58th foundation day celebration
Award 2023
of Sambalpur University.
Ajanta-Ellora
He will be awarded the Padmapani Lifetime Achievement
8. International Film Sai Paranjpye
Award at the AIFF 2025.
Festival (AIFF) 2025
Satyajit Ray Lifetime
She was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for
9. Achievement Award Aparna Sen
her significant contribution to Indian Cinema.
2025
He has made significant contributions in the field of
RK Srikantan Trust T.V.
10. Carnatic Music.
Award Gopalakrishnan
He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2011.
Gates - Cambridge She was awarded for her groundbreaking contributions to
11. Urbasi Sinha
Impact Prize 2025 quantum communication, computing, and optics.
The Golden Globe Director:
Jacques Audiard’s French Film ‘Emilia Perez’ won this
12. Award 2025 (Best Jacques
award for Best Motion Picture (Non - English Language).
Motion Picture) Audiard

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Important Days and Themes

S. No. Day Date Important Facts
Theme: “Empowering ‘Annadatas’ for a prosperous
1. National Farmers day 23rd December
nation.
2. World Meditation Day 21st December Theme: Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony.
19th December
Good Governance
3. to 24th Theme: ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore’
Week
December
Theme : “Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to Consumer
4. National Consumer Day 24th December
Justice”.
National Mathematics
5. 22nd December Theme: “Mathematics: Bridge to innovation”
Day
International Day of To emphasize on the importance of readiness in the face
6. 27th December
Epidemic preparedness of outbreaks.
This day is celebrated to strengthen family bonds
7. Global Family Day 1st January
through shared customs.
To raise awareness about the importance of Braille as a
8. World Braille Day 4th January
medium for communication
9. National Bird Day 5th January Theme: “Protecting Our Birds, Protecting Our Future”
18th Pravasi Bhartiya 8th to 10th
10. Theme : “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”.
Divas January
11. World Hindi day 10th January Theme : “A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural Pride,”.
Theme : ‘Youth for a Sustainable Future: Shaping the
12. National Youth Day 12th January
Nation with Resilience and Responsibility’.
To honor the bravery, selflessness, and sacrifices of the
13. Indian Army Day 15th January
Indian Army.
To foster a robust and inclusive entrepreneurial
14. National Startup Day 16th January
ecosystem.
This day was celebrated for the first time in the presence
15. Lokpal Day 16th january of India’s Chief Justice Sanjiv khanna.
Present lokpal of india: Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar

Sports Events
S. No. Event Date Venue
19th February to 9th Pakistan and United Arab Emirates
1. ICC Champions Trophy 2025
March (UAE)
2. ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 19th to 27th May 2025 India
3. Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 March 2025 Rajgir, Bihar
The Asian Youth and Junior 19th December to 25th
4. Doha, Qatar
Weightlifting Championship 2024 December
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess 26th December to 31st
5. New York (USA)
Championship 2024 December

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6. Santosh Trophy 2024 31st December GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad

Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New
7. KHO KHO World Cup 2025 19 January (Final)
Delhi
10th February to 14th The theme of this event is “The
8. Aero India 2025
February Runway to a Billion Opportunities”.

Sports Awards/Records/Rankings
S. No. Player/Team Category News
She has won gold medal at senior National shooting
1. Shanu Tushar Shooting
championship 2023
2. Keely Hodgkinson Athletics She won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024
He won the Men’s Singles title in the 86th Senior national
3. M. Raghu Badminton
badminton Championship 2024.
He won Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris.
4. Harmanpreet Singh Hockey He was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award,
India’s highest sporting honor.
He was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
5. Praveen Kumar Para Athletics
(highest sporting honor).

Books and Authors

S. No. Book Author
1. Bring It On - The Incredible Story of My Life Deepa Malik
2. Chhaunk - On Food, Economics and Society Abhijit Banerjee
3. Stumped Syed Kirmani
4. The Unyielding Judge Gauri Grover

Obituaries
S. No. Person Contributions
Rohan He was the founder of Drums Food International, the firm behind popular Greek
1.
Mirchandani yogurt brand Epigamia passed away.
He was a renowned Filmmaker and also known for his socially impactful and
realistic cinema.
2. Shyam Benegal
He got Padma Shri (1976), Padma Bhushan (1991) and Dadasaheb Phalke Award
(2005).
3. Vasudevan Nair He was a renowned screenwriter and filmmaker.
Darshanam He was a renowned Folk Artist from Telangana.
4.
Mogilaiah He got the Padma Shri Award in 2022
He was the 13th Prime Minister of India (2004 to 2014).
He was the 15th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (1982–1985).
5. Manmohan Singh He was the Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister (1990 to 1991).
He was the Finance Minister for the year 1991 under the leadership of Narsimha
Rao.

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6. Jimmy Carter The Former US President and the Global Humanitarian passed away.
Brigadier Amitabh He was acting UN peacekeeping force commander, and passed away at Golan
7.
Jha Heights amid tensions with Israel.
He was the former President, Chairman & CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation
8. Osamu Suzuki passed away.
He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2007 by the Indian Government.
Renowned Botanist known for translating Hortus Malabaricus into English and
9. K S Manilal Malayalam passed away.
He got Padma Shree in 2020 for contributions to science and engineering.
He was the father of the Nuclear programme of India.
Dr.
10. He received Padma Shri in 1975 and Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
R.Chidambaram
He was the longest serving Principal Scientific Advisor to the Indian government.
He was an Indian Poet, Painter, Journalist, Politician, Media and Television
11. Pritish Nandy Personality, Filmmaker and Animal activist and got Padma shree in 1977,
Karmaveer award in 2008 and International Humanitarian award 2012.

Abbreviation
S. No. Abbreviated Form Full Form
1. BGS Below Ground Surface
2. AS Air Sparging
3. DTW Depth to Water
4. ESA Environmental Site Assessment
5. ETFE Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene
6. HASP Health and Safety Plan
7. PPE Personal Protective Equipment
8. DPIIT Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
9. VGF Viability Gap Funding
10. RSSF Regional Social Security Forum
11. TESS Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
12. UAPA Unlawful Activities Prevention Act

Reports and Indices

S. No. Report Released By India’s Rank Top Rank
The Portulans Institute,
1. Network Readiness Index 2024 49th The United States
Washington DC
2. 2024 Threat Landscape Report CloudSEK 2nd The United States
3. World Future Skills Index 2025 QS 2nd The United States
Travel and Tourism Development
4. World Economic Forum 39th The United States
Index 2024

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Memorandum of Understanding(MoUs)/Agreements
Partner Countries/
S. No. Month Related Areas
Organisation
December To procure 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self- The Ministry of Defence
1.
2024 Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns. & Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
10 tripartite agreements signed during ‘DRDO-
Industry-Academia - Global Approach to Readiness of
December DRDO, IIT Delhi and
2. Indigenous Military Applications’ (DIA-GARIMA) by
2024 Industry partners
DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence
(DIA-CoE)
They have signed a $350 million policy-based loan for The Government of India
December
3. the "Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated and Asian Development
2024
Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE)" initiative. Bank
Indian Space Research
December Both the Space Agency have signed an agreement to
4. Organisation and
2024 enhance collaboration in human space exploration.
European Space Agency
They signed an MoU to launch the "Uttar Pradesh The UP Govt. and Google
5. January 2025
Open Network for Agriculture (UPONA)". Cloud
The Centre for
To develop a Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC Chip. Development of
6. January 2025 To improve spectrum utilization and broadband Telematics (C-DOT) has
services, especially in rural areas. partnered with IIT Mandi
and IIT Jammu
To strengthen cooperation in geology and mineral
7. January 2025 India and Mongolia
exploration.
Microsoft signed MoU hands with ‘India AI Mission’,
8. January 2025 Microsoft and India
skill-training 5 lakh people by 2026.

Military Exercise
Name of the Participating Nations/
S. No. Date Venue Military
Exercise Militaries
31st December
1. Surya Kiran Saljhandi, Nepal Army India and Nepal
to 13th January
It was participated by Nine
Malacca, Sunda Indo-Pacific Countries (Australia,
16th January to
2 La Perouse 2025 and Lombok Navy Canada, The USA, France, India,
24th january
straits Indonesia, Malaysia, the UK and
Singapore).
17th to 20th Visakhapatnam,
3. SLINEX 2024 Navy India and Sri Lanka
December Andhra Pradesh

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Defence and Security

S. No. Equipment/News Reason Characteristics
This ship is armed with surface-
The last of the four Visakhapatnam-class to-air and anti-ship missiles,
1. INS Surat
stealth guided-missile destroyers torpedoes, and rapid-fire
systems
It is equipped with supersonic
This lead ship of a new class of seven surface-to-surface missiles,
2. INS Nilgiri stealth-guided-missile frigates being built upgraded 76 mm guns, and
under Project 17 Alpha rapid-fire close-in weapon
systems.
INS Vagsheer has a speed of 20
This submarine has been built under the
kmph on the sea surface and is
3. INS Vaghsheer ‘Make in India’ initiative of the
interoperable, allowing it to
Government of India.
operate in all operation.
The Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled the It was designed for extreme
4. HIMKAVACH
multi-layered clothing system to protect temperatures (+20°C to – 60°C).
soldiers in the Himalayan region.
It was indigenously developed Nag Mk 2 It is designed to neutralize
5. Nag Mk 2 third-generation anti-tank fire-and-forget modern armoured vehicles and
guided missile its range is 7 to 10 km.

Summits and Conferences

S. No. Name of Summit Event Date Venue Main Point
To discuss the important areas of
regional cooperation.
24th BIMSTEC Senior 20th December Virtually by
1. Sustainable development, regional
Officials Meeting (SOM) 2024 Thailand
connectivity, security, and people-
to-people exchanges.
To review eight major projects (6
26th December Metro, 1 Road Connectivity and 1
2. 45th PRAGATI Meeting New Delhi
2024 Thermal Power) worth over Rs. 1
Lakh Crore
World Audio Visual Bharat To foster collaborations and
5th to 9th
3. Entertainment Summit Mandapam, partnerships between global and
January 2025
(WAVES) Summit 2025 New Delhi Indian creative professionals.
It was organised by the Trade
Promotion Council of India with the
India Exposition
Department of Commerce.
8th to 10th Mart, Greater
4. INDUS FOOD 2025 It plays an important role in
January 2025 Noida, NCR,
bridging global markets and
Delhi
fostering partnerships in India’s
thriving food economy.
To foster international dialogue on
10th to 11th
5. AI Action Summit Paris, France AI, discuss innovation, regulation,
February 2025
and the future of AI technologies.

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Bharat
Viksit Bharat Young 10th january To foster youth leadership through
6. Mandapam,
Leaders Dialogue 2025 2025 discussions.
New Delhi
Ravindra
The 31st National The theme of the event is
3rd to 6th Bhawan, Bhopal
7. Children’s Science “Understanding Ecosystems for
January 2025 (Madhya
Congress Health and Well-being”.
Pradesh)
The 8th edition of the Kumaun To offer participants an opportunity
2nd to 4th
8. Kautik International Film University, to interact with industry
January 2025
Festival Uttarakhand professionals .

National Appointments
S. No. Name Appointed As
1. V. Ramasubramanian Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.
2. Justice GS Sandhawalia The Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
3. Justice Narendra G The Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.
Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee constituted for one
4. PP Choudhary
Nation One Election.
5. Arunish Chawla He has been appointed as the Revenue Secretary.
Justice Guhanathan
6. He has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court.
Narendra
The Reserve Bank of India constituted a committee for the ethical use of
7. Pushpak Bhattacharya Artificial Intelligence in the financial sector under the chairmanship of
Him.
He has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National
8. Dr. Sandip Shah
Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
9. Ajay Singh He was appointed as the President of the Boxing Federation of India .
He has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Unique
10. Bhuvnesh Kumar
Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
He has been appointed as the Secretary General of The Associated
11. Manish Singhal
Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
He was a former Assam Cricketer and became the New Secretary of the
12. Devajit Saikia
Board of Control for Cricket in India.
He was a former Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh and became the new
13. Prabhtej Singh Bhatia
Secretary and Treasurer of BCCI.
He has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Directorate
14. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
He has been appointed as the Director General of Central Reserve Police
15. Vitul Kumar
Force (CRPF).
He has been appointed as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research
16. V. Narayanan
Organisation and he replaced S. Somnath.
He was unanimously elected as the new President of the Athletics
17. Bahadur Singh Sagoo
Federation of India (AFI) ,He replaced Adille Sumariwalla.

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18. Justice Ashish Naithani He has been appointed as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court.
19. Tuhin Kanta Pandey He has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of revenue.
He has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Investment
20. Arunish Chawla
and Public Asset Management.
21. Vineet Joshi He has been appointed as the secretary to the Ministry of Education.
22. Justice Arun Mishra He was appointed as the new Ombudsman and Ethics officer of BCCI
23. Jitendra Mishra He has taken charge of the Western Command of the Indian Air Force.

International Appointments
S. No. Country Capital Currency Prime Minister/President
1. Iceland Reykjavik Icelandic Krona Kristrun Frostadottir
2. Moldova Chisinau Moldovan Leu Maia Sandu
3. Tonga Nukualofa Tongan Paanga Aisakae Valu AK
4. Georgia Tbilisi Georgian Lari Mikhail Kavelashvili
5. Ghana Accra The Ghanaian Cedi John Dramani Mahama

Festivals
S. No. Festivals Month Place
1. Gaan Ngai January Assam, Manipur, Nagaland
2. URS Festival December Ajmer, Rajasthan
3. Makaravilakku Festival December Kerala
4. Flamingo Festival January Sullurpeta, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
5. Kanuma Festival January Telangana
6. Jallikattu Festival January Tamil Nadu
Last week of December or First
7. Madhavath Festival Tamil Nadu
week of January
8. Makaravilakku festival January Kerala

Space Mission/Initiative
S. No. Mission/Initiative Launch Details/ Date Details of Mission/Initiative

This is India’s ambitious ‘Space Docking Mission’

1. SPADEX Mission 30th December that was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre in Sriharikota by using the PSLV -C60 rocket.

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Campaigns/Initiatives/Schemes
Campaign/Initiative/
S. No. Launched By Main Points
Scheme
The Ambedkar This schemes is related to Dalit in Delhi who
1. Delhi Government
Scholarship Scheme want to study abroad
Under this scheme elders, above 60 years of age,
2. Sanjeevini Yojana Delhi Government
will receive free treatment in private hospitals.
Ministry of Earth
Viksit Panchayat To enhance the capacity and competence of
3. Science (Jitendra
Karmayogi Initiative Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Singh)
To facilitate free access to most high-end
academic journals and articles published
One Nation One The Union Ministry of globally.
4.
Subscription Scheme Education For the students in various government-funded
higher educational institutions, including IITs,
across the country.
Grameen Bharat The Union Theme: “Building a Resilient Rural India for a
5.
Mahotsav 2025 Government Viksit Bharat 2047”.
The Mira Bhayandar
6. Faral Sakhi Initiative Municipal To empower women entrepreneurs
Corporation (MBMC)
Panchayat se Parliament National Commission
7. For empowering tribal women representatives.
2.0 of Women
It provides ₹5,000 financial assistance to
Shahid Madho Singh
8. Odisha Government Scheduled Tribe students enrolling in Class IX
Haath Kharcha Scheme
and XI.
Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Jharkhand To enhance the financial security of women by
9.
Maiya Samman Yojana Government providing direct cash transfers.
To empower women by training them to become
10. Bima Sakhi Yojana Goa Government
LIC agents.
The PARTH Yojana (Police To offer pre-recruitment training to the youth
Madhya Pradesh
11. Army Recruitment aspiring to join the Indian Army, Police, and
Government
Training & Hunar) Paramilitary forces.

Mobile Apps/Portals
S. No. App/Portal Launched By Objectives
This portal will help police officers investigate crimes
1. Bharatpol Portal Union Home Ministry
faster and get quick support from Interpol.
Sanchar Saathi Ministry of This app provides users with critical tools to secure their
2.
Mobile App Communication telecom resources and combat telecom frauds.
The objective of this portal is to provide customers with
3. Bank Net Central Government a way to access their accounts and perform financial
transactions online.

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 PRACTICE WORK
70th BPSC Re-Exam (04 January) (J-Series)

Q 1. World famous painting is found in which district Q 9. The term Zillillah was first used by
of Bihar? (A) Alauddin Khilji (B) Akbar
(A) Madhubani (B) Madhepura (C) Balban (D) Iltutmish
(C) Darbhanga (D) Samastipur Q 10. Which company became the first Indian
Q 2. The Tribal Movement-Santhal hool (Rebellion) company to cross the 200 billion USD market
took place in capitalization in 2023?
(A) 1857-58 (B) 1858-59 (A) Infosys (B) HDFC Bank
(C) 1855-56 (D) 1854 (C) TCS (D) Reliance Industries
Q 3. Steam methane reforming technique is used to Q 11. In 1901 who has published the book ‘Poverty
obtain and Un-British Rule in India’?
(A) Brown Hydrogen (B) Grey Hydrogen (A) Dadabhai Naoroji (B) S. N. Banerjee
(C) Green Hydrogen (D) None of the above (C) R. C. Dutt (D) Phirozshah Mehta
Q 4. The ratio of total deposits that a Commercial Q 12. Sour taste of vinegar is due to
Banks must keep with Reserve Bank of India is (A) Tartaric acid (B) Lactic acid
called (C) Citric acid (D) None of these
(A) Legal Reserve Ratio Q 13. Which country hosted the 2022 Winter
(B) Statutory Liquidity Ratio Olympics?
(C) Cash Reserve Ratio (A) China (B) South Korea
(D) Deposit Ratio (C) Canada (D) Japan
Q 5. Tropic of Cancer passes through which State? Q 14. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha enjoys
(A) Bihar (B) Orissa (A) The right to vote only in case of a tie
(C) Uttar Pradesh (D) Meghalaya (B) The right to vote like other members of the
Q 6. Which of the following are matters on which a House
constitutional amendment is possible only with (C) Two votes-one in ordinary course and the
the ratification of the legislature of not less other in case of a tie
than one-half of the states? (D) No right to vote
1. Election of the President. Q 15. Which is the oldest mountain of South America
2. Representation of States in Parliament. continent?
3. Any of the lists in the 7th Schedule. (A) Pacaraima (B) Turmuc-Humuk
4. Abolition of the Legislative Council of a State. (C) Andese Mountain (D) Brazil Mountain
Choose the correct answer. Q 16. Who among the following is the recipient of
(A) 2, 3 and 4 (B) 1, 2 and 4 Bharat Ratna for 2024?
(C) 1, 3 and 4 (D) 1, 2 and 3 (A) C. N. R. Rao
Q 7. Standard electrode potential of three (B) M. S. Swaminathan
metals A, B and C are respectively 0.5 V, -3 V (C) Chandra Shekhar
and -1.2 V. Reducing power of these metals (D) Pranab Mukharjee
would be Q 17. Which one of the following is electoral
(A) A>C>B (B) B>C>A college for the President but not forum for his
(C) C>B>A (D) None of the above impeachment?
Q 8. At what time between 2 and 3 O’clock will the (A) State Legislative Councils
hands of a clock be together? (B) State Legislative Assemblies
(A) 38 minutes past 2 (B) 38 minutes past 2 (C) Rajya Sabha
(C) 10 minutes past 2 (D) 10 minutes past 2 (D) Lok Sabha
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Q 18. Who led the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917? Q 29. Reactance of a capacitor is
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru (A) Directly proportional to frequency
(B) Subhas Chandra Bose (B) Inversely proportional to sq. root of frequency
(C) Sardar Patel (C) Inversely proportional to frequency
(D) Mahatma Gandhi (D) None of the above
Q 19. Buds are typically found Q 30. Which country hosted the COP28 climate
(A) Both at the base of leaves and tip of branches summit in 2023?
(B) At the tip of branches (A) Italy (B) Brazil
(C) At the base of leaves (C) United Kingdom (D) United Arab Emirates
(D) None of the above
Q 20. The Ishihara test is related with Q 31. Who was the first Muslim President of Indian
(A) Bone density (B) IQ National Congress?
(C) Colour blindness (D) Haemoglobin level (A) Hasrat Mohani
Q 21. Where did the revolt of Birsa Munda take place? (B) Badruddin Taiyabji
(A) Champaran (B) Ballia (C) Maulana Azad
(C) Ranchi (D) None of the above
(D) More than one of above
Q 22. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals
with the proclamation of Emergency? Q 32. Which of the following Acts converted Unicameral
(A) Article 360 (B) Article 365 Legislature of Bihar into Bicameral: Bihar
(C) Article 356 (D) Article 352 Legislative Assembly and Bihar Legislative Council?
Q 23. Which State has the longest boundary with (A) Government of India Act 1919
Madhya Pradesh? (B) Government of India Act 1909
(A) Maharashtra (B) Andhra Pradesh (C) Government of India Act 1935
(C) Uttar Pradesh (D) Rajasthan
(D) More than one of the above
Q 24. Who is the Chairperson of GST Council?
(A) RBI Governor Q 33. Which pair of rivers cuts the Tropic of Cancer
(B) Union Minister of Corporate Affairs twice over Chhota Nagpur Plateau ?
(C) Chairman of Finance Commission (A) South Koel - Damodar
(D) Union Finance Minister (B) Suwarnarekha - Damodar
Q 25. Which among the following is a tool of Fiscal Policy? (C) North Koel - Damodar
(A) Taxes (B) Cash Reserve Ratio
(D) North Koel - Suwarnarekha
(C) Credit Ceiling (D) Bank Rate
Q 26. ‘Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi’ was written by Q 34. The 60.2 percent share in GSDP of Bihar in
(A) Shams Siraj Afif (B) Yahya Sarhindi 2019-20 was of
(C) Minhaj Siraj (D) Isami (A) Service Sector
Q 27. Which country hosted the 2023 World (B) Manufacturing Sector
Economic forum meeting? (C) Industrial Sector
(A) Japan (B) Canada
(D) Agriculture Sector
(C) Germany (D) Switzerland
Q 28. Who became the President of Indian National Q 35. A nail is nailed into the trunk of a tree at a point
Congress when Subhash Chandra Bose resigned 1 m from the soil level. After 2 years the nail will
in 1939?
(A) Remain at same position
(A) Rajendra Prasad
(B) Move sideways
(B) Abul Kalam Azad
(C) Jawahar Lal Nehru (C) Move up
(D) More than one of the above (D) None of the above

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Q 36. If triangle represents Men, rectangle represents Q 42. Which of the following is not an electrophile ?
Businessman and circle represents Millionaire, (A) Na+
then which number represents Men that are (B) BF
both Businessman and Millionaire ? (C) H+
(D) All of the above
Q 43. The primary function of the Finance
Commission in India is to
(A) Distribution of revenue between the
Centre and the States
(B) Allocate funds to various ministries of the
Union and State Governments
(C) Advise the President on financial matters
(A) 12 (B) 13 (D) Prepare the annual budget
(C) 10 (D) 3 Q 44. Which longitude separates Canada and Alaska?
Q 37. In which district of Bihar, Maize production is (A) 131° W
maximum? (B) 161° W
(A) Muzaffarpur (B) East Champaran (C) 151° W
(C) Siwan (D) Saran (D) 141° W
Q 38. The person who has been President of India, Q 45. Which of the following Constitutional
Ambassador to USA, China, Turkey and Amendment in India has decided the maximum
Thailand along with vice chancellor to Jawahar strength of the Council of Minister with Chief
Lal University. He is Minister in a State?
(A) Dr. S. Radha Krishnan (A) 91st Constitutional Amendment
(B) Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (B) 86th Constitutional Amendment
(C) K. R. Narayan (C) 81st Constitutional Amendment
(D) R. Venkatraman (D) None of the above Amendment
Q 39. Actual site of dark reaction in photosynthesis
inside cytoplast is Q 46. The conductivity of a strong electrolyte
(A) Granum (B) Grana Lamella (A) Decreases on dilution
(C) Stroma (D) None of the above (B) Does not changes with dilution
Q 40. Catalyst used in hydrogenation of vegetable oil (C) Increases slightly on dilution
into vanaspati ghee is (D) None of the above
(A) Pd (B) Fe
(C) Ni (D) None of the above Q 47. What is Infant Mortality rate ?
Q 41. Match List - I of leaders with List- II of their territory (A) proportion of children that die before the
and select answer from the code given below: age of 3 years as a proportion of 1000 live
List – I List - II children born in that particular year
a. Kunwar Singh i. Faizabad
(B) proportion of children that die before the
b. Hazrat Mahal ii. Bareilly
c. Khan Bahadur iii. Jagdishpur age of 4 years as a proportion of 1000 live
d. Maulvi Ahmadullah iv. Lucknow children born in that particular year
Code: (C) proportion of children that die before the
a b c d age of 2 years as a proportion of 1000 live
(A) iv i ii iii children born in that particular year
(B) ii i iii iv (D) proportion of children that die before the
(C) iii iv ii i age of 1 year as a proportion of 1000 live
(D) None of the above children born in that particular year
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Q 48. How many triangles are there in the following Q 56. In which district of Bihar, Lichi production is
figure? maximum?
(A) Siwan (B) Sonpur
(C) Muzaffarpur (D) Chhapara
Q 57. Which of the following is the playground of Europe?
(A) Germany (B) Switzerland
(C) Italy (D) France
Q 58. Fort William College at Calcutta was established in
(A) 1802 CE for historical research in Indian
(A) 12 (B) 14 languages
(C) 10 (D) 8 (B) 1802 CE to understand Indian culture and
Q 49. Chitrakoot temple is located in which State of tradition
India? (C) 1800 CE to train Indian civil servants
(A) Chhattisgarh (D) 1800 CE to train civil servants in Indian
(B) Orissa languages
(C) Madhya Pradesh Q 59. Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire ?
(D) Uttar Pradesh (A) Bindusara (B) Brihadratha
Q 50. Which portfolio did Dr. Rajendra Prasad hold (C) Ashoka (D) Chandragupta Maurya
during the interim government of 1946? Q 60. Liver stores
(A) Defense (A) A, B, C and D vitamins
(B) Home (B) Only A and B vitamins
(C) Food and agriculture (C) A, B and C vitamins
(D) None of the above (D) None of these
Q 51. Which of the following country is not a member Q 61. Which Indian State topped the NITI Aayog’s
of G7 ? SDG India Index 2023 ?
(A) Italy (B) USA (A) Gujarat (B) Maharashtra
(C) France (D) Russia (C) Tamil Nadu (D) Kerala
Q 52. For two liquids A and B to form an ideal solution Q 62. Which one of the following Schedule of the
(A) Entropy of mixing must be zero Constitution of India contains provisions
(B) Free energy of mixing should be zero regarding Anti-defection Act?
(C) Enthalpy of mixing should be zero (A) Fifth Schedule (B) Second Schedule
(D) None of the above (C) Eighth Schedule (D) Tenth Schedule
Q 53. The oldest civilization in the world Q 63. Which is the mountain range along the
(A) Indus valley Mediterranean Coast of Asia Minor ?
(B) Chinese (A) Kirther (B) Alburg
(C) Egyptian (C) Taurus (D) Pontic
(D) Mesopotamia (Iraq) Q 64. Which Viceroy decentralized the colonial
Q 54. Who first described the Revolt of 1857 as the economic structure in India?
‘First Indian War of Independence’? (A) Mayo
(A) V. D. Savarkar (B) Curzon
(B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak (C) Ripon
(C) R. C. Majumdar (D) More than one of the above
(D) None of the above Q 65. January 1, 2008 is Tuesday. What day of the
Q 55. Which river is known as the ‘Sorrow of Bihar’? week lies on January 1, 2009 ?
(A) Son (B) Gandak (A) Thursday (B) Sunday
(C) Kosi (D) Ganga (C) Wednesday (D) Monday
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Q 66. Which is the Scotland of North-East India? Q 75. In India which of the following city has been declared
(A) Arunachal Pradesh (B) Assam as the first “City of Literature” by UNESCO?
(C) Nagaland (D) Meghalaya (A) Jabalpur in M.P. (B) Kozhikode in Kerala
Q 67. In April, 2020 the Bihar Education Department (C) Kolkata in W.B. (D) Nasik in Maharastra
started the following programme through DD Bihar Q 76. Quinine is a common drug for malaria that is
(A) the telecast of e-content for class V-VI obtained from a plant. Whicha part of the plant
students yields this drug?
(B) the telecast of e-content for class IX-X (A) Leaves (B) Root
students (C) Stem bark (D) None of the above
(C) the telecast of Karsak-Chopal programme Q 77. Which Sector in India has benefitted the most
for farmers from Globalization?
(D) the telecast of a cultural programme to (A) Services
save old culture of Bihar (B) All Sectors have benefitted equally
Q 68. Who is the author of the famous book (C) Manufacturing
‘Gulamgiri’? (D) Agriculture
(A) Jyotiba Phule Q 78. Turmeric powder is obtained from which part
(B) Ramaswami Naikar Periyar of turmeric plant?
(C) B. R. Ambedkar (A) Dried foot (B) Dried root
(D) More than one of the above (C) Seed (D) None of the above
Q 69. Which of the following country is going to host Q 79. When was the Patna College established?
20th Asian games in 2026? (A) 1865 (B) 1863
(A) China (B) Indonesia (C) 1861 (D) None of the above
(C) Japan (D) India Q 80. How is Hydrogen stored physically ?
Q 70. There is no atmosphere on the surface of the (A) In form of hydrides
moon because (B) In form of water
(A) It is closer to Earth (C) By compressing hydrogen gas
(B) Escape velocity of gas molecules is less (D) None of the above
than rms velocity Q 81. As the diameter of objective lens of a telescope
(C) It revolves around Earth increases, the resolution of telescope
(D) It gets light from Sun (A) Remains same
Q 71. Which State of India is called as the State of (B) Depends on focal length of lens
Minerals ? (C) Increases
(A) Orissa (B) West Bengal (D) Decreases
(C) Bihar (D) Jharkhand Q 82. Which Indian State has the highest literacy rate
Q 72. Grey revolution is related to as per the 2023 census?
(A) Fisheries (B) Fertilizers (A) Himachal Pradesh (B) Goa
(C) Oilseeds (D) Potatoes (C) Mizoram (D) Kerala
Q 73. Average height of Kosi Plain from mean sea Q 83. Compared to a burn due to air at 100°C, the
burn due to steam at 100°C is
level is
(A) Less dangerous due to high latent heat of
(A) 100 m (B) 30 m evaporation
(C) 150 m (D) 300 m (B) More dangerous due to high latent heat of
Q 74. What should come in place of ‘?‘ in the evaporation
following series ? (C) Less dangerous due to low latent heat of
117, 98, 80, 64, ? , 42 evaporation
(A) 48 (B) 46 (D) More dangerous due to low latent heat of
(C) 51 (D) 55 evaporation
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Q 84. Which of the following is not the famous centre Q 93. Choose the correct pair from the following options.
for Buddhist Learning in Ancient India? (A) Fourth Five-Year Plan – Focus on Service
(A) Nagpur (B) Valabhi (B) Fifth Five-Year Plan - Focus on Industry
(C) Vikramshila (D) Nalanda (C) Third-Year Plan - Focus on Globalisation
Q 85. There are 15 chairs in a row. Position of P is at (D) First Five-Year Plan - Focus on Agriculture
the middle, and Q is at 12th position counting Q 94. Which of the following is a function of Central Bank?
from the right. How many chairs are there (A) Manage the Repo-rate
between p and Q? (B) Lending to Commercial Bank
(A) 4 (B) 5 (C) Bank facilities to Government
(C) 3 (D) 2 (D) All of the above
Q 86. If C is brother of B, B is son of A, D is father of C Q 95. Which of the following is not associated with
and A is female, then A is Australia Continent?
(A) Sister of D (B) Husband of D (A) Eyr Lake (B) Nallarbar Plain
(C) Wife of D (D) Mother of D (C) Salwin Mountain (D) Salvin Valley
Q 87. The Vernacular Press Act allowed Q 96. The script written on Ashoka's Pillars is
(A) Confiscation of the assets of the newspaper (A) Brahmi (B) Samaritan
if the newspapers published anything that (C) Pali (D) Sanskrit
was found objectionable Q 97. Who is the Prime Minister of Italy as of 2024?
(B) Confiscation of the printing press if the (A) Emma Bonino (B) Rosy Bindi
newspapers published anything that was (C) Laura Boldrini (D) Giorgia Meloni
not found to be objectionable Q 98. When did Macaulay issue his famous minute
(C) Confiscation of the printing press if the on Indian Education?
newspapers published anything that was (A) 12 February 1835 (B) 12 February 1836
found objectionable (C) 02 February 1835 (D) 01 February 1835
(D) More than one of the above Q 99. What is the unit of measure of magnetic field?
Q 88. Average height of snow-line in Uttar Pradesh is (A) Cobalt (B) Ampere
(A) 6500 m (B) 7500 m (C) Ohm (D) Tesla
(C) 5500 m (D) 4500 m Q 100. Which field game is most popular in the world?
Q 89. All India Trade Union Congress was formed in (A) Hockey (B) Volleyball
the year (C) Soccer (Football) (D) Cricket
(A) 1920 Q 101. What is the system of governance in the
(B) 1919 Panchayat Raj set-up ?
(C) 1918 (A) Three tier structure of local self government
(D) More than one of the above at the village, block and district levels
Q 90. During the Delhi Sultanate, the designation (B) Four tier system of local self government at the
‘Muqaddam or Chaudhuri’ was used for village, block, district and in the State levels
(A) Village headmen (B) Village accountant (C) Two tier system of local self government at
(C) Revenue officials (D) None of the above the village and block levels
Q 91. In which district of Bihar the for is produced highest? (D) Single tier structure of local self
(A) Vaishali (B) Muzaffarpur government at the village level
(C) Patna (D) Madhubani Q 102. Which of the followingis not associated with
Q 92. Light weight bullet proof helmets and jackets Chandragupta Maurya ?
use which of the following fibres for their (A) Susima
production? (B) Sanchi
(A) Terylene (B) Nylon (C) Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman
(C) Kevlar (D) None of the above (D) Vishnugupta
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Q 103. In 33rd Olympic which game is not included ? Q 112. One of the properties associated with X-rays is
(A) Triathlon (B) Modern Pentathlon that they can be deflected by
(C) Fencing (D) Cricket (A) Both electric and magnetic fields together
Q 104. Which newspaper wrote the following (B) Electric fields only
about the possible future role of the Indian (C) Magnetic fields only
National Congress: ‘...is the nucleus of a future (D) None of the above
Parliament of our country and will lead to Q 113. Amarkantak source place of Son river is situated at
(A) Rajmahal hills (B) Mahadeo hills
the good of inconceivable magnitude for our
(C) Makalu range (D) Maikal range
countrymen’? ... Q 114. The power of the Supreme Court of India to
(A) The Indian Mirror decide disputes between the Centre and the
(B) The New York Times State falls under its
(C) The Times of India (A) Appellate jurisdiction
(D) More than one of the above (B) Original jurisdiction
Q 105. Besides spreading Malaria, Anopheles (C) Advisory jurisdiction
mosquito’s are also vectors of (D) Constitutional jurisdiction
(A) Dengue and Filariasis Q 115. Dalmetian Coast is
(B) Dengue and Encephalitis (A) Intermontane (B) Foot-hills
(C) Encephalitis and Filariasis (C) Foot-hills of Karst (D) River depositional
(D) None of the above Q 116. Name the major city of the Indus valley
civilization that had trade with West Asia.
Q 106. Choose the odd pair among the following options.
(A) Ropar (B) Lothal
(A) Gobi: Mongolia (B) Kalahari: America (C) Kalibangan (D) None of the above
(C) Thar: India (D) Sahara: Africa Q 117. Who was re-elected as the President of France in 2022?
Q 107. Who introduced the permanent settlement in (A) Jean-Luc Mélenchon
Bengal? (B) Éric Zemmour
(A) Holt Mackengie (B) Lord Cornwallis (C) Marine Le Pen
(C) Warren Hastings (D) None of the above (D) Emmanuel Macron
Q 108. Who threw harmless bombs in the Central Q 118. The number of scientific payloads o Aditya L-1
Legislative Assembly ? mission for systematic study of Sun is
(A) Jatin Das (A) 9 (B) 6
(B) Batukeshwar Dutt (C) 7 (D) 5
(C) Bhagat Singh Q 119. Match List - I of social reformers with List II of
their societies and choose answer from the
(D) More than one of the above
code given below:
Q 109. Blood group of an individual is determined by List - I List -II
(A) Presence of Haemoglobin a. Brahma Samaj i. Vishnu Shastri Pandit
(B) Combination of WBC and RBC b. Ramkrishna ii. Swami Vivekananda
(C) Shape of RBC Mission
(D) None of the above c. Servants of India iii. Raja Rammohan Roy
Q 110. NNP at factor cost is equal to Society
(A) GNP at factor cost - Net indirect tax d. Vidhwa Vivah iv. Gopal Krishna Samaj
(B) GNP at Market Price Gokhale
(C) Disposable Personal Income Code:
(D) National Income a b c d
Q 111. Who was the President of the Indian National (A) iii i ii iv
Congress at the Gaya Session of 1922 ? (B) iii ii iv i
(A) Mahatma Gandhi (B) Hakim Ajmal Khan (C) iii ii i iv
(C) Chittaranjan Das (D) None of the above (D) None of the above
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Q 120. Legally stipulated maximum size beyond which Q 128. Which of the following seed is used in
no individual farmer can hold any land is production of engineered diamonds?
(A) Land consolidation (A) Moissanite
(B) Land ceiling (B) White sapphire
(C) Abolition of intermediaries (C) Graphite
(D) Tenancy reforms (D) Cubic Zirconia
Q 121. Minimum age for M.P. (Lower house M.P. Q 129. In which city was the G20 Summit 2023 held
(Upper house) and President is in India?
(A) 25, 30 and 35 (A) Bangalore
(B) 25, 35 and 45 (B) Hyderabad
(C) 25, 30 and 30 (C) Mumbai
(D) 25, 35 and 35 (D) New Delhi
Q 122. Which of the following is responsible for Q 130. Match the List - I of authors with List II of the
production of shadow? books on 1857 and choose answers from the
(A) Polarisation code given below:
(B) Rectilinear propagation of light List-I List-II
(C) Diffraction a. V. D. Savarkar i.  The First War of
(D) Interference Independence
Q 123. Bihar produces 71 percent of Indi annual b. S. N. Sen ii. The Peasant and the Raj
production of which of these c. Eric Stokes iii. Civil Rebellion and in the
(A) Pineapple Indian Mutinies
d. S. B. Chaudhuri iv. Eighteen Fifty-Seven
(B) Orange
(C) Lychee Code:
(D) Mango a b c d
Q 124. When was the Bihar State formed? (A) iv ii i iii
(A) 1915 (B) ii iii i iv
(B) 1911 (C) i iv ii iii
(C) 1906
(D) None of the above
(D) None of the above
Q 125. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution Q 131. In which district of Bihar, wheat crop production
the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) is is maximum?
necessary to be laid before the Parliament? (A) Jahanabad
(A) Article 113 (B) Bhojpur
(B) Article 114 (C) Rohtas
(C) Article 112 (D) Patna
(D) Article 111 Q 132. Who is the current Chairman of the Indian
Q 126. Amid the distributaries of which river is situated Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ?
Divi Island? (A) G. Madhavan Nair
(A) Mahananda (B) U. R. Rao
(B) Vimasadhara (C) S. Somnath
(C) Godavari (D) K. Sivan
(D) Krishna Q 133. The expanded form of UPI is
Q 127. CIRCLE is related to RICELC in the same way (A) Uninterrupted Payment Initiation
SQUARE is related to (B) Uniform Payment Inception
(A) UQSERA (B) UQSARE (C) Unified Payment Interface
(C) ERAUQS (D) AREUQS (D) United Payment Initiation
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Q 134. Which of the following State was not annexed Q 141. Match List - I of Pre-Congress organisations
under Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse ? with List - II of their leaders and choose answer
(A) Nagpur from the codes given below :
(B) Jaipur List - I List - II
(C) Sambhalpur a. Indian Association i. Dadabhai Naoroji
(D) Satara b. Madras Mahajan Sabha ii. M. Viraraghavachariar
Q 135. An electron of mass M kg and charge e coulomb c. Bombay Presidency
travels from rest through a potential difference Association iii. Justice Ranade
d. Poona Sarvjanik Sabha iv. Surendranath Banerjee
of V volts. The final energy in joules would be
Code:
(A) ev
a b c d
(B) (A) ii i iii iv
(c) (B) iv ii i iii
(D) MeV (C) i ii iv iii
Q 136. The Parliament can make any law for the (D) None of the above
whole or any part of India for implementing Q 142. When antigens are introduced in the body
international treaties through vaccination antibodies are produced
(A) With the consent of all States to fight off infection
(B) With the consent of the majority of States (A) By both B and T cells
(C) With the consent of States concerned (B) By only B cells
(D) Without the consent of any State (C) By only T cells
Q 137. Who among the following is not associated (D) None of the above
with Azad Hind Fauz (INA)? Q 143. Renewable Energy means
(A) S. A. Dange 1. Electricity produced from solar
(B) Prem Singh Sehgal 2. Electricity produced from thermal plants
(C) Shahnawaz Khan 3. Electricity produced from coal
(D) General Mohan Singh 4. Electricity produced from wind
Q 138. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023? Choose the correct answer from the options
(A) Abiy Ahmed given below:
(B) Nadia Murad (A) 1 and 4 only
(C) Narges Mohammadi (B) 1, 3 and 4 only
(D) Maria Ressa (C) 1, 2 and 3 only
Q 139. Kashmir Valley is which type of Valley? (D) 1 and 3 only
(A) Rift Q 144. The temple at Deogarh near Jhansi and the
(B) Blind sculptures in the temple at Garhwa near
(C) Erosional Allahabad are important remains of
(D) Tectonic (A) Rashtrakuta art
Q 140. Raj travelled from a point X straight to Y at a (B) Gupta art
distance of 80 metres. He turned right and (C) Maurya art
walked 50 metres, then again turned right (D) None of the above
and walked 70 metres. Finally, he turned right Q 145. Under the Government of India Act 1935,
and walked 50 metres. How far is he from the who was the first elected Chairman of Bihar
starting point ? Legislative Council ?
(A) 30 metres (A) Rai Bahadur Satish Chandra
(B) 45 metres (B) Rajiv Ranjan Sinha
(C) 20 metres (C) Rajendra Prasad
(D) 10 metres (D) More than one of the above
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Q 146. Name of first 3d printed humanoid robot in Q 148. Which is the oil refinery having maximum
India is capacity in India?
(A) Indro (B) Robcop (A) Barauni (B) Mathura
(C) Mitra (D) Manav (C) Trombay (D) Koyali
Q 149. Which of the following Sufi Silsilah was founded
Q 147. A British Citizen staying in India can not claim in Bihar?
right to (A) Quaderia (B) Firdousia
(A) Freedom of religion (C) Qalandhar (D) Kubriya
(B) Protection of life and personal liberty Q 150. Which of the following vitamins are water soluble?
(C) Freedom of trade and profession (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin D
(D) Equality before law (C) Vitamin K (D) None of these

Answer Key

1. A 16. B 31. B 46. A 61. D 76. C 91. D 106. B 121. A 136. D

2. C 17. B 32. A 47. D 62. D 77. A 92. C 107. B 122. B 137. A
3. B 18. D 33. × 48. A 63. C 78. D 93. D 108. D 123. C 138. C
4. C 19. A 34. A 49. C 64. A 79. B 94. D 109. D 124. D 139. C
5. × 20. C 35. A 50. C 65. A 80. C 95. D 110. D 125. C 140. D
6. D 21. C 36. C 51. D 66. D 81. C 96. A 111. C 126. D 141. B
7. B 22. D 37. A 52. C 67. B 82. × 97. D 112. D 127. A 142. B
8. D 23. C 38. C 53. D 68. A 83. B 98. C 113. D 128. C 143. A
9. C 24. D 39. C 54. A 69. C 84. A 99. D 114. B 129. D 144. B
10. D 25. A 40. C 55. C 70. B 85. C 100. C 115. C 130. C 145. B
11. A 26. A 41. C 56. C 71. A 86. C 101. A 116. B 131. C 146. D
12. D 27. D 42. A 57. B 72. B 87. D 102. B 117. D 132. C 147. C
13. A 28. A 43. A 58. D 73. B 88. × 103. D 118. C 133. C 148. D
14. A 29. C 44. D 59. D 74. C 89. A 104. A 119. B 134. B 149. B
15. A 30. D 45. A 60. D 75. B 90. A 105. C 120. B 135. A 150. D

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 Practice work

Current Affairs MCQs

Q 1. Who has been appointed as the 42nd Governor Q 9. In which district of Bihar Panthapakar (Doli
of Bihar? Sthan) is located, which was in the news
(A) Arif Mohammad Khan recently?
(B) Fagu Chauhan (A) Patna (B) Nawada
(C) Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (C) Darbhanga (D) Sitamarhi
(D) Lal Ji Tandon Q 10. Which player recently won the title in the
Q 2. Who has been awarded the ‘All India Acharya Under-18 boys singles event of the All India
Ramchandra Shukla Critics Award’ for the year AITA Tennis Championship Series?
2022? (A) Arjun Singh (B) Vaibhav Singh
(A) Dr. Namvar Singh (C) Rohit Verma (D) Aditya Yadav
(B) Dr. Ashok Vajpayee Q 11. Which player from Bihar won the gold medal
(C) Dr. Uday Narayan Singh in the Under-19 Taekwondo competition of the
(D) Dr. Arun Kumar Bhagat 68th National School Games 2024-25?
Q 3. Which state’s team got first place in the girl’s (A) Sneha S Kumar (B) Priya Singh
category in the 68th National School Games (C) Rachna Kumari (D) Shreyashi Singh
Rugby (Under-19) competition? Q 12. Which Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
(A) Maharashtra (B) Odisha was recently commemorated?
(C) Bihar (D) Jharkhand (A) 355th (B) 356th
Q 4. In which district of Bihar was the National (C) 357th (D) 358th
Khelo India Women’s Kho-Kho League, 2024 Q 13. In which city of Bihar, free Wi-Fi facility will be
organised? provided at 15 major public places?
(A) Patna (B) Muzaffarpur (A) Patna (B) Muzaffarpur
(C) Gopalganj (D) Bhagalpur (C) Bhagalpur (D) Hajipur
Q 5. Who inaugurated the ‘Inter IIT Cultural Meet Q 14. In which district of Bihar Luv-Kush Park will be
7.0’ at the Indian Institute of Technology, constructed?
Patna, Bihta? (A) Sitamarhi (B) West Champaran
(A) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (C) East Champaran (D) Darbhanga
(B) Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha Q 15. In which city of Bihar has the Buddha Samyak
(C) President Draupadi Murmu Darshan Museum-cum-Memorial Stupa been
(D) Prime Minister Narendra Modi built?
Q 6. How much amount has been approved by (A) Rajgir (B) Went
the Bihar government for payment of dues to (C) Patna (D) Vaishali
sugarcane farmers? Q 16. Who was recently awarded the prestigious
(A) Rs. 25 crore (B) Rs. 52 crore medical award ‘IMA Dr. Ketan Desai Award’:
(C) Rs. 75 crore (D) Rs. 100 crore (A) Dr. Sahajanand Prasad Singh
Q 7. How much has the Bihar government directed (B) Dr. Ashok Chowdhary
the price of sugarcane to be increased per (C) Dr. Pawan Kumar
quintal? (D) Dr. Arun Singh
(A) Rs. 27 (B) Rs. 40 Q 17. Who was the founder secretary of Mahavir
(C) Rs. 45 (D) Rs. 20 Mandir Nyas Samiti who passed away recently?
Q 8. The Bihar government has decided to restart (A) Acharya Ayodhya Singh
the Riga sugar mill located in which district? (B) Acharya Kishore Kunal
(A) Saran (B) Bhagalpur (C) Acharya Rajendra Singh
(C) Sitamarhi (D) Gopalganj (D) Acharya Kishore Narayan
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Q 18. Who has recently been awarded IMA’s Q 27. Who recently administered the oath to the
“Women for Best Social Activity Award”? newly appointed Governor Arif Mohammad
(A) Dr. Rashmi Sharma (B) Dr. Veena Singh Khan in Bihar?
(C) Dr. Preeti Gupta (D) Dr. Anshu Verma (A) Justice K. Vinod Chandran
Q 19. According to ‘India Forest Status Report-2023’, (B) Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna
what is the position of Valmiki Tiger Reserve in (C) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
the incident of fire in the tiger reserves of the (D) President Draupadi Murmu
country? Q 28. Who among the following was presented with
(A) First (B) Second the Prime Minister’s National Children’s Award
(C) Third (D) Fourth for exceptional achievements by President
Q 20. Which position did Bihar state get in the Khelo Draupadi Murmu?
India Inter Zonal Women’s Kho-Kho League 1. Anjali Kumari
(Junior and Sub Junior)? 2. Saurabh Kumar
(A) Third (B) Fourth 3. Swati Kumari
(C) Fifth (D) Seventh 4. Goldie Kumari
Q 21. Who won the title of Miss Bihar 2024 held in Patna? Select the correct answer using the code given
below.
(A) Neha Kumari (B) Aishwarya
(A) 1 and 2 only (B) 1 and 3 only
(C) Sakshi Sharma (D) Priya Singh (C) 2 and 4 only (D) 2 and 3 only
Q 22. Which state won the title of Asmita Khelo India Q 29. Recently, the Department of Environmental
Inter Zonal Women’s Kho-Kho League (Junior and Science of South Bihar Central University has
Sub Junior) played at Minz Stadium in Gopalganj? received a grant of how much amount under
(A) Bihar (B) Maharashtra the Science and Technology Infrastructure
(C) Karnataka (D) Tamil Nadu Improvement Scheme?
Q 23. Which medal Jameel Ahmed of Bihar won in (A) 1.10 Crore (B) 2.10 Crore
the National Lawn Bowls Championship held in (C) 3.20 Crore (D) 2.40 Crore
Delhi? Q 30. Recently, during his Pragati Yatra, Chief Minister
(A) Gold Medal (B) Silver Medal Shri Nitish Kumar approved schemes worth
(C) Bronze Medal (D) None of the above how much rupees to Muzaffarpur district?
Q 24. Where will Bihar’s first bone bank be built? (A) 350 crore 30 lakh (B) 451 crore 40 lakh
(A) PMCH, Patna (C) 500 crore 20 lakh (D) 420 crore 10 lakh
(B) LNJP Hospital, Patna Q 31. The Nahar Group has announced plans to
(C) IGIMS, Patna establish a logistics park in Bihar. What is the
(D) NMCH, Patna total area allocated for this project?
Q 25. In which sport did Akash Kumar of Bihar win (A) 1 million sq ft (B) 2 million sq ft
the Silver medal in the 35th Senior National (C) 3 million sq ft (D) 5 million sq ft
Championship? Q 32. How much amount has been sanctioned by
(A) Shooting (B) Fencing the Tourism Department of Bihar for the
(C) Archery (D) Javelin Throw redevelopment of Sitakund in Chakia block?
Q 26. Who recently launched the Disaster Risk (A) 1050.95 lakhs (B) 1520.96 lakhs
Reduction Calendar and Table Calendar 2025 (C) 1310.44 lakhs (D) 1275. 55 lakhs
published by Bihar State Disaster Management Q 33. How many medals were won by players of
Authority? Bihar in the 34th National Strength Lifting
(A) Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Competition?
(B) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (A) 5 (B) 7
(C) Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary (C) 10 (D) 12
(D) None of the above Q 34. In the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate Group
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(Under-16) Cricket Competition, Bihar clinched mission for the demonstration of in-space
docking using two small spacecraft launched
the title by defeating which state?
by GSLV.
(A) Assam (B) Tripura
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
(C) Jharkhand (D) Mizoram (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
Q 35. Where will the Women’s World Cup Kabaddi (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
Championship be held in March 2025? Q 43. Which of the following statements is/are
(A) Bhagalpur (B) Patna correct regarding the National Human Right
(C) Gaya (D) Rajgir Commission (NHRC)?
Q 36. Which historic division of the Indian Railways 1. The President appoints the chairperson and
network has completed 100 years on January members of the NHRC on the recommendations
1, 2025? of a six-member committee.
(A) Danapur Division (B) Lucknow Division 2. V Ramasubramanian was appointed as the
(C) Gorakhpur Division (D) Jabalpur Division 33rd chairperson of National Human Right
Commission.
Q 37. In which district of Bihar, the target has been
Select the correct answer using the code given
set to build an International Sports Institute by
below:
March 2026? (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(A) Gaya (B) Nalanda (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
(C) Bhagalpur (D) Patna Q 44. Consider the following statements regarding
Q 38. Who recently released the book ‘Sadan me the Youth Co:Lab 2025:
Sushil Modi’ written by former Union Minister 1. It was introduced in India in 2019 through
Dr. Sanjay Paswan? a partnership with Atal Innovation Mission
(A) Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and UNEP.
(B) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar 2. It aims to support 30-35 early-stage startups with
(C) Prime Minister Narendra Modi a springboard program, offering seed grants to
(D) President Smt. Draupadi Murmu top performers for scaling their activities.
Q 39. Recently, it has been decided to establish the Which of the above statements is/are
first Gharial Sanctuary of Bihar in which district? incorrect?
(A) Bhagalpur (B) Patna (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(C) Araria (D) Gopalganj (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
Q 40. In which district of Bihar was the ‘National FIDE Q 45. Consider the following statements regarding the
Rating Chess Competition’ organised in January National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC):
2025? 1. It is developed by the Ministry of Ports,
(A) Sitamarhi (B) Muzaffarpur Shipping and Waterways in collaboration
(C) Patna (D) Bhagalpur with the Ministry of Labour and Employment
Q 41. Which organization released the “State Finances: and Youth Affairs.
2. It is being built in Lothal, Gujarat..
A Study of Budgets of 2024-25” report?
(A) Ministry of Finance Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
(B) Reserve Bank of India (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(C) Finance Commission (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
(D) National Statistical Office Q 46. In which art form was the extinct dodo recently
Q 42. Consider the following statements regarding recreated, 343 years after its extinction?
SpaDeX Mission: (A) Papier-mâché
1. Recently, India has become the second (B) Madhubani paintings
country in the world to achieve advanced (C) Warli paintings
space docking technology. (D) Dhokra Metal Craft
2. It is a cost effective technology demonstrator Q 47. Which states had the highest number of polling
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stations during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections ? of India which provides a single destination
for buyers and investors.
(A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Bihar
(C) West Bengal (D) Maharashtra Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Q 48. According to the Economic Advisory Council (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
to the Prime Minister, what is the estimated (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
migrant population for 2023?
(A) 40.25 crore (B) 40.23 crore Q 53. Which of the following statements is correct
regarding the Human Metapnuemovirus ?
(C) 50 crore (D) 40.20 crore
1. It is one of several respiratory viruses that
Q 49. Consider the following statements regarding can affect people of all ages, particularly in
the Denmark Strait Cataract: winter and early spring.
1. It is a submarine waterfall located in the 2. The outbreak of this virus is seen for the
underwater passage between Iceland and first time in China.
Greenland..
2. It is the largest underwater waterfall in the Select the correct answer using the code given
world. below:
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
Q 50. Consider the following statements regarding Q 54. Consider the following statements regarding
the Global Plastic Treaty: the Project VISTAAR:
1. According to this treaty, India contributes 1. It is a digital solution created by
fifth of global plastic pollution. consolidating information on start-ups
2. It was adopted at the 5th UN within the agriculture and allied sectors.
Intergovernmental Negotiating (INC-5) 2. It is a collaborative initiative between IIT
meeting in Busan, South Korea. Kanpur and the Ministry of Agriculture and
Which of the above statements is/are correct ? Farmers’ Welfare to enhance agricultural
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2 extension services
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Q 51. Consider the following statements regarding (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
the LEADS Report 2024: (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
1. It is released by the Reserve bank of India, Q 55. India’s first coastal and wader birds census has
assessing logistics performance across been conducted in which state?
Indian states and Union Territories. (A) Rajasthan (B) Andhra Pradesh
2. Bihar is included as one of the fast movers (C) Gujarat (D) Odisha
state in the land locked category.
3. Gujarat has been ranked in the topmost Q 56. Consider the following statements regarding
Achievers category consecutively for three the BHARATPOL portal:
years.
1. It was developed by the Central Bureau of
Which of the above statements is/are correct? Investigation (CBI) and aims to enhance
(A) Only 2 (B) Only 1 and 3 international cooperation in criminal cases.
2. It was launched by the Ministry of Personnel,
(C) Only 2 and 3 (D) None of the above
Pension & Public Grievances marking the
Q 52. Consider the following statements regarding
beginning of global investigation.
the Banknet Portal:
1. It is an e-auction portal that consolidates Which of the above statements is/are correct?
details of all properties put up for e-auction (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
by private sector banks. (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
2. This portal is launched by the Reserve Bank Q 57. Which of the following statements is correct
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 Practice work

regarding the Artesian condition ? the INS Vaghsheer:

(A) It occurs when water is trapped under 1. It is the fifth submarine of the Scorpene-
low pressure between impermeable rock class built under Project 75.
layers. 2. It is recognized as the quietest submarine in
(B) They are characterized by water being the world.
trapped under high pressure between Which of the above statements is/are correct?
permeable rock layers. (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(C) It forms only in desert regions with (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
sufficient rainfall. Q 63. Consider the following pairs:
(D) It results from the absence of water (Craft) (States)
beneath the earth’s surface. 1. Etikoppaka toys : Andhra Pradesh
Q 58. Consider the following statements regarding 2. Pochampally Ikat on
Sonobuoy: a pencil pouch : Kerala
1. India and Russia have decided to co- 3. Kanchipuram silk as
produce sonobuoys for Undersea Domain a pouch : Karnataka
Awareness (UDA). 4. Kalamkari on bamboo : Andhra Pradesh
2. The main function of this system is to detect Which of the above pair/s is/are correctly
submarines and underwater threats. matched?
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2 (C) 1 and 4 only (D) All of the above
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
Q 59. Consider the following statements regarding Q 64. Consider the following statements regarding
the Wideband Spectrum-Sensing Technology:
the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules 2025:
1. It is established under the Right to 1. It aims to make broadband and mobile
Information Act, 2005 to regulate personal services affordable, helping bridge India’s
data processing by data fiduciaries. digital divide across India.
2. It appoints a Data Protection Officer (DPO) 2. This initiative is signed under the Ministry
for compliance with data security and of Electronics and Information Technology
privacy standards. and Government of India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct? Which of the above statements is/are
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2 incorrect?
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
Q 60. In which state the Kappad beach and Chal (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
beach is located, which has been bestowed
Blue Flag Certification status? Q 65. Consider the following statements regarding
the Nag Mark 2 anti-tank guided missile:
(A) Tamil Nadu (B) Karnataka
(C) Andhra Pradesh (D) Kerala 1. It is an indigenously developed, third-
Q 61. The Silver Notice was launched as part of generation Anti-Tank Fire and Forget guided
a pilot project with several countries. Who missile by DRDO.
2. Its introduction will bolster the Indian
introduced this notice to promote international
Army’s capacity to tackle emerging armor
collaboration in recovering criminal assets?
threats, especially along the borders.
(A) World Bank
(B) Central Bureau of Investigation Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(C) European Union (A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(D) Interpol (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
Q 62. Consider the following statements regarding Q 66. Consider the following statements regarding
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 Practice work

the EmpowHER Biz: Naksha Scheme:

1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Women
and Child development to provide financial 1. This initiative is launched by the Department
assistance to women entrepreneurs. of Land Resources.
2. A total of fifty participants, aged between 2. It aims to create digitized land records and
18 and 35, will be selected through an updated maps for urban habitats across
online application process. India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct? Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above
Q 67. Consider the following statements regarding
Q 72. What is the rank of India in the recently released
the Genome India Project:
Travel and Tourism Development Index, 2024?
1. This initiative is launched in 2020 and funded
by the Department of Biotechnology. (A) 36 (B) 37
2. It aims to decode the genetic diversity (C) 38 (D) 39
of India’s population through large scale Q 73. Recently, Masali Village has become India’s
genome sequencing. first solar-powered border village. In which
Which of the above statements is/are correct? state this village is located?
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2 (A) Rajasthan (B) Haryana
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above (C) Gujarat (D) Maharashtra
Q 68. Consider the following statements regarding
the National Turmeric Board: Q 74. Which one of the following Space Agency
1. The headquarters of the National Turmeric launched the Parker Solar Probe, which was
Board is located in Hyderabad. recently in News, to make observations of the
2. India is the largest producer, consumer and Sun’s upper atmosphere Corona?
exporter of turmeric in the world (A) European Space Agency
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (B) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2 (C) Indian Space Research Organisation
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above (D) National Aeronautics and Space
Q 69. Consider the following statements regarding Administration
the Mission Mausam:
1. This initiative is released by the Ministry of Q 75. Recently, RBI has constituted a committee to
Environment, Forest and Climate Change. develop a framework on ethical use of Artificial
2. The government has launched this mission Intelligence (AI) in the Financial Sector ,this
to celebrate the 100th foundation day of committee was led by:
the Indian Meteorological Department. (A) B. Ravindran (B) Debjani Ghosh
Which of the above statements is/are correct ? (C) Suvendu Pati (D) P. Bhattacharyya
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2 Q 76. Which one of the following companies
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above has launched its latest quantum processor
Q 70. Consider the following statements regarding “Willow”?
the Forest Right Act 2006:
(A) C-DAC (B) Google
1. This act is implemented by the Ministry of
(C) Microsoft (D) IBM
Tribal Affair.
2. It directs the state to provide the detailed Q 77. What percentage of the prison population in
information of villages within Tiger Reserve. NCRB Report 2022 is represented by Scheduled
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? Castes?
(A) Only 1 (B) Only 2 (A) 18.7% (B) 22.4%
(C) Both 1 and 2 (D) None of the above (C) 27.6% (D) 19.8%
Q 71. Consider the following statements regarding Q 78. Recently, the Ministry of Communication
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 Practice work

launched Sanchar Saathi App. to fortify established at which places?

telecom security and it enables the citizens to (A) Madras, Tamil Nadu
search for the presence of any ISP across the (B) Bangalore, Karnataka
length and breadth of the country. What does (C) Patna, Bihar
“S” stands for the term ISP? (D) Bombay, Maharashtra.
(A) Secure (B) Series Q 86. The Kerch strait connects which of the water
(C) Service (D) Synergy bodies?
Q 79. In December 2024, the Indian Space Research (A) Indian Ocean and Pacific ocean
Organisation sent a seed to space as part of its (B) Sea of Azov and Black sea.
Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant (C) Atlantic ocean and pacific ocean.
Studies (CROPS), and it has germinated .What (D) Aegean sea and Black sea.
is the name of the seed? Q 87. What do you understand about the
(A) Vaidya (B) Aushadhi Bhargavastra?
(C) Sophia (D) Lobia (A) A micro-missile system.
Q 80. What is ‘AnemiaPhone’, recently seen in the news? (B) A bacteria found in curd.
(A) A technology to track TB(Tuberculosis). (C) A heavy weight drone system.
(B) A technology to track and detect Anemia. (D) None of the above.
(C) Both of the above Q 88. Which foundation day of Patna College was
(D) None of the above celebrated on January 9, 2025?
Q 81. The Makaravilakku festival is celebrated in (A) 150th (B) 160th
which state? (C) 165th (D) 163rd
(A) Bihar (B) Kerala. Q 89. In which district of Bihar, a large industrial park
(C) Jharkhand. (D) All of the Above. will be built on 1,293 acres of land along the
Q 82. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is Amas-Darbhanga Road?
regulated under which department/ministry? (A) Vaishali (B) Sitamarhi
(A) Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T). (C) Patna (D) Darbhanga
(B) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Q 90. In how many blocks of the state, one school
(C) Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), each will be selected for setting up ‘Poshan
directly under the PMO. Vatika’ in the first phase through the MNREGA
(D) Ministry of Commerce and Industry scheme by the Rural Development Department
(MoC&I). of the Government of Bihar?
Q 83. The Global Cooperation Barometer Report is (A) 520 (B) 534
released by which organization? (C) 243 (D) 177
(A) The World Economic Forum (WEF) Q 91. Which player from Bihar has won the bronze
(B) The world Meteorological Organization medal in the individual event in the 19th Cadet
(WMO) (Under-17) National Fencing Competition?
(C) The ministry of Cooperation, India. (A) Mukesh Kumar (B) Ravi Kumar Yadav
(D) None of the above. (C) Abhijeet Singh (D) Ravi Gupta
Q 84. Why is the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas celebrated Q 92. Recently, who has become the first person from
on 9th Jan every year? Bihar to get citizenship under the Citizenship
(A) To mark the Viksit Bharat Goal of 2047. Amendment Act (CAA), 2019?
(B) To mark Gandhi’s arrival in India from (A) Sumitra Saha Prasad
South Africa. (B) Rashmi Gupta
(C) To celebrate India’s global leadership. (C) Sonali Kumari
(D) All of the above. (D) Manmohan Prasad
Q 85. Asia’s largest shallow wave facility has been Q 93. Which medal has been won by the pair of
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 Practice work

Aditya Gupta and Ritam Chawla of Bihar in the the following seas?
National Ranking Pickleball Championship? (A) Black Sea
(A) Bronze Medal (B) Silver Medal (B) Red Sea
(C) Gold Medal (D) No Medal (C) South China Sea
(D) Yellow Sea
Q 94. How many gold medals were won by Anju Q 98. Recently, ‘World Audio Visual Entertainment
Kumari of Bihar in individual events in the Summit’ (WAVES) was hosted by which of the
recently held South Asian Masters Athletics following countries?
Championship in Mangalore, Karnataka? (A) India
(A) Three (B) Four (B) Japan
(C) Five (D) Two (C) France
Q 95. Recently, ‘Travel and Tourism Development (D) China
Report’ was released by which of the following Q 99. ‘Trevi Fountain’ is located in which of the
institutions? following countries?
(A) World Economic Forum (A) Italy
(B) World Bank (B) France
(C) NITI Aayog (C) UK
(D) IMF (D) Germany
Q 96. Recently, ‘National Turmic Board’ is operated Q 100. Rooppur nuclear power plant is located in
by which of the following ministries? which of the following countries?
(A) Ministry of Commerce (A) Bangladesh
(B) Ministry of Agriculture (B) India
(C) Ministry of Rural Development (C) Nepal
(D) None of the above (D) Bhutan
Q 97. Recently, ‘Kerch Strait’ is located in which of

Answer Key
1. A 11. A 21. B 31. A 41. B 51. C 61. D 71. C 81. B 91. B
2. D 12. D 22. B 32. C 42. D 52. D 62. B 72. D 82. C 92. A
3. C 13. A 23. C 33. C 43. C 53. A 63. C 73. C 83. A 93. C
4. C 14. B 24. B 34. B 44. A 54. C 64. B 74. D 84. B 94. B
5. B 15. D 25. B 35. D 45. A 55. C 65. B 75. D 85. A 95. A
6. B 16. A 26. B 36. A 46. A 56. A 66. B 76. B 86. B 96. A
7. D 17. B 27. A 37. D 47. A 57. B 67. C 77. B 87. A 97. A
8. C 18. B 28. C 38. A 48. D 58. B 68. B 78. C 88. D 98. A
9. D 19. C 29. A 39. D 49. C 59. A 69. D 79. D 89. A 99. A
10. B 20. A 30. B 40. C 50. A 60. D 70. D 80. B 90. B 100. A

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