• 16 Jan 2026

PESA Act Implemented in Jharkhand After 25 Years

Why in News? 

Jharkhand has implemented  Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996 after 25 Years, making it one of the last Fifth Schedule states to do so. 

Key Points 

• PESA Act, 1996 – Objective: PESA was enacted to extend self-governance and democratic decentralisation to Scheduled Areas by empowering Gram Sabhas. 
  • Coverage: The notified rules apply fully in 13 districts and partially in 3 districts, covering major tribal-inhabited regions of Jharkhand. 
• Gram Sabha as Supreme Authority: The rules recognise the Gram Sabha as the most powerful institution in Scheduled Areas, responsible for decision-making related to village governance. 
  • Powers over Natural Resources: Gram Sabhas are empowered to manage community resources, including minor forest produce, small water bodies and minor minerals within village boundaries. 
  • Role in Social Regulation: Gram Sabhas are authorised to resolve local disputes, act against social evils, and impose limited penalties, reinforcing traditional justice mechanisms. 
• Administrative Role of District Authorities: The Deputy Commissioner will notify Gram Sabha boundaries, while district-level teams will prepare development plans in consultation with Gram Sabhas. 
• Government’s Stand: The state government describes the move as a historic step towards tribal self-rule, ensuring control over jal, jangal and zameen (water, forest and land). 

Read More: PESA Act, 1996 

Odisha Launches ‘Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’ Scheme for Early Childhood

Why in News? 

The Odisha government has launched a scheme called ‘Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’, aimed at providing early childhood education in mother tongue. 

Key Points 

• Scheme: ‘Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’ (meaning “We will study in our own language”) is a five-year educational initiative to impart early childhood education in children’s mother tongue. 
• Launch: The scheme was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also serves as the Women and Child Development Minister. 
  • Emphasising women’s empowerment and child welfare as a priority.  
  • Target Group: It will benefit children aged 3–6 years. 
• Pilot Implementation: In the first phase, the programme will be rolled out in Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts using tribal languages such as Munda, Kui, Saura, Kuvi, Gondi and Koya. 
• Anganwadi Capacity Building: Anganwadi workers will receive language-specific training, educational materials and audio-visual content. 
• Child Marriage Prevention: The government has also launched a 100-day campaign to prevent child marriage. 
  • The campaign will be driven by youth leadership, ASHA and Anganwadi workers. 
  • Focusing on awareness, safety and community participation through rallies, conferences and early warning systems. 
• NEP Alignment: The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, emphasising mother tongue-based learning in early years to strengthen learning outcomes and preserve linguistic identity.

• Constitutional Provisions:  
  • Article 350A: Directs the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups. 

Read More:  National Education Policy 2020, ASHA

GeM Excellence Event Held in Patna

Why in News? 

The Government e‑Marketplace (GeM) Excellence Event is being organised in Patna, Bihar in January 2026. 

Key Points 

• Purpose:  to connect local vendors, especially MSMEs, startups and self‑help groups, directly with the government procurement system. 
  • The programme enables Bihar’s local sellers to join the national government procurement ecosystem and expand their market reach. 
• Government e‑Marketplace (GeM): GeM is the government’s digital procurement platform, which facilitates transparent, efficient and inclusive procurement of goods and services by various government departments and agencies. 
• Opportunity for Growth: The event represents an opportunity for small and medium enterprises to increase their business, integrate with government buyers and contribute to local economic growth. 
• Significance for Public Procurement: Such events help strengthen the GeM ecosystem, encourage new vendors to join, and enhance transparency and competitiveness in public procurement processes.

Read More:  Government e‑Marketplace (GeM), MSMEs, Startups 

India’s first legged mobile manipulator developed with IIT Kanpur’s support

Why in News?

Researchers at IIT Kanpur unveiled SCORP (Four-legged Collaborative Robotic Platform), India's first indigenous legged mobile manipulator.

Key Points:

• SCORP: It is India’s first legged mobile manipulator, a cutting-edge robot combining the mobility of a quadruped (“robot dog”) platform with the versatility of a robotic arm (manipulator). 
• Development: It has been developed by an Indian startup called xTerra Robotics with assistance from IIT Kanpur marking a significant milestone in the country’s robotics capabilities. 
• Manipulation Capability:Along with locomotion, SCORP carries a robotic arm that can grasp tools, inspect objects, and interact with the environment, extending its usefulness beyond simple movement. 
• Indigenous Technology: Developed under the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Kanpur, the robot utilizes locally designed actuators and control systems, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. 
• Applications: SCORP is designed for high-risk environments such as disaster zones, industrial sites, tunnels, or areas unsafe for humans where its mobility and manipulation can reduce danger to human workers. 
  • Space Exploration: Future adaptations could serve as planetary rovers for exploring rocky lunar or Martian surfaces. 
• Significance: SCORP places India in an elite group of nations developing advanced legged robotics, reducing dependence on expensive imports. 

Read More: Atmanirbhar Bharat