• 26 Mar 2025

PM Modi's Visit to Mukhwa

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mukhwa, the winter abode of "Mother Ganga" in Uttarkashi district, has generated a positive atmosphere for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. 

Key Points 

• Char Dham Yatra refers to a pilgrimage of four holy sites Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath situated in the higher ranges of the Himalayas.  
• The annual Char Dham Yatra is scheduled to begin this year (2025) with the opening of the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in the Garhwal Himalayas on 30th April 2025.  
• It was for the first time that the prime minister came to Uttarakhand close to the start of the Char Dham Yatra.  
• Mukhba - Winter Shrine of Gangotri:  
  • This place is popular due to the fact that the idol of Goddess Ganga is brought down to Mukhba from the shrine of Gangotri in the Upper Himalayas and kept here throughout the winters as Gangotri becomes inaccessible due to heavy Snowfall.  
  • Every year on the auspicious occasion of Diwali the idol of Ganga is brought down to a temple in Mukhba with a procession of devotees and the Army band of Garhwal Rifles.  
  • Devotees can visit Mukhba as a part of Winter Char Dham as the Uttarakhand government has planned to open all the Char Dhams Shrine for winters also. Mukhba can also be covered during Char Dham Yatra as well. 

 

Char Dham Yatra 

• Yamunotri Dham: 
  • Location: Uttarkashi district. 
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Yamuna. 
  • River Yamuna is the second-most sacred river in India after River Ganga. 
• Gangotri Dham: 
  • Location: Uttarkashi district. 
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Ganga. 
  • Considered the most sacred of all Indian rivers. 
• Kedarnath Dham: 
  • Location: Rudraprayag district. 
  • Dedicated to: Lord Shiva. 
  • Situated on the bank of the Mandakini River. 
  • One of the 12 Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) in India. 
• Badrinath Dham: 
  • Location: Chamoli district. 
  • Home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple. 
  • Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu. 
  • One of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites. 

Haryana Budget 2025-26

Why in News? 

Haryana Chief Minister presented the state's budget for the financial year 2025-26, unveiling a comprehensive plan aimed at fostering sustainable growth and economic expansion.  

Key Points 

• Total Budget Outlay: The budget proposes an expenditure of ₹2,05,017.29 crore for 2025-26, marking a 13.7% increase from the previous fiscal year's (2024-25) revised estimates. 
  Department of Future: A new "Department of Future" will be established to prepare Haryana for upcoming economic, technological, and environmental challenges.  
  • This department will serve as a strategic think tank, focusing on areas such as climate change preparedness, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and economic resilience. 
• Haryana AI Mission: The government plans to launch the Haryana AI Mission, with the World Bank assuring assistance of over ₹474 crore.  
  • Under this mission, hubs will be established in Gurugram and Panchkula to promote AI adoption and integration of emerging technologies within governance and industry. 
• Lado Lakshmi Scheme: An allocation of ₹5,000 crore has been made for the Lado Lakshmi Scheme, which aims to provide ₹2,100 per month to women, reflecting the government's commitment to women's empowerment and financial support. 
• Employment Generation: The budget emphasizes job creation, with a target of providing employment to 50 lakh youth under Mission Haryana-2047, demonstrating a long-term vision for workforce development. 
• Substance Abuse Prevention: A new authority named SANKALP (Substance Abuse and Narcotics Knowledge Awareness and Liberation Program Authority) will be established with an initial fund of ₹10 crore.  
  • This body will coordinate efforts to combat drug addiction through awareness and rehabilitation initiatives. 
• Fiscal Prudence: Strengthening Haryana’s Financial Health Over the past decade, Haryana has demonstrated remarkable fiscal discipline.  
  • The revenue deficit has reduced from 1.90% of GDP in 2014-15 to an estimated 1.47 % in 2024-25, and as a percentage of the total budget.  
  • it has declined from 13.4% to 9.9%.  
  • Similarly, the fiscal deficit has been steadily managed, reducing from 2.88% in 2014-15 to 2.68% in 2024-25.  
• Support for Athletes: National and international athletes will receive free insurance coverage of up to ₹20 lakh, with the government covering the premium. 
  • Olympic medalists will be provided ₹10 lakh to start their own businesses and will be eligible for a ₹5 crore loan with a 2% subsidy to establish their own sports academies. 
• Infrastructure Development: Significant investments are planned for infrastructure, including the development of multi-level parking facilities in several cities and a new metro line in Gurugram.  
  • Flight services from Hisar airport to destinations like Ayodhya, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Jammu are also on the agenda. 
• Strengthening Agriculture And Rural Economy: Haryana being an agrarian state, the budget prioritises agricultural growth.  
  • Initiatives such as the interest-free loan of up to Rs 1 lakh for women dairy farmers, a new horticulture policy, and an air cargo facility for horticultural produce at Hisar airport will significantly enhance the agricultural value chain. 
  • Additionally, cow sanctuaries are being set up in every district to promote animal welfare and sustainable livestock farming. 
• Education Initiatives: Female students pursuing graduation or post-graduation in science and engineering will receive an annual scholarship of ₹1 lakh under the Kalpana Chawla Scholarship Scheme, promoting higher education among women in technical fields. 
• Empowering Startups: The state government is actively encouraging private investors to create a Rs 2,000 crore ‘Fund of Funds.’  
  • This initiative supports entrepreneurs, fostering a startup culture and attracting investments to Haryana. 
• Mission Haryana-2047:  A visionary initiative under this budget is ‘Mission Haryana-2047. It aims to elevate Haryana’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to USD 1 trillion.  
  • The state's GSDP has witnessed a remarkable increase from Rs 4,37,145 crore in 2014-15 to a projected Rs 12,13,951 crore in 2024-25, growing at an annual average rate of 10.8 per cent.  
  • Similarly, per capita income has surged from Rs 1,47,382 in 2014-15 to an estimated Rs 3,53,182 in 2024-25. 

Haryana Prepares for Rabi Crop Procurement

Why in News? 

Haryana Government has set an ambitious target of procuring 75 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of wheat for the Rabi marketing season 2025-26.  

• A cash credit limit of over ₹6,653 crore has already been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to facilitate procurement. 

Key Points: 

• Haryana is expecting a bumper wheat production this Rabi season, prompting the state government to enhance procurement arrangements. 
• The Chief Minister has instructed marketing board officials to construct large sheds in vacant areas of mandis to accommodate future needs. 
• The procurement responsibilities have been divided among different agencies: 
  • 30% by the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department 
  • 40% by HAFED (Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited) 
  • 20% by Haryana State Warehousing Corporation 
  • 10% by Food Corporation of India 
• Haryana contributes around 25% of the wheat to the central pool and ranks second in wheat production in India. 
• A total of 415 mandis will be operational for wheat procurement, 25 for barley, 11 for gram, 7 for lentils, 116 for mustard, and 17 for sunflower. 
• The minimum support prices (MSP) for various Rabi crops have been fixed as follows: 
  • Wheat: ₹2,425 per quintal 
  • Barley: ₹1,980 per quintal 
  • Gram: ₹5,650 per quintal 
  • Lentil: ₹6,700 per quintal 
  • Mustard: ₹5,950 per quintal 
  • Sunflower: ₹7,280 per quintal 
• The Chief Minister has instructed all deputy commissioners to form teams for monitoring the procurement process to ensure smooth and efficient operations. 

Minimum Support Price 

• About: 
  • MSP is the guaranteed amount paid to farmers when the government buys their produce. 
  • MSP is based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which considers various factors such as cost of production, demand and supply, market price trends, inter-crop price parity, etc. 
    • CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It came into existence in January 1965. 
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister of India takes the final decision (approve) on the level of MSPs. 
  • The MSP is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to growers for their produce and encouraging Crop Diversification. 

Free Water Connections for BPL Families in Jamshedpur

Why in News? 

The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) has announced a significant initiative to provide free water connections to families living below the poverty line (BPL) in Jamshedpur.  

• Additionally, these families will get a 50% discount on water tariffs, making water more accessible for economically weaker households. 

Key Points 

• Objective: This initiative aligns with the government's 'Har Ghar Swachh Jal' (Clean Water for Every Household) campaign, aiming to improve living standards and strengthen water management in the city. 
• Formation of Special Team: To ensure effective implementation, JNAC has established a five-member special team comprising officials such as the Special Officer, Assistant Engineer, Junior Engineer, Revenue Officer, and City Manager. This team is tasked with identifying eligible BPL families and facilitating their enrollment in the scheme. 
• Door-to-Door Identification: The special team will conduct door-to-door visits to identify and assist eligible BPL families, ensuring that the benefits reach the intended recipients. 
• Alleviate the Financial Burden: This development is expected to significantly alleviate the financial burden on low-income families by providing them with essential water services at reduced costs. 

Note: The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) was established by the Bihar Government's notification no. 6068 on 25 June, 1924. It serves as the civic body for Jamshedpur town and is recognized as the best in Jharkhand for maintaining cleanliness. 

Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana

Why in News 

The Jharkhand government has announced that under the Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana, women whose bank accounts are not linked with Aadhaar will still receive a lump sum payment of ₹7,500 for the months of January, February, and March 2025.  

Key Points 

• Temporary Provision: The provision permitting payments without Aadhaar linkage is temporary and will be valid only until March 2025.  
  • To continue receiving assistance beyond this period, beneficiaries must link their bank accounts with Aadhaar and ensure they have a single account. 
• Cabinet Approval: The Jharkhand state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, approved this amendment during a meeting where 18 proposals were sanctioned. 
• Beneficiary Statistics: Approximately 38 lakh women have already received the ₹7,500 payment for the first quarter of 2025. An additional 20 lakh women, whose bank accounts are not yet Aadhaar-linked or who possess multiple accounts, are slated to receive their payments by 31st March, 2025. 
• Future Compliance Requirement: To continue benefiting from the scheme after March 2025, recipients must ensure their bank accounts are linked with Aadhaar and that they operate a single bank account.  

 Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana  

The Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana is a welfare initiative launched by the Jharkhand government to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women in the state.  

Key Features of the Scheme: 

• Objective: 
  • The scheme aims to empower women by enhancing their financial independence and improving their quality of life.  
  • Beneficiaries are encouraged to ensure their bank accounts are linked with Aadhaar to facilitate seamless transfer of funds. 
• Monthly Financial Assistance:  
  • Beneficiaries receive ₹2,500 per month, totaling ₹30,000 annually. 
• Eligibility Criteria: 
  • Only women who are permanent residents of Jharkhand can avail the benefits of this scheme. 
  • The woman's age should not be less than 21 years and not more than 50 years. This age limit has been set to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach women who are in the working-age group. 
  • The benefits of this scheme will be available only to women whose family's annual income is less than ₹8 lakh. 
  • The name of the woman's family must be registered under the Jharkhand State Antyodaya Anna Yojana. Only women holding pink, yellow, white, and green ration cards are eligible to apply under this scheme. 
  • The bank account of the applying woman must be linked with Aadhaar. This will ensure that the scheme's amount is directly deposited into the beneficiary's account. 
• Application Process: 
  • Offline: Initially, applications were accepted offline through special camps organized at the panchayat level. 
  • Online: The government has introduced an online portal for applications. Interested women can apply by visiting the official website. 

Startup Ecosystem Report 2025

Why in News? 

According to the Startup Ecosystem Report-2025, Uttar Pradesh has ranked 3rd in the country's startup ecosystem, where 26 startups have achieved unicorn status.  

Key Points 

•  About: 
  • According to the report, Uttar Pradesh has made remarkable progress in its startup ecosystem . As a result, over 14,000 startups have emerged in the state.  
  • Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country where startups are active in  49 districts . 
  • Earlier, the centre of startups was only in big cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow and Kanpur, but now they are growing rapidly in smaller cities as well. 
• Top 10 Startup Hub Cities of Uttar Pradesh:   
  • Among the top 10 startup hub cities of Uttar Pradesh , Noida leads the list with 3418 startups , followed by Lucknow with 1789 , Ghaziabad with 1582 , and Kanpur with 586 startups. 
  • There are 406 startups active in Varanasi , 359 in Agra , 291 in Meerut , and 283 in Prayagraj . At the same time 201 startups are active in Gorakhpur and 177 in Bareilly.  
• Contribution of Uttar Pradesh to the Country: 
  • Uttar Pradesh contributes 9.6% of the total recognized startups in India. 
  • Despite lagging slightly behind Delhi (10%) and Karnataka (10.6%) , Uttar Pradesh's rapidly growing share could soon take it to the second spot. 

Unicorn 

• Introduction:  
  • A unicorn is any privately owned firm with a market capitalization of over  USD 1 billion. 
  • This reflects the emergence of new entities dedicated to offering  creative solutions and new business models, among other products/services . 
  • Its various categories include FinTech, EdTech, Business-to-Business (B2B) companies, etc.  
• features:  
  • Divisive Innovation: Almost all unicorns have brought innovation in the sector they belong to, for example ‘Uber’ has changed the face of commuting.  
  • Technology Driven: This business model is driven by the latest technological innovations and trends.  
  • Consumer-Centric: Their aim is to simplify tasks for consumers and become a part of their everyday lives.  
  • Private Ownership: Most unicorns are privately owned, their valuation increases further when an established company invests in them.  
  • Software-Based: A recent report shows that 87% of Unicorns’ products are software, 7% are hardware and the remaining 6% are other products and services. 

Bithoor Festival 2025

Why in News? 

Bithoor Mahotsav was organised in Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh from 21st to 23rd March, 2025. 

Key Points 

•  About:  
  • This festival is organised every year at  Bithoor, the historical and mythological place of Kanpur. 
  • The festival will showcase the glorious history of the Revolution of 1857 along with fascinating presentations of imagery, theatre, music, drama and various cultures. 
  • This year (2025) festival was based on the shared culture and historical heritage of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. 
• Role of Bithoor in the Revolution of 1857: 
  • Located in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, this town was deeply associated with the First War of Independence of 1857 . 
  • The Siege of Kanpur (5 - 25 June 1857) began near Bithoor Fort. Nana Saheb, the adopted son of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II, was exiled to Bithoor by the British. His fort became the headquarters of the rebellion's strategy. 
  • The prominent heroes of the freedom struggle, Nana Saheb, Ramchandra Pandurang and Tatya Tope started their struggle against British rule from Bithoor.  
  • On 19^th July 1857 , British General Havelock captured Bithoor. After this, the British set fire to the Bithoor fort, ghats and many temples.  
    • In this tragedy, Nana Saheb's 14-year-old daughter, Mainavati , was martyred by burning in the fire. In her memory, a road in Kanpur was named 'Mainavati Marg'. 

Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly to control and regulate coaching centres . 

Key Points 

• About: 
  • Objective:  
    • The aim of this bill is to curb the commercialization of coaching institutes, ensure student welfare and prevent the increasing incidents of student suicide. 
• Need:  
  • Every year lakhs of students in Rajasthan, especially in Kota , prepare for various competitive exams but due to excessive pressure, mental stress and fear of failure, incidents of suicide are increasing. 
• Key provisions
  • Compulsory registration: Registration of all coaching institutes has been made mandatory. Notably, coaching centres with 50 or more students will come under the legal ambit. 
  • Penalty provision: If a coaching centre violates the registration conditions, a penalty of Rs 2 lakh will be imposed for the first time and up to Rs 5 lakh for the second time. Repeated violations can lead to cancellation of registration.  
  • Establishment of Regulatory Authority: To effectively implement the new rules, 'Rajasthan Coaching Centre Control and Regulation Authority' will be formed. 
• Fee control: 
  • There will be a ban on arbitrary fee collection by coaching centres and the fees will be made reasonable and rational. 
  • It will be mandatory to provide receipts for all types of fee payments . 
  • If a student leaves the course midway, the remaining fee has to be refunded on a pro-rata basis within 10 days. 
  • Taking the entire fee in one go will be prohibited and students will be given the option to pay in at least four installments . 
• Prohibition on misleading advertisements:  
  • Advertisements that make false claims or guarantee higher rankings or points are prohibited. 
• Maximum class time limit:  
  • To reduce fatigue among students , the maximum duration of coaching classes has been fixed at 5 hours per day . Also, one day off in a week will be mandatory. 
• Counselling System:  
  • Keeping in mind the mental health of the students , provision has been made to develop a counselling system in the coaching centres. 
• Grievance Redressal Committee: A committee will be formed at the district level to redress the complaints of students, parents and teachers , which will provide a solution within 30 days. 

Gambhiri River

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan High Court has taken cognizance of the alleged encroachment in the floodplain of the Gambhiri river that supplies water to the Ghana Bird Sanctuary and sought a response from the state administration. 

Key Points 

• About the issue: 
  • The court has issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Divisional Commissioner (Bharatpur), Principal Revenue Secretary, District Collector (Karauli) and SP (Karauli) in this matter and directed them to file a reply within eight weeks. 
  • This order was given while conducting a preliminary hearing on  the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the petitioner.  
    • The counsel for the petitioner informed the court that the water from Pachna dam reaches  to the Ghana Bird Sanctuary through Gambhiri river , which was being obstructed due to encroachment. 
    • Apart from this, about 230 bigha land of Sanent village of Karauli district , which is a part of the river flow area, has been encroached upon for years. This is affecting the biological balance of the bird sanctuary . 

 Gambhiri River 

• Gambhiri River, also known as Utangan River, is an important seasonal river of Rajasthan ,which flows mainly during the rainy season. 
• This river flows in  the north-eastern part of Rajasthan . 
• This river originates from the Aravalli Hills near Hindaun in Karauli district and flows  from south to north. 
• It forms the border between Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and merges with the Yamuna River in Agra. Its total length is approximately 288 kilometers. 
• Its main tributaries are Sesa , Kher and Parvati.
  

 Keoladeo National Park 

• Introduction:  
  • Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a wetland and bird sanctuary located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan . It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of  the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. 
    • Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognised  as India's first Ramsar sites in 1981 . 
    • Currently, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake (Manipur)  are listed in  the Montreux Record . 
  • It is famous for its rich bird diversity and abundance of water birds . The park is home to over 365 species of birds , including many rare and endangered species , such as the Siberian crane .   
  • Various species from far flung areas of the Northern Hemisphere come to the sanctuary for breeding. The Siberian Crane is one of the rare species that can be seen here.  
• Animal
  • Animals like jackals, sambar, nilgai, wild cats, hyenas, wild boars, porcupines and mongooses can be seen in the area.  
• Vegetation   
  • The predominant vegetation type is tropical dry deciduous forest mixed with dry grassland areas dominated by Acacia nilotica.  
• Rivers :   
  • The River Gambhir and Banganga rivers flow through this national park. 

Vikramshila University

Why in News? 

A decade after the revival of Nalanda University in Rajgir , the process of reviving  another ancient centre of learning ' Vikramashila University' in Bihar has gained momentum. 

• Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) is developing this ancient site for the purpose of conservation and promoting tourism. 

Key Points 

• Financial support from the central government 
  • Despite sanctioning Rs 500 crore in 2015 , the project got delayed because of land identification issues. 
  • Now the Bihar government has marked 202.14 acres of land in Antichak village of Bhagalpur district for this project. 
• Vikramshila University: 
  • Location: 
    • Vikramshila University was located on the banks of the river Ganges in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar . 
  • Establishment: 
    • This university was established by King Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty in  the late 8th and early 9th centuries.  
• Educational Importance: 
  • Vikramshila University emerged as a major centre of Tantric Buddhism and the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition and played an important role in the dissemination of these doctrines. 
  • The institute was famous for its specialisation in esoteric and tantric studies, making it distinct from Nalanda University. 
  • The curriculum included subjects as diverse as theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, logic and tantra, indicating its academic richness. 
  • Around 1,000 students and 100 teachers from India and abroad come here for study and teaching, which makes it an internationally renowned educational centre. 
• Features and Structure: 
  • The centrepiece of the university was a magnificent stupa surrounded by 208 rooms, where students and monks engaged in study and meditation. 
  • It had a library equipped with a unique cooling system. 
  • The administration of the university was headed by a Vice-Chancellor (Mahasthavira) , who was responsible for its planned and smooth functioning.  
• Downfall: 
  • Around 1203 AD , this university was destroyed due to the invasion of Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji.  

 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organisation for archaeological research and conservation of the cultural heritage of the country. 
  • It oversees all archaeological undertakings within the country under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.  
• It manages more than 3,650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. 
• Its activities include surveying archaeological remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments, etc. 
• It was established in the year 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, the first Director General of ASI . Alexander Cunningham is also known as the "Father of Indian Archaeology".