• 28 Jan 2025

15th National Voters’ Day

Why in News? 

On the eve of the 15^th National Voters’ Day, the Chief Secretary administered an oath to officers and officials, including the Administrative Secretaries of the Union Territory, during a ceremony held at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. 

 Key Points 

• Pledge by Participants: 
  • Participants pledged their commitment to democracy, vowing to ensure independent, impartial, and peaceful elections. 
  • They also took an oath to cast their votes fearlessly, without bias based on religion, community, or language. 
• Theme for the Year: 
  • The theme for 2025 is “Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure”. 
  • It aims to encourage greater voter participation, particularly among the youth. 
• Historical Context: 
  • National Voters’ Day was first observed in 2011 to promote youth involvement in the electoral process. 
  • The year 2025 marks the 75^th anniversary of the Election Commission of India. 
  • The primary focus is on increasing voter enrolment, especially targeting youngsters who have recently turned 18 and are now eligible to vote. 

NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index

Why in News? 

NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025 report ranked Haryana 14th, placing it among the bottom five of 18 major states.  

• The ranking considers five parameters: quality of expenditure, revenue mobilisation, fiscal prudence, debt index, and debt sustainability. 

 Key Points 

• Scope of FHI: 
  • The index covers 18 major states contributing significantly to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), demography, public expenditure, revenues, and fiscal stability. 
  • It evaluates fiscal performance over the period from 2014-15 to 2022-23. 
• Haryana’s Performance:  
  • Debt Profile and Concerns: 
    • Haryana’s debt-to-GSDP ratio rose from 26% in 2018-19 to 33% in 2020-21, stabilising at 31% in 2022-23. 
    • Interest payments grew by 9.4% in 2022-23, with the interest payment-to-revenue receipt ratio at 23%. 
    • Haryana ranked 15^th on the Debt Index parameter, ahead of only Kerala, West Bengal, and Punjab. 
• Revenue and Fiscal Deficits: 
  • Haryana’s revenue deficit stood at 1.7% of GSDP in 2022-23, failing to meet the 15^th Finance Commission’s recommendations. 
  • Fiscal deficits from 2017-18 to 2021-22 were primarily financed through public debt, including market borrowings and loans from the Central government. 
• Quality of Expenditure: 
  • Haryana ranked 16^th in quality of expenditure, with a score of 24.8, ahead of only Punjab and Kerala. 
  • Capital expenditure growth compared to GSDP has declined since 2018-19, constituting just 1.4% of GSDP in 2022-23, below budget estimates. 
  • Capital expenditure as a share of total expenditure fell from 16.4% in 2018-19 to 9.7% in 2022-23. 
• Recommendations for Haryana: 
  • Increase capital expenditure on social services. 
  • Enhance tax collection efficiency. 
  • Establish a robust fiscal management framework, focusing on debt sustainability. 
  • Broaden the revenue base and rationalise expenditures to improve short- and medium-term fiscal sustainability. 

Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana 2.0

Why in News? 

The Haryana Government allotted plots to 4,533 beneficiaries across 20 districts through a draw under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana 2.0. 

 Key Points 

• Residential Plots Allotted in the First Phase: 
  • 100 square yards plots were allotted to all eligible applicants in the gram panchayats of 20 districts: 
    • Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Narnaul, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak, Sirsa, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar. 
  • Eligible applicants from nomadic caste, widow, and Scheduled Castes in Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Rohtak, and Hisar districts also received plots of 100 square yards. 
  • 50-square-yard plots were allotted to eligible applicants in Mahagram Panchayat Bahal. 
• Method of Allocation: 
  • The residential plots were allotted to eligible beneficiaries through a draw system, ensuring a transparent and fair process. 

UP Tableau at Republic Day Parade

Why in News? 

The Republic Day tableau of Uttar Pradesh celebrated the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, featuring depictions of ‘Samudra Manthan,’ ‘Amrit Kalash,’ and holy men bathing on the banks of Sangam.  

 

Key Points 

• Main Theme and Focus: 
  • The focus of the 76^th Republic Day celebrations is 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution. 
  • The theme for the tableaux is ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas’, highlighting India’s heritage and progress. 
• Uttar Pradesh Tableau Highlights: 
  • The tableau showcases the grandeur of Maha Kumbh 2025, portraying a metaphorical ‘Sangam’ of ‘virasat’ (heritage) and ‘vikas’ (development). 
  • A prominent ‘Amrit Kalash’ tilted forward symbolizes the flow of the sacred ‘Amritdhara.’ 
  • Seers and saints are depicted blowing conch shells, performing ‘snan’ at Sangam, and meditating, while devotees immerse themselves in the holy waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati. 
• Mythological and Cultural Depictions: 
  • The tableau features a vivid depiction of the mythical tale of ‘Samudra Manthan’, symbolizing the historical and cultural significance of Maha Kumbh. 
  • On the back side, 14 gems that emerged from the churning of the ocean are artistically represented. 
• Technological Features of Maha Kumbh 2025: 
  • The tableau emphasizes technological advancements through the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) for efficient security and crowd management at the Kumbh. 
  • This highlights the state-of-the-art digital preparations for managing the massive gathering. 

 Republic Day 

• Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on 26th January 1950, and the country’s transition to a republic which came into effect on 26th January 1950. 
  • The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26th November 1949 and came into effect on 26^th January 1950. 
• The Constitution of India repealed the Indian Independence Act 1947 and Government of India Act 1935 when it became effective on 26th January 1950. India ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown and became a sovereign, democratic republic with a constitution. 

Bihar Tableau at Republic Day

Why in News? 

Bihar's tableau at the Republic Day parade showcased the rich cultural heritage of the region, symbolically representing the revered Bodhi Tree and the legendary Nalanda University.  

• The display highlighted Bihar's historical identity as the 'land of Buddha' and a center of ancient wisdom. 

 

Key Points 

• Bihar's Tableau: 
  • Bihar's tableau made its presence at the 76^th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path after a gap of eight years. 
  • The tableau was aligned with the central theme 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat Aur Vikas' and stood out with the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University as the dominant element. 
  • The tableau featured an installation of a Lord Buddha statue in a meditative Dharmachakra Mudra, symbolising peace and harmony. The statue's original location is at the Ghora Katora reservoir in Rajgir. 
  • Bihar's tableau highlighted the state's tradition of knowledge and peace, emphasizing its historical identity as a land of knowledge, salvation, and peace. 
• Depictions of Historical and Cultural Landmarks: 
  • The tableau included representations of the sacred Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, and the ancient ruins of Nalanda University, established in 427 CE by Emperor Kumaragupta. 
  • The tableau emphasized Nalanda University's role as the world's first residential university, which was a global hub for knowledge, attracting scholars from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and beyond. 
• Murals and Modern Innovations: 
  • Murals on the tableau's side panels depicted the contributions of Chanakya, who mentored Chandragupta Maurya, and scenes from ancient Vedic assemblies, showcasing democratic governance and judicial systems. 
  • Another mural highlighted the 'Guru-Shishya' tradition and Aryabhata's contributions to mathematics. 
  • An LED screen displayed the newly constructed Nalanda International University campus, designed with carbon-neutral and net-zero sustainability goals, reflecting modern educational progress. 

Padma awards 2025

Why in News? 

Seven people from Bihar were selected for the prestigious Padma awards, including noted singer Sharda Sinha, former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, and eminent social worker Acharya Kishore Kunal. 

 Key Points 

• Announcement of Winners: 
  • The Union government announced the names of the Padma award winners on the eve of Republic Day. 
  • A total of 139 people from across the country were selected for the highest civilian awards in various categories. 
• Padma Vibhushan Award: 
  • Sharda Sinha, the renowned singer known as ‘Bihar Kokila,’ will be posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the highest civilian award, for her exceptional and distinguished service. 
• Padma Bhushan Award: 
  • Sushil Kumar Modi, the former deputy CM of Bihar, has been selected posthumously for the Padma Bhushan in the field of public affairs. 
  • He is the sole recipient from Bihar among the 19 recipients of the Padma Bhushan nationwide. 
• Padma Shri Award: 
  • Kishore Kunal, a noted social worker and founder of Mahavir Sansthan, will receive the Padma Shri. 
• Other recipients of the Padma Shri from Bihar include: 
  • Bhim Singh Bhavesh in social work, 
  • Hemant Kumar for his work in medicine, 
  • Nirmala Devi for her contributions in the art field, 
  • Vijay Nityanand Surishwer Ji Maharaj in spiritualism.