चर्चा में क्यों ?

केंद्र सरकार ने प्रधानमंत्री विकसित ग्राम स्वराज योजना (Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana:PM-VGSY) को 2026-27 से 2030-31 तक लागू करने के लिए मंजूरी दी है। इस योजना का मुख्य उद्देश्य ग्राम पंचायतों को अधिक सक्षम, पारदर्शी, जवाबदेह और आत्मनिर्भर बनाना है। इसके लिए कुल ₹7,395.55 करोड़ का प्रावधान किया गया है। यह एक केंद्र प्रायोजित योजना (Centrally Sponsored Scheme—CSS) है। इसमें केंद्र और राज्य सरकारें निर्धारित व्यवस्था के अनुसार वित्तीय योगदान करती हैं।

योजना के प्रमुख उद्देश्य

(क) ग्राम पंचायतों को मजबूत बनाना

ग्राम पंचायत ग्रामीण स्थानीय स्वशासन की सबसे महत्वपूर्ण संस्थाओं में से एक है। यह योजना पंचायत प्रतिनिधियों और कर्मचारियों की क्षमता बढ़ाने में सहायता करेगी, ताकि वे स्थानीय समस्याओं को बेहतर ढंग से समझ सकें और उनका समाधान कर सकें।

(ख) गाँव के विकास की समग्र योजना बनाना

योजना के तहत ग्राम पंचायतों को स्थानीय आवश्यकताओं, सरकारी योजनाओं और उपलब्ध वित्तीय संसाधनों को एक साथ ध्यान में रखकर विकास की योजना तैयार करने में सहायता दी जाएगी।

(ग) पंचायतों में पारदर्शिता और जवाबदेही बढ़ाना

योजना में ऑनलाइन लेखांकन, ऑडिट और सार्वजनिक जानकारी उपलब्ध कराने पर जोर दिया गया है।

(घ) पंचायतों को आत्मनिर्भर बनाना

पंचायतों की वित्तीय आत्मनिर्भरता का अर्थ है कि वे सरकारी अनुदान के साथ-साथ अपने वैध स्थानीय राजस्व स्रोतों का भी बेहतर उपयोग करें। इससे पंचायतों की विकास संबंधी आवश्यकताओं को पूरा करने की क्षमता बढ़ सकती है।

इन उद्देश्यों को हासिल करने के लिए योजना में स्थानीय नियोजन, डिजिटल व्यवस्था, प्रशिक्षण और वित्तीय जवाबदेही को एक साथ रखा गया है।

नोट: इस योजना के तहत मौजूदा डिजिटल और जनसंपर्क मंचों, ग्राम सभाओं और अन्य पंचायत मंचों के जरिये सरकारी कार्यक्रमों और राष्ट्रीय पहलों के बारे में जन जागरूकता को बढ़ावा दिया जाएगा। सरकार पंचम नामक एआई-सक्षम बहुभाषी संचार मंच का उपयोग करेगी, जो 17 भारतीय भाषाओं में उपलब्ध है, ताकि योजनाओं और पहलों को सुलभ भाषा में समझाया जा सके।

यह योजना सभी राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों को कवर करेगी; साथ ही संविधान के भाग IX के अंतर्गत आने वाले पंचायतों से इतर के पारंपरिक ग्रामीण स्थानीय सरकारी संस्थान भी इसके तहत शामिल होंगे.

Why in News?

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Education, and UNESCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce clean sport values in classrooms across India through the ‘Sports Values in Every Classroom Toolkit’.

The initiative aims to promote respect, integrity, and fairness among students while raising awareness about doping-free sports.

The MoU was exchanged at the Clean Sport Conclave organized by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India.

What Are the Sports Values in the Every Classroom Toolkit?

The toolkit is an educational initiative designed to integrate sporting values into school education and everyday classroom activities.

Its video modules will be made available in 13 Indian languages to reach students across the country.

What Is Clean Sport?

Clean sport refers to sporting activities in which athletes compete fairly and follow anti-doping rules without using prohibited performance-enhancing substances or methods.

Doping undermines fair competition and can also pose serious health risks to athletes. Therefore, preventing doping requires not only testing and enforcement but also early education and awareness among athletes, coaches, and students.

Role of NADA India in Preventing Doping

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA India) works to prevent doping in sports through testing, education, awareness programs, and enforcement of anti-doping rules.

Why Is Integrating Sports with Education Important?

Education is not limited to academic achievement. It also involves the physical, mental, and social development of students.

Sports help children learn teamwork, leadership, discipline, and how to handle both success and failure. Introducing these values in classrooms can help students apply them in their daily lives.

The initiative is also aligned with the objectives of the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which highlights the need to strengthen the connection between sports and education.

Why in News?

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu received Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein at Rashtrapati Bhavan .

Key Highlights

Areas of Cooperation: Trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, culture, and people-to-people ties.

Priority Sectors: Advanced manufacturing, fintech, agricultural research, sustainable infrastructure, healthcare, and material sciences.

India–EFTA TEPA: The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), concluded in 2024, aims to strengthen trade and investment.

Investment and Employment Commitments: The agreement envisages facilitating $100 billion in investments in India and creating 1 million direct jobs over 15 years.

Skill Development: Both countries see opportunities for vocational training and partnerships between industries and educational institutions.

Significance

Strengthens India's economic engagement with Europe.

Encourages foreign investment, technology transfer, and industrial innovation.

Creates opportunities for employment, skill development, and research collaboration.

Supports economic diversification and stronger bilateral relations amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

About Liechtenstein

• Capital: Vaduz

• Location: Central Europe, between Switzerland and Austria.

• Political System: Constitutional monarchy.

• Official Language: German.

• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF).

• EFTA Membership: Liechtenstein is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Why in News?

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan held high-level talks with Iranian officials in Tehran to de-escalate regional tensions and explore a regional non-aggression framework amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Key Highlights

Objective: Establish negotiating channels, prevent further military escalation and strengthen regional security cooperation.

Mecca Mutual Defence Pact: Signed in August, it aims to protect members' territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders.

Pakistan's Role: Pakistan has been facilitating diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States.

Türkiye's Role: Türkiye participated in the Tehran talks as part of efforts to promote regional stability.

Egypt's Support: Egypt's Parliament authorised military assistance to Saudi Arabia amid attacks attributed to Yemen's Houthis.

Security Concerns: Houthi attacks, threats to energy infrastructure and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have increased regional instability.

Significance

• Promotes regional dialogue and conflict de-escalation.

• Seeks to protect energy infrastructure and maritime trade.

• Highlights the role of regional powers in Middle East security.

• Has implications for global oil prices and energy security.

Important Terms

Strait of Hormuz: Strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman; vital for global oil and gas shipments.

Houthis: Yemen-based armed and political movement involved in the country's conflict and regional hostilities.

Non-aggression framework: An arrangement intended to prevent participating states from attacking one another and to encourage peaceful dispute resolution.

Why in News?

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will organise Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada nationwide from 1–15 November 2026, culminating in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on 15 November, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Key Highlights

Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas: Declared in 2021 to honour tribal freedom fighters and recognise tribal communities' contributions to India's history and culture.

Digital Initiatives:

Jan-HIT Portal: Developed with ICMR to provide tribe-disaggregated health data covering 20 States.

National FRA Digital Platform: Digitises the forest rights claims process under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Major Events: National Tribal Literary Festival, Rani Durgavati Adivasi Mahila Sammelan and interaction between Eklavya Model Residential School students and the President.

Tribal Healthcare: Training of traditional healers and health and nutrition camps for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Livelihood and Education: Scholarship access camps, support for tribal women entrepreneurs and conservation of medicinal plants.

State-Level Activities: More than 160 activities planned across 19 States/UTs.

Significance

Cultural Preservation: Recognises tribal heritage, traditions, languages and freedom fighters.

Inclusive Development: Improves awareness and access to government schemes in tribal areas.

Healthcare: Strengthens tribal health monitoring and access to nutrition services.

Forest Rights: Promotes digital processing of claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Women’s Empowerment: Encourages tribal women-led enterprises and market linkages.

Important Schemes

PM-JANMAN: Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan; focuses on the socio-economic development of PVTGs.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Aims to address gaps in infrastructure and essential services in tribal-majority villages.

EMRS: Eklavya Model Residential Schools provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe students.

Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognises and vests forest rights in eligible forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, subject to the Act.

Why in News?

The Supreme Court Collegium, in its resolution dated 26 October 2026, recommended four judges for appointment as Chief Justices of the High Courts of Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttarakhand.

Key Recommendations

Judge Recommended High Court

Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak Gujarat

Justice P. Sam Koshy Delhi

Justice Tapabrata Chakrabarty Telangana

Justice Sudhir Singh Uttarakhand

About the Supreme Court Collegium

Composition: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the four senior-most Supreme Court judges.

Function: Recommends appointments and transfers of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Constitutional Basis: The collegium system evolved through the Second (1993) and Third (1998) Judges Cases.

Appointment Process: The collegium recommends names; appointments are formally made by the President of India under the relevant constitutional provisions.

Constitutional Provisions

Article 217: Appointment and conditions of office of High Court judges.

Article 222: Transfer of a High Court judge from one High Court to another.

Article 124: Appointment of Supreme Court judges.

Why in News?

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has urged former CM Naveen Patnaik to offer constructive suggestions for resolving the Kotia dispute and reiterated Odisha’s territorial claim.

Background

Location: Kotia Gram Panchayat, Koraput district, Odisha.

Disputed Villages: Both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh claim 21 villages.

Historical Context: Odisha maintains that the villages belong to it since the formation of the separate province in 1936.

Recent Development: Andhra Pradesh’s announcement of elections in the disputed region renewed tensions.

Constitutional Provision: Article 131 provides for the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction in specified disputes between states.

About the Kotia Tribal Community

Region: Tribal areas of Koraput district and adjoining parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Livelihood: Agriculture and agricultural labour are important occupations.

Cultural Identity: The community follows traditional customs and social practices.

Major Concerns: Access to education, healthcare, welfare schemes, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities.

Key Issue: Overlapping administrative claims can complicate the delivery of public services to border residents.

Why in News?

The 11th edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti, a joint Special Forces exercise between India and Indonesia, commenced at Banyuwangi, Indonesia, on 27 October . It will continue until 6 November 2026.

Key Highlights

Participating Countries: India and Indonesia.

Focus: Special operations in jungle environments.

Training Activities: Combat marksmanship, obstacle crossing, mountaineering, air assault and combat-hardening exercises.

Objectives

• Enhance interoperability and coordination between the two Special Forces.

• Exchange expertise in weapons, equipment and operational tactics.

• Improve capabilities for conducting joint special operations.

• Strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

Significance

Defence Cooperation: Strengthens India–Indonesia military ties.

Regional Security: Enhances cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Operational Readiness: Improves preparedness for complex operations in challenging terrain.

Bilateral Relations: Promotes mutual trust and strategic partnership.

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the establishment of the PRAGATI Park (Platform for Robotics and AI Growth Through Technology and Innovation) in Greater Noida.

Key Highlights

Location: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Focus Areas: Robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technology, industrial innovation and robotics manufacturing.

Employment Generation: Expected to generate more than 1 lakh jobs.

Objective: Establish Uttar Pradesh as a leading hub for robotics, AI and advanced technology.

Significance

Employment Opportunities: Expected to create jobs in technology, manufacturing and allied sectors.

Technological Innovation: Encourages AI-based solutions, robotics manufacturing and industrial research.

Industrial Development: May attract investment and strengthen the state's technology ecosystem.

Economic Growth: Supports economic diversification and the development of high-value industries.

Digital India: Contributes to India's broader push towards advanced technologies and technology-led development.

Why in News?

The Kerala government announced the Raja Ravi Varma Award for two years: C. Douglas was selected for the 2023 award, while N.N. Rimzon was chosen for the 2024 award. The announcement was made by Kerala Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Cinema Minister P.C. Vishnunadh.

Key Highlights

Nature of Award: Kerala government's highest honour in the field of visual arts.

Award Components: ₹3 lakh cash prize, a citation and a sculpture designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman.

About C. Douglas (2023):

Prominent Indian contemporary artist associated with the Madras Art Movement.

Recognised for his long-standing and experimental approach to contemporary Indian painting.

His work reflects universal and humanistic perspectives beyond regional boundaries.

About N.N. Rimzon (2024):

Renowned Indian sculptor and contemporary artist whose career spans several decades since the 1980s.

Recognised for his contributions to sculpture and contemporary art.

His works have been exhibited at major exhibitions in India and abroad, influencing artists across generations.

Selection Process: Separate juries of eminent artists and art experts selected the recipients.

Significance

Recognises outstanding contributions to Indian visual arts.

Promotes contemporary painting, sculpture and artistic experimentation.

Preserves the legacy of Raja Ravi Varma and encourages excellence in the visual arts.

About Raja Ravi Varma

Field: Painting.

Significance: One of India's most influential painters, known for combining European academic techniques with Indian themes and mythological subjects.

Legacy: His paintings helped popularise visual representations of characters from Indian epics and mythology.

चर्चा में क्यों ?

हाल ही में आंध्र प्रदेश को पर्यटन क्षेत्र में उत्कृष्ट कार्यों और नई पहलों के लिए दो राष्ट्रीय सम्मान मिले हैं। ये पुरस्कार कोलकाता में आयोजित 69वें इंडियन ट्रैवल कांग्रेस (Indian Travel Congress) के दौरान प्रदान किए गए।

महत्त्वपूर्ण तथ्य

आंध्र प्रदेश को निम्नलिखित सम्मान मिले हैं:

1. Excellence in Tourism Leadership Award — पर्यटन क्षेत्र में नेतृत्व और विकास के प्रयासों के लिए।

2. Award of Merit – Outstanding Tourism State of India — पर्यटन क्षेत्र में नवाचार और सुधारों के लिए।

इंडियन ट्रैवल कांग्रेस क्या है?

इंडियन ट्रैवल कांग्रेस (Indian Travel Congress) पर्यटन और यात्रा उद्योग से जुड़ा एक सम्मेलन है, जहाँ पर्यटन क्षेत्र से जुड़े प्रतिनिधि, ट्रैवल एजेंसियाँ, पर्यटन व्यवसायी और अन्य संबंधित पक्ष शामिल होते हैं। ऐसे आयोजनों में पर्यटन के विकास, यात्रा उद्योग की चुनौतियों, नए अवसरों और पर्यटन को बढ़ावा देने के तरीकों पर चर्चा की जाती है।

Why in News?

The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, generated over 31.69 crore person-days of employment during the financial year 2026–27, according to government .

Key Highlights

Legal Framework: The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, came into force on 1 July 2026, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), according to the report.

Employment Guarantee: Provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year to eligible rural households whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work.

Wage Rates: Daily wages range from ₹300 to ₹450, depending on the applicable rate.

Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs)

• Prepared through participation by Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats.

• Use GIS tools, Yuktdhara and PM Gati Shakti to identify infrastructure gaps and coordinate rural development.

• Identify 318 types of permissible works under four thematic areas:

• Water security.

• Core rural infrastructure.

• Livelihood-related infrastructure.

• Mitigation of extreme weather events.

Why in News?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have studied how plants modify their internal water transport system under drought-induced water stress. The findings were published in the journal Applied Physics Reviews.

Key Highlights

Plant Studied: Indian mustard.

Research Methodology: Combined experiments, advanced imaging, microscopic force measurements, chemical tracking and realistic 3D computer simulations.

Xylem: Microscopic tubes in plant stems that transport water and dissolved minerals from roots to leaves.

Pits: Tiny openings connecting adjacent xylem vessels, enabling water movement between them.

Major Findings

Narrower Xylem: During acute water stress, xylem tubes become narrower, increasing resistance to water flow.

Smaller Pits: The connecting openings also become smaller, changing the movement of water within the plant.

Reduced Water Loss: These changes restrict water transport towards the leaves, helping reduce water loss through transpiration.

Lateral Water Movement: Water can move sideways through pits between adjacent xylem vessels, helping maintain water balance and preserve the transport network.

Improved Modelling: Unlike earlier models that treated xylem as rigid pipes, the study incorporated changes in vessel dimensions, wall elasticity and fluid movement.

Significance

The findings could help scientists develop drought-tolerant crop varieties and improve water-use efficiency in agriculture. They may also support strategies to reduce crop losses and maintain agricultural productivity under climate change and water scarcity.

Why in News?

A study published in Nature Communications, led by researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Leeds (UK), found that glaciers terminating in lakes, oceans or ice shelves account for just 3.2% of the world’s glaciers but contribute over half of global glacier ice loss.

Key Highlights

Study Period: 2000–2019.

Annual Ice Loss: Lake, ocean and ice-shelf terminating glaciers lost approximately 134 billion tonnes of ice annually during the study period.

Glacier Area: These glaciers collectively cover more than half of the world’s glacier area.

Lake-terminating glaciers flow approximately 10% faster.

Ocean-terminating glaciers flow approximately 44% faster.

Ice Loss by Glacier Type: Lake-terminating glaciers lose around 57% more ice relative to their size than land-terminating glaciers.

Mechanisms of Ice Loss:

Calving: Large chunks of ice break off the glacier front, forming icebergs.

Subaqueous Melting: Water in lakes melts the submerged portions of glaciers.

Climate Change Impact: Rising temperatures are causing some land-terminating glaciers to become lake-terminating glaciers as glacier lakes expand. Some ocean-terminating glaciers in the Arctic are retreating onto land.