• 19 Dec 2025

Mobile Forensic Vehicles to Fast-Track Crime Investigation

Why in News? 

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar flagged off mobile forensic vehicles to speed up criminal investigations across the state.  

Key Points 

• Event: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated 34 mobile forensic vehicles aimed at faster crime probing by enabling on-site evidence collection.  
• Purpose: These vehicles are designed to begin investigation immediately at crime scenes, reducing delays in sending samples to distant labs.  
• Equipment: The vans are equipped with modern forensic tools for efficient scientific examination and evidence handling.  
• Law & Order: The initiative aligns with Bihar government’s zero-tolerance policy on crime and corruption and strengthens policing capacity.  
• Benefit: Rapid on-spot forensic analysis is expected to speed up investigations, improve evidence quality and aid quicker justice delivery. 
• Deployment: Vehicles will be used across districts to support police during the early stages of criminal probes. 

Rare Dholes Spotted in Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News? 

Rare wild dogs called Dholes were spotted for the first time in Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh. 

Key Points

• Event: Two rare Dholes were officially sighted in Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary by the Dewas forest department.  
• IUCN Status: The Dhole (Cuon alpinus) also called the Asiatic wild dog, is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 
• WPA Status: It is listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 . 
• Natural Habitat: Dense forests, deciduous forests, evergreen forests, and grassland–forest mosaics along with high mountain steppes regions. 
• Distribution: Found in Western Ghats, Central Indian forests, Eastern Ghats, and parts of the Himalayan foothills. 
• Significance: It’s the first documented appearance of these elusive predators in this sanctuary, exciting forest officials and wildlife enthusiasts.  
• Wildlife Indicator: Dholes are effective pack hunters that can even challenge larger predators, indicating a healthy and balanced ecosystem where they appear.  
• Next Steps: Forest officials plan surveys with camera traps and patrol units to check whether the sighted Dholes are part of a larger pack or just transient visitors.  
• Regional Context: Dholes are known in other Madhya Pradesh parks like Pench, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha, but their presence near Indore-Ujjain region is very rare.

Maharashtra Achieve 100% 4G Coverage

Why in News? 

Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia presented data in Parliament highlighting that Maharashtra has nearly achieved 100% 4G saturation and is moving rapidly towards 5G connectivity. 

Key Points 

• Network Coverage: Maharashtra has almost 100% 4G saturation, indicating widespread mobile broadband coverage across both urban and rural regions. 
• Network Infrastructure: Approximately 1,64,000 4G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and 40,000 5G BTS have been deployed in the state so far, significantly enhancing connectivity. 
• BTS: It is a telecommunications infrastructure unit that enables wireless communication between mobile phones and the cellular network. 
• Regional Deployment: In the Konkan region, districts like Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg showed strong expansion of both 4G and 5G networks. 
• Policy Alignment: The expansion aligns with the Digital India vision aimed at ensuring accessible, fast, and reliable digital connectivity for all citizens. 
• Future Expansion: Continued deployment of 5G infrastructure is expected to further boost digital empowerment across the state and the country.

First Gen Z Post Office of Jammu & Kashmir

Why in News? 

The first Gen Z Post Office in Jammu & Kashmir was inaugurated at the AIIMS Vijaypur campus, aimed at modernising postal services to be more technology-enabled and youth-centric. 

Key Points 

• Event: The first Gen Z Post Office in Jammu & Kashmir organised by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications. 
• Inauguration: Shakti Kumar Gupta (Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Vijaypur), along with senior postal officials.  
• Aim: To modernise conventional post office services and make them appealing for Gen Z through technology-driven solutions. 
• Features: Contemporary ambience, digital payment options, simplified service delivery, and integrated access to postal, banking, and insurance services.  
• Services Focus: Enhances awareness about postal savings schemes, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) offerings, and other value-added services among students and the local community.  
• Significance: Represents a step towards transforming traditional postal services into modern, connected, and future-ready hubs for young citizens. 

Madhya Pradesh to Boost TB Mukt Bharat Efforts

Why in News?

Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda conducted a targeted meeting with Madhya Pradesh MPs to fast-track the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, highlighting the critical role of parliamentarians in driving TB elimination efforts at the grassroots level.

Key Points

• Event & Leadership: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J. P. Nadda convened a meeting with MPs from Madhya Pradesh under the theme “Parliamentarians Championing a TB Mukt Bharat.
• Objective: To mobilise community action, strengthen awareness, and accelerate India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis by engaging elected representatives and local stakeholders.
• TB: Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and India aims to eliminate TB by 2025 under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
• National Progress: India has made significant gains in TB control, including a 21% reduction in TB incidence between 2015 and 2024 and a 90% treatment success rate, surpassing global averages.
• Support Tools: Emphasis on enhanced diagnostics (including AI‑enabled chest X‑rays) and nutritional support under the Ni‑kshay Poshan Yojana for TB patients. 
• MP Commitments: MPs pledged to promote early detection camps (Ni‑kshay Shivirs), engage Ni‑kshay Mitras and volunteers, and prioritize TB services at the district level. 
• Jan Andolan: Over 2 lakh MYBharat volunteers, 6.7 lakh Ni‑kshay Mitras, and 30,000+ elected representatives are supporting the mission‑mode TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan across the country.

Uttarakhand Renames Raj Bhavans as Lok Bhavans

Why in News? 

Uttarakhand has renamed the Raj Bhavans in Dehradun and Nainital as ‘Lok Bhavans’ following a Union Home Ministry directive encouraging states to drop the colonial‑era title and adopt a more people‑centric name. 

Key Points

• Change of Name: The Governor’s Residences in Dehradun (main capital) and Nainital (summer capital) are now officially called Lok Bhavans instead of Raj Bhavans. 
• Directive: Home Ministry urged all States and Union Territories to replace ‘Raj Bhavan’ with ‘Lok Bhavan’ and ‘Raj Niwas’ with ‘Lok Niwas’ to promote a democratic and people-centric identity. 
• Rationale: Government officials said that the revised nomenclature highlights the people-centric role of these institutions, moving away from colonial or royal symbolism. 
• Implementation: Signage, official stationery and digital platforms will be updated to reflect the new name in the coming weeks. 
• Wider Trend: Many other states and UTs, including West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, have also adopted the Lok Bhavan nomenclature following the central guideline.