State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 07 Oct 2025

India’s First Animal Birth Control (ABC) Training Centre

Why in News? 

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has established India’s first Animal Birth Control (ABC) Training Centre in Jarhara, Uttar Pradesh, aiming to train professionals in street dog management and serve as a national hub for ABC training. 

Key Points 

• Partnership: The centre is a collaboration between LMC, the Animal Welfare Board of India, and the Uttar Pradesh government, in partnership with Humane World for Animals India.  
• Objective: Its primary goal is to strengthen street dog sterilisation programmes and improve animal welfare practices. 
• Training Programmes: The centre offers a 15-day training course that includes both theoretical and practical components. Participants will gain expertise in dog handling, anaesthesia administration, sterilisation techniques, and post-operative care. 
• Target Audience: The training is open to veterinarians, para-veterinarians, animal handlers, and organisations involved in street dog management. 
• Certification: Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate, signifying their readiness to conduct humane and effective ABC procedures. 

UP Launches ‘Good Samaritan’ Initiative

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a reward program for helpers called 'Raah-Veer' under the 'Good Samaritan' initiative, recognising individuals who assist road accident victims in reaching hospitals within the crucial "golden hour." 

• The initiative, although designed by the Union Ministry of Road and Highways, is being implemented by state governments and Union Territories across India to encourage prompt assistance to accident victims. 
• According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a 'Good Samaritan' is someone who, in good faith and without expecting any reward, offers emergency medical or non-medical help or transports victims to a hospital after an accident.

Key Points

• About: The scheme recognises and rewards individuals who act as first responders during the "Golden Hour," the first critical hour after a traumatic injury when immediate medical care can save lives. 
  • In 2023, 1.5 million lives were lost to road accidents, with many victims' lives being saved if they had received prompt medical attention within the Golden Hour.  
  • The "Golden Hour" concept, highlighted under Section 2(12A) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, underscores the importance of immediate medical intervention in preventing fatalities. 
• Recognition and Reward: A "Raah-Veer" certificate, along with a ₹25,000 incentive, will be provided to the first responder for each incident. If multiple responders assist a victim, the reward is shared equally. 
• Eligibility: The scheme applies to major road accidents involving motor vehicles where victims sustain severe injuries, requiring more than three days of hospitalisation or suffer from brain or spinal cord injuries.  
  • Even if the victim succumbs to their injuries during treatment, the first responder will still be eligible for the reward. 
• Transparency and Verification: The UP Police will verify the details of each rescuer in collaboration with the hospital.  
  • After confirmation, a district-level committee, led by the district magistrate, will issue an acknowledgement and process the reward. 
• Impact: This initiative is expected to motivate more citizens to help accident victims without fear of legal complications or hesitation. In the past, many potential helpers refrained from intervening, fearing police involvement or legal issues. 
  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 data, UP recorded the highest number of road accident deaths in India, with 22,532 fatalities in 2023 alone, accounting for 14% of national road deaths.