State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 02 Mar 2026

President Inaugurates National Arogya Fair 2026 in Maharashtra

Why in News?

Droupadi Murmu, President of India, inaugurated the National Arogya Fair 2026 in Shegaon, Buldhana district, Maharashtra in February 2026, emphasising the role of traditional health systems in promoting holistic wellness and public health.

Key Points:

• Organising Body: The National Arogya Fair was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of AYUSH to promote India’s traditional systems of medicine.
  • The President highlighted the invaluable contribution of traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) to citizen health and well-being.
• Objective: The fair aims to spread awareness about preventive healthcare, natural therapies and lifestyle-based disease management.
  • Senior traditional healers (Vaidyas) were honoured for their lifelong contribution to Indian systems of medicine.
  • The event showcased medicinal plants, traditional remedies, wellness products and research initiatives related to AYUSH systems.
• Significance: The National Arogya Fair serves as a platform to promote integrated health practices and raise awareness about preventive and lifestyle-based approaches to health. 
  • It reinforces government efforts to integrate traditional wellness systems into mainstream healthcare, supporting public health goals and community well-being.

Read More: AYUSH,  Traditional medicine

Iran Appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as Interim Supreme Leader

Why in News?

Following the reported death of Ali Khamenei in a joint United States-Israeli airstrike, the Islamic Republic of Iran has appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as a key member of the interim Leadership Council, effectively positioning him as the acting Supreme Leader during the transitional period.

Key Points:

• Leadership Council: Under Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, a three-member interim body now governs the Islamic Republic. 
  • It includes Arafi alongside the President and the Chief Justice, ensuring continuity of authority amid the unprecedented leadership vacuum.
• Role and Authority: The interim Leadership Council assumes the constitutional duties of the Supreme Leader until a permanent successor is chosen by the Assembly of Experts.
  • The Supreme Leader in Iran is the highest authority, overseeing the armed forces, judiciary, state broadcasting, and key policy decisions.
• Background of Arafi: He is a senior Shia cleric and has held key positions in Iran’s religious establishment, including membership in both the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts. 
  • He has also led major seminaries in Qom.
  • Qom is Iran’s principal centre of Shia Islamic scholarship, and Arafi’s association with its seminaries strengthens his clerical standing.
• Continuity of Governance: The interim council ensures that executive, military, and judicial authority remains uninterrupted during the transition period.
• Significance: Alireza Arafi’s appointment to the interim leadership council is a key moment in Iran’s political transition, highlighting constitutional procedures for leadership succession amid heightened regional tensions.

Read More: Iran-Israel Conflict