State PCS - Uttarakhand (UKPSC)

• 02 Mar 2026

Champawat Saras Corbett Festival 2026 in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, virtually inaugurated the Champawat Saras Corbett Festival 2026, a week-long cultural and tourism event aimed at promoting the region’s heritage, culture and adventure tourism.

Key Points:

• Venue: The event is being held in Champawat district, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
  • The festival celebrates the unique cultural identity of the Champawat region, particularly the Holi traditions of Kali Kumaon, which include Baithki Holi, Khadi Holi, Chaufulla, rhythm, melody and various folk arts.
• Tourism Focus: The edition is also designated as the Winter Corbett Festival, aimed at boosting winter tourism.
  • The festival will feature adventure activities like paragliding, rafting, trekking and mountain biking to boost tourism and create employment for local youth.
• Local Art and Handicrafts: Exhibitions have been set up to promote traditional Kumaoni handicrafts, handloom products, and local agricultural produce. 
  • These initiatives are expected to support local artisans, producers and self-help groups, aligning with the “Vocal for Local” vision.
• Significance: The Champawat Saras Corbett Festival 2026 reflects Uttarakhand’s efforts to blend cultural heritage, natural beauty and adventure tourism to drive economic growth, preserve regional traditions and put Champawat on the national tourism map.

Read More: Self-help groups, Vocal for Local” vision

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