State PCS - Assam (APSC)

• 04 Feb 2026

Odisha to Launch First Commercial Airport Drone Test Corridor

Why in News? 

The Government of Odisha has announced to establish the first commercial airport drone test corridor at Rangeilunda Airport in Ganjam district. 

Key Points 

• Objective: The corridor aims to create regulated and dynamic airspace for comprehensive testing of commercial drones and UAV systems under real‑world conditions, enabling advanced research and applications. 
  • It includes support for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), swarm drone testing, AI-based navigation, and autonomous airspace management scenarios. 
• Partnership: The project involves a collaboration with BonV Aero, a local deep‑tech startup. 
• Scope: The test corridor is designed to support real‑world UAV trials, including navigation systems, autonomous operations, payload tests, and applications like logistics, agriculture, surveillance, and disaster response. 
  • Odisha’s initiative complements other developments in the state’s aviation and aerospace sectors, including drone training centres and flying training organisations being planned at regional airports. 
• Importance: The corridor is expected to boost the startup ecosystem, attract investments in drone technology, enhance skill development, and position Odisha as a hub for unmanned aviation innovation in India. 

Read More:  UAV, Aviation sectors,  Startup ecosystem 

Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana Launched in Gujarat

Why in News? 

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana to strengthen rural governance and infrastructure. 

Key Points 

• Launch venue: Foundation stones laid at Bhadran village, Anand district, Gujarat. 
• Coverage: 2,666 villages to receive Gram Panchayat buildings-cum-Talati residences for strengthening local governance. 
  • Funding: Project sanctioned at ₹663 crore to provide functional panchayat infrastructure at the village level. 
• Urban‑Like Facilities: Scheme includes modern amenities such as roads, water, sanitation, solar street lights, e-Gram digital services, and community halls. 
• Focus: Initial development targets 114 villages functioning as taluka headquarters without municipal status. 
  • Aims to reduce rural‑urban divide by bringing essential services closer to rural citizens. 
• Future Expansion: Planned to cover other large gram panchayats (population >10,000) across Gujarat. 
• Significance: Enhances rural governance capacity, improves service delivery, and creates infrastructure parity with urban areas. 

Read More:  Rural governance, 

Australian Open 2026

Why in News? 

The 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year held in Melbourne, Australia, concluded with Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina crowned as the men’s and women’s singles champions respectively. 

Key Points 

• Men’s Singles Winner: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) won the men’s singles title at the 2026 Australian Open by defeating Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in the final. 
  • Runner-Up: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) finished second after losing to Alcaraz in the final clash. 
• Historic (Men’s): This victory was Alcaraz’s first Australian Open title and his seventh major singles title overall.  
• Women’s Singles Winner: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) clinched the women’s singles title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus).  
  • Runner-Up: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) was the runner-up, losing to Rybakina in the championship match. 
• Women’s Achievement: The victory marked Rybakina’s second Grand Slam singles title, her first Australian Open crown, showcasing her ability to triumph over the world No. 1. 
• Venue: The tournament was played on the hard courts of Melbourne Park, attracting top tennis talent from around the world.

Exercise Agni Pariksha: Army-ITBP Joint Initiative

Why in News?

The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recently concluded a six-day joint training exercise named “Agni Pariksha” in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at strengthening inter-force operational synergy along border regions.

Key Points: 

• Location: The exercise was conducted at Sigar in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. 
• Objective:The primary purpose of the drill was to familiarise non-artillery personnel — including infantry and ITBP troops — with artillery procedures, fire control systems, coordination mechanisms, and the execution of firing missions under realistic field conditions. 
• Participants: Spearhead Gunners of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps alongside infantry regiments and personnel from the ITBP. 
• Significance: Improves coordination between the Army and paramilitary forces for border security and combat operations. 
  • Operational readiness: Ensures troops are better prepared for complex battlefield scenarios, especially in high-altitude border sectors.

Read More: ITBP 

India at the 64th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development

Why in News?

India is participating in the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) at the UN Headquarters in New York. 

Key Points 

• Leadership: India’s delegation to the 64th Session of CSocD at the UN Headquarters in New York was led by Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur.  
• Commission: The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) is a key United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) body that focuses on international cooperation for social development, including poverty eradication, social inclusion, equity, and welfare policies.  
• Chair: The 64th session was presided over by Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn (Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN) and saw participation from over 100 UN member states. 
  • India is an elected member of the 64th session, which brings together member states to assess progress and share lessons on social development issues. 
• India’s Statement: India highlighted that social justice and social protection are firmly anchored in constitutional guarantees and aligned with the country’s long-term vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”. 
  • The guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” was emphasised as reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure no one is left behind. 

Read More: Viksit Bharat 2047, ECOSOC, UN