State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 05 Feb 2026

Dalai Lama Wins First Grammy Award at Age 90

Why in News? 

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards (2026) held in Los Angeles, USA. 

Key Points 

• Award & Category: The Dalai Lama won the Grammy Award in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category for his album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 
• This was his first-ever Grammy Award, achieved at age 90, making it a unique recognition for a spiritual leader at one of music’s most prestigious platforms. 
• The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright at the ceremony.  
• Album Content: The album blends the Dalai Lama’s teachings on peace, compassion, mindfulness and universal responsibility with musical compositions and narration, designed to spread messages of harmony across cultures.  
• Collaborations: The project features musical contributions from Indian classical maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, with production by Grammy-winning producer Kabir Sehgal. 
• Global Recognition: The win underscores the global reach and universal appeal of Dalai Lama’s voice and teachings, crossing cultural, spiritual and artistic boundaries. 
• International Response: The achievement drew widespread acclaim, though it was also criticised by the Chinese government, which termed the award a form of political manipulation given longstanding tensions regarding the Dalai Lama’s status.

Read More:  Grammy Award, Dalai Lama 

Indian-Origin Scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan Wins Crafoord Prize 2026

Why in News?

Indian-origin climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan has been awarded the 2026 Crafoord Prize in Geosciences by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences — a distinction often described as the “Nobel of Geosciences” due to its prestige in fields not covered by the Nobel Prizes.

Key Points: 

• Key Contributions:The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences selected Ramanathan for his "pioneering contributions to our understanding of the role of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and the greenhouse effect." 
• Discovery of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases (1975): He was the first to demonstrate that Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)—previously only known for ozone depletion—were also potent greenhouse gases.  
• Atmospheric Brown Clouds (ABCs): His research identified vast "brown clouds" of soot and dust over South Asia and the Indian Ocean.  
  • He showed that these particles (Black Carbon) absorb sunlight, heating the atmosphere while simultaneously cooling the Earth's surface (dimming effect), which disrupts monsoon patterns. 
• Crafoord Prize: Established by Holger Crafoord (industrialist) and his wife Anna-Greta in 1980. 
• Awarded by: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (the same body that awards Nobel Prizes). 
• Disciplines: It is awarded in fields not covered by the Nobel Prizes: Mathematics, Astronomy, Geosciences, and Biosciences. 

Tripura’s gram panchayat tops India in Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0

Why in News?

Tripura has achieved a historic milestone in grassroots governance by securing the top rank in the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0, announced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Key Points:

• Top Performer in PAI 2.0: Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee, located in Jampuijala RD Block, Sepahijala district of Tripura, secured the first position nationwide with a score of 88.44 among nearly 2.5 lakh gram panchayats assessed. 
• Strong Showing by Tripura Panchayats: Tripura’s exceptional performance didn’t end there: 
  • South Nalchar Gram Panchayat (Nalchar RD Block, Sepahijala) secured the third position with a score of 88.14. 
  • Chesrimai Gram Panchayat (Charilam RD Block, Sepahijala) achieved the fourth position with a score of 87.85. 
• 100% Participation: Tripura achieved the rare distinction of 100% data submission and verification for all its 1,176 Gram Panchayats and Village Committees for the 2023–24 financial year. 
• Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India that evaluates the performance of over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across the country. 
  • Framework: It evaluates local bodies based on 435 unique local indicators across 9 themes aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
  • Key Indicators: Includes such as transparency, service delivery, decentralised planning, community participation and governance outcomes.  
• Aim: The index aims to strengthen grassroots democracy and local self-governance in line with national development goals. 

Yumnam Khemchand Singh Named Manipur Chief Minister

Why in News?

Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a senior BJP leader, has assumed office as the Chief Minister of Manipur, ending nearly a year of President’s Rule in the violence-affected state.

Key Points:

Key Appointments:

• Chief Minister:Yumnam Khemchand Singh (Singjamei MLA), a former Speaker and RSS veteran, is perceived as a "liberal Meitei" figure capable of bridging ethnic divides.
• Deputy CM (Kuki-Zo):Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi MLA) made history as the state's first woman and first Kuki-Zo Deputy Chief Minister. 
• Deputy CM (Naga): Losii Dikho of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) was appointed to represent the Naga community, ensuring a tripartite ethnic representation in the top executive.
• Significance of the Appointments:First woman and first Kuki-Zo deputy CM highlights steps toward inclusive governance in a multi-ethnic state.
  • The formation of the government after President’s Rule demonstrates a return to democratic governance and political normalcy.
• Constitutional Restoration: The revocation of President's Rule under Article 356(2) was notified by President Droupadi Murm
• Ethnic Balancing Act: The inclusion of Meitei, Kuki, and Naga leaders is a deliberate move to rebuild a fractured political landscape after two years of ethnic conflict.