State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 04 Aug 2025

Heritage Train Patalpani-Kalakund Line in MP

Why in News? 

Indian Railways has resumed the operation of the historic (155 year old) Patalpani-Kalakund heritage train in Madhya Pradesh after a temporary suspension due to a drop in tourist footfall.  

Key Points 

• Origin of the Line: The line (Indore to Khandwa) was originally proposed by Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II (reign 1844-1886) of Indore in the 19th century, completed in 1878 under Holkar State Railways, and later merged with the Rajputana-Malwa Railway.  
  • The need for a railway line in the area was recognised in the 19th century, with the establishment of the princely state of Indore, under the house of the Holkars, as a British protectorate in 1818. 
  • The railway station at Patalpani was the first to be constructed on the line, between 1874 and 1878. 
• Location: The Patalpani-Kalakund line, located in the Dr Ambedkar Nagar-Khandwa section, has been operational as a heritage train since 2018.  
  • Despite the challenge of not being converted to broad gauge due to the difficult terrain, this 9.5 km meter-gauge line has been preserved for its historical and scenic value. 
• Uniqueness: The route covers deep gorges, high embankments, tunnels, and natural springs, including the famous Patalpani waterfall (on the Choral River, a tributary of the Narmada). 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indian Railways 

• Indian Railways (IR) boasts over 160 years of history, safeguarding both tangible and intangible heritage. 
• Indian Railways preserves four UNESCO accorded World Heritage Sites namely Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2005), Kalka Shimla Railway (2008) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (2004).  
  • There are two more in waiting or in the tentative list namely Matheran Light Railway and Kangra Valley Railway.

71st National Film Awards

Why in News?

The 71st National Film Awards were officially announced, honoring cinematic excellence from across India for the year 2023. 

Key Points

• The 2023 edition of the awards covered 31 feature films, 24 non-feature films, 27 books on cinema, and 16 film critics as part of the expanded scope under the National Film Awards regulations.
• Shah Rukh Khan won his first National Award in a career spanning over 30 years.

National Film Awards

• Organizer: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organizes the National Film Awards on behalf of the Government of India.
• Award Categories: The annual awards are conferred under the following sections: Feature Film, Non-Feature Film, Best Writing on Cinema and Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Top National Winners

Category	Winner(s)
Best Feature Film	12th Fail
Best Direction	Sudipto Sen – The Kerala Story
Best Actor	Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
Best Actress	Rani Mukerji – Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment	Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Best Debut Film of a Director	Aatmapamphlet
Best Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values	Sam Bahadur

Feature Film Awards

Award Category	Film / Artist
Best Hindi Film	Kathal
Best Bengali Film	Deep Fridge
Best Marathi Film	Shyamchi Aai
Best Background Score	Animal (Harshavardhan Rameshwar)
Best Female Playback Singer	Shilpa Rao – Chaliya (Jawan)
Best Male Playback Singer	PVN S Rohit – Baby (Telugu)
Best Editing	Pookkaalam – Midhun Murali
Best Cinematography	The Kerala Story – Prasanthanu Mohapatra
Best Costume Design	Sam Bahadur – Sachin, Divya, Nidhhi
Best Makeup	Sam Bahadur – Shrikanth Desai
Best Choreography	Dhindhora Baje Re – Rocky Aur Rani (Vaibhavi Merchant)
Best Sound Design	Animal – Sachin Sudhakaran & Hariharan

Acting Awards

Category	Winner(s)
Best Actor	Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
Best Actress	Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
Best Supporting Actor	Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam), Muthupettai Bhaskar (Parking)
Best Supporting Actress	Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janki Bodiwala (Vash)
Best Child Artist	Sukriti Bandireddi (Gandhi Thatha Chettu), Kabir Khandare (Gypsy), Treesha Toshar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav (Naal 2)

Non-Feature Film Awards

Award	Recipient
Best Documentary	God, Vulture and Human
Best Non-Fiction Film	Flowering Man
Best Short Film	Giddh – The Scavenger
Best Children’s Film	Naal 2
Best Film in AVGC	HanuMan
Best Voiceover	The Sacred Jack – Hari Krishnan S
Best Debut (Non-feature)	The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw
Best Social & Environmental Values	The Silent Epidemic

Sonali Mishra: First Woman DG of RPF

Why in News? 

In a historic moment for Indian Railways, Sonali Mishra, a 1983 batch IPS officer from Madhya Pradesh, has assumed the position of Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), becoming the first woman to lead the force in its 143-year history. 

Key Points 

• Appointment: Sonali Mishra’s appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, and her tenure as DG will extend until her superannuation on 31^st October 2026.  
  • She succeeds Manoj Yadava, who retired on 31st  July 2025. 
• Before her appointment as DG of RPF 
  • Served as Additional Director General of Police (Selection/Recruitment) in Madhya Pradesh. 
  • Held additional responsibilities at the Police Training & Research Institute, Bhopal. 
  • Served as the Director of the Madhya Pradesh Police Academy. 
• Career 
  • She worked with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Border Security Force (BSF). 
  • Gained international experience with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo. 
• Recognitions and Awards 
  • Awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. 
  • Honored with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service. 

RPF

• The RPF is an armed force under the control of the Union Ministry of Railways, tasked with protecting railway property, passenger areas, and passengers.  
  • Originally part of the Watch and Ward set-up of Private Railway Companies in 1881, it was reorganised into a statutory body under the RPF Act, 1957. 
  • The post-independence era brought significant changes; the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act was passed in 1966 to improve security, and in 1985, the RPF Act was amended, making RPF an Armed Force and emerged as a Central Police Organization.  
  • Motto: Yasho Labhasva (Attaining honour).