• 05 Aug 2025

Pratyaya Amrit: New Chief Secretary of Bihar

Why in News?

In a significant administrative shift, Pratyaya Amrit, a 1991 batch IAS officer from Bihar, has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Bihar, succeeding Amrit Lal Meena, who will retire on 31st August 2025. 

Pratyaya will officially assume charge on 1st September 2025.

Key Points

• Pratyaya Amrit, currently serving as the Development Commissioner of Bihar, has been entrusted with the responsibility of Chief Secretary. 
  • In addition, he holds the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary for the Health and Disaster Management Departments.
• He was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2011 for his exceptional contributions to public service.

Key Facts About Office of Chief Secretary 

• Office: The office of the Chief Secretary in India originated during British rule in 1799 under Lord Wellesley and has since become integral to the state's administration.  
  • The Chief Secretary serves as the highest-ranking civil servant in a state, overseeing the state Secretariat and coordinating government functions. 
• Appointment and Status: The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister (in the name of the Governor of the state) from senior IAS officers based on factors like seniority, merit, and trust.  
  • The office was standardized in 1973 to equate it with the position of Secretary to the Government of India.  
• Powers and Functions: 
  • Advisor to Chief Minister: Acts as the principal advisor on matters of state administration and provides guidance on policy issues. 
  • Secretary to the Cabinet: Prepares the Cabinet meeting agenda, records proceedings, and oversees decision implementation. 
  • Head of Civil Service: Oversees appointments, transfers, and promotions within the state civil service and maintains the morale of the civil servants.

FDI in UP Shows Significant Growth

Why in News?

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Uttar Pradesh (UP) has surged significantly in recent years, with the state government reporting significant growth between 2019 and 2023. 

Key Points

• Historical Challenges: Historically, UP struggled with a poor industrial ecosystem that discouraged foreign investors. A combination of factors contributed to this unfavorable environment, including:
  • Low rankings in ease of doing business
  • Absence of a streamlined single-window clearance system
  • Insufficient basic infrastructure
  • Unclear industrial policies
  • Unstable law and order conditions
• Shift in FDI Trends: From 2000 to 2017, Uttar Pradesh's FDI was limited to only Rs 3,000 crore, but it has surged in recent years.
  • Uttar Pradesh is now the 11th most attractive state for FDI, with a total inflow of $1.7 billion from October 2019 to September 2024.
  • The state ranks first in India for the export of consumer electronics, hosting 196 Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) companies currently operating within its borders.
• Key Policy Reforms: 
  • The UP Investors Summit 2018 set the stage for the state’s investment-friendly initiatives. 
    • The summit attracted investment proposals worth Rs 4.28 lakh crore. 
    • Building on this success, the Global Investors Summit (GIS) in 2023 drew Rs 33.50 lakh crore in investment proposals.
  • Uttar Pradesh Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Fortune Global 500 & Fortune India 500 Companies' Investment Promotion Policy-2023
  • Uttar Pradesh Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy 2022
  • Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024
  • Uttar Pradesh Global Capability Centres Policy 2024
• Project Implementation: The UP government introduced the concept of Groundbreaking Ceremonies (GBCs). 
  • These events serve as a platform for launching large-scale investment projects statewide, with over 16,000 projects initiated across the first four GBCs, more than 8,000 of which are already operational.
    • For the upcoming GBC-5, the state government is targeting the grounding of projects worth Rs 5 lakh crore, with the potential to scale up to Rs 10 lakh crore by the event's date. 
    • The bulk of the investment has flowed into the manufacturing, services, and infrastructure sectors, with the manufacturing sector receiving the largest share at 62.25% of the total investment.

Chhattisgarh’s Deepak Kingrani Wins National Award for Best Dialogue Writing

Why in News?

Deepak Kingrani, hailing from Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district in Chhattisgarh, has been honored with the National Film Award for Best Dialogue Writing for the year 2023. 

Key Points

• Deepak Kingrani, an engineer, moved to Mumbai to pursue his passion for cinema, eventually earning recognition in the film industry. 
  • His written film, ‘Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai’, was also nominated for Best Film in the National Awards.
• ‘Special Ops’ (2020) gave Kingrani a clear direction in his career, leading to his continued success. 
  • He is also credited with the script for ‘Mission Ranjiganj’ (2023) and ‘Bhayya Ji’ (2024).
  • His first films as a dialogue writer were War Chhod Na Yaar (2013), and Pagalpanti (2019).

National Film Awards 2023

• The 71st National Film Awards were announced to honor cinematic excellence from across India for the year 2023. 
  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organizes the National Film Awards on behalf of the Government of India.
• 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.
  • 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 Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values	Sam Bahadur

Lumpy Skin Disease

Why in News?

Fresh cases of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cows have recently been reported in the Sirohi district, Rajasthan, three years after the region was devastated by the same disease. 

Key Points About Lumpy Skin Disease

• Causes: LSD is caused by infection of cattle or water buffalo with the poxvirus Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV).
  • According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the mortality rate is less than 10%.
  • Lumpy skin disease was first seen as an epidemic in Zambia in 1929. Initially, it was thought to be the result of either poisoning or hypersensitivity to insect bites.
• Transmission: Lumpy skin disease is primarily spread between animals by biting insects (vectors), such as mosquitoes and biting flies.
• Symptoms: The disease is marked by the appearance of lumps on the skin of infected cows and can lead to a reduction in milk production and, in severe cases, death.
  • It primarily consists of fever, fluid excretion from eyes and nose, dribbling of saliva from the mouth and blisters on the body.
• Prevention and Treatment: Vaccination against these diseases is covered under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme of India.
  • There are no specific antiviral drugs available for the treatment of lumpy skin disease. 
    • The only treatment available is supportive care of cattle. This can include treatment of skin lesions using wound care sprays and the use of antibiotics to prevent secondary skin infections and pneumonia.
  • Anti-inflammatory painkillers can be used to keep up the appetite of affected animals.

West Bengal's 'Amader Para Amader Samadhan' Initiative

Why in News?

The West Bengal state government launched the 'Amader Para Amader Samadhan' programme (APAS), a transformative initiative designed to take the administration directly to the people. 

Key Points

• About: Amader Samadhan campaign (APAS) is a unique flagship initiative aimed at institutionalising participatory governance and re-imagining grassroots service delivery through citizens-engagement and empowerment.
  • Its core goal is to resolve grievances on the spot, ensuring that citizens have access to immediate assistance and a direct connection with government officials. 
• Scope and Timeline: The program, running from 2nd August to 3rd November 2025, has received an overwhelming response, with over 4.5 lakh registrations across 1,200 camps statewide since its launch.
  • Over 27,000 camps will be set up to cover all 80,000+ polling booths in West Bengal, offering essential services like road and drainage repair, school maintenance, and garbage management.
• Funding and Scale: The government has allocated ₹8,000 crore, with ₹10 lakh dedicated for each booth to address hyper-local infrastructural needs (such as roads, water, street lighting, school repairs).
• Community-centric Model: 
  • Each camp typically covers three booths, but the structure is flexible: rural/remote areas might have one camp per booth, while urban sectors may cluster more booths together.
  • Neutral community representatives, like prominent non-political locals like retired teachers, government employees, or Self Help Group(SHGs) members, are chosen to help identify and prioritize each area’s needs. A government facilitator also participates.
• Transparency & Digital Records: All grievances and solutions are digitally managed. Citizens can submit problems directly, and local authorities are instructed to collect and digitally log issues for follow-up.
  • Details for each camp (date, location) are published online; citizens can check their local schedule via a portal.
• Inclusion of Self-Help Groups and Government Services: The camps also feature products from SHGs, offering a platform for local artisans and small businesses to display their goods. 
  • This inclusion ties into the broader mission of economic empowerment and community development.

Sixth Anniversary of Article 370’s Revocation

Why in News?

5th August 2025, marked the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. 

Key Facts About Article 370

• Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
• It was drafted by N Gopalaswami Ayyangar, a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and was added as a 'temporary provision' in 1949.
• This article allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its constitution, flag, and autonomy over most matters except defence, foreign affairs, and communications.
• The provision was based on the terms of the Instrument of Accession, which was signed by the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh, in 1947 following an invasion by Pakistan.

Repeal of Article 370 by Government

• Presidential Order: In the 2019 Presidential orders, Parliament brought a provision giving new meaning to “constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir”, to mean “Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir”, and then assumed the powers of the Legislative Assembly through the President's rule to revoke Article 370.
  • Concurrent resolutions by both houses of Parliament revoked the remaining provisions of Article 370 and replaced them with new ones.
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: The Act bifurcated the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: J&K (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

• Bifurcation: The Act divided Jammu and Kashmir into 2 Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • Leh and Kargil districts were included in the Union Territory of Ladakh, while the remaining areas became part of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Five Lok Sabha seats were retained by Jammu and Kashmir, and one was transferred to Ladakh.
• Legislature: The seats in the Legislative Assembly will be reserved for tribal and scheduled caste people to keep the proportion intact of their population in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Lt. Governors can nominate two women members for the Assembly to represent women.
  • The Legislative Assembly has the right to pass a law for any given part of the Union Territory of J&K related to any of the matters listed in the Indian Constitutions State's List except for the "Police" and "Public Order."

Well-Drilling Initiative for CO2 Mineralisation

Why in News?

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal), in collaboration with Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), has initiated a well-drilling project as part of the DeCarbFaroe Programme. 

Key Points

• DeCarbFaroe Programme: This programme focuses on exploring CO2 mineralisation in basalt for carbon storage purposes, a crucial aspect of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology aimed at addressing climate change. 
  • The project spans across nine countries in Europe and Asia, promoting scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange for advancing sustainable energy transitions. India plays a central role in this international effort.
• Collaboration and International Insights: The project extends from PERBAS, an international programme assessing the safety of carbon storage in flood basalts.
  • PERBAS incorporates valuable lessons from successful CO2 mineralisation trials conducted in Iceland and the United States, where CO2 was mineralised in basalt formations within two years. 
• Financial Support: The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, provides financial backing for both the PERBAS and DeCarbFaroe initiatives. 
• CO2 Capture and Storage in Basalt Formations: CCS technology works by capturing CO2  from industrial emissions and injecting it deep underground for long-term storage.
  • The captured CO2 is mixed with water and injected into geological formations, such as saline aquifers or Deccan Trap basalt rocks.
    • Basalt formations (Deccan Traps) facilitate rapid CO2 mineralization, a process in which CO2 reacts with basalt to form stable carbonate minerals within a few years.
      • This mineralisation ensures long-term carbon storage with minimal risk of CO2 leakage, making it a safer option for long-term sequestration.
• Significance: As India emerges as the third-largest carbon emitter globally, with significant reliance on coal, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology becomes essential. CCS allows for the continued use of coal while mitigating its environmental impact. 
  • Projections by the Energy Information Administration (2009) suggest that developing nations will contribute 59% of global energy growth and 94% of the increase in coal usage by 2030, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions.

Haryana Dominates U-20 Indian Women Team for WWC

Why in News?

The Indian women's wrestling team for the U-20 World Wrestling Championship (WWC)  2025 has been finalized, with nine out of ten wrestlers hailing from Haryana. 

• This milestone showcased its dominance in women’s wrestling. The Under-20 championship will take place from 13th to 21st September in Zagreb, Croatia.

Key Points

• The trials for the 2025 World Wrestling Championship were held at the IG Stadium in Delhi, where 42 female wrestlers from across the country competed for a spot in the Indian team.
  • Vaishnavi Patila, one of the 10 wrestlers selected, is from Maharashtra.
  • The Indian Wrestling Federation (IWF) played an instrumental role in ensuring the smooth execution of the trials, with Sanjay Singh (President) in attendance.

World Wrestling Championships (WWC)

• About: The WWC is organized by United World Wrestling (UWW). United World Wrestling (UWW) is the international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling, both for Greco-Roman wrestling (men only) and freestyle wrestling (men's and women's).
  • UWW is headquartered in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland
• India's Achievements in WWC: India has achieved 23 medals at the World Wrestling Championships, consisting of 1 Gold medal, 5 Silver medals and 17 Bronze medals.

UP Economic Offences Wing Revamped

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has undergone significant restructuring to enhance its capabilities, taking inspiration from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). 

• The new measures focus on adopting advanced technological tools, accelerating investigations, and improving public accessibility to report financial crimes.

Key Reforms and Measures

• Enhanced Public Access: A major reform allows citizens easy access to report financial crimes.
  • The state’s emergency helpline, 112, has been integrated with EOW to enable the public to report cases such as Ponzi scheme fraud, Stamp fraud, Multi-marketing fraud, etc.
• Professional Expertise and Training: The EOW aims to become a robust and trusted institution for both enforcement and public outreach.
  • To enhance the professionalism of its officers, a day-long workshop was organized with experts from agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and other central agencies.
  • The focus of the workshop was to educate on various forms of financial crimes, address investigation nuances,  and tackle emerging challenges in financial crime enforcement.
• Public Awareness and Education: A core part of EOW’s strategy is public awareness.
  • The agency has created eight animated booklets in both digital and print formats to educate citizens about various financial crimes they may encounter and how to stay vigilant and protected.
  • A short film on financial crime prevention was also launched to engage the public, along with a new EOW logo.
• Technological Upgrades: The EOW is now equipped with cutting-edge tools to streamline operations, including 24x7 Case Management Software (CMS) for real-time case monitoring and faster resolution.

Economic Offences Wing (EOW)

• The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) was created in 1970 within the CID to address economic crimes, with an expanded focus in 1972 to include offenses related to 10 government departments.
  • In 1977, EOW was restructured as a separate, specialized investigation branch of the Uttar Pradesh Police.
• In 2006, the EOW's jurisdiction was further broadened to include the investigation and inquiry of economic offenses across all government departments.
• In 2018, the government established four police stations within EOW sectors in Lucknow, Varanasi, Meerut, and Kanpur.
• The EOW is led by the D.G. EOW, with its headquarters in Lucknow, is divided into five sectors, each managed by an officer of SP rank.

Bhilwara’s Ashwini Vishnoi Wins Gold at U-17 WWC

Why in News?

Bhilwara’s Ashwini Vishnoi made history by winning a gold medal at the Under-17 World Wrestling Championship (WWC), which took place in Athens, Greece (from 28th July to 3rd August 2025). 

• In a spectacular display of skill and determination, she triumphed over Uzbekistan’s Mukayo Rakhimjonova 3-0 in the final. 
• This victory marks her as Rajasthan’s first female wrestler to win this prestigious title, boosting her prominence internationally.

Key Points

• In her first match, she defeated a wrestler Mukayo Rakhimjonova from Uzbekistan. 
  • She then won her second match against a wrestler from Kazakhstan. 
  • Ashwini advanced to the final, where she faced China’s Jiaao in the 65 kg category and won the match easily, securing the gold medal.
• In the last two years, Ashwini has not only gained national recognition but has earned five international gold medals, solidifying her place on the global stage.
  • She has won multiple gold medals, including triumphs at the Asian Wrestling Championship and the World Wrestling Championship. 

World Wrestling Championship (WWC)

• The WWC is organized by United World Wrestling (UWW). United World Wrestling (UWW) is the international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling, both for Greco-Roman wrestling (men only) and freestyle wrestling (men's and women's).
• UWW is headquartered in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland.