State PCS - Karnataka (KPSC)

• 11 Mar 2026

Balendra Shah Set to Become Nepal’s Youngest Prime Minister

Why in News? 

In a historic shift in Nepal's political landscape, 35-year-old structural engineer and former rapper Balendra Shah (popularly known as Balen) is set to become the youngest Prime Minister of Nepal.

Key Points: 

• Decisive Mandate: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) achieved a landslide victory, securing 125 of the 165 directly elected seats in the House of Representatives. The party is projected to command a two-thirds majority in the 275-member parliament. 
• The "Balen Wave": Shah defeated veteran politician and four-time Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in his traditional stronghold of Jhapa-5 by a margin of nearly 50,000 votes. 
• Historic Firsts: Balendra Shah will be the first Prime Minister from the Madhesi community and the first non-traditional political figure to lead the nation. 
• Catalyst for Change: The election followed intense youth-led protests in late 2025 against corruption, unemployment, and digital censorship. These protests led to the dissolution of the previous government and the installation of an interim administration. 
• Rise of RSP: Founded in 2022, the RSP campaigned on a platform of "Generation Change," focusing on technocratic governance, transparency, and economic revival. 
• Diplomatic Significance: The victory marks a departure from the traditional rotation of power between the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, and the Maoists.  
• Core Policy Objectives: Pledges to increase Nepal’s GDP to $100 billion and double the per capita income to $3,000. 
  • Employment: A commitment to create 1.2 million jobs over five years to address the high rate of youth out-migration.

WHO Verifies Chile as First Country in the Americas to Eliminate Leprosy

Why in News? 

In a historic public health achievement, Chile has officially become the first country in the Americas to be verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the elimination of leprosy (Hansen's Disease) as a public health problem. 

Key Points: 

• WHO Verification: The announcement was made on 10th March, 2026, following a rigorous evaluation by an independent international commission. 
• Regional First: Chile is the first nation in the Region of the Americas (PAHO/WHO) to reach this milestone, setting a precedent for other nations in the Global South. 
• Definition of Elimination: Elimination is defined by the WHO as reaching a prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 inhabitants at the national level. 
• Sustained Effort: The verification follows years of robust surveillance, early diagnosis, and free multi-drug therapy (MDT) provided through Chile's public health system. 
• Global Leprosy Strategy (2021–2030): Aims for "Towards Zero Leprosy," focusing on zero infection, zero disease, and zero stigma/discrimination. 
• Validation of Public Health Infrastructure: Chile’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating leprosy services into the general primary healthcare framework. 
• Reduction of Stigma: Verification helps dismantle the ancient social stigma associated with the "Leper" label, promoting human rights. 

Read More:Leprosy