State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 24 Oct 2025

Helicopter-Driven Boma Technique

Why in News?

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has, for the first time in India, launched a helicopter-driven Boma technique to capture and relocate blackbucks and nilgais responsible for crop damage in the western parts of the state, marking a pioneering step in wildlife management.

Key Points

• About: The operation commenced in the Kalapipal area of Shajapur district, where blackbucks and nilgais have caused extensive damage to standing crops, posing a major challenge for farmers.
  • The ten-day pilot operation in Shajapur aims to protect farmers’ crops and promote safe, scientific wildlife management, with plans to replicate the initiative in other parts of Madhya Pradesh based on its success.
  • On the first day, 45 blackbucks were captured using the helicopter-driven Boma technique and relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, about 275 km away, under the supervision of a 15-member expert team from South Africa.
• Boma Technique: The Boma technique is a wildlife capture and translocation method developed in Africa.
  • It involves using helicopters and funnel-shaped enclosures (bomas) to herd animals safely into a capture area.
  • The method minimises stress and injury to animals, ensuring safe and efficient relocation.
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:
  • It is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, bordering Rajasthan, and spans 368 sq km.  
  • It features a diverse ecosystem of savanna, open grasslands, dry deciduous forests, and riverine areas, and is recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). 
  • The sanctuary's vegetation is characteristic of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

Blackbuck 

• About: 
  • It is a flagship indicator of grassland ecosystem health 
  • Primarily inhabits open grasslands and scrublands across states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. 
• Conservation Status:  
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I 
  • CITES: Appendix III 

Blue Bull (Nilgai)

• About:
  • Largest Asian antelope, belonging to the family Bovidae, is native to the Indian subcontinent.
  • Inhabits lightly wooded forests, scrublands, grasslands, and agricultural areas, and is often seen near human settlements.
• Distribution: Found in India, Nepal, and Pakistan
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule III 

Pinky Anand Appointed Judge at Bahrain International Commercial Court

Why in News?

Dr. Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate and former Additional Solicitor General of India, has been appointed as a Judge of the Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC), following the 2024 appointment of former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul to the same court.

Dr. Pinky Anand

• Background: A Harvard Law School graduate and Inlaks Scholar, Dr. Pinky Anand has over 40 years of legal experience, having served as Additional Solicitor General of India (2014–2020), with expertise in constitutional law, civil arbitration, and criminal law.
• International Representation: Represented India in various national and international fora, including BRICS; founding member of the BRICS Legal Forum.
• Honours: Awarded the French National Order of Merit by the President of France.

Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC)

• The Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC), established to handle complex cross-border commercial disputes, will commence operations with a swearing-in ceremony for judges on 5th November 2025, attended by the Bahraini monarchy and the Prime Minister.
• The BICC is presided over by renowned arbitration expert Jan Paulsson and comprises 17 judges — 7 women and 10 men — representing diverse jurisdictions across the globe.
• The court was established under a treaty between Bahrain and Singapore in March 2024, and is modelled on the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) to promote international best practices in commercial dispute resolution.

Neeraj Chopra Conferred Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel

Why in News?

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in recognition of his outstanding achievements and service to the nation.

• The pipping ceremony was held at South Block, New Delhi where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally presented the rank insignia in the presence of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

Key Points

• About: Born on 24th December 1997 in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, Neeraj Chopra hails from a farming family and has emerged as one of India’s most celebrated athletes.

• Journey in the Indian Army:
  • Neeraj Chopra joined the Indian Army in August 2016 as a Naib Subedar in the Rajputana Rifles Regiment and was promoted to Subedar in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in athletics.
  • In 2022, after his Olympic triumph, he was further promoted to Subedar Major and awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest peacetime honour of the Indian Army.
  • In April 2025, President Smt Droupadi Murmu granted him the Honorary Commission as Lieutenant Colonel in recognition of his service to the nation and outstanding sporting achievements.
• Achievements in Sports:
  • Tokyo Olympics 2020: Created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal in track and field.
  • World Athletics Championships 2023: Won the Gold Medal, further strengthening India’s presence in global athletics.
  • Paris Olympics 2024: Secured a Silver Medal, maintaining his elite performance level.
  • Asian Games & Commonwealth Games: Multiple Gold Medals showcasing dominance in javelin throw across international events.
  • Diamond League & Other Events: Consistently achieved top podium finishes, with a personal best throw of 90.23 metres (2025) — a record in Indian athletics.
• Awards and Honours:
  • Vishisht Seva Medal (2023)
  • Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2022)
  • Padma Shri (2022) 
  • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021)
  • Arjuna Award (2018)