State PCS - Odisha (OPSC)

• 20 Jan 2026

Punjab Agricultural University Joins BRICS Network University on Food Security

Why in News? 

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has been included in the BRICS Network University under the thematic area of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. 

Key Points 

• Unique status: PAU is the only state agricultural university from India chosen in this thematic cluster, highlighting its research stature and contributions. 
  • Peer representation: In the same thematic area, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Delhi represents the national institute category.  
• Focus: The inclusion emphasises sustainable agriculture, food security, and innovation in agri‑food systems among BRICS nations. 
• Purpose: This will facilitate multilateral research, education and innovation frameworks to address urgent global agri‑food challenges. 
• Global grouping: The BRICS Network University includes partner institutions from the BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia — aimed at academic and research cooperation.  
  • International partnerships: The BRICS platform will allow PAU to co‑create solutions for food security, climate adaptation and sustainable rural livelihoods with partner universities. 
• Timing significance: Inclusion comes as India prepares for BRICS Chairmanship in 2026. 
  • Benefit: Farmers, researchers and students across member countries.

Read More: BRICS, Sustainable agriculture,  Food Security, 

Andhra Pradesh to Develop Satellite Launch Facility on Hope Island

Why in News? 

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced plans to develop a satellite launching facility on Hope Island. 

Key Points 

• Location: The proposed satellite launching facility will be built on Hope Island in Kakinada Bay, Andhra Pradesh. 
  • Strategic distance: Hope Island lies about 600 km from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, India’s principal spaceport.  
  • Coastal advantage: Hope Island’s coastal location provides a strategic advantage for launch trajectories over the Bay of Bengal and minimal population risk. 
• Project name: Part of the Space City project, intended to create a space and aerospace hub. 
  • This highlights Andhra Pradesh’s growing focus on technology, innovation and industrial development in high-tech sectors. 
• Collaboration with: Greenko Group. 
• Space ecosystem vision: The facility aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s vision to position itself as a hub for aerospace and commercial space activities.

National Capacity Building Programme for Tribal Healers in Hyderabad

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a National Capacity Building Programme for Tribal Healers in Hyderabad, Telangana. 

Key Points 

• Launch venue: The Programme for Tribal Healers was held in January 2026 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad, to enhance tribal health services. 
• Addressed by: The event was addressed by Jual Oram, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs. 
• Objective: The programme aims to 
  • Recognise and engage tribal healers as collaborative partners in public health outreach and tribal health transformation. 
  • Strengthen last-mile health service delivery in geographically and culturally isolated tribal regions. 
  • Eliminate communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy in tribal areas. 
• National Tribal Health Observatory: A MoU with ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar was signed to establish India’s first Bharat Tribal Health Observatory (B-THO) under Project DRISTI for tribe-disaggregated health data and research. 
• Project DRISTI: A national initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with ICMR to create a tribe-disaggregated health information system. 
  • Aimed at improving healthcare planning, disease monitoring, and policy decisions for tribal populations. 
• Bharat Tribal Health Observatory (B‑THO): A first-of-its-kind national health observatory established under Project DRISTI. 
  • To collect, analyse, and share health data of tribal communities, integrate tribal healers into the health system, and support disease prevention and research in tribal areas.

Read More:  Communicable diseases,  ICMR, 

MSME Ministry Approves Technology Centres in Himachal Pradesh

Why in News? 

In January 2026, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) approved the establishment of two new MSME Technology Centres in Himachal Pradesh.

Key Points 

• Locations: The centres will be located at the Pandoga industrial area in Una district and the Parwanoo industrial area in Solan district. 
• Funding: Each centre is estimated to be developed at a cost of approximately ₹10 crore (₹100 million). 
• Nationwide Context: These two sites are part of a larger plan to establish 13 new Technology Centres/Extension Centres across India. 
• Infrastructure: The Pandoga facility is planned to be housed within the existing Community Centre building of the Haroli Assembly segment to expedite operations.  
• Objectives: The centres will provide advanced technical inputs, innovation support, and modern machinery to both existing and new industrial units. 
• Skill Development: A primary focus is strengthening youth skill training in high-end fields like artificial intelligence and robotics, with some programs offered in virtual mode for remote accessibility. 
• Industrial Boost: The initiative aims to enhance competitiveness in sectors such as engineering, plastics, and automation, ultimately encouraging fresh industrial investment and job creation in the state.  
• Significance: These new facilities will complement the existing MSME Technology Centre in Baddi, which already provides advanced training and production support in the region. 

48th Kokborok Day Celebrations in Tripura

Why in News? 

Tripura observed the 48th Kokborok Day (also known as Tripuri Language Day) with state-wide cultural fervor and renewed linguistic demands. The day commemorates the historic recognition of Kokborok as an official state language on January 19, 1979, under the then-state government.

Key Points: 

• Official Ceremonies: Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha led celebrations at Tripura Bhavan in New Delhi, emphasizing Kokborok as a vital link to the state's cultural identity and reaffirming the government's commitment to its promotion. 
• Cultural Rallies: Major rallies were held across the state, including a grand procession in Agartala involving approximately 3,000 participants.  
• Government Initiatives:Introduction of Kokborok courses at college and university levels to promote linguistic heritage. 
  • Efforts to integrate tribal and non-tribal communities to strengthen social harmony. 
• Commemoration: The day marks January 19, 1979, when Kokborok was first recognized as an official state language alongside Bengali and English. 
• The Language: Kokborok belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family and is the native tongue of the Borok (Tripuri) people. 
  • Despite recognition in 1979, it is not yet included in the 8th Schedule, limiting its national-level protection. 
• Region: Kokborok is spoken by indigenous Tripuri communities and in neighboring Bangladesh. 

Read More: 8th Schedule