State PCS - JAMMU & KASHMIR (JKAS)

• 21 Jan 2026

CoE for Power Sector Regulation at IIT Delhi

Why in News? 

The Union Minister for Power, inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi. 

Key Points 

• Collaborating Institutions: The CoE is jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and Grid Controller of India Ltd. (Grid India). 
• Purpose: It will serve as a national hub for regulatory research, advisory support, capacity building and knowledge dissemination in power sector regulation. 
  • Focus areas: The CoE will undertake multidisciplinary research on power sector regulations, market design, grid operations, energy transition, decarbonisation pathways, digitalisation, energy storage and emerging technologies like green hydrogen. 
  • Capacity building: It will support strengthening institutional capabilities and provide structured training programmes for regulators, policymakers, and other professionals. 
• Role in energy transition: By focusing on analytical tools and evidence‑based research, the Centre will aid India’s transition toward clean energy, competitive markets and consumer‑centric reforms. 
• Institutional model: The partnership integrates regulatory leadership (CERC), system operation (Grid India) and academic excellence (IIT Delhi) to inform future‑ready regulatory frameworks. 

Read More: Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), Grid Controller of India Ltd. 

XV Finance Commission Grants Released for Assam

Why in News? 

The Union Government has released ₹213.9 crore to Assam under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) Grants to strengthen Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for the financial year 2025–26.

Key Points: 

• Aim of Grant:The funds aim to enhance grassroots governance and improve the delivery of basic civic services in rural areas. 
• Coverage: The grants were allocated for all 2,401 eligible rural local bodies (RLBs) across the state covering 2,192 Gram Panchayats, 182 Block Panchayats and 27 Zilla Parishads  
  • The Ministry of Finance disbursed the funds based on recommendations from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• Purpose of XV Finance Commission Grants:Under the XV Finance Commission framework, grants are provided in two instalments annually and are categorised into: 
  • Untied Grants – enabling PRIs to address location-specific developmental needs under the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. 
  • Tied Grants – earmarked for sanitation, solid and liquid waste management, drinking water supply, and maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. 
• Significance:The release reinforces the Centre’s commitment to fiscal decentralisation, local self-governance, and rural infrastructure development, strengthening the role of PRIs as institutions of democratic grassroots planning. 

Read More: XV Finance Commission,Open Defecation Free 

Discovery Of A Rare Caecilian From Northern Western Ghats Of Maharashtra

Why in News?

Scientists announced the discovery of a new species of blind caecilian, named Gegeneophis valmiki, from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. This discovery is the first for its genus in over a decade.

Key Points: 

• Location: The species was first collected in 2017 on the Valmiki Plateau in the Satara district of Maharashtra. 
• Etymology: It is named after the historic Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site reflecting the tradition of linking species nomenclature with geographic or cultural landmarks.  
• Research Team: Led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the discovery involved researchers from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Balasaheb Desai College, and the Mhadei Research Centre. 
• Appearance: Like other caecilians, Gegeneophis valmiki is a limbless, worm-like amphibian. 
• Fossorial Nature: It is a subterranean (underground) dweller with eyes hidden beneath bone, earning it the common name "blind caecilian". 
• Ecological Role: These animals are beneficial to agricultural ecosystems as their burrowing aerates the soil and enhances its structure while they feed on soil invertebrates. 
• Significance:The Western Ghats, recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, harbour many endemic amphibian species.  
  • Globally, about 41% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction, making new species identification critical for conservation action. 

Read more:  Zoological Survey of India,Western Ghats 

C-DOT Receives SKOCH Award 2025 for Cell Broadcast Solution

Why in News? 

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has been conferred the SKOCH Award 2025 at the 104th SKOCH Summit for its Cell Broadcast Solution, recognising its contribution to public safety, disaster communication, and digital governance.

Key Points: 

• SKOCH Award 2025: It was presented on January 19, 2026, during the 104th SKOCH Summit in New Delhi.  
• Theme: The summit followed the theme "Resourcing Viksit Bharat" and recognized excellence in governance, technology, and public service. 
• Cell Broadcast Solution:C-DOT's CBS is a unified, national disaster and emergency alerting platform with several advanced capabilities:  
  • Geo-Targeted Alerts: Delivers life-saving information to mobile phones within specific, high-risk geographical areas. 
  • Real-Time Multilingual Support: Disseminates alerts in 21 Indian languages, ensuring inclusive reach across diverse demographics. 
  • Network Resilience: Unlike standard SMS, cell broadcast messages reach all devices in a targeted location instantly, even during network congestion. 
• Strategic Significance:The solution aligns with international standards, including the United Nations' "Early Warnings for All" initiative and the ITU’s Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).  
  • It is compatible with 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies, ensuring broad coverage across different mobile network generations in India. 
• Align with Atmanirbhar Bharat:It supports national security, public safety, and citizen-centric governance, aligning with Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. 

Khelo India Winter Games 2026 in Ladakh

Why in News? 

The sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 was declared open in Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh. 

Key Points 

• Inauguration: The event was inaugurated at Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta. 
• Organising Authorities: The event is being organised by the Youth Services and Sports Department of Ladakh UT, under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). 
• Sports Disciplines: The Games include ice sports such as ice hockey and ice skating. 
  • Figure skating has been added to the programme for the first time. 
• Format: The 2026 edition is designed as a two‑leg competition- 
  • Ice sports in Leh 
  • Snow events in Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir). 
• Sports Policy in Ladakh: The UT’s first Sports Policy aims at talent identification, inclusive sports, support for women and Divyang athletes, scholarships, job reservations, and world-class sports infrastructure. 
• Significance: The Games aim to build competitive exposure for athletes, align domestic competition with international standards, and develop winter sports infrastructure in the Himalayan region.