State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 23 Jan 2026

Western Region State Water Secretaries Conference in Pune

Why in News? 

The Western Region State Water Secretaries Conference was held in Pune, Maharashtra, in January 2026. 

Key Points 

• Organising Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR). 
• Objective: Strengthen synergistic partnerships between the Central and Western Region States. 
  • For effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of water sector projects. 
• Focus Areas: Implementation of central sector water schemes 
  • Efficient water resource management and interstate cooperation. 
  • Promotion of sustainable irrigation projects and drinking water initiatives. 
  • Sharing best practices in water conservation, watershed management, and river basin development. 
• Significance: Strengthens Centre–State coordination in the water sector. 
  • Aims to accelerate National Jal Jeevan Mission targets and integrated water management. 
  • Encourages knowledge exchange and adoption of innovative technologies in water resource management.

Read More: Centre–State coordination,  National Jal Jeevan Mission 

DGCA Launches Electronic Personnel Licence Services for ATPL

Why in News? 

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) services for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) in January 2026. 

Key Points 

• Digital Licence: The Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) is a secure digital licence that incorporates International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)‑aligned security features. 
  • To ensure authenticity, tamper‑proofing, and real‑time online verification for pilot licences. 
• Access Platform: Pilots and stakeholders can access and manage the licence through the Electronic DGCA (eGCA) mobile application, enhancing convenience and transparency. 
• Previous Roll‑out: DGCA had earlier rolled out EPL services for Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s (Restricted) Licence (FRTOL) in February 2025.  
• Regulatory Impact: The initiative is a major step in strengthening India’s civil aviation regulatory framework through secure, modern, and future‑ready digital systems.  
• Relevance: The EPL initiative aligns with Digital India and Ease of Doing Business goals by reducing reliance on physical documents and improving service delivery in the aviation sector.

Read More: DGCA, ICAO,  Digital India,  Ease of Doing Business 

Amelia Valverde Appointed Head Coach of Indian Women’s Football Team

Why in News? 

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially appointed Amelia Valverde as the head coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National Team. 

Key Points: 

• Profile of Amelia Valverde: A highly experienced Costa Rican coach, Valverde is best known for her long tenure with the Costa Rica Women’s National Team, where she served as head coach from 2015 to 2023. 
• Historical Achievements: She successfully led Costa Rica to the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015 and 2023. 
• Vision 2047 Alignment: The appointment aligns with AIFF’s 'Vision 2047' roadmap, which seeks to make India a major footballing power in Asia and eventually qualify for the FIFA World Cup. 
• Focus on Infrastructure: Beyond coaching, Valverde is expected to contribute to the structural development of the women's game, including the Indian Women’s League (IWL). 
• Global Recognition: Bringing in a coach with World Cup experience signals India's intent to become a competitive force in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) region. 
• Sports Governance in India: The role of national federations (AIFF) in leveraging foreign expertise to build indigenous talent pools and sustainable sporting ecosystems.

Read More: All India Football Federation 

India's First Tailings Policy for Critical Minerals

Why in News? 

The Government of India has announced the country’s first-ever Tailings Policy, aimed at enabling the recovery of critical and strategic minerals from mine waste such as tailings, mine dumps, slags, and overburden.

Key Points:

• Definition of Tailings: Tailings are the residual waste materials (crushed rock, water, and chemicals) left over after valuable minerals have been extracted from ore. 
• Secondary Source Recovery: The policy shifts the focus toward extracting "companion minerals" from existing mine dumps, slag, fly ash, and tailings ponds. 
• Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Since critical minerals are often found in materials handled by different sectors, the policy mandates a coordinated approach involving the ministries of Coal, Mines, Petroleum, and Atomic Energy. 
• Technical Implementation: Agencies such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), and Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) will lead the identification, sampling, and economic evaluation of these secondary resources. 
• Circular Economy: By reprocessing waste, the policy promotes a circular mining economy, reducing the need for new mines and minimizing environmental hazards like land degradation and water contamination.  
• Reducing Import Dependence: India relies heavily on imports for minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, and Rare Earth Elements (REEs). Reprocessing tailings will strengthen domestic supply chains for electric vehicles (EVs) and clean energy. 
• Economic Value: Recovering companion metals (e.g., Selenium and Cobalt from copper tailings, or Indium from zinc waste) can unlock billions of dollars in "hidden" mineral value. 
• Alignment with National Goals: It supports the National Critical Mineral Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat by ensuring long-term resource security. 

Read More: National Critical Mineral Mission, Atmanirbhar Bharat