State PCS - Chhattisgarh (CGPSC)

• 21 Apr 2026

Kankaria Becomes India’s First Water-Neutral Railway Depot

Why in News?  

The Kankaria Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad has been declared India’s first “water-neutral railway depot”, achieving a major milestone in sustainable water management. 

Key Points  

• First in India: Kankaria Coaching Depot (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) becomes the first railway depot in India to achieve water neutrality.  
  • The depot saves nearly 1.6 lakh litres of water daily, which is equivalent to more than 300 household water tanks.  
  • This leads to an estimated saving of about 5.84 crore litres of water annually.  
• Recycling: The depot treats and reuses wastewater generated from coach washing and maintenance operations, ensuring zero wastage.  
  • Water undergoes a scientific multi-stage process, including wetland-based treatment, sand filtration, carbon filtration, and UV disinfection.  
  • A key feature of the system is phytoremediation, where plants are used to naturally absorb and remove pollutants from wastewater.  
• Model for Indian Railways: The depot is being seen as a replicable model for other railway depots and stations across the country.  

Read More: Wastewater Treatment 

Meghalaya Recognises Khasi and Garo as Official Languages

Why in News? 

In a landmark reform aimed at linguistic preservation and administrative inclusivity, the Meghalaya Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026. This decision grants Khasi and Garo full official status alongside English, marking a historic shift in the state's language policy.  

Key Points 

• Repeal of 2005 Act: The new ordinance repeals the Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005, which previously designated English as the sole official language, with Khasi and Garo functioning only as "associate" languages. 
• Phased Implementation: While the status is granted immediately, the full rollout will be gradual.  
  • The state must first establish translation systems, recruit personnel, and create the necessary administrative infrastructure. 
• Administrative Use: Official government notifications, orders, and communications will eventually be issued in all three languages—English, Khasi, and Garo. 
• Legislative Changes: The state plans to amend the Meghalaya State Legislature (Continuance of the English Language) Act, 1980.  
  • This will allow legislators to speak and debate in their native Khasi and Garo during assembly sessions. 
• Constitutional Significance: By exercising powers under Article 345 of the Indian Constitution, the state government has officially formalised the use of indigenous languages for administrative purposes. 
• Eighth Schedule Demand: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated that according state-level official status is a strategic move to strengthen the long-standing demand for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.  
• Link Language: Despite the new status for indigenous tongues, English will continue to serve as the "common thread" or link language for inter-district communication and formal file notings to ensure administrative continuity.

Read More:Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao Honoured with 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award

Why in News?

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director of the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), has been conferred with the prestigious 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award for the 2024-2025 period. The award recognises his pioneering contribution to Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) and sustainable dryland farming in India.  

Key Points: 

• Climate Adaptation: Dr. Rao has played a critical role in developing and scaling climate-resilient technologies across rainfed regions in India, focusing on soil health and carbon sequestration. 
• Policy Planning: He was instrumental in designing the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, which helps farmers adapt to extreme weather events like droughts and heatwaves. 
• Contingency Mapping: His work includes the development of district-level agricultural contingency plans for over 650 districts in India, providing a roadmap for state governments to handle monsoon variability. 
• Soil Management: His research on soil carbon sequestration and "Climate-Smart" villages has helped smallholder farmers improve crop yields while reducing the environmental footprint of farming. 
• Significance: In the era of global boiling and unpredictable monsoons, Dr. Rao’s recognition underscores the shift in Indian agriculture from "production-centric" to "resilience-centric."  
• Climate Goals Alignment: His efforts align with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the goal of making Indian agriculture self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) in the face of climate challenges. 

Read More: M.S. Swaminathan Award 

Civil Services Day 2026

Why in News?  

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) will observe the 18th Civil Services Day on 21st April 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.  

Key Points  

• Organising Authority: The event will be organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.  
• Chief Guest: The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan.  
• Theme for 2026: The theme for Civil Services Day 2026 is “Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile.”  
• Breakaway Sessions: Four thematic breakaway sessions will be organised to deliberate on key governance priorities.  
  • One of the sessions titled “Sustainable Livelihood through PM Vishwakarma” will focus on strengthening livelihood opportunities for traditional artisans.  
  • The session will be chaired by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitan Ram Manjhi.  
• Objective: The day provides an opportunity for civil servants across India to recommit themselves to public service, good governance and citizen-centric administration.  
• Historical Significance: Civil Services Day commemorates 21st April 1947, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first batch of probationers of the All India Administrative Service and described civil servants as the “Steel Frame of India.”  

Read More:  PM Vishwakarma