State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 11 Mar 2026

India’s Cheetah Population Surpasses 50

Why in News? 

India's ambitious Project Cheetah achieved a significant milestone on 9th March , 2026, as the total cheetah population in the country crossed the 50-mark. This follows the birth of a fresh litter of five cubs to the Namibian cheetah 'Jwala' at Kuno National Park (KNP), Madhya Pradesh. 

Key Points: 

• New Additions: Namibian cheetah Jwala, a third-time mother, gave birth to five healthy cubs. 
• Current Tally: With this birth, the total number of cheetahs in India has reached 53. 
• India-Born Success: The number of cheetah cubs born on Indian soil has risen to 33. 
• Reproductive Milestone: This marks the 10th successful cheetah litter in India since the project's inception. 
• Recent Translocations: The population boost also includes nine cheetahs (6 females, 3 males) recently translocated from Botswana on 28th February, 2026. 
• Significance: Reintroducing the cheetah as a flagship species helps restore neglected grassland and semi-arid ecosystems. 
  • Biodiversity Conservation: Enhances global cheetah conservation efforts by creating a secure population outside Africa. 
• Project Cheetah:Officially launched on September 17, 2022, by the Government of India to reintroduce cheetahs in India after they were declared extinct in 1952 due to over-hunting and habitat loss. 

Read More: Project Cheetah,Kuno National Park 

Balendra Shah Set to Become Nepal’s Youngest Prime Minister

Why in News? 

In a historic shift in Nepal's political landscape, 35-year-old structural engineer and former rapper Balendra Shah (popularly known as Balen) is set to become the youngest Prime Minister of Nepal.

Key Points: 

• Decisive Mandate: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) achieved a landslide victory, securing 125 of the 165 directly elected seats in the House of Representatives. The party is projected to command a two-thirds majority in the 275-member parliament. 
• The "Balen Wave": Shah defeated veteran politician and four-time Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in his traditional stronghold of Jhapa-5 by a margin of nearly 50,000 votes. 
• Historic Firsts: Balendra Shah will be the first Prime Minister from the Madhesi community and the first non-traditional political figure to lead the nation. 
• Catalyst for Change: The election followed intense youth-led protests in late 2025 against corruption, unemployment, and digital censorship. These protests led to the dissolution of the previous government and the installation of an interim administration. 
• Rise of RSP: Founded in 2022, the RSP campaigned on a platform of "Generation Change," focusing on technocratic governance, transparency, and economic revival. 
• Diplomatic Significance: The victory marks a departure from the traditional rotation of power between the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, and the Maoists.  
• Core Policy Objectives: Pledges to increase Nepal’s GDP to $100 billion and double the per capita income to $3,000. 
  • Employment: A commitment to create 1.2 million jobs over five years to address the high rate of youth out-migration.

WHO Verifies Chile as First Country in the Americas to Eliminate Leprosy

Why in News? 

In a historic public health achievement, Chile has officially become the first country in the Americas to be verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the elimination of leprosy (Hansen's Disease) as a public health problem. 

Key Points: 

• WHO Verification: The announcement was made on 10th March, 2026, following a rigorous evaluation by an independent international commission. 
• Regional First: Chile is the first nation in the Region of the Americas (PAHO/WHO) to reach this milestone, setting a precedent for other nations in the Global South. 
• Definition of Elimination: Elimination is defined by the WHO as reaching a prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 inhabitants at the national level. 
• Sustained Effort: The verification follows years of robust surveillance, early diagnosis, and free multi-drug therapy (MDT) provided through Chile's public health system. 
• Global Leprosy Strategy (2021–2030): Aims for "Towards Zero Leprosy," focusing on zero infection, zero disease, and zero stigma/discrimination. 
• Validation of Public Health Infrastructure: Chile’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating leprosy services into the general primary healthcare framework. 
• Reduction of Stigma: Verification helps dismantle the ancient social stigma associated with the "Leper" label, promoting human rights. 

Read More:Leprosy