State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 01 Aug 2025

Return of Sacred Piprahwa Relics to India After 127 Years

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India after 127 years, calling it a proud and joyous moment for the nation’s cultural heritage.  

• Godrej Industries (with government) played a key role in acquiring and repatriating the relics, which were taken abroad during the colonial era, from Sotheby’s auction house, ensuring their return to India for display at the National Museum in New Delhi. 

About Piprahwa Relics 

• About: The Piprahwa relics, believed to contain relics of Lord Buddha, were excavated by William Claxton Peppé in 1898 at the Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh, believed to be ancient Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.  
  • They include bone fragments of the Buddha, soapstone caskets, crystal caskets, gemstones, gold ornaments, and other ritual offerings.  
  • An inscription in Brahmi script on one casket links the relics directly to Lord Buddha, stating they were deposited by the Sakya clan.  
• Legal Protection of the Relics:  
  • India classifies the relics as ‘AA’ antiquities (highest level of legal protection).  
  • Indian law prohibits their sale or export, making any attempt to auction or remove them illegal.  
  • While most relics were handed over to the Indian Museum, Kolkata, in 1899, descendants of British excavator William Claxton Peppé retained some relics like Piprahwa relics. 

Note: The relics of the Buddha were enshrined in 9 stupas built at various locations after his death, including: 

• Rajagriha, Vaishali, Vethadipa, and Pava in Bihar 
• Kapilavastu, Allakappa, and Ramagrama in Nepal 
• Kushinagar and Pippalvina in Uttar Pradesh.

UP's New Chief Secretary: Shashi Prakash Goyal

Why in News? 

Senior IAS officer Shashi Prakash Goyal has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, following the completion of the tenure of the current Chief Secretary, Manoj Kumar Singh.  

• Goyal will serve until his retirement in January 2027.  

Key Facts About Chief Secretary 

• Office: The office of the Chief Secretary in India originated during British rule in 1799 under Lord Wellesley and has since become integral to the state's administration.  
  • The Chief Secretary serves as the highest-ranking civil servant in a state, overseeing the state Secretariat and coordinating government functions. 
• Appointment and Status: The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister (in the name of the Governor of the state) from senior IAS officers based on factors like seniority, merit, and trust.  
  • The office was standardized in 1973 to equate it with the position of Secretary to the Government of India.  
• Powers and Functions: 
  • Advisor to Chief Minister: Acts as the principal advisor on matters of state administration and provides guidance on policy issues. 
  • Secretary to the Cabinet: Prepares the Cabinet meeting agenda, records proceedings, and oversees decision implementation. 
  • Head of Civil Service: Oversees appointments, transfers, and promotions within the state civil service and maintains the morale of civil servants. 
  • Chief Coordinator: Ensures inter-departmental coordination, presides over coordination committees, and resolves disputes between departments. 
  • Head of Certain Departments: Directly manages key departments such as General Administration, Personnel, and Planning. 
  • Crisis Administrator: Leads relief operations during crises like floods, droughts, and communal disturbances, representing the state government during emergencies. 

Note:

Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi Appointment as BHU Vice Chancellor: Professor Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for a three-year term, as announced by the President of India.  

• Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, a 1989-batch IIT Kanpur graduate, has an extensive academic career, having previously served as the Director of IIT Roorkee (2017-2022).  
• He also held leadership roles at IIT Kanpur, including as Head of Electrical Engineering, Dean of R&D, and Deputy Director. 

India’s First Private AI-Augmented Chandigarh University Campus in Unnao

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh has taken a pioneering step in higher education by inaugurating India's first private AI-augmented multidisciplinary Chandigarh University campus in Unnao, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.  

• The university aims to blend modern education with cutting-edge technology and India's cultural heritage, marking a significant milestone in Uttar Pradesh's educational and technological landscape. 

Key Points 

• AI-Driven Multidisciplinary Education: The newly inaugurated university will leverage artificial intelligence to enhance teaching methodologies, focusing on research, innovation, and holistic growth.  
  • This aligns with the National Education Policy's emphasis on multidisciplinary education. 
• Aligning with National Missions: CM Yogi highlighted the university's alignment with national initiatives like Startup India, aiming to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s global presence by fostering entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. 
  • CM Yogi stated that universities should act as platforms for career guidance, industry-oriented skill development, and opportunity gateways for students. 

Education Reforms and Infrastructure in UP 

• UP has facilitated the establishment of 23 new private universities and also hosts the country's first Ayush University (Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur) and is building a sports university (Major Dhyanchand State Sports University). 
  • Under the new reform, the state now allows private universities on 50 acres of land in rural areas and 20 acres in urban areas.  
  • Universities across the state are increasingly committed to improving their NAAC assessments and NIRF rankings. As a result, six state universities have earned A++ grades, two have received A+ grades, and notable progress has been made in national rankings. 

Innovation Potential in UP 

• Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the third-largest startup hub in India, with over 7,200 active startups generating more than 1 lakh jobs. The state is also home to 8 unicorns.  
• An ambitious AI City project is initiated in Lucknow, with the goal of creating over 50,000 jobs through the participation of more than 400 companies.  
  • IBM will lead the establishment of the AI Center.

Lucknow as India’s First AI City

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh is set to become a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) with a Rs 10,732 crore investment aimed at transforming Lucknow into India’s first AI City.  

• The initiative, launched under the IndiaAI Mission approved in March 2024, aims to build a robust AI ecosystem in the state. 

Key Points 

• Massive Investment in AI Infrastructure: The Rs 10,732 crore investment will fund 10,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), multi-modal language models, and the establishment of an AI innovation center in Lucknow.  
  • This investment is 67% higher than any other technology infrastructure in the country. 
• AI Pragya Training Initiative: As part of the AI Pragya initiative, over 10 lakh people, including youth, teachers, gram pradhans, government employees, and farmers, will receive training in AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity.  
  • The training is being supported by global tech giants like Microsoft, Intel, Google, and Guvi. 
• AI Traffic Management System: Lucknow will also see the implementation of a high-tech AI-based traffic management system, similar to the one being developed in Varanasi. 
• AI in Agriculture and Revenue Management: The UP Agris Project will connect 10 lakh farmers to AI-powered technologies such as smart irrigation, drone mapping, pest detection, and digital market access.  
  • The revenue department is also using satellite imaging and AI algorithms for land consolidation and record management, ensuring transparency and reducing disputes. 
• AI in Security and Healthcare: AI-powered systems such as CCTV surveillance, facial recognition, number plate tracking, and SOS alert systems have been integrated across 17 municipal corporations and Gautam Buddh Nagar.  
  • Additionally, AI is being used to monitor illegal mining and mineral resource protection. In the healthcare sector, the country’s first AI-based breast cancer screening center has been set up in Fatehpur.