State PCS - Chhattisgarh (CGPSC)

• 15 Dec 2025

Home Minister Addresses Closing Ceremony of Bastar Olympics

Why in News?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at the Bastar Olympics closing ceremony, reiterated the government’s resolve to end Naxalism by 31st March 2026, and announced plans to develop Bastar into the country’s most developed tribal region.

Key Points

• Transition: The Home Minister highlighted that Bastar had moved from fear to hope, with schools, roads, railways and highways replacing gunfire, and expressed confidence that the entire country would be Naxal-free by the next Bastar Olympics.
• Inauguration: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had inaugurated the three-day divisional-level Bastar Olympics at Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, Jagdalpur.
• Participation: Around 3,500 athletes from all seven Bastar districts, including surrendered Naxalites and Naxal-affected players under the Nua Baat category, participated in the event.
• Expansion: The second edition recorded a massive rise in participation, increasing from 1.65 lakh players last year to about 3.92 lakh this year.
• Inclusion: Women, Divyang players, surrendered Maoists, and those affected by Naxal violence took part, making the Olympics a symbol of social inclusion.
• Empowerment: Women’s participation increased nearly threefold, reflecting growing confidence and empowerment among girls in the Bastar region.
• Platform: The Bastar Olympics were conducted across cluster, block, district and divisional levels, creating a structured pathway for talent identification.
• Disciplines: Eleven sports disciplines, including athletics, archery, football, kabaddi, hockey and kho-kho, were featured in the tournament.
• Opportunity: The state government assured enhanced training and exposure for talented athletes to prepare them for national and international competitions.
• Recognition: The government reiterated cash rewards of ₹3 crore, ₹2 crore and ₹1 crore for Chhattisgarh athletes winning gold, silver and bronze medals at international Olympic events.
• Transformation: The Bastar Olympics concluded as a strong symbol of Bastar’s shift from conflict to peace, trust, cultural revival and aspirations for a prosperous future.

Raj Kumar Goyal Sworn in as CIC

Why in News?

Former Indian Administrative Service officer Raj Kumar Goyal was sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the Central Information Commission by President Droupadi Murmu.

• The appointment filled the CIC post that had remained vacant since September 2025, after the previous CIC, Heeralal Samariya, demitted office.

Key Points

• About: Raj Kumar Goyal was a 1990-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, originally of the Jammu and Kashmir cadre, later part of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre after Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory in 2019.
• He retired in August 2025 as Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
• During his career, Goyal also served in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Appointment of ICs: At present, Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari are Information Commissioners(ICs), while Jaya Verma Sinha, Swagat Das, Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, Surendra Singh Meena and Khushwant Singh Sethi have been recommended for appointment as Information Commissioners.

Central Information Commission

• Establishment: It was established under the RTI Act, 2005, as a statutory body (not a constitutional body). 
• Composition: The Central Information Commission shall consist of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and such number of Central Information Commissioners not exceeding 10 as may be deemed necessary. 
• Appointment: Members are appointed by the President of India based on the recommendations of a committee comprising: 
  • The Prime Minister (Chairperson). 
  • The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. 
  • A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. 
• Eligibility and Exemption: Eminent individuals with experience in law, science, technology, social service, management, journalism, or governance. 
  • Must not be MPs, MLAs, or hold any office of profit. 
  • No political affiliations, business, or professional engagements. 
  • They are not eligible for reappointment. 
• Powers of the CIC: Summoning witnesses, inspecting documents, requisitioning public records, and issuing summons for examination. 
• Functions: Its primary role is to ensure the effective implementation of the RTI Act, 2005 and uphold citizens’ right to information. 
  • It deals with cases involving offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, and other entities under the Central Government and Union Territories.