State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 15 Dec 2025

Veerangana Tiger Reserve to be 3rd Cheetah Habitat in MP

Why in News?

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve at Nauradehi in Sagar district would become a new home for cheetahs before the next monsoon.

Key Points

• Approval: The State Cabinet gave in-principle approval to develop Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve as Madhya Pradesh’s third cheetah habitat.
• Habitats: The first cheetah habitat was established at Kuno National Park, Sheopur, in September 2022, and the second at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Mandsaur, in April 2025.
• Population: Kuno National Park currently houses 28 cheetahs, while Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary has two cheetahs, with scope for further expansion.
• Translocation: Eight more cheetahs are expected to be brought from Botswana to Kuno National Park in January 2026.
• Success: The Chief Minister stated that India, and Madhya Pradesh in particular, is the only place globally where cheetah rehabilitation has been successful.
• Wildlife: Addressing tiger deaths, he said such incidents occur due to rising numbers, while the government is working to minimise losses and facilitate wildlife migration and exchange.
• Diversification: The state government is also translocating other species, including rhinoceroses from Assam and king cobras from Bengaluru, and is developing snake parks, rescue centres and zoos to boost conservation and tourism.

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

• Heritage: Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, named after Veerangana Rani Durgavati, was established in 1997 and is known for its rich biodiversity.
• Biodiversity: Spread across about 550 square kilometres, the reserve is home to Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, deer species and diverse flora and fauna, attracting wildlife and nature enthusiasts.
• Location: The reserve is situated around 11 kilometres from Jabera on the Damoh–Jabalpur road, where wildlife sightings are common along the route.

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.