State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 18 Nov 2025

India’s First Private Railway Station

Why in News?

Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal has become India’s first railway station to be redeveloped and operated under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, functioning as the city’s secondary transit hub.

• Located in the  West Central Railway Zone, the station was renamed in 2021 after the Gond queen Rani Kamalapati, replacing its former name Habibganj.

Key Points

• The station was redeveloped at a cost of around ₹450 crore under a PPP arrangement between the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) and the Bansal Group.
• It features airport-like amenities such as a fully air-conditioned concourse, high-speed escalators, travellators, premium waiting lounges, food courts, and multi-level parking.
• The ownership remains with Indian Railways, while operations, maintenance and commercial management are handled by the private concessionaire.
• The design integrates solar power systems, energy-efficient lighting, and barrier-free facilities for differently-abled passengers.
• The station strengthens Bhopal’s role as a major transit hub and is considered a model for future station redevelopment under the National Station Redevelopment Programme.
  

Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC)

• It is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the Ministry of Railway that has been designed to develop new stations and redevelop existing Indian railway stations.
• It is a joint venture between Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON) and Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).
• ISRDC was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 on 12th April 2012.
• Its core purpose is to build world-class railway stations that apply state of the art sustainable technologies. The redevelopment effort is being administered as a PPPP project, i.e. a Public Private Partnership People project.

Panna Diamonds Get Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

Why in News?

The diamonds mined in Panna district (Madhya Pradesh) have officially been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, giving them a recognised identity and premium value in national and global markets. 

Key Points

• About Panna Diamonds:
  • Panna is India’s only diamond-producing district, and under this tag the stones will be marketed as “Panna Diamond” in the 14-Natural Goods Category.
    • he Majhgawan Mine in Panna, operated by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), is the only organized, mechanized diamond mine currently operating in India.
  • The diamond mining process in Panna involves small leased plots (commonly 8 × 8 metres) where soil is dug, sieved, washed and separated. Diamonds found there are deposited at the District Diamond Office for quarterly auctions.
  • With the addition of Panna diamonds, Madhya Pradesh has reached 21 products with GI tags including Chanderi Saree, Ratlami Sev, Gond Painting, and others.

• About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 is the Indian law governing GI tags; it came into effect on 15th September 2003. 
•  A GI tag certifies that a good originates from a specific geographic region, and its quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to that location.
• Only authorised users from that region may use the registered GI name, which helps protect the product from international misuse and fake substitutes.

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)

• NMDC is India’s largest iron ore producer and a central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Steel, established in 1958.
• It is engaged in the exploration, extraction, and production of a wide range of minerals, including iron ore, diamonds, copper, limestone, and dolomite

Exercise Ajeya Warrior-25

Why in News?

India and the United Kingdom have begun the 8th edition of Exercise Ajeya Warrior-25, a bilateral military training exercise between the Indian Army and the British Army.

Key Points

• About Ajeya Warrior Exercise:
  • Ajeya Warrior is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the British Army, held biennially since 2011.
  • It focuses on enhancing interoperability, improving tactical coordination, and sharing best practices in counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations.
  • It is conducted under a United Nations mandate, specifically aligned with Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which deals with peacekeeping duties related to threats to peace, breaches of peace, and counter-terrorism scenarios.
    
• About the 2025 Edition:
  • The 8th edition is being held from 17th to 30th November, 2025, at the Foreign Training Node, Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan.
  • A total of 240 personnel are participating, with equal representation from both armies. The Indian Army is represented by the Sikh Regiment.
  • Training includes simulation-based scenarios, Brigade-level mission planning, and field exercises resembling real-life counter-terror contingencies.