State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 19 Sep 2025

Neeraj Chopra Finishes 8th in World Athletics Championships 2025

Why in News?

Defending champion Neeraj Chopra faced an unexpected setback at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in the men’s javelin throw final, finishing eighth. 

• Meanwhile, his debutant compatriot, Sachin Yadav, recorded a personal best to secure a commendable fourth place.

Key Points

• Medals and Results: The gold was claimed by Keshorn Walcott (88.16m) of Trinidad and Tobago, while Anderson Peters of Grenada took silver (87.38m), and Curtis Thompson of the USA secured bronze (86.67m).
• Neeraj Chopra’s Struggles: Despite his consistency over the years, he failed to surpass the 85m mark, with his best throw of 84.03m leaving him in eighth position.
  • This is his first major competition since 2018, where he finished outside the top three, contrasting with his consistent podium finishes since his historic Tokyo Olympic 2021 victory.
• Sachin Yadav’s Rise: Sachin Yadav, hailing from Khekra village in Uttar Pradesh, threw a personal best of 86.27m, surpassing not only Neeraj Chopra but also notable competitors such as Julian Weber and Arshad Nadeem.
  • Sachin Yadav’s performance showcases his potential, with his strength and consistency being evident since his silver medal at the 2023 Asian Championships.

World Athletics Championships 2025

• Location: The World Athletics Championships 2025 is being held in Tokyo, Japan, from 13th to 21st September 2025, spanning nine days of intense competition.
• Event Overview: This is the 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships, featuring over 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries.
• Events and Medals: A total of 49 events are taking place, with 147 medals up for grabs. There are 24 events for both men and women, plus one mixed event.

AI-Powered Holobox of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Why in News?

The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in Delhi, the world’s only museum of its kind, unveiled an AI-powered Holobox of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 17th September 2025.

Key Points

• About: Visitors engaged with an AI-powered Holobox 3D avatar, asking questions about Patel's life and significant contributions to India's history.
  • The avatar responded in Patel’s tone, drawing from his speeches, books, and archival materials, offering an authentic educational experience.
  • The responses provided by the avatar maintained authenticity, reflecting Patel's philosophies and major life events.
• Objective: This initiative is aimed at setting a global standard for integrating technology into historical engagement, especially to attract younger generations and make history more accessible.
• Future Expansions: Following the success of Patel’s AI avatar, the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is planning to introduce a life-size Holobox for Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, deepening the initiative's commitment to inspiring future generations with the wisdom of India’s great leaders.
• Historical Significance: 17th September holds dual importance; it marked the success of Operation Polo in 1948, when Hyderabad was integrated into India under the leadership of Sardar Patel.
  • It also marks the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, born on this day in 1950, whose vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' reflects Patel’s legacy of national unity.

Note: AI-Powered Holobox is a cutting-edge technology that merges artificial intelligence (AI) with holographic displays to create interactive, lifelike 3D images and avatars that users can engage with naturally through voice commands, gestures, and even emotional cues.