State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 02 Feb 2026

Meghalaya to Host First State‑Led Spice Festival in Mumbai

Why in News? 

The Government of Meghalaya organized its first‑ever Meghalaya Spice Festival in Mumbai to promote the state’s premium spices. 

Key Points 

• Venue: The Meghalaya Spice Festival was held at Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. 
• Objective: The festival aims to showcase Meghalaya’s high‑quality spices, strengthen market access, value addition and export linkages, and attract buyers from across India and beyond. 
  • Featured products include GI‑tagged Lakadong turmeric, ginger, black pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon and indigenous spice blends — highlighting the state’s organic and high‑value spice portfolio.  
• Target Participants: The event is designed to connect farmer producer organisations (FPOs), self‑help groups (SHGs), cooperatives and MSMEs from Meghalaya with buyers, exporters, retailers, nutraceutical brands and institutional buyers. 
  • Emphasis is on strengthening the entire value chain from production and processing to branding and marketing. 
• Significance: Positioning Meghalaya as a key source of traceable, sustainably produced spices aims to improve market access, boost exports, and support rural agri‑enterprises. 
• Event Postponement: Due to the passing of Ajit Pawar — Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra — and the ensuing state mourning, the Meghalaya Spice Festival was postponed; revised dates will be announced later. 

Read More:  GI‑tag, FPOs, SHGs, MSME 

Two New Wetlands Added to India’s Ramsar List

Why in News? 

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced  the addition of two new wetlands to India’s Ramsar List, ahead of World Wetlands Day 2026.  

Key Points 

• New Ramsar Sites: Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district of Gujarat have been included in India’s Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance. 
  • India’s Ramsar network has grown from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites in 2026. 
• Patna Bird Sanctuary: Patna Bird Sanctuary is one of the smallest protected bird sanctuaries and is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). 
• Chhari-Dhand Wetland: A seasonal saline wetland in the Rann of Kutch region, crucial for migratory waterfowl and desert biodiversity.  
  • It is Gujarat’s fifth Ramsar site after Nalsarovar, Thol, Khijadiya and Wadhwana. 
• Importance: The newly added sites support hundreds of migratory and resident bird species and host wildlife such as chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes, besides endangered bird species.  
• Significance: Inclusion in the Ramsar list reflects international recognition of India’s commitment to wetland conservation and sustainable management under globally accepted frameworks.  
• Ramsar Convention: It is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. 
  • India became a signatory on 1 February 1982. 
• World Wetlands Day 2026: It is observed on 2 February. 
  • Theme: Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage

Read More: World Wetlands Day, Ramsar sites, Ramsar Convention, Migratory birds 

PAIMANA Portal Launched by MoSPI

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has operationalised PAIMANA — a new web-based monitoring portal for Central Sector Infrastructure Projects worth ₹150 crore and above. 

Key Points 

• PAIMANA: It stands for Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building and is a centralized digital platform to monitor large infrastructure projects. 
  • It has replaced the earlier OCMS-2006 (Online Computerised Monitoring System) to improve real-time tracking and analytics. 
• Integration: PAIMANA is integrated with the DPIIT’s Integrated Project Monitoring Portal using APIs (Application Programming Interface), enabling automatic data flow and reducing manual data entry. 
  • The integration follows the principle of “one data, one entry” to standardise project reporting and minimise errors. 
• Project Coverage: As of December 2025, a total of 1,392 ongoing central sector infrastructure projects have been onboarded on the PAIMANA portal.  
• Sectoral Spread: Projects span key sectors including Transport & Logistics, Railways, Coal, Power, Housing & Urban Affairs, Water Resources, Telecommunications, Health & Family Welfare, etc.  
• Features: The portal offers interactive dashboards, advanced analytics, role-based access, automated reports and query modules for better oversight and decision-making. 
• Objective: To enhance transparency, data quality and timely implementation of major infrastructure projects, supporting nation-building and economic growth. 

Read More:  Digital platform, Economic growth, DPIIT