• 21 Oct 2025

Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme

Why in News? 

11 colleges across 5 Bihar universities are set to introduce the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) from the 2025–26 academic session. 

Key Points 

• About: AEDP is an innovative four-year undergraduate course that seamlessly blends academic learning with real-world industry experience, combining classroom education with hands-on apprenticeship training. 
• Objective: The AEDP is designed to make higher education more job-oriented, equipping students with industry-relevant skills and hands-on training. 
• Focus Areas: Digital Electronics, Healthcare Management, Financial Services, Media, Retail, Logistics, and Insurance. 
• Industry Linkage: The programme emphasizes industry-academia collaboration to align education with market demands. 
• Participating Universities and Colleges: 
  • Patna University: B N College (Digital Electronics), Magadh Mahila College (Healthcare Management) 
  • Patliputra University: College of Commerce, Arts & Science (Electronics), Ganga Devi Mahila College (Financial Services & Insurance), J D Women’s College (Retail Operations & Financial Services) 
  • Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University: Bhagalpur National College (Retail & Logistics) 
  • Magadh University: S N Sinha College (Media & Entertainment), S S College Aurangabad (Financial Services & Insurance) 
  • B R Ambedkar Bihar University: R N College Hajipur (Financial Services & Logistics), RSS Science College Sitamarhi (Financial Services & Retail), L N Dubey College Motihari (Media & Financial Services) 
• Pedagogical Model: The AEDP blends classroom teaching in initial semesters with full-time apprenticeship in later semesters, ensuring practical application of academic concepts. 

Revival of Blackbuck in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News? 

Chhattisgarh’s Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary has successfully revived the blackbuck population nearly five decades after its local extinction, representing a significant milestone in India’s wildlife conservation efforts. 

Key Points 

• Reintroduction Initiative: The Chhattisgarh Forest Department initiated a five-year blackbuck reintroduction programme (2021–2026) aimed at restoring the species to its natural habitat. 
• Translocation Effort: A total of 77 blackbucks were introduced — 50 from the National Zoological Park (Delhi) and 27 from Kanan Pendari Zoological Garden (Bilaspur). 
• Population Recovery: From zero population in the 1970s, Barnawapara now hosts around 190 blackbucks, showcasing the success of the programme. 
• Future Expansion: Encouraged by success, the forest department plans to extend the model to other sanctuaries, including Gomardha Wildlife Sanctuary (Raigarh), known for its ideal grassland ecosystem. 

About Blackbucks 

• About: The Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), or Indian Antelope, is a diurnal ( day-active) animal found in India (mainly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha) and Nepal,.  
  • It is regarded as the symbol of India’s grassland ecosystem. 
• Key Blackbuck Habitats: Velavadar Blackbuck Sanctuary (Gujarat), Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), and Tal Chhapar Sanctuary (Rajasthan). 
• Protection Status: 
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I 
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern 
  • CITES: Appendix III  
• Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, deforestation, natural disasters, and illegal hunting pose major risks to the species.

About Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Location & Name: It is situated in the northeastern corner of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, and is named after the Bar and Nawapara forest villages at its heart. 
• Terrain & Geography: Features undulating terrain with numerous low and high hillocks. Water sources include tributaries of the Mahanadi River, with River Balamdehi forming the western boundary and Jonk River the north-eastern boundary. 
• Forest Type: The sanctuary has well-stocked forests, classified as teak, sal, and mixed forests. 
• Wildlife: Commonly sighted animals include Indian bison (Gaur), Cheetal, Sambhar, Neelgai, and Wild boar.

Jammu & Kashmir Revives Darbar Move

Why in News? 

After a four-year suspension, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration is set to resume the century-and-a-half-old tradition of the 'Darbar Move' this winter. 

Key Points 

• About: It is a unique practice involving the biannual shifting of the J&K's Civil Secretariat and other government offices between the two capitals: Srinagar for the summer and Jammu for the winter. 
• History & Evolution: It was instituted in 1872 by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. His primary objective was to make the administration more accessible to the people across different regions.  
  • The practice continued after India's independence, evolving into a symbol of regional integration and shared governance between Jammu and Kashmir. 
• Interruption and Legal Scrutiny: The continuity of this tradition was broken following a significant observation by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in 2020, which stated that there was no "legal justification or Constitutional basis" for the Darbar Move.  
  • Acting on this, the Lieutenant Governor's administration decided to end the practice in 2021, projecting an annual saving of approximately Rs. 200 crore for the government. 
• Implications of Revival: Proponents argue that it will reinforce regional parity in the Union Territory's governance structure post-Article 370 and provide a substantial boost to the local economies of Srinagar and Jammu, as the move involves significant logistical and service-based activities. 

Maharaja Gulab Singh 

• About: Became Maharaja on 16 March 1846 after the Treaty of Amritsar, establishing the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. 
  • He joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s court in Lahore, serving as a prominent military commander. 
• Titles and Recognition: Conferred Raja of Jammu in 1822; known as the “Jewel in the Lahore Darbar” for his military prowess. 
• Family and Legacy: Part of the renowned Dogra Trio with his brothers Dhian Singh and Suchet Singh, and a direct descendant of the Jammu ruling family. 

From Manhole to Machine Hole scheme

Why in News? 

The Maharashtra government has approved the 'From Manhole to Machine Hole' scheme, aimed at preventing tragic deaths from suffocation during sewer cleaning. 

Key Points 

• About: It is a Maharashtra state initiative to replace manual scavenging with robotic sewer-cleaning machines, making sewer cleaning safe, modern, and dignified for workers. 
• Technological Intervention: It has approved the purchase of 100 vehicle-mounted robotic sewer-cleaning machines worth Rs 100 crore. 
• Legal Basis: It complies with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR Act), which promotes rehabilitation and technical alternatives to manual cleaning. 
• Implementation Agency: It is managed by the Social Justice Department through Mahatma Phule Backward Classes Development Corporation. 
• Worker Training: Sanitation workers will be trained and prioritised for operating the machines, ensuring skill development and employment. 
• Cost & Maintenance: Local bodies can decide the cost of operating and maintaining machines for five years, expenses borne by respective municipal corporations. 
• Significance: Addresses the continued engagement of around 8,000 manual scavengers, aiming to ensure dignity, safety, and progressive sanitation practices in Maharashtra.

Manual Scavenging 

• About: As per the PEMSR Act, 2013, it refers to the manual cleaning, carrying, disposal, or handling of human excreta from insanitary latrines, open drains, pits, railway tracks, or any other designated areas. 
• Legal Framework: Manual scavenging has been officially banned in India under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.  
  • The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 further prohibits their employment, guarantees rehabilitation, and classifies all related offenses as cognizable and non-bailable. 
• Initiatives to Curb Manual Scavenging: Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY), NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem), National Commission for Safai Karamchari