State PCS - Jharkhand (JPSC)

• 23 Feb 2026

Glossopteris Fossils Discovered in Jharkhand

Why in News?

Open-cast coal mines in Jharkhand’s North Karanpura Basin have yielded an extraordinary collection of plant fossils, offering new insights into ancient ecosystems that existed nearly 290 million years ago, when India formed part of the southern supercontinent Gondwanaland.

Key Points:

• Fossil Discoveries: Researchers recovered fossils belonging to at least 14 species of Glossopteris and related plants from shale layers in the Ashoka Coal Mine. 
  • These include leaves, roots, spores, and pollen impressions indicating a rich prehistoric floral assemblage.
• Gondwanan Vegetation: Glossopteris was a dominant group of seed plants across the southern continents during the Permian period.
  • Its abundance in Jharkhand reflects dense swampy forests and interconnected river networks that once existed in the region.
• Juvenile Male Cone Discovery: A globally significant discovery at the site is the first documented juvenile male cone of Glossopteris in the Damodar Basin. 
• Marine Signatures: Petrographic and geochemical analyses (including framboidal pyrite and high sulphur content) suggest brackish water conditions and possible Permian marine incursions in the basin around 280–290 million years ago, advancing our understanding of past sea level changes.
• Scientific Importance: The findings were published in the International Journal of Coal Geology and contribute to reconstructing ancient climates and continental environments.

Jharkhand Economic Survey 2025-26

Why in News?

The Jharkhand Economic Survey 2025-26 was tabled in the State Assembly by Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, providing a detailed evaluation of the state’s economic performance, structural transformations, social progress, and future outlook.

Key Points:

• Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP): For 2025–26, Jharkhand’s real GSDP is projected to reach approximately ₹3,21,892 crore, growing at about 6.17% — marking continued expansion after recovery from the pandemic phase.
  • At current prices, the state’s economy is expected to cross ₹5.6 lakh crore in 2025–26 and approach ₹6.1 lakh crore in 2026–27.
  • These estimates reflect moderation from earlier high post-pandemic growth, yet maintain a sustainable mid-6% expansion trajectory, consistent with structural consolidation and recovery.
• Growth Comparison and Context:Growth in 2024–25 is estimated at 7.02%, exceeding the national average (~6.5%), and marking four consecutive years over 7% — indicative of resilience and economic momentum.
• Per Capita Income: A notable outcome of the 2025–26 Survey is that Jharkhand’s per capita income has crossed the ₹1 lakh mark for the first time, reaching ₹1,16,663 at current prices in 2024–25.
  • Projections: At current prices, per capita income is projected to rise further to:
    • ₹1,25,677 in 2025–26, and
    • ₹1,35,195 in 2026–27.
  • In real terms, per capita income at constant prices is estimated to reach ₹71,944 in 2025–26 and ₹65,670 in 2026–27.
  • Significance: Crossing the ₹1 lakh per capita income threshold is a symbolic and economic milestone, reflecting enhanced productivity and improved household incomes in Jharkhand’s economy.

Sectoral Composition and Structural Change:

• Services Sector:The services sector has emerged as the largest contributor to the state’s economy, with its share in Gross State Value Added increasing significantly over the years, surpassing both agriculture and industry.
  • Construction activity within services has grown robustly, reflecting expanding urbanisation and infrastructure projects.
• Industrial Sector:The industrial sector remains central to Jharkhand’s development:
  • Historical data indicate that industrial activity contributed about 44.1% of the state’s GSVA in recent years — placing Jharkhand among the top three industrialised states in India alongside Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
  • This reflects the significance of mining, heavy industries, and medium and small enterprises in the state’s economic base.
• Agriculture and Allied Activities:Agriculture and allied activities contributed about 12.3% of GSVA in 2025–26, down from earlier shares but with absolute value growing — indicating diversification of the economy while maintaining expansion in agricultural output.
  • Absolute agricultural GSVA grew significantly from ₹28,470 crore to an estimated ₹38,200 crore over recent years, signalling productivity gains.
• Inflation and Price Stability:The Economic Survey notes significant declines in inflation, from around 6% in 2023–24 to lower levels in 2024–25.
  • The inflation gap between rural and urban areas has also narrowed, reflecting more equitable price stability across regions.
  • Containing inflation within or below the RBI’s upper tolerance band fosters consumer confidence and enhances the real purchasing power of citizens, especially in a state with significant rural populations.
• Multidimensional Poverty Reduction:Jharkhand has witnessed a sharp decline in multidimensional poverty:
  • From 42.10% in 2015–16 to about 28.81% in 2019–21 — a drop of over 13 percentage points.
  • This reduction, steeper than the national average, reflects the combined impact of economic growth and targeted social interventions across essential services such as electricity access, sanitation, clean cooking fuel, and drinking water.
  • Major Schemes:
    • Maiyan Samman Yojana: Allocated ₹13,363 crore (11% of budgeted revenue receipts) to provide ₹2,500 monthly assistance to women aged 18-50.
    • Education: Significant focus on the Jharkhand Student Research and Innovation Policy 2025 and the establishment of two new universities for skill and fin-tech.
• Social Progress:Consistent improvements in social infrastructure — including education, health facilities, and rural connectivity — underpin broader human development outcomes that often accompany sustained economic expansion.
• MSME Expansion: The state has witnessed rapid growth in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs):
  • Over 83,000 new Udyam registrations were recorded in the first nine months of 2025–26, employing over 3.34 lakh people, with micro enterprises constituting over 99% of these units.
  • A vibrant MSME ecosystem is crucial for job creation, especially in semi-urban and rural areas, and strengthens local supply chains.
• Industrial Diversification:Expansion in services and industry suggests a structural shift away from agricultural reliance towards diversified economic formation — vital for long-term employment generation.
• Fiscal Context:Though the official state Economic Survey document itself is the primary source for detailed fiscal tables, independent reporting indicates that:
  • Budget allocations have increased significantly over time — with the state’s overall fiscal size expanding nearly 20-fold since its formation.
  • Own revenue sources have grown at a strong average annual rate, indicating better revenue mobilisation.
• Growth Prospects:For the next fiscal year (2026–27), Jharkhand’s economy is projected to grow at about 5.96% — slightly lower than the current year — but remains within a sustainable medium-term growth path.
  • Growth moderation is interpreted as part of a transition from post-pandemic rebound to structural consolidation and long-term stability.
• Long-Term Goals:Earlier economic surveys project ambitious economic expansion goals — such as making Jharkhand a Rs 10 lakh crore (₹10 trillion) economy by 2029–30 — contingent on sustained policy support and investment flows. 
• Banking: Expanded to 3,449 branches and 3,338 ATMs by September 2025.
• Power: Installed generation capacity reached 3,212.95 MW as of August 2025. The state allocated ₹5,005 crore for power subsidies to consumers in the FY26 budget.

NEST Sanctioned to Boost Innovation in North East

Why in News?

The Government of India has sanctioned a project to establish the North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster (NEST) aimed at boosting research, innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship across the North Eastern Region (NER).

Key Points:

• Project Approval: The NEST project was sanctioned in July 2025 under the Schemes of the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the Ministry of Development of North-East Region with an outlay of approximately ₹22.98 crore to strengthen science and technology infrastructure in the NER.
• Implementing Agency: The project will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.
• Four Thematic Verticals: NEST will operate through four key focus areas:
  • Innovation Hub on Grassroots Technologies – to promote tech solutions for local challenges.
  • Technology Hub for Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence – aligning with future technology trends.
  • Centre of Excellence for Bamboo-Based Technology – leveraging regional strengths for product and process innovation.
  • Skill Development & Innovation Centre for Biodegradable and Eco-friendly Plastics – encouraging sustainable technology and entrepreneurship.
• Objectives: The NEST Cluster aims to empower youth in the NER—especially SC/ST, women, and Divyangjan—towards self-employment and entrepreneurship, while strengthening MSMEs through capacity building, research interventions, and commercialization of products.
  • It will adopt a hub-and-spoke approach connecting academia, research institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to promote R&D interventions, innovation ecosystems, and skill development at the grassroots level.
• Significance: The sanctioning of the North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster (NEST) represents a strategic initiative by the Government of India to harness science, technology, and innovation for inclusive development, employment generation, and entrepreneurial growth in the North Eastern Region, aligning with broader goals of regional empowerment and technology-driven economic transformation.

Read More: North Eastern Region (NER), North Eastern Council (NEC), Semiconductors , Artificial Intelligence, MSMEs

Thanya Nathan to Become Kerala’s First Blind Woman Judge

Why in News?

Thanya Nathan is set to make history by becoming Kerala’s first visually challenged (completely blind) woman judge.

Key Points:

• Historic Achievement: Thanya Nathan will be the first fully blind woman to be appointed as a judge in Kerala’s judiciary.
• Success: She secured the top rank among persons with benchmark disabilities in the competitive Civil Judges (Junior Division) exam conducted for entry into the Kerala Judicial Service.
  • She pursued law despite visual impairment and completed her legal education with the assistance of accessible learning tools and digital support systems.
• Judicial Inclusivity: Her achievement follows a landmark 2025 Supreme Court ruling affirming that visually impaired candidates cannot be excluded from eligibility for judicial service.
  • Her appointment reflects the principles of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, ensuring equal opportunity in public employment.
• Significance: Thanya’s success not only inspires persons with disabilities but also contributes to ongoing efforts to make India’s legal profession more accessible and inclusive for all.

Read More: Supreme Court,  Indian Constitution, Persons with disabilities