State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 23 Oct 2025

Rajasthan Achieves Renewable Energy Milestone

Why in News? 

Rajasthan has achieved a significant renewable energy milestone by surpassing the 2,000 MW mark under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme — a flagship, farmer-centric solar power initiative. 

Key Points 

• About: Rajasthan, a leading state in solar energy, has doubled its solar capacity within a short span after first crossing the 1,000 MW mark in May 2025, reflecting strong participation from farmers and private developers. 
  • A newly commissioned 1.82 MW solar plant in Kolada (Sawai Madhopur district) has taken Rajasthan’s total installed capacity under Component-A and Component-C of the PM-KUSUM scheme to 2,001 MW. 
• National Ranking: 
  • Component-A: Rajasthan ranks 1st in India, utilising semi-barren and barren farmland for grid-connected solar projects. 
  • Component-C: The state ranks 3rd nationally, behind Maharashtra and Gujarat, focusing on the solarisation of agricultural pumps.

PM KUSUM 

• About: The PM-KUSUM was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 2019, in order to endow installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas. 
• Objective: 
  • It aims to enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their arid lands and to sell it to the grid. 
  • It also seeks to increase the income of farmers by allowing them to sell surplus solar power to the grid. 
• Key Features: 
  • Farmers without capital investment can partner with private developers to establish solar projects. 
  • Under Component-A, farmers can set up grid-connected solar plants up to 2 MW. 
  • Under Component-C, the scheme supports solar systems up to 5 MW. 
  • The Union Government provides financial assistance of ₹1.05 crore per MW, covering 30% of the project cost under Component-C. 

Decline in Lesser Florican Population

Why in News? 

The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), commonly known as the “grass peacock”, is experiencing a drastic population decline in India. 

Key Points 

• About:   
  • According to a recent study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the global population is now estimated to be only 150–200 individuals, with just 19 males sighted during the 2025 breeding season in Gujarat and Rajasthan. 
  • The population has declined by over 80% in the last 36 years, falling from 4,374 individuals in 1982 to about 150–200 in 2025. 
  • Repeated surveys conducted in 2017, 2018, and 2025 indicate a consistent and alarming downward trend. 
  • The remaining breeding populations are restricted mainly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. 
  • Their wintering sites include Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, and the birds migrate mainly at night, often covering 20–27 km per day. 
  • Telemetry studies on 12 individuals showed migration from Ajmer (Rajasthan) to the Deccan regions, covering up to 1,500 km. 
• Conservation Efforts: 
  • A captive breeding centre has been established in Ajmer (Rajasthan), currently housing 10 birds (6 females and 4 males) with incubation and chick-rearing facilities. 
  • Awareness programmes have been conducted to educate over 3,000 students and 2,500 local villagers near nesting sites. 
  • The WII has initiated studies on husbandry and breeding protocols to develop long-term conservation strategies.

Lesser Florican (Sypheotides Indicus)  

• It is one of three bustard species endemic to India, the others being the Bengal florican (Critically Endangered) and the Great Indian Bustard (Critically Endangered).  
• It is the smallest of the bustard family and is renowned for its spectacular leaping breeding display.  
• In the local language, the bird is known as ‘tanmor’ or ‘kharmor’, derived from the root word ‘mor’ for peacock.  
  • Conservation status:  
  • IUCN Status: Critically Endangered  
  • Wildlife Protection Act,1972: Schedule I  
  • CITES: Appendix II 

INS Sahyadri Participates in JAIMEX-25

Why in News? 

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, participated in the Sea Phase of JAIMEX-25 (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) from 16th–18th October 2025, followed by a Harbour Phase at Yokosuka, Japan, on 21st October 2025.

Key Points 

• Objective:  
  • JAIMEX-25 reinforces the ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ between India and Japan established in 2014, aiming to promote peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific, while reflecting their shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive maritime region. 
• Phases:  
  • The Sea Phase featured INS Sahyadri, JMSDF ships Asahi, Oumi, and submarine Jinryu, conducting advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises, missile defence drills, flying operations, and underway replenishment to enhance interoperability. 
  • The Harbour Phase at Yokosuka focused on professional and cultural exchanges such as cross-deck visits, operational planning, sharing of best practices, and a combined Yoga session, as part of INS Sahyadri’s Long Range Deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Other Excercises: Other bilateral exercises between India and Japan include the Malabar exercise (Naval Exercise), ‘Veer Guardian’ (Air Force), and Dharma Guardian (Army). 
• About INS Sahyadri: 
  • INS Sahyadri, commissioned in 2012, represents India’s advancement in indigenous defence technology and aligns with the nation’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India). 
  • The multi-role stealth frigate has actively participated in numerous operational deployments as well as bilateral and multilateral naval exercises.