State PCS - Odisha (OPSC)

• 26 Dec 2025

India’s First Megawatt-Scale Hydrokinetic Project in Nangal Canal

Why in News?

India’s first megawatt-scale hydrokinetic power project is set to be commissioned by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in the Nangal Hydel Canal, Punjab

Key Points

• Capacity & Technology of Project: The project has a total capacity of 1 MW, achieved through four surface-mounted hydrokinetic turbines of 250 kW each.
• Working: Generating electricity directly from flowing canal water without dams or reservoirs.
• Tariff & Power Distribution: Electricity will be purchased by BBMB at around ₹3.39 per unit, and the power will be shared among partner states — Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.
• Clean Energy Innovation: The project exemplifies renewable energy generation using existing water infrastructure.
• Nangal Canal: It is a hydel canal system in Punjab originating from the Bhakra–Nangal Project on the Sutlej River.

Anti‑Terror Conference to Be Inaugurated in New Delhi

Why in News? 

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will inaugurate the Anti‑Terror Conference in New Delhi on 26 December 2025. 

Key Points 

• Inaugurated By: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will preside over the inauguration.  
  • Aim:The conference is aimed at strengthening India’s counter-terrorism preparedness and coordination. 
• Organiser: The conference is organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.  
• Vision: Shaped under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of zero tolerance for terrorism. 
• Focus Areas: This include foreign evidence collection, digital forensics, data analysis in counter‑terrorism investigations and disrupting terror‑financing networks. 
  • Counter-Radicalisation:Preventing radicalisation and recruitment, especially through digital platforms. 

India to Chair the Kimberley Process from 2026

Why in News?

India has been selected to assume the Chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process (KP) from 1 January 2026. 

Key Points 

• Kimberley Process (KP): An international multilateral initiative aimed at preventing the trade in conflict diamonds. 
  • Conflict Diamonds: These are rough diamonds used by rebel groups to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments. 
• Tripartite Structure: The KP is a joint initiative of governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society organisations. 
• Headquarters: Not a formal organisation; operates through member states and rotating chairs 
• Certification Scheme: The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) came into effect on 1 January 2003 under a UN Security Council mandate. 
• Global Coverage: The KP has 60 participants, including the European Union and its Member States. 
• India’s Role: This will be the third time (2008, 2019, and 2026) India has been entrusted with this leadership responsibility.