State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 04 Feb 2026

Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana Launched in Gujarat

Why in News? 

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana to strengthen rural governance and infrastructure. 

Key Points 

• Launch venue: Foundation stones laid at Bhadran village, Anand district, Gujarat. 
• Coverage: 2,666 villages to receive Gram Panchayat buildings-cum-Talati residences for strengthening local governance. 
  • Funding: Project sanctioned at ₹663 crore to provide functional panchayat infrastructure at the village level. 
• Urban‑Like Facilities: Scheme includes modern amenities such as roads, water, sanitation, solar street lights, e-Gram digital services, and community halls. 
• Focus: Initial development targets 114 villages functioning as taluka headquarters without municipal status. 
  • Aims to reduce rural‑urban divide by bringing essential services closer to rural citizens. 
• Future Expansion: Planned to cover other large gram panchayats (population >10,000) across Gujarat. 
• Significance: Enhances rural governance capacity, improves service delivery, and creates infrastructure parity with urban areas. 

Read More:  Rural governance, 

Australian Open 2026

Why in News? 

The 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year held in Melbourne, Australia, concluded with Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina crowned as the men’s and women’s singles champions respectively. 

Key Points 

• Men’s Singles Winner: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) won the men’s singles title at the 2026 Australian Open by defeating Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in the final. 
  • Runner-Up: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) finished second after losing to Alcaraz in the final clash. 
• Historic (Men’s): This victory was Alcaraz’s first Australian Open title and his seventh major singles title overall.  
• Women’s Singles Winner: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) clinched the women’s singles title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus).  
  • Runner-Up: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) was the runner-up, losing to Rybakina in the championship match. 
• Women’s Achievement: The victory marked Rybakina’s second Grand Slam singles title, her first Australian Open crown, showcasing her ability to triumph over the world No. 1. 
• Venue: The tournament was played on the hard courts of Melbourne Park, attracting top tennis talent from around the world.

Exercise Agni Pariksha: Army-ITBP Joint Initiative

Why in News?

The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recently concluded a six-day joint training exercise named “Agni Pariksha” in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at strengthening inter-force operational synergy along border regions.

Key Points: 

• Location: The exercise was conducted at Sigar in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. 
• Objective:The primary purpose of the drill was to familiarise non-artillery personnel — including infantry and ITBP troops — with artillery procedures, fire control systems, coordination mechanisms, and the execution of firing missions under realistic field conditions. 
• Participants: Spearhead Gunners of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps alongside infantry regiments and personnel from the ITBP. 
• Significance: Improves coordination between the Army and paramilitary forces for border security and combat operations. 
  • Operational readiness: Ensures troops are better prepared for complex battlefield scenarios, especially in high-altitude border sectors.

Read More: ITBP 

India at the 64th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development

Why in News?

India is participating in the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) at the UN Headquarters in New York. 

Key Points 

• Leadership: India’s delegation to the 64th Session of CSocD at the UN Headquarters in New York was led by Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur.  
• Commission: The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) is a key United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) body that focuses on international cooperation for social development, including poverty eradication, social inclusion, equity, and welfare policies.  
• Chair: The 64th session was presided over by Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn (Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN) and saw participation from over 100 UN member states. 
  • India is an elected member of the 64th session, which brings together member states to assess progress and share lessons on social development issues. 
• India’s Statement: India highlighted that social justice and social protection are firmly anchored in constitutional guarantees and aligned with the country’s long-term vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”. 
  • The guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” was emphasised as reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure no one is left behind. 

Read More: Viksit Bharat 2047, ECOSOC, UN 

CSIR-NIO Shore-Based Lab Inaugurated in Visakhapatnam

Why in News?

Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences,Dr. Jitendra Singh, recently inaugurated the Shore-Based Laboratory of the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Regional Centre at Visakhapatnam.

Key Points: 

• Infrastructure: Built at a cost of ₹32 crore by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the state-of-the-art facility covers 4,550 square metres on a 4-acre campus  located in Yendada village, Rushikonda. 
• Regional Mandate: The lab will focus on systematic marine geological and geophysical surveys of the Eastern Continental Margin of India (ECMI). 
• Strategic Research: It aims to map bathymetry and identify resource potential for hydrocarbons, seabed minerals, oil, and natural gas, influenced by sediment deposits from Himalayan river systems. 
• Sectors Supported: The centre collaborates with stakeholders like ONGC and Oil India to support pharmaceuticals, ports, thermal power, and the fisheries sector.  
• Significance for the Blue Economy:The lab will project tropical cyclone tracks and forecast harmful algal blooms to protect coastal livelihoods. 
  • Self-Reliance: By exploring deep-sea resources, it strengthens India’s energy security and supports the national Blue Economy vision.

Read More: Blue Economy 

Chittoor District Achieves Guinness World Record for E-Cycle Distribution

Why in News?

The Chittoor district administration in Andhra Pradesh has officially entered the Guinness World Records by distributing 5,555 electric bicycles within a single 24-hour period.

Key Points: 

• The Record: The event secured the title for the "Most electric bicycles distributed in 24 hours," surpassing previous global benchmarks in green mobility initiatives. 
• Target Beneficiaries: The e-cycles were primarily provided to government school students (specifically girls and those from marginalized communities) to improve educational accessibility and reduce dropout rates. 
• Logistics: The distribution was spearheaded by the district collectorate at the Police Parade Grounds in Chittoor. 
• Sustainability Focus: The initiative promotes decarbonization of rural transport and aligns with India's commitment to climate action by reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based commuting. 
• Social Empowerment: By providing clean transport to students, the program addresses the "last-mile" connectivity issue that often hinders rural education.