State PCS - Odisha (OPSC)

• 20 Apr 2026

Odisha Becomes First State to Launch Marine Spatial Plan

Why in News?  

Odisha has become the first state in India to launch a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) aimed at sustainable management of marine and coastal resources while promoting the Blue Economy.  

Key Points  

• Initiative: Odisha became the first Indian state to roll out a Marine Spatial Plan in its second phase.  
• MoU: The state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Centre for Coastal Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences for implementing the plan.  
• Marine Spatial Planning (MSP): MSP is a data-driven planning tool that maps marine areas and allocates zones for activities such as fishing, tourism, shipping, conservation, and energy projects.  
• Objective: The initiative aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection and ensure sustainable use of marine resources.  
  • The plan supports the development of the Blue Economy.  
• International Collaboration: The initiative is part of the India–Norway cooperation on sustainable ocean management, launched in 2019.  
  • The first phase of the programme was implemented in Puducherry and Lakshadweep.  

Read More:  Blue Economy, Sustainable ocean management 

Ranbir Kapoor in TIME 100 Most Influential People List 2026

Why in News?  

Ranbir Kapoor has been named in the TIME 100 Most Influential People for 2026, becoming the only Indian actor to feature on the prestigious global list.  

Key Points 

• Recognition: Ranbir Kapoor was included in the 2026 edition of the TIME 100 Most Influential People.  
  • He is the only Indian actor featured in the 2026 list, highlighting his growing influence in global cinema and culture.  
• Other Indians: Other Indians named in the 2026 TIME100 include Sundar Pichai and chef Vikas Khanna.  
  • Sundar Pichai was recognised for his leadership in the global technology sector and his role in shaping the future of digital innovation.  
  • Vikas Khanna, a Michelin-starred chef, was acknowledged for promoting Indian cuisine globally and for his humanitarian initiatives.  
• Previous Actor: Ayushmann Khurrana was also featured in the TIME100 list in 2020. 
• About: The TIME publishes the TIME100 list annually to honour the world’s most influential pioneers, leaders, artists, innovators and icons across various sectors.

Project Sanjeevani Launched in Telangana

Why in News?  

The Telangana government launched Project Sanjeevani, India’s first fully integrated trauma care and highway rescue protocol.  

Key Points  

• Objective: Project Sanjeevani aims to reduce preventable deaths caused by road accidents by strengthening coordinated emergency trauma care on highways.  
  • The project was launched as part of Telangana’s ‘Arrive Alive’ Road Safety Week under the 99-Day Action Plan (Praja Palana Pragati Pranalika).  
  • The initiative will be piloted on a 251-km stretch of National Highway 44 between Hyderabad and Adilabad.  
  • It is described as India’s first fully integrated highway trauma rescue system.  
• Collaboration: The project is implemented by the SaveLIFE Foundation in collaboration with the Telangana government and the National Highways Authority of India, with support from the Vertis Foundation.  
• Emergency Response System: Dedicated Quick Response Teams stationed at toll plazas are expected to reach accident sites within 10 minutes.  
  • Ambulance teams will assess patients on-site and alert hospitals in advance so that victims receive treatment within the “golden hour”.  
• National Model: The project is designed as a replicable model for highway trauma response across India, with the potential to be expanded to other states. 

Read More: National Highways Authority of India 

IRCTC Launched ‘Divya Dakshin Yatra’ from Visakhapatnam

Why in News?  

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a special ‘Divya Dakshin Yatra’ Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train from Visakhapatnam to promote pilgrimage tourism across major temple destinations in South India.  

Key Points  

• Launch: IRCTC has announced the launch of a new Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train named Divya Dakshin Yatra.  
  • The special tourist train will depart from Visakhapatnam on 27th April and complete the journey on 4th May.  
• Duration: The pilgrimage package is designed as an 8-night and 9-day itinerary for devotees and tourists.  
• Major Destinations: The tour includes important destinations such as Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and Tiruvannamalai.  
• Religious Sites: passengers will visit several iconic landmarks, including the renowned Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, the historic Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, and other prominent shrines.   
• Cost: The tour package costs ₹14,700 for adults and ₹13,800 for children (5–11 years), making it an economical pilgrimage option.  

Read More: Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train 

LIC Launches ‘MyLIC’ and ‘Super Sales Saathi’ Mobile Apps

Why in News?  

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched two new mobile applications—MyLIC and Super Sales Saathi—to enhance digital services, improve customer experience, and strengthen support for insurance agents.  

Key Points  

• Launch: The applications were launched in April 2026 in Mumbai by M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services.  
• MyLIC App: It is designed for policyholders and allows them to manage their insurance policies on a single digital platform.  
  • Through the MyLIC app, users can pay premiums, track policy benefits in real time, update policies online, obtain paperless policy loans and complete e-KYC digitally.  
• Super Sales Saathi App: It is meant for LIC agents and intermediaries to support sales, marketing and customer service activities.  
  • The app provides digital sales tools, real-time policy tracking, automated reminders, AI-based customer insights and performance dashboards for agents.  
• Technology Platform: Both applications are built on LIC’s DIVE (Digital Innovation & Value Enhancement) platform to provide a secure and integrated digital insurance ecosystem.  

Read More: LIC 

Ministry of Textiles launched Vishwa Sutra

Why in News?  

The Ministry of Textiles launched “Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World”, an initiative aimed at promoting Indian handlooms globally through a contemporary design framework.  

Key Points  

• Launch: The initiative has been launched by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) under the Ministry of Textiles.  
  • It has been developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).  
  • The designer collection based on this initiative was presented at the 61st edition of Femina Miss India held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.  
• Objective: The initiative aims to expand the global reach and recognition of Indian handloom products through modern fashion interpretations.  
• Handloom Diversity: Around 30 different handloom weaves from various Indian states have been selected with each weave creatively redesigned using design inspirations from 30 countries .  
• Alignment: The programme supports the government’s “Vocal for Local to Global” approach and promotes the 5F Vision – Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign in the textile sector.  

Read More: Vocal for Local 

Sadhvi Satish Sail Wins Miss India 2026

Why in News? 

Sadhvi Satish Sail, representing Goa, is the winner of Femina Miss India 2026. She made history as the first woman from Goa to win the Miss India World title and is set to represent India at the Miss World 2027 pageant.  

Key Points 

• Venue: She was crowned at the grand finale of the 61st edition of the pageant on 18th April, 2026, held at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.  
• Personal Growth: She was placed in the Top 5 for "Best Body" during the competition. 
• Interests: She has a unique range of hobbies that include beekeeping, pottery, taxidermy, and wildlife photography. She is also fluent in seven languages.  
• Her Dreams and Vision: One of her most ambitious long-term goals is to start her own university. This vision stems from her personal struggles with practical adult skills—like taxation and financial management—when she first moved to Canada. 
  • Holistic Education: Her proposed university would focus on teaching essential life skills, spirituality, and creativity, bridging the gap between traditional schooling and "adulting". 
  • Advocacy: She is a staunch advocate for financial literacy among women and supports causes related to child malnutrition and welfare for those with hearing and speech impairments. 
• Rural Representation: Growing up in close-knit communities, she aims to use her platform to bring the stories and resilience of rural communities to a wider audience.

Cabinet Approves Extension of PMGSY-III till March 2028

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) beyond its original deadline of March 2025. The extension aims to ensure the completion of critical rural infrastructure projects and has been updated with a revised financial outlay.  

Key Points 

• Key Decisions and Timelines: The Cabinet has sanctioned extended deadlines based on terrain and project type to facilitate full implementation:  
  • Plain Areas: Completion of both roads and bridges extended until March 2028. 
  • Hilly Areas (Roads): Completion extended until March 2028. 
  • Hilly Areas (Bridges): A further extension until March 2029 has been granted due to technical complexities. 
  • Un-awarded Works: Projects sanctioned before March 31, 2025, that were not yet awarded can now proceed to tendering and execution.  
• Revised Financial Outlay:The total budget for the scheme has been increased to support the extended implementation period:  
  • Revised Total Outlay: ₹83,977 crore (Increased from the original ₹80,250 crore). 
  • Long Span Bridges (LSBs): Approval for 161 LSBs with an estimated cost of ₹961 crore that were previously pending sanction.  
• Core Objectives: Launched in 2019, this phase differs from previous ones by focusing on the consolidation and upgradation of existing routes rather than just new connectivity. The primary targets include:  
  • Through Routes and Major Rural Links: Connecting habitations to essential services. 
  • GrAMs: Enhancing access to Gramin Agricultural Markets for better crop price realisation. 
  • Social Infrastructure: Improving links to Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals. 
• PMGSY-IV: While PMGSY-III is being extended to complete existing targets, the government has also launched PMGSY-IV (2024-25 to 2028-29). This new phase aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to 25,000 previously unconnected habitations with a total outlay of ₹70,125 crore. 

Read More: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana