State PCS - Jharkhand (JPSC)

• 01 Nov 2025

Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada

Why in News?

Starting 1st November 2025, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has rolled out a two-week national celebration titled “Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada.”

• The observance not only concludes the year-long Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, but also honours the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the revered tribal icon whose birth on 15th November, 1875 is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

Key Points

• Nationwide Celebration: The fortnight-long event will be held across India through the combined efforts of Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), TRIFED, and NSTFDC, showcasing the rich culture, legacy, and achievements of tribal communities.
• Major Initiatives Featured:
  • PM JANMAN (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Development Mission): Launched in 2023, it focuses on the holistic development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 States and UTs. It provides housing, healthcare, nutrition, education, clean water, and livelihood opportunities, ensuring that the most marginalised tribal communities are integrated into the nation’s growth story.
  • DAJGUA (Digital Archives of Janjatiya Gaurav and Unique Achievements): An innovative digital platform documenting tribal freedom fighters, folklore, art, and oral traditions. The archive aims to make tribal heritage accessible to students, researchers, and the public, thereby preserving India’s indigenous narratives for future generations.
  • Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Programs: Under TRIFED and NSTFDC, several schemes such as Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and micro-enterprise models have empowered tribal producers through value addition, branding, and digital marketing. These initiatives have increased rural incomes and connected tribal artisans to national and international markets.

Legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda

• Bhagwan Birsa Munda (1875–1900) remains one of India’s most iconic tribal freedom fighters and reformers.
• Born in Ulihatu village (Jharkhand), he spearheaded the Ulgulan (Great Tumult), a rebellion against British rule and the exploitative Zamindari system that dispossessed tribal lands.
• His movement asserted tribal land rights, self-governance, and cultural dignity.
• Through his Birsait faith, Birsa revived indigenous traditions and inspired unity among different tribes against colonial and missionary dominance.
• Although he passed away at just 25 years old in 1900, his movement led to the enactment of Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908), which safeguarded tribal land ownership.
• Revered as “Dharti Aaba” (Father of the Earth), Birsa Munda’s legacy continues to inspire India’s contemporary approach to forest rights, sustainable living, and indigenous empowerment.

National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 Launched

Why in News?

The Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, launched the National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 at ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi. 

• This marks India’s first fully digitised fisheries census, representing a major stride towards data-driven and technology-enabled marine governance.

Key Points

• About:
  • The National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 is a 45-day nationwide exercise designed to collect comprehensive data on India’s marine fishing sector.
  • It will cover 1.2 million fisher households across 4,000 marine fishing villages in nine coastal States and four Union Territories.
  • The enumeration will be conducted from 3rd November to 18th December, 2025.
  • The initiative is coordinated by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with CMFRI as the nodal agency and the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) as the operational partner.
• Purpose and Objectives:
  • To create a comprehensive digital database of marine fishing communities, infrastructure, and socio-economic indicators.
  • To modernise fisheries management and improve welfare delivery through verified digital data.
  • To link all fishers with the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) for streamlined access to government schemes.
  • To facilitate better implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• Digitised and Real-Time Data Collection: For the first time, the Census adopts a fully digital mode, using two dedicated mobile applications developed by CMFRI to ensure accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.

Mobile Application	Core Function	Impact on the Census
VyAS Bharat	Data Capture and Geo-referencing	Used by field staff to collect socio-economic data from 1.2 million fisher households and key statistics. Links each data entry to a specific location through geo-referencing.
VyAS Sutra	Verification and Monitoring	Enables instant validation of field data and provides a centralised platform for live monitoring of the enumeration process across the country.