State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 06 Mar 2026

Khajuraho Dance Festival 2026

Why in News? 

The Khajuraho Dance Festival 2026, one of India’s most renowned cultural festivals celebrating classical dance traditions, was held in February 2026 at Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh. 

Key Points: 

• Festival: The Khajuraho Dance Festival is an annual cultural event that showcases India’s classical dance traditions against the backdrop of the historic temples of Khajuraho in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. 
• Duration: This is a seven-day festival, featuring evening performances by renowned classical dancers from across India. 
  • The performances take place in Chitragupta Temple and Vishwanatha Temple, part of the Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 
• Dance Forms: The festival features several major Indian classical dance forms such as Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Kathakali, performed by leading artists and emerging talents. 
• Organising Body: The festival is organised by the Government of Madhya Pradesh through cultural institutions such as the Ustad Alauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Academy, with support from the state’s tourism and culture departments. 
  • The Khajuraho Dance Festival was first started in 1975 with the aim of promoting Indian classical dance heritage and highlighting the artistic significance of the Khajuraho temples. 
• Significance: The festival promotes India’s classical dance traditions, cultural tourism, and heritage conservation, while highlighting the artistic connection between temple architecture and performing arts. 

Read More: Khajuraho Dance Festival 2025, UNESCO World Heritage site, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi,Kathakali 

Ravi Shankar Prasad to Head Lok Sabha Privileges Committee

Why in News? 

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, nominated 15 Members of Parliament to the Committee of Privileges, which became effective from 3 March 2026. 

Key Points: 

• Chairperson: Ravi Shankar Prasad, Lok Sabha MP from Patna Sahib, was appointed Chairperson of the committee. 
  • The Committee of Privileges examines cases related to breach of parliamentary privileges or contempt of the House and recommends appropriate action.  
  • The committee also has the authority to examine complaints, summon individuals, seek documents, and conduct inquiries before submitting its report.  
• Purpose: The committee safeguards the privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament, ensuring that MPs can perform their legislative duties without obstruction or intimidation. 
  • Parliamentary privileges in India are provided under Article 105 of the Constitution of India, which grants certain powers, privileges, and immunities to Parliament and its members. 
• Breach of privilege: It may occur when there is obstruction, intimidation, or interference with the functioning of MPs or the authority of the House. 
  • After investigation, the committee submits its recommendations to the Speaker or the House, which may include warnings, reprimands, or other disciplinary actions depending on the seriousness of the breach. 
• Significance: The committee plays a crucial role in protecting the dignity, authority, and independence of Parliament and maintaining discipline within the legislative system. 

Read More: Parliamentary Privileges, Constitution of India, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Privileges Committee 

Alexander Stubb Chief Guest at Raisina Dialogue 2026

Why in News? 

India hosted the 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, as the Chief Guest. 

Key Points: 

• Chief Guest: President Alexander Stubb visited India in March 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  
  • This was his first visit to India after assuming office as President of Finland. 
• Raisina Dialogue: The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship international conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss major international issues. 
  • The dialogue is organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, India. 
• Theme: The 2026 edition of the dialogue was held in March 2026 with the theme “Saṁskāra: Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.” 
• Focus: To strengthen India–Finland cooperation in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability, clean energy, and advanced technologies. 
• Significance: The visit and participation in the Raisina Dialogue highlight the growing strategic partnership between India and Finland and underline India’s increasing role in global geopolitical discussions. 

Read More: Raisina Dialogue 2025, India–Finland cooperation 

President Approves Governor Reshuffle Across 9 States and UTs (March 2026)

Why in News? 

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, approved a major reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across several states and Union Territories. 

Key Points: 

• Major Constitutional Reshuffle: Rashtrapati Bhavan announced changes in the posts of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across nine states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Ladakh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. 
• Resignation Accepted: The resignation of C. V. Ananda Bose as Governor of West Bengal was accepted by the President before the new appointments were announced. 
• Key Appointments: 
  • R. N. Ravi was appointed Governor of West Bengal (earlier Governor of Tamil Nadu). 
  • Shiv Pratap Shukla appointed Governor of Telangana. 
  • Jishnu Dev Varma appointed Governor of Maharashtra. 
  • Nand Kishore Yadav appointed Governor of Nagaland. 
  • Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd. Lieutenant General) appointed Governor of Bihar.  
• Additional Changes: 
  • Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, given additional charge as Governor of Tamil Nadu. 
  • Kavinder Gupta, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh. 
• Lieutenant Governor Appointments: 
  • Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. 
  • Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former diplomat, appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. 
• Implementation: The appointments will take effect from the dates the respective appointees assume charge of their offices. 
• Significance: Such reshuffles help reposition experienced administrators and political leaders in key constitutional posts, ensuring effective governance and coordination between the Union and states. 

Read More: Governors , Lieutenant Governors 

Census 2027 Mascots ‘Pragati’ and ‘Vikas’ Unveiled

Why in News? 

Amit Shah recently unveiled the official mascots “Pragati” (female) and “Vikas” (male) for Census 2027, alongside the launch of several digital platforms to support India’s first fully digital census exercise. 

Key Points: 

• Symbols: The mascots Pragati and Vikas will act as the public outreach symbols of Census 2027, helping disseminate information about the census in a citizen-friendly manner. 
• Represent Equality: They symbolize the equal participation of women and men in nation-building, aligning with the vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. 
• Objective: Designed as "friendly public ambassadors," they aim to make the census exercise more relatable and citizen-centric. 
• India’s First Fully Digital Census: Census 2027 will be the first digital census in India’s history. 
  • Data collection will be carried out using secure mobile applications and digital platforms instead of traditional paper-based methods. 
• Introduction of Self-Enumeration: Citizens will have the option to submit their household information online through a Self-Enumeration (SE) portal. 
  • After submission, households will receive a Self-Enumeration ID, which enumerators will verify during field visits. 
• Caste Enumeration: For the first time since 1931, the decennial census will include a comprehensive caste enumeration across all communities. 
• Legal Basis: Conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990. 

Read More: Census Act, 1948