State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 29 Sep 2025

Two Wetlands in Bihar Designated as Ramsar Sites

Why in News?

India has added two new wetlands from Bihar — Gokul Jalashay in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran — to the global list of Ramsar Convention Sites of International Importance.

• With these additions, India’s Ramsar tally now stands at 93 sites, covering 13,60,719 hectares, maintaining its top position in Asia and third globally after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).
  

Key Points

• Gokul Jalashay, Buxar District:
  • Type: Oxbow lake located on the southern edge of the river Ganga.
  • Ecological Role: Functions as a natural flood buffer for nearby villages while providing habitat for over 50 bird species.
  • Community Linkages: Provides livelihood through fishing, farming, and irrigation.
  • Local Tradition: Villagers clean the catchment annually during a festival.
• Udaipur Jheel, West Champaran District:
  • Type: Oxbow lake surrounding a village.
  • Biodiversity: Home to 280 plant species, including Alysicarpus roxburghianus (endemic to India).
    • It is an important wintering ground for 35 migratory bird species, including the vulnerable common pochard.
• About Wetlands: They are areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water (natural or artificial) with water that is static or flowing, including marine areas with a depth not exceeding six meters.
  • Wetlands are an ecotone, having land transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• About Ramsar Convention: It was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and provides a global framework for wetland conservation and wise use. India joined it in 1982.
  • The Montreux Record (threatened list) lists wetlands with deteriorating ecological character due to human activity or pollution. India has two wetlands in the Montreux Record:
    • Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan (1990): A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Loktak Lake, Manipur (1993): The largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, known for its Phumdis (floating masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter)
  • Chilika Lake was included in the Montreux Record in 1993 but was removed in 2002 (the first site from Asia).

Birth Anniversary of Bhagat Singh

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to revolutionary Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary, praising his courage as a great source of inspiration.

Key Points

• Birth: Bhagat Singh was born on  28th September, 1907, in Banga, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan). He came from a Sikh family actively involved in anti-colonial activities; his father, Kishan Singh, and uncle, Ajit Singh, were prominent freedom fighters. 
• Early Life: Witnessed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre at the age of 12, which instilled a deep sense of patriotism and a vow to fight for India’s freedom. 
• Education: Joined the National College, Lahore, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, which emphasised the Swadeshi Movement and provided a platform for revolutionary ideas. 
• Revolutionary Organisations: Bhagat Singh became a member of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1924, later renaming it the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928. 
  • Naujawan Bharat Sabha was founded by Bhagat Singh in 1926, aimed at mobilising youth for the freedom struggle. 
• Major Actions: Involved in the assassination of police officer J.P. Saunders in 1928 (Lahore Conspiracy Case) as retaliation for Lala Lajpat Rai’s death due to police brutality. 
  • Threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on 18th April 1929, with B.K. Dutt to protest against repressive British laws. 
• Arrest and Trial: Arrested in 1929 for the bomb incident and later charged with murder in the Lahore Conspiracy Case. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. 
  • Executed on 23rd March 1931, along with fellow revolutionaries Sukhdev and Rajguru, in Lahore. Bhagat Singh is affectionately known as Shahid-e-Azam, the greatest of martyrs. 
• Literary Contributions: Authored significant works, including Why I Am an Atheist, The Jail Notebook and Other Writings, and several political manifestos advocating for socialism and revolution. 
  • In his early work, Vishwa Prem (Universal Love), Singh proclaimed the importance of equality. He envisioned a world free of hunger and war, where humanity transcends boundaries of race and nationality. 
• Ideologies: Advocated Marxist and socialist ideologies, emphasising rationalism, equality, and justice. Critiqued organised religion, viewing it as a form of mental and physical slavery. 
• Legacy: Celebrated as a national hero and martyr; his birth anniversary and the date of his execution are observed annually to honour his contributions to India's freedom struggle. 
  • Every year, 23rd March is observed as Martyrs’ Day as a tribute to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru.

India Wins Asia Cup

Why in News?

India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai to clinch their ninth title, staying unbeaten with three wins against Pakistan in the tournament.

Key Points

• Asia Cup Records:
  • India: 9 titles (most by any team).
  • Sri Lanka: 6 titles.
  • Pakistan: 2 titles.
• Player Of The Match: Tilak Varma
• Player Of The Series: Abhishek Sharma
• Asia Cup Format: Alternates between ODI and T20I formats.
  • This is India’s second consecutive title after winning the Asia Cup 2023 (ODI format).