State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 29 Sep 2025

UP Marks World Tourism Day

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh marked World Tourism Day 2025 with state-wide celebrations highlighting sustainable transformation, community participation, and inclusive tourism initiatives.

• The state hosted programmes across cities and villages, emphasising community involvement and eco-friendly practices.

Key Points

• About: World Tourism Day was first celebrated in 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and raises awareness about the social, cultural, and economic importance of tourism. 
  • The day marks the adoption of UNWTO’s statutes in 1975, signifying its official establishment five years later. 
  • UNWTO advocates for tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability while supporting the sector in advancing knowledge and policies worldwide. 
    • UNWTO comprises 160 Member States (including India), 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers, and over 500 Affiliate Members.  
    • Headquartered in Madrid, Spain.  
• Theme: The theme for this year is ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, which emphasises tourism’s power to promote positive change.
  • Malaysia hosted the World Tourism Day and the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 in the city of Melaka.

UP Tourism Policy 2022 

• About: The primary objective of tourism policy is to ensure sustainable development, enhance visitor satisfaction, boost economic growth, protect cultural and natural resources, and foster community inclusivity and participation. 
• Financial Incentives: The policy offers generous subsidies and financial support, including: 
  • Capital investment subsidies ranging from 10–25% (capped at Rs 2–40 crore based on investment size). 
  • 5% interest subsidy on bank loans up to Rs 5 crore for 5 years. 
  • 100% exemption on stamp duty, land conversion fees, and employment-linked EPF reimbursements. 
  • Additional incentives target Tier 2+ locations, women entrepreneurs, SC/ST/backward classes, and focus on tourism destinations.  
• Focus: The policy promotes developing: 
  • Eco-tourism circuits like wildlife sanctuaries, camping sites, trekking, and nature walks 
  • Heritage, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events), wellness, and amusement parks through PPP models. 
  • Integration with themed circuits—Ramayana, Krishna, Buddhist, Mahabharata, and Shakti Peeth. 
• Investment Facilitation & Global Promotion: UP aims to attract Rs 5,000 crore annually by: 
  • Establishing a Tourism Investor Facilitation Cell for market research, approvals, and investment support 
  • Participation in roadshows, international tourism events, and collaborative branding—placing UP on the global tourism map.

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).