State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 06 Jan 2026

Barabanki Girl Wins PM Bal Puraskar for Dust-Free Wheat Thresher

Why in News?

A 17 year old girl from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh has been selected for the Prime Minister’s Bal Puraskar for developing an innovative dust-free wheat threshing device, aimed at reducing health hazards to farmers.

Key Points:

• Award: Prime Minister’s Bal Puraskar – India’s highest civilian honour for children, conferred for exceptional achievements in innovation, science, social service, sports, art, and culture.
• Awardee: Pooja Pal, resident of Agehra village, Barabanki (UP).
• Innovation: A dust-free wheat thresher attachment (Bhusa-Dhool Prithakkaran Yantra) that separates chaff and traps dust, reducing airborne particulate matter during threshing.
• Recognition & Support:
  • Supported under the INSPIRE Award framework of the Ministry of Science & Technology.
  • Selected for the Sakura Science High School Programme (Japan).
  • Honoured by the Uttar Pradesh government as a child scientist.
• Problem Addressed: Respiratory illnesses and eye irritation caused by wheat dust during conventional threshing operations.
• Inspiration: Observation of dust affecting school children and farmers.
  • Ideas derived from traditional sieving practices used at home.
• Women in STEM: Serves as a major inspiration for young girls in science and technology from marginalized backgrounds.
• Significance: Highlights grass-roots innovation, student-led problem solving, and the role of science & technology in improving occupational health in agriculture.

NTPC-GCRI MoA for Cancer Care Infrastructure

Why in News?

NTPC Western Region signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI) for the upgradation of radiotherapy services under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Key Points

• Objective: To enhance radiotherapy services by procuring and installing a high-energy Linear Accelerator (LINAC) at the Siddhpur Satellite Centre  in Ahmedabad.
• Funding: ₹23.16 crore has been sanctioned by NTPC under its CSR initiative for capacity upgrade.
• Technology Upgrade: The support will help procure and install sophisticated radiotherapy equipment, improving advanced cancer treatment capabilities. 
• CSR Focus: This initiative reflects NTPC’s commitment to inclusive development and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by strengthening critical healthcare infrastructure through meaningful CSR interventions. 
• Regional Healthcare Hub: Strengthening GCRI will reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for patients.