• Inauguration of Light and Sound Show in Jaisalmer

  • The Light and Sound Show was inaugurated at Shourya Van and War Museum in Jaisalmer.
  • Inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
  • Rajnath Singh visited Jaisalmer on October 23-24, 2025.
  • Shourya Van is dedicated to the bravery of the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor and features medicinal plants.
  • Contextual Jaisalmer Information:
    • Known as the City of Jharokhas, City of Petals, City of Alleys, Rajasthan's Andaman Nicobar, City of Havelis.
    • Notable Havelis: Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli.
    • Jaisalmer Fort: Has 99 bastions, a postage stamp was issued in 2009, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, and is Rajasthan's second Living Fort.
    • Pokhran: Site of nuclear tests.
    • Khamba Fort: An Open Rock Museum is being developed here.
    • Ghotaru: Contains helium gas reserves and an 'India' themed park visible from the sky.
    • National Desert Park: Rajasthan's largest sanctuary.
    • The 55th GST Council meeting was held in Jaisalmer.
    • Megagram: Flying dinosaur fossils were found here.

• Appointment of Kulagurus (Vice-Chancellors)

  • On October 18, 2025, the Governor appointed Kulagurus (Vice-Chancellors) for several universities.
  • Background: The Rajasthan Budget 2024-25 announced that Vice-Chancellors would henceforth be called 'Kulaguru'. The Rajasthan Universities Act 2025 (passed in March 2025) formalized this change.
  • The first 'Kulaguru' appointed under this new act was Akhil Ranjan Garg for Bikaner Technical University.
  • Recent Appointments (October 18, 2025):
    • Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur: Pawan Sharma.
    • Jodhpur Agricultural University: Virendra Singh Jayatavat.
    • Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Ayurveda University, Jodhpur: Govind Sahay Shukla.
    • Kota Agricultural University: Bimla Dukwal.
    • Shri Karan Narendra Agricultural University, Jaipur: Pushpendra Singh Chauhan.
    • Maharana Pratap Agricultural University, Udaipur: Pratap Singh.
  • Note: The Chancellor (Kuladhipati) for state universities is the Governor, while the Vice-Chancellor (Kulaguru) is appointed by the Governor/Chancellor.

• Loan for Smart and Sustainable Cities

  • The Rajasthan government plans to borrow from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop smart and sustainable cities.
  • Smart City Project (Central Government):
    • Launched on June 25, 2015, aiming to develop 100 smart cities nationwide.
    • Bhubaneswar was the first city selected.
    • Rajasthan's four Smart Cities are Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, and Kota.
  • Rajasthan Budget 2025-26 (Harit Budget - Green Budget):
    • Introduced the "Clean and Green Eco-cities" initiative with a budget of 900 crore INR.
    • Aims to develop 16 cities as Clean and Green Eco-cities.
  • Contextual Budget Information:
    • First Gender Budget in Rajasthan: 2012-13.
    • First Paperless Budget: 2021-22.
    • First Agricultural Budget: 2022-23.
    • First Green Budget (Harit Budget): 2025-26.

• MNREGA Fraud Prevention Initiative

  • A project for AI-based face verification for job card issuance and attendance has been launched to prevent fraud in the MNREGA scheme.
  • The project was started in Kota.
  • MNREGA Background:
    • Initially named NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) 2005.
    • Act passed: August 23, 2005.
    • Notification issued: September 7, 2005.
    • Launched: February 2, 2006.
    • Guarantees 100 days of employment in rural areas; a job card issued within 15 days of application, and employment within the next 15 days, usually within a 5 km radius (10% additional wages if outside).
    • Renamed MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) on October 2, 2009.
  • Rajasthan Specific MNREGA Provisions:
    • Normal employment days: 125 days.
    • For Sahariya, Kathodi, and differently-abled individuals: 150 days.
    • MNREGA exclusively targets rural areas.

• Suryoday Magazine Award

  • Suryoday, a magazine published by the Jodhpur Railway Division, received the second prize from the Rajbhasha Vibhag (Official Language Department).
  • Contextual Magazine Information:
    • Madhumati: Magazine of Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi, Udaipur.
    • Jagati Jot: Magazine of Rajasthani Bhasha Sahitya evam Sanskriti Academy, Bikaner.
    • Maruni: Magazine of Rajasthani Pracharini Sansthan, Jaipur.

• Pushkar Fair 2025

  • The Pushkar Fair will be held from October 22 to November 7, 2025.
  • Location: Pushkar, Ajmer.
  • Pushkar Related Developments:
    • Brahmalok Corridor is being constructed on the lines of the Mahakal Corridor.
    • Developing as a 'Zero-Net City' (focus on controlling carbon emissions).
    • It is being developed on the lines of Vatican City, Mathura, and Kashi for grandeur and ghats.
    • A camel race was recently organized here.
    • Hot air balloon activities and a Tent City are also features.

• Senior National Ranking Judo Tournament

  • Held in New Delhi.
  • Rajasthan's Vishnu Sharma won a silver medal in the tournament.

• Quick Revision Facts:

  • Rajasthan's first giraffe pair will be brought to Sajjangarh Biological Park, Udaipur.
  • Rajasthan's first community radio station was launched by Maharana Pratap Agricultural University.
  • Amit Tanwar represented India at the 3rd Almaty Puppet Festival in Kazakhstan.
  • Manas Singhal's name was entered into the India Book of Records for delivering the longest speech on Indian history.
  • Jaipur city has been adorned with a warship and a BrahMos missile.