Current Affairs: Rajasthan & National Overview

Science & Technology

• India's Second Largest Steerable Telescope "Brahma": Established at Mount Abu, Sirohi.
  • Located at the Infrared Center of ISRO in Mount Abu.
• ISRO Centers in Rajasthan:
  • Jodhpur: Remote Sensing Center (Sudur Samvedi Kendra).
  • Udaipur: Solar Observatory (at Fateh Sagar Lake). (Note: State Solar Observatory is in Jaipur).
  • Mount Abu, Sirohi: Infrared Center (also known as Earthquake Center).
• Indigenous GPS System 'GAGAN':
  • Used for the first time in India for aviation operations at Kishangarh Airport, Ajmer by an Indigo flight.

Governance & Development Initiatives

• Mount Abu Renaming: Renamed to "Abu Raj".
• Brahma Kumari Sansthan, Mount Abu:
  • India One Solar Plant: Established with German collaboration (movable solar plates).
  • "Jal Jan Abhiyan": Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the "Catch the Rain" campaign (for rainwater harvesting).
  • "RISE" Program (Rising India Through Spiritual Empowerment): Launched by President Droupadi Murmu.
  • "Swarnim Rajasthan" Program: Launched by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
  • Current Head/Pradhan Vyavasthapika: Mohini Didi.
• President Droupadi Murmu's Rajasthan Visits:
  • January 2023:
    • Jaipur (Raj Bhavan): Inaugurated Rajasthan's first Constitution Park.
    • Rohat, Pali: Inaugurated the 18th National Scout Guide Jamboree.
    • Mount Abu (Brahma Kumari Sansthan): Inaugurated the "RISE" program.
  • February 2025:
    • Udaipur: Participated in the convocation ceremony of Mohanlal Sukhadia University.
    • Nawata Pura, Dungarpur: Participated in the "Namo Didi" program (welcomed with 'Thagdi' dance).
• "Karma Bhoomi Se Matribhoomi" Campaign:
  • Launch: January 15, 2025.
  • Objective: Rainwater harvesting with support from Non-Resident Rajasthanis (NRR) and philanthropists.
  • Target: To build 45,000 Rainwater Structures by 2027.
  • Initial Operating Districts (6): Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Pali, Sirohi, Jaipur, Bhilwara.
• Baarmer District Administration Initiatives (Tina Dabi, District Collector):
  • "Navo Barmer": Barmer cleanliness program.
  • "Udaan" Program (Baarmer): Focused on women empowerment.
  • "Camp" Program: For empowerment of persons with disabilities (Divyang Jan), ensuring access to schemes and aid.
• Rajasthan Maru Udaan Abhiyan: State-level extension of Baarmer's "Udaan" program.
• "Udaan" Scheme (State-wide):
  • Objective: Distribution of sanitary napkins to girls and women aged 10-45 years.
  • New Name: Kalibai Bheel Udaan Yojana.
• PM-KUSUM Yojana:
  • Launch: 2019-20.
  • Objective: To make farmers self-reliant in energy.
  • Component A: Installation of solar panels at homes.
  • Component B: Installation of solar pump sets in fields (subsidy up to 7.5 HP).
    • First Solar Pump Set in Rajasthan: Bhaloji Village, Kotputli-Behror.
  • Component C: Setting up solar plants on barren/empty land and selling power to the grid.
  • Additional Allotment: 5000 MW additional power allocation under Component A.
  • Nodal Agency: Rajasthan Akshay Urja Nigam Limited.
  • Subsidy: 60%.
• Organic Farming (Zero Budget Natural Farming):
  • Launch in Rajasthan: 2019-20.
  • Initial Districts (3): Tonk, Sirohi, and Banswara.
  • Current Operation: 15 districts.
  • Four Pillars: Jeevamrut, Beejamrut, Mulching, Vapasa.
• Reorganization of Panchayati Raj Institutions:
  • Committee Convener: Madan Dilawar.
  • Related Act: Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
  • Target Villages:
    • Population between 3000-55000 (General areas).
    • Population between 2000-4000 (Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sahariya region, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara tribal areas).
• Mahanaga Pashu Bima Yojana: Daatal Village, Jaisalmer recorded highest registrations (2624), becoming the first in the country.

Places & Infrastructure

• Mount Abu: Name changed to Abu Raj.
• Rohat, Pali: Site of 18th National Scout Guide Jamboree (January 2023).
• Kishangarh, Ajmer:
  • First Pilot Training Institute in Rajasthan.
  • Site of first indigenous GPS (GAGAN) aided aviation operation.
• Jaadan Village, Pali: Site of 'Om' shaped Yoga University.
• Famous Villages in Rajasthan:
  • Aandhi, Jaipur: India's first Zero Waste Village.
  • Jawanpura, Jaipur: Rajasthan's first Healthy Village.
  • Thaloi, Jamwa Ramgarh, Jaipur: Integrated Resource Recovery Park (for waste to resource conversion).
  • Dadiya Village, Jaipur: Rajasthan's first Organic Village.
    • PM laid foundation of "Ram Jal Setu Link Project" (new name for ERCP) on Dec 17, 2024.
  • Kunda Village, Jaipur: Elephant Village (world's third).
  • Daatal Village, Jaisalmer: Highest registrations for Mangala Pashu Bima Yojana.
  • Dhanora Village, Dholpur: Rajasthan's first Smart Village.
  • Kanchbali, Rajsamand: First village in Rajasthan to ban liquor through voting.
  • Piplatri Village, Rajsamand: 111 trees planted on the birth of a girl child.
  • Kabra Village, Rajsamand: Associated with Olympian Bhavana Jat (20km race walk).
  • Devmali Village, Beawar: Awarded Best Tourism Village.
• Flying Schools:
  • Budget 2025-26 Announcement: Two new flying schools to be opened.
  • Locations: Hamirgarh, Bhilwara and Jhalawar.
• Green Airport: To be established in Kota (Budget 2025-26 announcement).
• Rajasthan Petrozone/Petrochemical SEZ: Located at Panchpadra, Balotra (specifically Sindhiyon ki Dhani and Khema Baba Nagar).
• Girls Sainik Schools:
  • Budget 2025-26 Announcement: To be opened at Divisional level.
  • First Allocation of Land: Thabukra Village, Jodhpur.
  • First Operational Girls Sainik School (National Level): Jaymalsar Village, Bikaner.
• Sainik Schools in Rajasthan:
  • Chittorgarh: Est. August 7, 1961.
  • Jhunjhunu: Second Sainik School.
  • PPP Mode Operated (Public Private Partnership): Jaipur (Bhawani Niketan School), Jodhpur (Hanumant School), Sikar (Bharatiya School), Hanumangarh (Good Day School).
• Military Schools in Rajasthan:
  • Ajmer: Est. November 15, 1930.
  • Dholpur: Est. July 1962.
• First Sainik Academy in Rajasthan: Ralawata Village, Sikar.

Arts, Culture & Sports

• International Camel Festival, Bikaner (January 2025):
  • Pawan Vyas created a world record by tying a 2025 feet long turban.
  • Mr. Bikana: Yogesh Sevak.
  • Miss Marwan: Mahak Daftari.
• Film Festivals in Rajasthan:
  • International Film Festival (IFA): Jaipur, March 2025 (first time hosted in Rajasthan).
  • Rajasthan Film Festival (RFF): Jaipur, September 2024 (12th edition).
  • Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF): Mehrangarh, Jodhpur, February 1-5, 2025 (11th edition).
    • Brand Ambassador: Seema Rathore.
  • Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF): Jaipur, January 2025 (17th edition).
    • Lifetime Achievement Award: Yash Chopra.

Awards & Personalities

• World Peace Award 2025: Awarded to Dr. B.K. Binni at the 20th International World Peace Conference in Delhi.
• Architects of Rajasthan:
  • Laxman Vyas: Architect of the Ashok Stambh (Lion Capital) at the new Parliament House.
  • Anup Bhartaria: Architect for Chambal River Front (Kota), SMS Hospital's tallest OPD Tower (Jaipur), and Patrika Gate (Jaipur). Also designed the Constitution Pillar at Rajasthan University.
  • Naresh Kumawat: Architect of 'Vishwas Swaroopam' (world's tallest Shiva statue) in Nathdwara, Rajsamand (369 ft high). Also designed the 'Samudra Manthan' (Ocean Churning) display in the new Parliament House.
  • Vinod Goswami: Architect of the new 'Nyay ki Devi' (Goddess of Justice) statue.
  • Ritu Singh (Jaipur): Appointed as Visitor's Nominee by President Droupadi Murmu (for Central Architectural Institutes).
• Ruma Devi (Barmer):
  • Awarded Nari Shakti Award 2019.
  • Brand Ambassador of Rajivika.
  • Recently involved in clothes manufacturing from 'Aak' (Calotropis gigantea) flowers.
• Sheela Asopa (Jodhpur):
  • Awarded National Teacher Award 2023 for her "Jadui Basta" (Magic Bag) innovation.
• National Teacher Award 2024 (from Rajasthan):
  • Baljinder Singh Brar (Ganganagar).
  • Hukum Singh Chaudhary (Bikaner).
• Women Fighter Pilots from Rajasthan:
  • Mohana Singh (Jhunjhunu): Rajasthan's first woman fighter pilot; first woman in India to fly the Tejas aircraft.
  • Pratibha Poonia (Churu): Second woman fighter pilot from Rajasthan.
  • Priya Sharma (Jhunjhunu): Third woman fighter pilot from Rajasthan.
• First Woman Naval Officer to become Fighter Pilot: Astha Poonia (Meerut, UP). She is an engineering student from Banasthali Vidyapith, Niwai, Tonk.

Defense & Security

• DRDO Regional Office: Jodhpur.
• Missile Testing & Military Exercises (Rajasthan):
  • Pokaran Firing Range, Jaisalmer:
    • Vayu Shakti 2024 exercise.
    • Bharat Shakti 2024 exercise (Tejas aircraft crashed here for the first time).
    • Testing of Nag missile and Pinaka missile.
  • Mahajan Firing Range, Bikaner:
    • Sada Tanseek exercise (India vs. Saudi Arabia).
    • Dharma Guardian exercise (India vs. Japan).
    • Cyclone 3 2025 exercise (India vs. Egypt).
  • Jodhpur Military Airbase: Desert Hunt 2025 exercise.

Political Developments

• State Party Status: Bahujan Awam Party (BAP) granted state-level party status by the Election Commission of India on January 13, 2025.
• Police Battalions in Rajasthan:
  • Hadi Rani Battalion: Ajmer.
  • Maharana Pratap Battalion: Udaipur.
  • Mewar Bhil Corps Battalion: Kherwara and Banswara.
  • Budget 2025-26 Announcement (Three New Women Police Battalions):
    • Padmini Battalion (Sikar).
    • Kalibai Battalion (Alwar).
    • Amrita Devi Battalion (Barmer).