Current Affairs: Personalities, Places and Institutions

Rajasthan Current Affairs: A Comprehensive Guide for Competitive Exams

1. Important Personalities in News

1.1 Political Leadership

• Governor of Rajasthan: The Governor is appointed by the President of India under Article 155 of the Constitution. The Governor acts as the constitutional head of the state and is the Chancellor of all state universities. Key powers include summoning/proroguing the assembly, reserving bills for Presidential assent, and appointing the Chief Minister.
• Chief Minister: The CM is the real executive head of the state, appointed by the Governor as the leader of the majority party. The CM heads the Council of Ministers, advises on Governor appointments, and represents the state in national forums.
• Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly: Conducts proceedings, maintains order, and certifies Money Bills under Article 199. The Deputy Speaker acts in the Speaker's absence.
• Leader of Opposition: Recognized as the formal Opposition Leader if their party has at least 10% of assembly seats. Has the status equivalent to a Cabinet Minister.

1.2 Awards & Honours from Rajasthan

• Padma Vibhushan: India's second highest civilian award — given to persons from Rajasthan for exceptional distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan: Third highest civilian award.
• Padma Shri: Fourth highest civilian award — given for distinguished service in any field.
• Rajasthan Ratna Award: State's highest civilian award given to individuals for outstanding contributions to Rajasthan.
• Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi Awards: Given by the Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi (founded 1958, HQ Udaipur) for distinguished contributions to Rajasthani/Hindi literature.

1.3 Sports Personalities from Rajasthan

• Avani Lekhara (Jaipur): Para-shooter; won Gold in 10m Air Rifle SH1 at Tokyo Paralympics 2020 and Bronze in 50m Rifle 3P; first Indian woman to win an Olympic/Paralympic Gold. Won Gold and Bronze at Paris Paralympics 2024.
• Devendra Jhajharia (Churu): Javelin thrower (F46 category); 3-time Paralympic Gold medallist (Athens 2004, Rio 2016) and Silver (Tokyo 2020). Received Khel Ratna Award.
• Sumit Antil: Para-javelin thrower F64; World Record holder; Gold at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. From Sonipat, Haryana — but relevant for Rajasthan current affairs.
• Rajasthan Royals (IPL): The state's Indian Premier League cricket franchise.
• Rajasthan CNA/Boxing Academy: Several boxers from Rajasthan represented India internationally.

2. Important Places in News

2.1 New Districts of Rajasthan (2023 Reorganization)

• Anupgarh (carved out of Sri Ganganagar)
• Balotra (carved out of Barmer)
• Beawar (carved out of Ajmer)
• Deeg (carved out of Bharatpur)
• Dudu (carved out of Jaipur)
• Gangapur City (carved out of Sawai Madhopur)
• Jodhpur Rural (Jodhpur Grameen) (carved out of Jodhpur)
• Kekri (carved out of Ajmer)
• Kotputli-Behror (carved out of Jaipur)
• Khairthal-Tijara (carved out of Alwar)
• Neem Ka Thana (carved out of Sikar)
• Phalodi (carved out of Jodhpur)
• Salumbar (carved out of Udaipur)
• Sanchore (carved out of Jalore)
• Shahpura (carved out of Bhilwara)
• Shri Ganganagar (retained + boundary redrawn)
• Dholpur-Karauli (merged as new division)
• Bandikui and others

2.2 Tiger Reserves & Wildlife

• Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve: India's 52nd Tiger Reserve — notified in May 2022, in Bundi district. Connected to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, increasing the tiger corridor.
• Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve: India's 55th Tiger Reserve — recently approved, in Dholpur and Karauli districts.
• Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (Sawai Madhopur): India's most famous tiger reserve; Project Tiger launched here in 1973. One of the original 9 Project Tiger reserves.
• Sariska Tiger Reserve (Alwar): India's first tiger reserve to successfully relocate tigers (from Ranthambore) after local extinction.
• Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (Kota): Rajasthan's 4th tiger reserve, notified 2013. Carved from Combined Mukundra Hills National Park.

2.3 Solar Energy Infrastructure

• Bhadla Solar Park (Jodhpur, Rajasthan): World's largest solar park with capacity of 2,245 MW. Spread over ~5,700 hectares in the Thar Desert.
• Phalodi Solar Park: Being developed in arid areas.
• Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy: State aims to set up massive renewable energy capacity. Rajasthan has India's highest solar potential due to high DNI (Direct Normal Irradiance).

2.4 Infrastructure Projects

• Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NH-148N): 1386 km long; the world's longest expressway under construction when completed. Rajasthan section passes through Dausa, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand.
• Rajasthan Refinery (Pachpadra, Barmer): Being built by HPCL-Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL — joint venture of HPCL and GoR). Capacity of 9 MMTPA when complete.
• Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP): A major river-linking project to bring water from Chambal and its tributaries to 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan (Kota, Baran, Jhalawar, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Ajmer, Jaipur etc). Under consideration for National Project status.

3. Important Institutions and Constitutional Bodies

3.1 Constitutional Bodies

• Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC): Established 1949; HQ at Ajmer (Ghooghra Ghati). Conducts recruitment for State/Subordinate Services. Consists of Chairman + members appointed by Governor. RPSC conducts RAS, RTS, School Lecturer, etc.
• State Election Commission: Superintends, directs, and controls elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies. State Election Commissioner appointed by Governor.
• State Finance Commission: Constituted every 5 years under Article 243I. Reviews devolution of funds to Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies.
• Rajasthan High Court: Established 1949; at Jodhpur (Principal Bench). Bench also at Jaipur.

3.2 Key Statutory Bodies

• Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB/RSMSSB): Conducts competitive exams for non-gazetted posts — Patwari, LDC, Police Constable, etc. HQ at Jaipur.
• Rajasthan Information Commission: Hears second appeals and complaints under the RTI Act 2005. Chief Information Commissioner + Information Commissioners appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a Committee.
• State Human Rights Commission: Inquires into violations of human rights. Chairperson is a retired High Court Chief Justice.
• Rajasthan Lokayukta: Investigates complaints of corruption and maladministration against public servants. Appointed by the Governor.

3.3 Administrative Setup

• Divisions: Rajasthan is divided into divisions (संभाग). Currently: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Udaipur — plus recently added Pali, Sikar, Banswara (status subject to change).
• Districts: 33 original districts + new additions (status as per current government orders).
• Sub-divisions: Each district is divided into sub-divisions (Tehsils/Taluka) headed by SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate).
• Panchayati Raj: Three-tier structure in Rajasthan: Zila Parishad (district), Panchayat Samiti (block), Gram Panchayat (village).

4. Key State Government Schemes

4.1 BJP Government Schemes (2023-present under CM Bhajanlal Sharma)

• Rozgar Utsav / Rajasthan Mission on Livelihoods: Mass recruitment events.
• Kisan Samman Nidhi: Continuation of PM-KISAN with state top-up.
• Rajasthan Housing Board Initiatives.
• Farm Loan Waiver Scheme.

4.2 Previous Congress Government Schemes (2018-23 under CM Ashok Gehlot)

• Indira Gandhi Shahri Credit Card Yojana: Interest-free loans up to Rs 50,000 for urban informal workers.
• Indira Rasoi Yojana: Subsidized meals at Rs. 8 per plate in urban areas; widely expanded.
• Right to Health (RTH) Act 2023: Rajasthan became first state in India to give residents the legal right to emergency healthcare. Patients could not be denied emergency treatment in any registered public or private hospital.
• RGHS (Rajasthan Government Health Scheme): Health insurance for government employees and pensioners.
• Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income/ Right to Employment: India's first law guaranteeing minimum income and minimum days of employment (state version of MGNREGA).
• Palanhar Scheme: Support for orphaned and destitute children — guardian families receive financial support for child rearing.
• Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana: Health insurance up to Rs. 25 lakh per family annually.
• Annapurna Food Packet Scheme: Free food packets to beneficiaries on festivals/occasions.

5. Major Fairs & Cultural Events of Rajasthan

5.1 International & National Fairs

6. Rajasthan Geography Quick Review (Current Affairs Context)

• Area: 342,239 sq km — Largest state in India (after Jammu & Kashmir became UT).
• Borders international: Pakistan (Sindh + Punjab provinces).
• Borders inter-state: Punjab, Haryana (North), UP, Madhya Pradesh (East-South), Gujarat (South-West).
• Population: 6.89 crore (Census 2011) — 7th most populous state.
• Literacy Rate: 66.1% (Census 2011) — among lower states nationally.
• Mineral Resources: Rajasthan is India's largest producer of: Lead & Zinc (HZL, Zawar mines, Udaipur), Limestone, Marble (Makrana marble famous worldwide), Sandstone, Gypsum, Salt (Sambhar Lake — largest saline lake in India).
• Sambhar Lake: India's largest inland saltwater lake — a Ramsar Wetland Site.
• Major Rivers: Chambal (only perennial river in S. Rajasthan), Banas, Luni, Ghaggar (seasonal in N. Rajasthan).