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PRAGYESH IAS • BPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

19 August Exclusive
Current Affairs for BPSC

A high-yield exam revision compilation covering environment, Bihar governance, minerals, electric mobility, defence and space—with article-wise takeaways and MCQ practice.

6High-yield news topics
6Practice MCQs
3Core current-affairs stories
3Bihar special updates

News Index

Jump directly to any topic.

01

Assam Proposal on Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone

The class explains Assam’s proposal to reduce the eco-sensitive buffer around Kaziranga National Park while keeping the park boundary unchanged.

StateAssam
Proposed ESZAbout 1–3 km
National Park Status1974
UNESCO Status1985

What is an Eco-Sensitive Zone?

As explained in the class, an eco-sensitive zone is a regulated buffer around a national park or wildlife sanctuary. It acts as a “shock absorber” between a protected ecosystem and human-dominated areas.

  • Mining, highly polluting activity and certain industries are treated as prohibited.
  • Hotels, road widening and commercial construction may be regulated and require permission.
  • Traditional farming and eco-friendly livelihoods are described as permissible.
  • The class states that notification is handled by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Why the Buffer Matters

  • Reduces ecological pressure around the protected area.
  • Protects wildlife movement corridors.
  • Helps regulate mining, pollution and harmful development.
  • Supports coexistence between human settlements and wildlife.
  • During Brahmaputra flooding, animals can move towards the Karbi Anglong hills.

Assam Government’s Rationale

  • Local housing needs.
  • Development of healthcare facilities.
  • Livelihood and business activity.
  • Avoiding what the class describes as an overly restrictive uniform precautionary zone.
  • The proposal concerns the ESZ, not a reduction of the Kaziranga National Park boundary.

Environmental Concerns

  • Higher development pressure near the protected landscape.
  • Greater risk of human–wildlife conflict.
  • Habitat fragmentation.
  • Restriction of flood-season wildlife movement between Kaziranga and Karbi Anglong.
Transcript consistency note: the class first mentions a reduction from 20 km to 1–3 km, and later repeatedly describes the earlier precautionary zone as 10 km. This page does not choose between those two source values.

Kaziranga: Static Facts from the Class

AssamUNESCO 1985National Park 1974Tiger Reserve 2007

  • Famous for the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
  • Other wildlife mentioned: tiger, elephant, water buffalo and swamp deer.
  • Landscape described as alluvial floodplain grassland and wetland–grassland ecosystem.

Prelims Revision

  • ESZ does not mean a blanket ban on every human activity.
  • Remember the distinction between park boundary and the surrounding regulated buffer.
  • Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong movement during floods is central to the ecological argument.

Topic MCQ

With reference to Kaziranga National Park and the recent eco-sensitive zone proposal, consider the following statements:
02

Bihar Vidyarthi Sahayog Portal

A grievance-redress mechanism for academic and hostel-related student complaints, with a maximum 30-day resolution window.

Resolution Limit30 days
First NoticeDay 11
Third NoticeDay 25
Toll-Free1100

Purpose

The portal is described as a Bihar Government initiative to address students’ school, college, academic and hostel-related grievances and to make the education system more transparent, responsive and accountable.

Complaint FiledStudent registers the grievance.
Day 11First automated notice if no action is taken in the first 10 days.
Day 20Second notice if there is still no satisfactory response by day 19.
Day 25Third notice / final reminder for urgent action.
By Day 30Strict action may follow; written resolution is mandatory.

Student-Facing Features

  • Maximum 30-day grievance resolution period.
  • Student identity is to be kept confidential.
  • Support through toll-free number 1100.
  • Vidyarthi Sahayog camps on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
  • Special awareness campaign across Bihar from 25 August, as stated in the class.

Related Education Announcements

  • Engineering admission/study charge mentioned as ₹10.
  • Polytechnic study charge mentioned as ₹5.
  • 551 model schools to receive late-hour teacher support through mobile/laptop access.
  • 211 new degree colleges.
  • 342 B.Ed colleges permitted to start degree courses.
  • ₹18,000 crore assistance mentioned for the Student Credit Card programme.

Prelims Revision

  • 30 days is the headline grievance-disposal limit.
  • The first notice is described as automated and issued on day 11.
  • Fourth Tuesday and toll-free number 1100 are direct factual recall points.

Topic MCQ

With reference to the Bihar Vidyarthi Sahayog Portal, consider the following statements:
03

Bihar to Survey 44 Mineral Blocks

The class links mineral exploration with industrial growth, infrastructure, public revenue, jobs and better use of Bihar’s mineral wealth.

Blocks Identified44
Survey Underway28 blocks
Mining Start15 October
Investment Target₹5 lakh crore

Programme Highlights

  • Survey of 44 mineral blocks with a stated goal of activating them within nine months.
  • Survey work already progressing in 28 blocks.
  • 30+ coal blocks expected to be allocated before 30 September.
  • Mining activities proposed to begin from 15 October.
  • A state mineral centre is also proposed; location was not specified in the class.

Why It Matters

  • Royalty and revenue for public welfare.
  • Industrial growth and infrastructure push.
  • Jobs and investment creation.
  • Better utilisation of Bihar’s mineral resources.
DistrictMinerals mentioned in the class
RohtasLimestone, pyrite, bauxite, lead, zinc and potash
KaimurLimestone, potash and glauconite
MungerLimestone, bauxite, china clay, feldspar, quartzite and talc
JamuiGold, magnetite, feldspar, granite, quartz, silica and sand
BhagalpurCoal, hematite, silica, china clay, fire clay and granite
BankaLead, rare earth elements and rare metals
Source-handling note: mineral names have been normalised only for obvious speech-to-text spelling; the district–mineral associations remain those stated in the supplied class.

Prelims Revision

  • 44 mineral blocks and 15 October are the key programme recall points.
  • Rohtas is specifically linked with limestone in the class MCQ.
  • District–mineral matching is presented as an important recurring prelims area.

Topic MCQ

Which of the following statements regarding Bihar’s mineral-sector push are correct?
04

Bihar EV Charging Infrastructure under PM E-DRIVE

BHEL is presented as the implementation partner for a state charging network covering 129 stations across 23 districts.

Total Stations129
District Coverage23 districts
Phase-I Survey72 sites
Phase-I Districts6

Implementation

  • BHEL to deploy EV charging infrastructure in Bihar under PM E-DRIVE.
  • Total plan: 129 stations across 23 districts.
  • Phase I: site survey at 72 locations in six districts.
  • Site suitability checks include power connectivity, land availability, accessibility and technical feasibility.

Policy Context

  • PM E-DRIVE is described as supporting faster EV adoption and a stronger charging ecosystem.
  • Total outlay mentioned in the class: ₹10,900 crore.
  • The scheme is placed under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
  • Bihar’s charging build-out is linked with clean mobility, urban/highway EV use and a wider electric-bus push.

Phase-I Districts Mentioned

Patna, Vaishali, Gaya, Nalanda and Purnia are clearly identifiable in the supplied transcript. One additional district name is unclear in the transcription and is therefore not silently guessed here.

Transcript consistency note: the explanatory portion mentions ₹2,000 crore for EV charging infrastructure, while the later MCQ wording says ₹200 crore. The class consistently states the overall PM E-DRIVE outlay as ₹10,900 crore.

Prelims Revision

  • BHEL + 129 stations + 23 districts.
  • Phase I = 72 locations in six districts.
  • PM E-DRIVE is associated with the Ministry of Heavy Industries in the class.

Topic MCQ

With reference to the proposed EV charging infrastructure in Bihar, consider the following statements:
05

Indian Navy to Lease Two MQ-9B SeaGuardian Aircraft

The class presents the lease as a maritime-domain-awareness and long-range ISR capability enhancement across India’s western and eastern maritime regions and the Indian Ocean Region.

Aircraft2 MQ-9B
Lease Period30 months
Contract Value₹1,943 crore
ManufacturerGeneral Atomics

Platform & Role

  • High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted aircraft system (HALE RPAS).
  • Persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
  • Strengthens maritime domain awareness.
  • Supports simultaneous monitoring of western and eastern maritime regions and the wider Indian Ocean Region.

Wider Procurement Context

  • The class refers to two MQ-9A drones leased in 2020 during India–China tensions.
  • It also mentions a 2024 India–US agreement for 31 MQ-9B aircraft.
  • Approximate value mentioned: $3.5 billion / about ₹28,000 crore.
  • India is also described as hosting a global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility for these aircraft.

Prelims Revision

  • MQ-9B SeaGuardian = HALE RPAS.
  • Lease: two aircraft, 30 months, approximately ₹1,943 crore.
  • Company: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

Topic MCQ

Consider the following statements regarding the MQ-9B SeaGuardian:
06

NASA Moon Base, Lunar South Pole & Artemis Framework

The class describes a staged plan for a sustained human presence near the lunar south pole, along with possible Indian participation and the broader Artemis framework.

LocationLunar South Pole
Phase 1Up to 2029
Phase 22029–2032
Phase 3After 2032

Three-Phase Development Path

Up to 2029

Reliable access to lunar services; robotic missions to explore the south pole, test technologies and gather knowledge for future development.

2029–2032

Deploy initial infrastructure, including power systems, cargo transport, logistics and communications for long-term operations.

After 2032

Assemble a permanent lunar outpost with habitats, power, transport and communications, supporting sustained human presence.

Artemis Framework in the Class

  • Artemis Accords initiative launched in 2020.
  • India joined in 2023 as the 27th signatory, as stated in the class.
  • The framework is presented as encouraging cooperation, good practices and interoperable systems in civil space activity.
  • Russia and China are described as not being part of the Accords.

Potential Gains & Concerns for India

  • Technology leapfrogging and experience in complex human missions.
  • Support for future Indian space-station and lunar ambitions.
  • Cost sharing and reduced duplication.
  • Possible spin-off benefits across sectors.
  • Concern: preserving strategic autonomy and avoiding over-dependence on US technology and ecosystem.
  • Need to maintain long-standing cooperation with Russia.

Prelims Revision

  • Moon base location: near the lunar south pole.
  • Third phase: permanent lunar outpost and extended human presence.
  • India joined the Artemis Accords in 2023 in the class narrative.
  • Russia and China are marked as non-signatories in the class MCQ.

Topic MCQ

With reference to NASA’s Moon Base programme and India’s participation in the Artemis framework, consider the following statements:
Pragyesh IAS • Daily Current Affairs • 19 August 2026
Structured from the supplied class transcript for educational revision.
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