Friday, 23 October 2026 · IST · Madhya Pradesh + National · 10 items · 2 MCQs
Madhya Pradesh's cabinet approved the Soybean Bhavantar price-support scheme and a Jabalpur–Indore Economic Corridor SPV, while two cheetahs shifted to the Veerangana Durgavati reserve took India's count to 60. Nationally, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Army's new Land Warfare Doctrine, RBI minutes confirmed a 25-bps repo hike to 5.50%, and the Supreme Court recognised internet access as a fundamental right.
Today at a glance — things to remember
MP Cabinet clears Soybean Bhavantar Scheme
Jabalpur–Indore Economic Corridor SPV (₹100 cr) set up
'Bagh Didis' women-led tiger watch near Kanha
Ladli Behna 41st: ₹1,834 cr to 1.25 cr+ women
Cheetahs shifted to V. Durgavati TR; India count 60
The Mohan Yadav cabinet approved the Soybean Bhavantar (Price Deficiency Payment) Scheme for the 2026 kharif season, along with development proposals worth about ₹27,050 crore and a new industrial-corridor company.
Key facts
Bhavantar pays the gap between MSP and the higher of sale/model rate via DBT, under PDPS of PM-AASHA.
Farmers must register on the e-Uparjan portal by 17 Oct 2026.
Jabalpur–Indore Economic Corridor Development Co. Ltd — a 100% state SPV with ₹100 crore paid-up capital.
SPV to develop industrial, agro-processing, logistics, IT parks & GCCs along the corridor.
MP is India's largest soybean producer — the 'Soybean State' (Malwa belt).
Way forward
Timely DBT and wider mandi coverage can shield farmers from price crashes and cut distress sales.
Concept
PM-AASHA = PSS + PDPS + PSF. Bhavantar compensates price deficiency — it does not buy produce. Soybean: deep Vertisol (black-cotton) soil, SW-monsoon kharif crop.
Four-step flow of the Soybean Bhavantar Scheme: register on e-Uparjan, sell soybean, compute MSP-price gap, DBT payout; under PDPS of PM-AASHA. — StudyForGS
2. 'Bagh Didis' — women-led tiger watch launched near Kanha
The MP Forest Department launched 'Bagh Didis' (Tiger Sisters) around Kanha Tiger Reserve, involving local, mainly tribal women in tiger-movement alerts to reduce human–tiger conflict.
Key facts
~20 women appointed in the first phase in villages near Kanha.
Trained to read pugmarks, report sightings and issue safety advisories.
Priority to tribal women and high-conflict villages.
Kanha: among the first 9 Project Tiger reserves (1973); national park since 1955.
Famous for the hard-ground Barasingha — MP's state animal.
Way forward
Community-led, women-first models deepen coexistence and give locals a stake in conservation.
Fact schematic of Madhya Pradesh as the Tiger State: highest tiger population, six tiger reserves, Project Cheetah (60), largest forest cover, Barasingha state animal, Bagh Didis. — StudyForGS
3. Ladli Behna 41st instalment — ₹1,834 crore to 1.25 crore+ women
MADHYA PRADESHMPPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-II (Governance & Social Justice)
CM Mohan Yadav released the 41st instalment of the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, transferring over ₹1,834 crore to more than 1.25 crore women, along with an LPG refill subsidy.
Key facts
Each woman gets ₹1,500/month via Aadhaar-linked DBT.
MPPSC Mains GS-III — biodiversity, species translocation; Prelims — protected areas of MP, NTCA, WII.
Context
With cheetahs Vyom & Neera shifted from Kuno, the Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) Tiger Reserve became MP's third cheetah habitat; India's cheetah population reached 60.
Key facts
India's cheetahs now 60 (41 India-born) — all in Madhya Pradesh.
Habitats: Kuno NP, Gandhi Sagar WLS, Veerangana Durgavati TR.
Durgavati TR ~2,339 sq km (Sagar–Damoh–Narsinghpur); largest TR in MP; 439-ha release area.
The MP cabinet adopted a 'Developed Madhya Pradesh for a Developed India' resolution targeting 2047, as the Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 by voice vote.
Key facts
Pillars: Ken-Betwa/PKC/Tapi irrigation, Bhopal–Indore Metro (~₹23,000 cr), PM MITRA park (Dhar).
Targets: 2 lakh+ govt jobs, 12 new medical colleges, 12 skill universities.
Simhastha 2028 (Ujjain) prep; linked works to finish by Diwali 2027.
Way forward
Converting investment intent into on-ground jobs is the key execution challenge.
Concept
Viksit Bharat@2047; cooperative & competitive federalism; Simhastha (Ujjain, on the Shipra) — one of four Kumbh sites.
Mind-map of Viksit MP 2047 pillars: irrigation, metro rail, industry, jobs & skills, health & education, wildlife, around a central 'Viksit M.P. 2047' node. — StudyForGS
6. Army unveils new Land Warfare Doctrine at Commanders' Conference
At the Army Commanders' Conference (21–23 Oct, New Delhi), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is releasing the Indian Army's new Land Warfare Doctrine today.
Key facts
Doctrine reorients land warfare for drones, cyber & multi-domain operations.
The biannual apex conference reviews operational preparedness.
Reflects lessons from recent operations and evolving threats.
Way forward
Doctrine-led modernisation must sync with theaterisation and indigenous procurement.
Concept
CDS & integrated theatre commands; Aatmanirbharta in defence; multi-domain operations.
The 63rd MPC (5–7 Oct) raised the repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50% — its first hike in about three years — and shifted the stance to 'calibrated tightening'; the minutes were released on 21 Oct.
Key facts
Decision 6-0; SDF 5.25%, MSF & Bank Rate 5.75%.
FY27 real GDP 7.1%; CPI 5.2%, peaking at 6.0% in Q3.
CPI rose to 4.8% in Aug 2026 on food & fuel.
Next MPC meeting: 2–4 Dec 2026.
Way forward
Front-loaded tightening aims to anchor inflation expectations without choking growth.
The Supreme Court held that access to the internet is a fundamental right under Article 21 read with Article 19(1)(a), favouring targeted safeguards over blanket bans.
Key facts
Arose from a plea concerning child sexual exploitation material (CSEAM).
Children must not be cut off; action should target the sources of harm.
Builds on Anuradha Bhasin (2020) digital-rights jurisprudence.
Way forward
Age-appropriate design and targeted takedowns can balance safety with access.
Concept
Art 19(1)(a) free speech; Art 21 life & liberty; reasonable restrictions doctrine.
9. UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026 warns of ~2.8°C warming
Bar chart of UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026 cuts needed for the 1.5C pathway: 18% by 2030, 45% by 2035, 69% by 2040; current policies imply ~2.8C warming. — StudyForGS
10. India–New Zealand FTA enters into force
IRMPPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-II (International Relations)
The India–New Zealand FTA entered into force on 20 Oct 2026; CBIC and NZ Customs also signed a pact on electronic exchange of origin data.
Key facts
Boosts goods trade, services access and dairy-sensitive negotiations.
Customs pact speeds up rules-of-origin verification.
Part of India's widening FTA network (UAE, Australia, EFTA, UK).
Way forward
Deeper Indo-Pacific economic ties help diversify India's trade basket.
Concept
FTA/CECA/CEPA; rules of origin; India's Act East / Indo-Pacific strategy.
Data point of the day
₹30.77 lakh crore
Global Investors Summit 2025 — Investment intent for Madhya Pradesh Investment proposals received at GIS 2025 (Bhopal); about ₹10 lakh crore already under implementation. MP has rolled out 25 industrial policies to court investors.
Prelims rapid-fire
Barasingha (hard-ground swamp deer) is the state animal of MP; Kanha's mascot is 'Bhoorsingh'.
India's cheetah population reached 60 (41 India-born), all housed in Madhya Pradesh.
India's eight core industries grew 7.9% YoY in Sept 2026 (base year 2022-23).
Global Hunger Index 2026: India ranked 100 of 122, score 24.1 ('serious' category).
Jio Platforms IPO (₹30,213 crore, all fresh equity) closes 23 Oct 2026.
Practice MCQs — MPPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the Soybean Bhavantar Scheme, consider the following statements: (1) It is implemented under the Price Deficiency Payment (PDPS) component of PM-AASHA. (2) It pays farmers the difference between MSP and the market/model price through DBT. (3) Under this scheme the government physically procures soybean at MSP. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A PDPS compensates the price deficiency via DBT without physical procurement; physical procurement at MSP is the Price Support Scheme (PSS), not PDPS. Hence (1) and (2) are correct, (3) is wrong.
Q2. Which of the following are currently cheetah habitats in Madhya Pradesh? (1) Kuno National Park (2) Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (3) Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) Tiger Reserve (4) Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Select the correct answer:
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: B Kuno NP, Gandhi Sagar WLS and the newly added Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) TR host cheetahs. Bandhavgarh is a tiger reserve, not a cheetah habitat.
Mains practice question
Q. Community participation — especially of tribal women — is emerging as a cornerstone of wildlife conservation in Madhya Pradesh. Discuss with reference to recent initiatives. (GS-III, 250 words)
Hint / approach
Anchor on 'Bagh Didis' (Kanha) + Project Cheetah soft-release + PESA/tribal rights + eco-tourism livelihoods; argue a coexistence model balancing conservation and local stake.
📌 One-line revision: Soybean Bhavantar (PDPS/PM-AASHA) • Cheetahs 60 across 3 MP reserves • RBI repo 5.50% • Internet = Fundamental Right (Art 21 + 19(1)(a)) • Army Land Warfare Doctrine • India–NZ FTA in force.
