Welcome to the Madhya Pradesh Current Affairs edition for 10 July 2026, prepared for MPPSC Prelims and Mains aspirants. Today’s roundup covers the GI tag won by Khajuraho Metal Craft as part of NABARD’s fresh batch of 28 new Geographical Indication products, the state’s shift from Tiger State to a broader Wildlife State with the cheetah count reaching 57 at Kuno, the below-normal monsoon and drought concern flagged by the IMD, Madhya Pradesh observing 2026 as the Year of Agriculture, and the MPPSC ADPO recruitment window that opened today. Each item carries background, MPPSC relevance and a Prelims fact table.
1. Khajuraho Metal Craft Wins GI Tag in NABARD’s 28-Product Batch
Why in News: On 10 July 2026, NABARD announced that it had secured Geographical Indication (GI) registration for 28 new traditional products across India, and Khajuraho Metal Craft of Madhya Pradesh was among the products to receive the GI tag in this batch.
Background: The Khajuraho Metal Craft, practised in the Chhatarpur district region famous for the Khajuraho group of temples, is a traditional metalwork craft that draws on the sculptural and decorative heritage of Bundelkhand. With this batch, the total number of products that NABARD has helped secure GI registration for rose to 176. NABARD’s GI interventions have connected more than 13,000 artisans and producers to higher-value markets and supported over 50,000 direct jobs, working through Rural Enterprise Producer Organisations. A GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin, and it is protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. This connects to Madhya Pradesh art and culture, handicrafts and rural economy.
Madhya Pradesh Relevance: Prelims Khajuraho Metal Craft, GI tag, GI Act 1999, NABARD, Chhatarpur. Mains GS1 art and craft heritage; GS3 rural enterprise and artisan livelihoods.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | 10 July 2026 |
| Product | Khajuraho Metal Craft |
| Region | Chhatarpur (Bundelkhand), MP |
| Batch | 28 new GI products |
| Total GI products via NABARD | 176 |
| Governing law | GI of Goods Act, 1999 |
| Facilitator | NABARD |
2. Madhya Pradesh Moves From Tiger State to Wildlife State, Cheetah Tally at 57
Why in News: In July 2026, Madhya Pradesh reinforced its position as India’s leading conservation state, expanding its wildlife vision beyond tigers as the cheetah population under Project Cheetah reached 57 at and around Kuno National Park.
Background: The cheetah tally rose to 57 after the birth of cubs at Kuno, including a wild litter born to an Indian-born female cheetah, a milestone for Project Cheetah launched in September 2022. Alongside Kuno, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as a second cheetah habitat and the Nauradehi area, now part of the Rani Durgavati landscape, has been approved as a third cheetah habitat. The state has also expanded its tiger network with Ratapani declared a tiger reserve and Madhav National Park notified as the ninth tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh, along with fresh focus on vulture and elephant conservation. Madhya Pradesh already holds the highest tiger count in the country. This connects to Madhya Pradesh environment, protected areas and species conservation.
Madhya Pradesh Relevance: Prelims Kuno National Park, Project Cheetah, Gandhi Sagar, Nauradehi, Ratapani, Madhav National Park. Mains GS3 wildlife conservation and reintroduction; GS1 physical geography and habitats.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cheetah tally | 57 (Kuno landscape) |
| Project | Project Cheetah (since Sept 2022) |
| Cheetah habitats | Kuno, Gandhi Sagar, Nauradehi |
| New tiger reserves | Ratapani, Madhav (9th) |
| Tiger status | Highest tiger count in India |
| Other focus | Vulture and elephant conservation |
3. IMD Flags Below-Normal Monsoon and Drought Risk for Madhya Pradesh
Why in News: In July 2026, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of below-normal rainfall over large parts of Madhya Pradesh, raising the risk of drought stress during the peak Kharif sowing period.
Background: The IMD forecast placed July rainfall below 94 per cent of the monthly Long Period Average, with most districts facing a 35 to 50 per cent chance of below-normal rain. Regions including Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Chambal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol, Sagar and Narmadapuram were expected to receive less rain than normal, and reports indicated that 31 of the state’s 55 districts fell into the less-than-normal or very-less rainfall category. With India’s major reservoirs holding a low share of live storage in early July, the shortfall raised concern for irrigation, drinking water and Kharif crops. This connects to Madhya Pradesh geography, monsoon dynamics and agrarian vulnerability.
Madhya Pradesh Relevance: Prelims Long Period Average, Kharif season, IMD, monsoon distribution. Mains GS1 monsoon and climatology; GS3 agriculture, drought management and water security.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agency | India Meteorological Department |
| Forecast | Below 94 percent of July LPA |
| Districts affected | 31 of 55 in low-rain category |
| Season concern | Kharif sowing |
| Sample regions | Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Chambal, Rewa |
| Risk | Drought stress and water shortage |
4. Madhya Pradesh Observes 2026 as the Year of Agriculture
Why in News: Madhya Pradesh is observing 2026 as the Year of Agriculture under the theme Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous State, with a push on irrigation efficiency and daytime power for farm use highlighted through July 2026.
Background: The initiative combines major river-linking projects such as the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) Link and the Ken-Betwa Link, which aim to bring irrigation to lakhs of hectares, with efficiency projects like the Kundalia Irrigation command area supported for climate-resilient networks. CM Mohan Yadav has emphasised providing daytime electricity for farm irrigation so that farmers do not have to run pumps at night. The Year of Agriculture aims to raise farm incomes, expand assured irrigation and modernise the farm economy, which remains central to the state where a large share of the population depends on agriculture. This connects to Madhya Pradesh economy, irrigation and agrarian policy.
Madhya Pradesh Relevance: Prelims Year of Agriculture 2026, PKC Link, Ken-Betwa Link, Kundalia project, daytime farm power. Mains GS3 agriculture, irrigation and rural incomes; GS1 river systems.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Observance | Year of Agriculture 2026 |
| Theme | Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous State |
| River links | PKC Link, Ken-Betwa Link |
| Efficiency project | Kundalia command area |
| Power reform | Daytime power for irrigation |
| Chief Minister | Mohan Yadav |
5. MPPSC Opens ADPO Recruitment Application Window
Why in News: On 10 July 2026, the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) opened the online application window for the Assistant District Prosecution Officer (ADPO) recruitment, with applications open until 24 July 2026.
Background: The ADPO recruitment covers 107 posts and is conducted by the MPPSC, the state’s constitutional body for recruitment to public services under Article 315 of the Constitution. Assistant District Prosecution Officers serve in the state’s prosecution wing, presenting cases on behalf of the state in courts and supporting the criminal justice system. The MPPSC calendar for 2026 also includes the Assistant Professor examination scheduled through July and August and the State Service Examination cycle. This connects to Madhya Pradesh polity, public service recruitment and administration.
Madhya Pradesh Relevance: Prelims MPPSC, ADPO, Article 315 (State Public Service Commission). Mains GS2 recruitment bodies and administration; state judiciary and prosecution.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application opens | 10 July 2026 |
| Post | Assistant District Prosecution Officer |
| Vacancies | 107 |
| Last date | 24 July 2026 |
| Body | MPPSC |
| Constitutional basis | Article 315 |
MPPSC Practice MCQs
Q1. Khajuraho Metal Craft, which received a GI tag in July 2026, is associated with which district of Madhya Pradesh?
- (a) Chhatarpur
- (b) Khandwa
- (c) Panna
- (d) Rewa
Answer: (a) Khajuraho Metal Craft comes from the Chhatarpur district region of Bundelkhand, home to the Khajuraho temples, and was among NABARD’s 28 new GI products.
Q2. The GI tag in India is protected under which Act?
- (a) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
- (b) Trade Marks Act, 1999
- (c) Copyright Act, 1957
- (d) Patents Act, 1970
Answer: (a) A GI tag is granted and protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Q3. As reported in July 2026, the cheetah tally under Project Cheetah at the Kuno landscape reached what number?
- (a) 40
- (b) 50
- (c) 57
- (d) 72
Answer: (c) The cheetah population under Project Cheetah rose to 57 at and around Kuno National Park after the birth of new cubs.
Q4. Which of the following was notified as the ninth tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh?
- (a) Madhav National Park
- (b) Nauradehi
- (c) Gandhi Sagar
- (d) Kuno
Answer: (a) Madhav National Park was notified as the ninth tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh, while Ratapani was also declared a tiger reserve.
Q5. Madhya Pradesh is observing 2026 as the Year of Agriculture under which theme?
- (a) Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous State
- (b) Har Khet Ko Pani
- (c) Doubling Farmer Income
- (d) One Nation One Crop
Answer: (a) The state is observing 2026 as the Year of Agriculture with the theme Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous State, focusing on irrigation and farm incomes.
