The southwest monsoon returned with force across eastern and southern Rajasthan this week, opening dam gates in the Hadoti belt and cooling much of the state. Alongside the weather story, three conservation and energy developments carried strong RPSC weight: fresh momentum in the Godawan captive-breeding programme, a rejected core-zone bridge in Ranthambore, and the commissioning of one of India’s largest single-site solar projects in Bikaner. A governance move rewarding medal-winning athletes with out-of-turn police postings rounds off today’s notes. Each item below is mapped to the Prelims and Mains angles that matter for RAS and other state services.
1. Monsoon Regains Momentum, Kalisindh Dam Gate Opened
Why in News: Between 22 and 24 July 2026, heavy rain lashed eastern and southern Rajasthan, prompting authorities to open a gate of the Kalisindh Dam and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for several districts.
Background: A low-pressure system that formed over the Bay of Bengal pushed the monsoon trough back over Rajasthan, ending a brief dry spell. Udaipur recorded its heaviest single-day rainfall of the season, while Kota and Baran each received more than five inches, swelling the Parvan and Kalisindh rivers in the Hadoti region. With inflows rising from Madhya Pradesh, engineers opened one gate of the Kalisindh Dam by about 0.10 metre, releasing close to 426 cusecs downstream. Maximum temperatures fell by 4 to 9 degrees Celsius in Jaipur, Alwar, Pilani, Sikar, Ajmer, Churu and Sri Ganganagar. The Meteorological Centre, Jaipur, forecast active monsoon conditions to continue across the state till around 25 July.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Kalisindh is a left-bank tributary of the Chambal; the Kalisindh Dam is located in Jhalawar district. The Hadoti plateau covers Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar.
- Prelims: An IMD orange alert signals “be prepared” for heavy to very heavy rain; a yellow alert means “be aware”.
- Mains (GS3): Assess how upstream inflows from Madhya Pradesh and reservoir gate management shape flood preparedness in the Chambal basin, and evaluate the role of district disaster response in a rain-deficit state prone to flash floods.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| River swollen in Hadoti | Kalisindh and Parvan |
| Dam with gate opened | Kalisindh Dam, Jhalawar |
| Water released | About 426 cusecs |
| Heaviest seasonal rain | Udaipur |
| Alert issued by | India Meteorological Department |
| Region worst hit | Hadoti (Kota, Baran) |
2. Godawan Captive-Breeding Programme Gains Ground
Why in News: Rajasthan’s flagship Project Great Indian Bustard drew fresh attention this week as its captive-breeding effort, now in its fourth year, moved towards soft-releasing captive-bred chicks into the wild, even as the Centre backed a larger protected footprint for the bird.
Background: The Great Indian Bustard, called Godawan in Rajasthan and the state bird, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with the Thar landscape holding the bulk of its global population. The captive-breeding programme, run by the forest department with the Wildlife Institute of India at conservation-breeding centres near Sam and Ramdevra, entered its fourth year in 2026 with the tally of birds in captivity reaching about 70. A soft-release approach, gradually acclimatising captive-bred birds before full release, is being adopted to rebuild wild numbers. Overhead power lines, including those near solar plants, remain the single largest cause of bustard deaths, which is why the Centre has supported expanding the no-development zone in priority Godawan habitats. The Bishnoi community’s traditional protection of wildlife continues to reinforce these official efforts.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Godawan (Great Indian Bustard, Ardeotis nigriceps) is Rajasthan’s state bird and is Critically Endangered; its core habitat is the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts.
- Prelims: Conservation-breeding centres operate at Sam (Sudasari area) and Ramdevra; the Wildlife Institute of India is the technical partner.
- Mains (GS3): Discuss the conflict between renewable-energy expansion and Godawan conservation in the Thar, and the case for undergrounding power lines versus bird diverters.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| State bird of Rajasthan | Godawan (Great Indian Bustard) |
| IUCN Red List status | Critically Endangered |
| Core habitat | Desert National Park, Jaisalmer and Barmer |
| Breeding centres | Sam and Ramdevra |
| Technical partner | Wildlife Institute of India |
| Main threat | Collision with overhead power lines |
3. Environment Ministry Rejects Ranthambore Core-Zone Bridge
Why in News: The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife declined Rajasthan’s proposal to build a bridge in the core zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and flagged that the state had resubmitted a plan already turned down earlier.
Background: The proposal sought clearance for a bridge in the core, or critical tiger habitat, of Ranthambore in Sawai Madhopur district, recommended by the Rajasthan State Board for Wildlife. The wildlife panel of the Union Environment Ministry noted that an identical proposal had already been rejected in 2024 because construction in a tiger reserve’s core area is not permitted. The committee observed that the resubmission did not disclose the earlier rejection and directed that a letter be sent to the chairman of the state wildlife board on the omission. Ranthambore, one of India’s earliest reserves under Project Tiger, is a cornerstone of tiger recovery in western India. The decision underlines the legal firewall around core zones under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve lies in Sawai Madhopur district and was among the first reserves brought under Project Tiger, launched in 1973.
- Prelims: The National Board for Wildlife is chaired by the Prime Minister; its Standing Committee clears projects affecting protected areas.
- Mains (GS3): Examine why core, or critical tiger habitat, must remain inviolate while regulated tourism and activity are allowed in buffer zones, using Ranthambore as a case study.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reserve involved | Ranthambore Tiger Reserve |
| District | Sawai Madhopur |
| Deciding body | Standing Committee, National Board for Wildlife |
| Zone in question | Core (critical tiger habitat) |
| Earlier rejection | Year 2024 |
| Governing law | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 |
4. Bikaner Powers India’s Largest Single-Site DCR Solar Project
Why in News: SJVN Green Energy’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project, alongside NHPC’s 300 MW Karnisar plant, has been commissioned in Bikaner district, adding major clean-energy capacity as Rajasthan pushes towards its 125 GW renewables target.
Background: The 1,000 MW Bikaner project, spread over roughly 5,000 acres and built at an investment of about 5,492 crore rupees, is described as India’s largest single-location solar project under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) category. It uses lakhs of domestically manufactured DCR solar modules and indigenously produced solar cells, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat push in solar manufacturing. The neighbouring NHPC Karnisar plant of 300 MW is expected to generate about 750 million units of electricity a year. Bikaner and the wider western desert belt offer high solar irradiance and large tracts of low-cost land, making them the heart of Rajasthan’s renewable-energy build-out. The state already leads India in installed solar capacity and is targeting 125 GW of renewables in the coming years.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Rajasthan ranks first among Indian states in installed solar power capacity; Bikaner and Jaisalmer host large solar parks.
- Prelims: The Domestic Content Requirement mandates use of India-made solar cells and modules in specified projects.
- Mains (GS3): Analyse how Rajasthan can balance rapid solar expansion in the Thar with Godawan conservation and land-use concerns, and the role of DCR in building a domestic solar supply chain.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project location | Bikaner district |
| Developer of 1 GW plant | SJVN Green Energy |
| Category | Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) |
| NHPC plant capacity | 300 MW (Karnisar) |
| State renewables target | 125 GW |
| Solar capacity rank | Rajasthan first in India |
5. Medal-Winning Athletes Appointed DSPs Under Out-of-Turn Policy
Why in News: Under Rajasthan’s out-of-turn appointment policy for outstanding sportspersons, celebrated athletes including cricketer Ravi Bishnoi were inducted as Deputy Superintendents of Police in the Rajasthan Police Service.
Background: The state government’s sports policy, built around the resolution “with sports, even after sports”, provides government jobs and out-of-turn promotions to medal winners to secure their careers beyond active competition. Cricketer Ravi Bishnoi, equestrian dressage rider Divyakriti Singh, shooter Manini Kaushik and kabaddi player Sachin were among those appointed as Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP). Para-shooter Mona Agarwal was appointed as a Lecturer in Physical Education under the sports quota. Officials have said that around 186 medal-winning athletes have been given various state government posts under this framework. The move is designed to strengthen Rajasthan’s ambition of becoming a national sports hub and to encourage young athletes to pursue competitive sport.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Divyakriti Singh won a gold medal in equestrian dressage at the Asian Games; Manini Kaushik is an international shooter.
- Prelims: The out-of-turn appointment scheme falls under Rajasthan’s sports policy and provides posts such as DSP in the Rajasthan Police Service.
- Mains (GS2): Evaluate out-of-turn government appointments for athletes as a welfare and incentive tool, weighing merit, fairness in recruitment, and long-term sports development.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Post given to athletes | Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) |
| Cricketer appointed | Ravi Bishnoi |
| Equestrian appointed | Divyakriti Singh |
| Kabaddi player appointed | Sachin |
| Para-shooter (Lecturer) | Mona Agarwal |
| Athletes covered overall | Around 186 |
Practice MCQs
Q1. The Kalisindh River, which swelled during the recent heavy rains, is a tributary of which river? A. Luni B. Banas C. Chambal D. Mahi
Answer: C. Chambal. The Kalisindh is a left-bank tributary of the Chambal, and the Kalisindh Dam lies in Jhalawar district.
Q2. With respect to the Godawan, consider the following: A. It is the state bird of Rajasthan and is listed as Critically Endangered. B. Its core habitat is the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. C. Its biggest threat is collision with overhead power lines. D. Both A and C are correct.
Answer: D. Both A and C are correct. The Godawan’s core habitat is the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer and Barmer, not Keoladeo, so statement B is wrong.
Q3. The proposal rejected by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife pertained to construction in the core zone of which tiger reserve? A. Sariska Tiger Reserve B. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve C. Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve D. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve
Answer: B. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The bridge proposal in the core zone in Sawai Madhopur district was rejected as construction is barred in a reserve’s critical tiger habitat.
Q4. The 1,000 MW solar project recently commissioned as India’s largest single-site DCR plant is located in which district of Rajasthan? A. Jaisalmer B. Jodhpur C. Bikaner D. Barmer
Answer: C. Bikaner. The SJVN Green Energy 1,000 MW project and the NHPC 300 MW Karnisar plant are both in Bikaner district.
Q5. Under Rajasthan’s out-of-turn appointment policy, sportspersons such as Ravi Bishnoi and Divyakriti Singh were appointed to which post? A. District Collector B. Deputy Superintendent of Police C. Sub-Divisional Magistrate D. Tehsildar
Answer: B. Deputy Superintendent of Police. Medal-winning athletes were inducted as DSPs in the Rajasthan Police Service under the state’s sports policy.
