• 03 Mar 2026

Uttar Pradesh Receives Over 84% of All Out-of-State MPLADS Funds

Why in News?

Recent data indicate that over 84% of out-of-State funds released under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) have been directed towards projects in Uttar Pradesh, raising questions about regional concentration, political priorities, and federal equity.

Key Points:

• Out-of-State Funding: Under MPLADS, MPs (especially Rajya Sabha members and nominated MPs) can recommend projects outside their elected State, provided procedural guidelines are followed.
• Concentrated Spending: Out of 530 MPs analysed, only 21 MPs accounted for the entirety of out-of-state spending.
• The UP Dominance: Uttar Pradesh already accounts for 26% of total completed works and about 20% of all utilised funds due to its large number of MPs.
  • The "mismatch" is stark: 84% of funds meant for "other areas" also flowed into the state.
• The Divergence: In many cases, funds were diverted from states with lower per capita income (like Jharkhand or J&K) to Uttar Pradesh.
• Conflict of Interest: MPs becoming involved in executive functions challenges the Doctrine of Separation of Powers.
• Regional Inequality: The flow of funds from underdeveloped regions (like J&K, which received only 0.6% of utilised funds) to a state already receiving the lion's share raises questions about equitable development.
• Monitoring Gaps: While the e-SAKSHI portal (launched April 2023) has improved transparency, the "out-of-state" trend suggests political priority may outweigh local constituency needs in certain cases.

Read More:  MPLADS Funds

Kuno National Park Adds 9 More Cheetahs to an Expanding Coalition

Why in News?

India has received nine more cheetahs from Botswana, further strengthening its ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme at Kuno National Park. This marks another major milestone in restoring the cheetah population in India after its extinction in 1952.

Key Points:

• India’s Cheetah Reintroduction Programme: India declared the cheetah extinct in 1952, becoming the only country to lose the species in recorded history. 
  • To reverse this ecological loss, the Government launched Project Cheetah in 2022.
• Initial Phase: First batch of 8 cheetahs brought from Namibia in September 2022.
  • Subsequent batch imported from South Africa in 2023.
  • Now, 9 more cheetahs have been translocated from Botswana.
• The initiative is implemented by the: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• The Cohort: The group consists of 6 females and 3 males.
• The Journey: The cheetahs were transported approximately 7,600 km from Gaborone, Botswana, to Gwalior aboard an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III. They were then ferried to Kuno via IAF helicopters.
• Current Status: Upon arrival, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the animals into quarantine enclosures. 
  • They will remain there for approximately 30 days for health monitoring and acclimatisation before moving to larger soft-release areas.
• Breeding Success: Kuno has seen significant reproductive success, with 39 cubs born since 2023, of which 27 have survived. Most recently, in February 2026, two litters totaling nine cubs were born to females Aasha and Gamini.
• Geographic Distribution: While 45 cheetahs reside at Kuno, 3 adults have been relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to prevent over-concentration in a single habitat.

Read More: Project Cheetah, Kuno National Park

J&K Police Unveils ‘Snow Leopard’ Squad

Why in News?

The Jammu and Kashmir Police has launched a newly formed elite squad named “Snow Leopard” and made its first public deployment during the Khelo India Winter Games 2026.

Key Points:

• Purpose: The Snow Leopard squad is a dedicated high‑altitude combat unit designed to tackle emerging terror threats in rugged and inhospitable terrains where conventional forces face operational limitations.
• Operational Debut: The unit made its first public deployment during the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 held in Gulmarg, where it was tasked with ensuring security at elevations reaching nearly 14,000 feet above sea level.
• Composition: The squad comprises more than 100 personnel, primarily drawn from the police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) — an elite counter‑terror unit of the J&K Police.
  • Members of the Snow Leopard unit have undergone intensive specialised training for operating in extreme environments — including sub‑zero temperatures (down to −20 °C), low oxygen conditions, dense forests, and avalanche‑prone zones. 
  • They are also equipped to respond to natural emergencies such as avalanches and landslides.
• Significance: The creation of the Snow Leopard elite squad underscores Jammu & Kashmir’s adaptive security response to evolving threats in high‑altitude zones. 
  • By combining counter‑terror expertise with mountain‑specific training and equipment, the force improves operational readiness in areas that present both strategic vulnerabilities and environmental challenges.

Read More: Khelo India Winter Games 2026,  Counter‑terror

India's First State Innovation Mission Launched in Tripura

Why in News?

The Government of Tripura has launched its first State Innovation Mission (SIM) under the umbrella of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a flagship innovation initiative of the NITI Aayog.

Key Points:

• Objective: Tripura’s SIM was formally launched to enhance innovation capacity, support entrepreneurial ventures, and foster an ecosystem that nurtures youth talent across sectors such as science, technology, and digital innovation.
  • The mission aligns with the AIM’s objectives of transforming Tripura into a vibrant hub for innovation by creating enabling infrastructure and promoting collaboration among innovators, academia, start‑ups, and industry.
• Focus: The mission emphasizes empowering young innovators, facilitating incubation support, encouraging patenting and commercialization of ideas, and attracting investments in emerging technologies.
• T‑NEST Incubator: As part of the initiative, the existing Tripura Natural Environment & Sustainable Technologies (T‑NEST) has been designated as an AIM Atal Incubation Centre (AIC), providing mentorship, funding support, and office space for start‑ups and early‑stage ventures.
• Public‑Private Partnerships: The mission intends to leverage partnerships with private sector firms, research institutions and investors to bridge the gap between technical expertise and market needs.
• Impact: The mission is expected to catalyse economic development in Tripura, generate employment opportunities, and strengthen the state’s contribution to India’s innovation landscape.

Read More: Atal Innovation Mission,  NITI Aayog,  Start‑ups

PM Modi Launched India’s First Nationwide HPV Vaccination Campaign in Rajasthan

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from Rajasthan, aiming to prevent cervical cancer by immunising adolescent girls across India. 

Key Points:

• Objective: The campaign was formally launched to provide protection against cervical cancer, a leading women’s health concern, by administering HPV vaccines to eligible girls.
  • The programme focuses on 14‑year‑old girls across all states and Union Territories.
• Vaccine Details: A single dose of the Gardasil‑4 vaccine, which protects against multiple HPV types including HPV‑16 and HPV‑18 (major causes of cervical cancer), will be administered under the drive.
• Implementation: Vaccination sessions will be held at designated national health centres, including Primary Health Centres (Ayushman Arogya Mandirs), Community Health Centres, district hospitals and government medical colleges.
  • The vaccination is voluntary and requires consent from a parent or guardian before administration.
• Coverage: The initiative plans to cover approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years every year, strengthening long‑term preventive healthcare against HPV‑related cancers.
• Impact: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health challenge in India, and the HPV vaccination campaign aims to reduce the incidence of this preventable cancer over time.
• Significance: The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign marks a historic public health milestone, expanding immunisation coverage for adolescent girls and integrating cancer prevention into the national preventive healthcare agenda. 

Read More: HPV Vaccination,  Cervical cancer, Primary Health Centres

Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan Appointed Head of Manipur Violence Probe

Why in News?

The Government of India has appointed former SC Judge Balbir Singh Chauhan as the new chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry probing the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023.

Key Points:

• Appointment: The Centre has named Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan as the new chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the Manipur ethnic violence.
  • The appointment follows the resignation of retired Justice Ajai Lamba, former chief justice of the Gauhati High Court.
• Mandate: The Commission of Inquiry was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur in May 2023, examine its causes, the role of authorities and factors that allowed the conflict to escalate, and suggest measures to prevent recurrence.
• Focus Areas: Examines allegations of human rights violations, displacement, property damage, and communal tensions.
• Background: The ethnic clashes in Manipur, involving the majority Meitei community and tribal Kuki communities, resulted in numerous fatalities and displacement, prompting the establishment of the inquiry panel to ensure accountability and restoration of peace.
• Significance: The reconstitution of the inquiry panel reflects the Centre’s intention to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the investigation into one of India’s most serious instances of ethnic violence in recent years. 

Read More: Manipur Violence

Uttar Pradesh Receives Over 84% of All Out-of-State MPLADS Funds

Why in News?

Recent data indicate that over 84% of out-of-State funds released under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) have been directed towards projects in Uttar Pradesh, raising questions about regional concentration, political priorities, and federal equity.

Key Points:

• Out-of-State Funding: Under MPLADS, MPs (especially Rajya Sabha members and nominated MPs) can recommend projects outside their elected State, provided procedural guidelines are followed.
• Concentrated Spending: Out of 530 MPs analysed, only 21 MPs accounted for the entirety of out-of-state spending.
• The UP Dominance: Uttar Pradesh already accounts for 26% of total completed works and about 20% of all utilised funds due to its large number of MPs.
  • The "mismatch" is stark: 84% of funds meant for "other areas" also flowed into the state.
• The Divergence: In many cases, funds were diverted from states with lower per capita income (like Jharkhand or J&K) to Uttar Pradesh.
• Conflict of Interest: MPs becoming involved in executive functions challenges the Doctrine of Separation of Powers.
• Regional Inequality: The flow of funds from underdeveloped regions (like J&K, which received only 0.6% of utilised funds) to a state already receiving the lion's share raises questions about equitable development.
• Monitoring Gaps: While the e-SAKSHI portal (launched April 2023) has improved transparency, the "out-of-state" trend suggests political priority may outweigh local constituency needs in certain cases.

Read More:  MPLADS Funds

NIELIT to Establish India’s First Dedicated Quantum & AI University

Why in News?

The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to set up India’s first university campus exclusively focused on Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Amaravati. 

Key Points:

• MoU Signing: The MoU was signed on 20 February 2026 at the India AI Impact Summit to develop a deep‑tech academic hub that combines research, education, and innovation in frontier technologies.
  • The Amaravati campus will serve as a national centre of excellence for research and higher studies in quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and allied deep‑tech domains.
• Academic Programmes: It will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes in specialised areas including quantum algorithms, AI & machine learning, quantum communication, cybersecurity, and high‑performance computing.
  • The campus will host advanced research laboratories, industry‑linked Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and support deep‑tech incubation and entrepreneurship with global collaborations.
• Strategic Importance: This initiative aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission and AI strategy, reinforcing the government’s focus on technology-driven growth.
• Significance: The Amaravati Quantum & AI University campus will be India’s first institutionally dedicated academic hub exclusively for quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. 

Read More:  India AI Impact Summit, Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Amaravati Quantum Valley 

Haryana Budget 2026-27

Why in News?

The Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, presented the Haryana Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the state assembly with a total outlay of ₹2.23 lakh crore.

Key Points:

• Budget Outlay: The total Budget for 2026–27 has been pegged at ₹2,23,658.17 crore, marking an increase of 10.3 percent over the revised expenditure of ₹2,02,816.66 crore for 2025–26. 

• This reflects the government’s emphasis on expanded development expenditure while maintaining fiscal discipline.

• Fiscal Position: 

  • Fiscal Deficit: ₹40,293.17 crore (2.65% of GSDP).
  • Capital Expenditure: ₹28,205 crore
  • Effective Capital Expenditure: ₹35,216 crore
• Sector-wise Allocations:
  • Agriculture & Allied Services: ₹8,319.77 crore (↑ 8.74 percent)
  • Education & Sports: ₹23,603.69 crore (↑ 10.46 percent)
  • Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare: ₹14,007.28 crore (↑ 21.73 percent)
  • Social Justice, Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA): ₹17,250.72 crore (↑ 15.74 percent).
  • Women & Child Development: ₹2,263.29 crore (↑ 14.91 percent).
  • Rural Development & Panchayats: ₹8,703.74 crore (↑ 22.88 percent).
  • Transport & Civil Aviation: ₹4,116.13 crore (↑ 12.63 percent).
  • Urban Local Bodies & Town Planning: ₹6,797.57 crore (↑ 24.86 percent).
  • Environment, Forest & Climate Change: ₹741.55 crore (↑ ~32 percent).
  • Public Health Engineering (Drinking Water): ₹5,912.02 crore (↑ 8.10 percent).
  • Public Works (Roads & Bridges): ₹6,096.35 crore.
  • Revenue, Disaster Management & Land Records: ₹4,024.28 crore (↑ 84.53 percent).
  • Energy Department: ₹6,868 crore
• Fiscal Management & Debt Position: Fiscal deficit increased by only 2.75% between 2014-2024, compared to a 44% rise during the previous government’s tenure.
• Clean Air & Environmental Initiatives:
  • The World Bank has approved a ₹2,716 crore grant to support the Haryana Clean Air Project, aimed at improving air quality across the state.
  • Additional approvals include ₹5,715 crore for the ‘Water Secure Haryana’ initiative and approximately ₹474 crore for the ‘Haryana AI Mission’. 
  • The project aims at strengthening monitoring systems, urban emission control, and sustainable transport solutions.
• Capital Expenditure & Future Departments:
  • A provision of ₹28,205 crore has been earmarked as capital expenditure, accounting for about 12.6 % of the total budget, focusing on infrastructure and growth.
  • Funds of about ₹1,837.65 crore have been allocated to departments to prepare them for future-ready initiatives.
• Industry, Commerce & MSME Emphasis:
  • Allocation for the Industry, Commerce and MSME sector was increased to ₹1,950.92 crore, a jump of nearly 46.9%, aimed at attracting investment, encouraging enterprise growth, and expanding employment opportunities for youth

• Health Sector Initiatives:
  • The government announced free HPV vaccination for girls aged 14–15 years through district and sub-divisional hospitals, benefiting nearly 3 lakh adolescents.
  • Strengthening of district and sub-divisional healthcare infrastructure.
  • Focus on preventive healthcare and maternal-child health services.
• Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare:
  • A new Haryana Agriculture Discom has been proposed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to agricultural feeders and consumers, aiding farmers in rural areas.
  • The budget for the Irrigation and Water Resources Department has been enhanced to ₹6,446.57 crore (↑ 14.83 percent), supporting farm infrastructure and water security.
  • Mandatory meetings of Gram Sabhas have been included to address issues like water supply, pollution, drugs and public welfare at the village level.
  • Support for crop diversification and sustainable farming methods.

• Water & Climate Resilience:
  • Approval of ₹5,715 crore for the Water Secure Haryana initiative to improve water conservation, groundwater recharge, and irrigation efficiency.
  • Green Climate Resilience Fund: A new state-level fund with an initial corpus of ₹100 crore was established to meet net-zero targets.
  • Focus on climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practices.

• Technology & Innovation:
  • Allocation of around ₹474 crore for the Haryana AI Mission, promoting Artificial Intelligence applications in governance, agriculture, and industry.
  • Push for digital governance and tech-driven public service delivery.
• Employment & Skill Development:
  • Agniveer Quota: The CM announced a 20% reservation for Agniveers in Haryana Police recruitment.
  • Increased allocation for skill training programmes to improve youth employability.
  • Support for start-ups and MSMEs to generate employment.
  • Promotion of rural employment schemes.
• Education & Youth Development:
  • Establishment of modern examination centres (Adarsh Pariksha Kendras) under PPP mode.
  • Upgradation of sports infrastructure and encouragement of youth participation in sports.
• Governance & Rural Development:
  • Mandatory Gram Sabha meetings to address issues of water, sanitation, drug abuse and welfare schemes.
  • strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions for decentralized development.
• Disaster Management & Security:
  • Proposal for strengthening the State Disaster Response framework.
  • Enhanced coordination for disaster preparedness and emergency response.
• Socio-economic Impact and Outlook: The CM emphasized that the Budget is formulated to accelerate employment creation, social justice, investment growth, women empowerment, youth opportunities, and basic infrastructure provision like drinking water and rural connectivity to improve citizens’ quality of life.
• Vision for Haryana’s Future: The Budget supports the government’s broader aim to position Haryana as a progressive state with balanced economic growth, high standards of living, and an enabling environment for industry, agriculture, and human development — contributing to the national goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.