• 02 Jan 2026

Uttar Pradesh supplementary budget

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government presented a ₹24,496.98 crore supplementary budget for the 2025–26 financial year in the state assembly to reinforce growth and welfare priorities.

Key Points

• Total Budget Outlay: With this addition, the total budget for the current financial year rises to approximately ₹8,33,233.04 crore.
• Revenue vs Capital: Of the total, ₹18,369.30 crore is earmarked for revenue expenditure and ₹6,127.68 crore for capital expenditure. 
• Welfare and Social Priorities: It also supports health and family welfare, women and child development, technical education, and renewable energy promotion.
• Purpose of Supplementary Budget: The supplementary budget aims at sustaining development momentum, addressing emerging needs, and reinforcing essential services across the state. 

25 Years of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

Why in News?

The Government of India is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in 2025, marking a major milestone in rural connectivity and infrastructure development. 

Key Points

• Launched: Launched on 25 December 2000.
• Budgetary Support: An allocation of around ₹19,000 crore has been made in 2025–26, to sustain rural connectivity efforts. 
• Objective: Provide all-weather road connectivity to previously unconnected rural habitations.
• Funding: Currently operates on a cost-sharing ratio of 60:40 between the Center and States, with 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States.
• PMGSY-IV Plan: Under Phase IV (2024–29), 62,500 km of roads will be constructed to connect 25,000 habitations, with an estimated outlay of ₹70,125 crore.
• Scale and Progress: Since its launch in 2000, approximately 8,25,114 km of rural roads have been sanctioned, with nearly 7,87,520 km (95-96%) completed as of December 2025.
• Advanced Monitoring Systems: Implementation is strengthened with real-time monitoring using OMMAS (Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System), e-MARG (electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads under PMGSY), GPS tracking, and a three-tier quality system to ensure accountability and durability.

India to get 3 new airlines

Why in News?

The Government of India has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three new airlines — Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress — to enter the Indian aviation sector.

Key Points

• Regulatory Approval: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted NOCs to three new airlines.
• Clearance Stage: After receiving NOCs, the airlines are in the process of securing the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to commence commercial operations.
• Operational Timeline: Commercial flight operations are expected to begin in 2026.
• Nature of Airlines: These are proposed as low-cost and regional airlines.
• Breaking the Duopoly: The government is moving to reduce the extreme market concentration where IndiGo (~65%) and Air India (~27%) control over 90% of traffic.
• Regional Connectivity: The move aligns with the government’s objective of improving air connectivity to Tier-II and Tier-III cities, in line with the broader goals of the UDAN regional connectivity framework.

Single-Window System for Tourism Development in Gaya

Why in News?

The Gaya district administration has proposed a single-window system for tourism development to streamline procedures and strengthen tourism activities in Gaya and Bodh Gaya.

Key Points

• Objective: To boost tourism, strengthen visitor amenities, and improve the ease of doing business in the tourism sector.
• Single-Window System: A centralised mechanism to provide approvals, clearances, and information related to tourism-linked activities at one place.
• Administrative Efficiency: Reduces bureaucratic delays and improves inter-departmental coordination.
• Tourism Focus Areas: Special emphasis on Bodh Gaya, Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temples corridor and other religious and cultural sites.
• Economic Impact: Expected to generate local employment, boost small businesses, and strengthen the district economy.

President Murmu Attends Ol Chiki Centenary Celebrations

Why in News?

President Droupadi Murmu attended the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script in Jharkhand.

Key Points

• Event & Location: President Murmu graced the 100th anniversary of the Ol Chiki script, the writing system for the Santhali language, at Dishom Jaherthan in Karandih, Jamshedpur.
• Ol Chiki: The script was created in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu to provide a writing system for the Santhali language.
• Language Promotion: The President spoke in Santali at the 22nd Parsi Maha Santhali Sammelan and praised efforts to translate the Constitution and digital tools into the Ol Chiki script. 
• Santhali language:  It was added to the 8th Schedule of the Constitution in 2003 through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act.