• 06 Apr 2026

Bihar to Develop Three Highway Emergency Runways

Why in News? 

The Government of Bihar is planning to develop three highway-based Emergency Landing Facilities (ELFs) that can allow fighter jets such as Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and transport aircraft like Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules to land on highways during emergencies. 

Key Points: 

• Emergency Landing Facilities (ELFs): Three highway airstrips will be developed to allow fighter jets and military transport aircraft to land during emergencies or when conventional airbases are unavailable. 
• Key Highway Corridors: 
  • Patna–Purnia Expressway (245 km): Bihar’s first expressway planned with an integrated airstrip. 
  • Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway (417 km): The highway connects Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. 
  • Ram Janaki Marg (40 km): Linking Ayodhya with Janakpur in Nepal. 
• Collaboration: The project is being implemented through coordination between the Government of Bihar and the Indian Air Force. 
• Strategic Location: The proposed airstrips will be located mainly in North Bihar near the India–Nepal border, improving rapid military response and border surveillance. 
• Disaster Management Role: The airstrips can also support flood relief and disaster response operations in North Bihar by enabling quick delivery of aid and emergency services. 
• Strategic Importance: These facilities will allow aircraft operations even if conventional airbases are targeted and will help in rapid deployment of troops and equipment in sensitive border areas. 

Read More: Indian Air Force 

Maharashtra Launched ‘Mazhe Gaav, Aarogya Sampann Gaav’ Rural Health Campaign

Why in News? 

The government of Maharashtra has launched a statewide rural healthcare campaign “Mazhe Gaav, Aarogya Sampann Gaav” (My Village, Health-Prosperous Village) to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to public health services in villages. 

Key Points: 

• Launch: The campaign “Mazhe Gaav, Aarogya Sampann Gaav” was rolled out on 1st April 2026 to enhance rural healthcare infrastructure and awareness. 
• Implementation: The programme is being implemented by the Public Health Department under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar. 
• Focus: The initiative focuses on health awareness, preventive healthcare, and last-mile delivery of government health services in rural areas.  
• Health Schemes Support: Funds and services are being provided through the Mahatma Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana, which has been extended to all Primary Health Centres (PHCs). 
• Vaccination Drive: The campaign also promotes the HPV vaccination programme to prevent cervical cancer.  
• Objective: The initiative aims to ensure that no citizen is left out of government health schemes and to transform the campaign into a people’s movement for better public health in rural areas. 

Read More: Primary Health Centres (PHCs), HPV vaccination 

Watan Ko Janoo’ Exposure Tour for Students Flagged Off in Jammu

Why in News? 

Sakeena Itoo, Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, today flagged off a group of students for an educational exposure tour under the flagship ‘Watan Ko Janoo’ Youth Exchange Programme at K.K. Hakku Hockey Stadium here. 

Key Points 

• Programme: The exposure visit is part of the ‘Watan Ko Janoo’ Youth Exchange Programme, which aims to promote national integration and cultural exchange among students.  
• Organising Agencies: The programme has been organised by the J&K Rehabilitation Council of the Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.  
• Objective: The initiative seeks to provide students with experiential learning opportunities beyond classrooms, enabling them to understand India’s cultural diversity, educational innovations, and developmental achievements. 
  • Such exposure tours help build confidence, leadership qualities, and mutual understanding among youth.  
• Government Commitment: The initiative reflects the commitment of the government to promote holistic education and youth development in the region. 

Read More: Cultural diversity 

Odisha Launched Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana

Why in News? 

The Odisha government has approved the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana (MAPY) to strengthen food security by providing additional rice to beneficiaries under the public distribution system. 

Key Points 

• Scheme: The scheme was approved by the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.  
• Objective: The initiative aims to strengthen food security and support vulnerable families by increasing the supply of subsidised food grains. 
  • Under the scheme, beneficiaries will receive an additional 5 kg of rice per person per month free of cost, over and above their existing allocation.  
• Implementation: The scheme will be implemented from the financial year 2026–27.  
• Beneficiaries: Around 1 crore families (approximately 3.28 crore people) covered under the National Food Security Act and the State Food Security Scheme will benefit. 
• Financial Outlay: The scheme will require an annual expenditure of about ₹8,813 crore, with around ₹734 crore spent each month, fully funded by the state government. 
• Significance: The initiative is one of the largest state-funded expansions of the public distribution system (PDS) in India, aimed at ensuring food security for vulnerable households. 

Read More: Public distribution system, National Food Security Act 

Haryana Government Approved ₹747 Crore for PM POSHAN Scheme

Why in News? 

The Haryana government has approved a budget of ₹747 crore for the PM POSHAN Scheme for the financial year 2026–27 to provide nutritious meals to schoolchildren across the state. 

Key Points 

• Budget Approval: A total budget of ₹747 crore has been sanctioned for the scheme, comprising ₹222 crore as the Central share and ₹525 crore as the State share. 
  • Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi chaired a meeting of the State-Level Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee. 
  • The Scheme is launched under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme. 
• Beneficiaries: The programme aims to cover more than 14.8 lakh children, ranging from pre-school to upper primary classes in the state during FY 2026–27. 
• Monitoring Mechanism: The government has stressed regular inspections, monitoring, and feedback collection to ensure proper implementation of the programme. 
• Objective: The PM POSHAN scheme aims to improve the nutritional status of schoolchildren and encourage school attendance, making it one of the largest school meal programmes in the world. 

Read More: PM POSHAN Scheme 

16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 Begins in Ranchi

Why in News? 

The 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 is being held in Ranchi, bringing together young women hockey players from across the country. 

Key Points 

• Host City: The championship is being organised in Ranchi, Jharkhand. 
• Tournament Duration: The competition is scheduled from 1st April to 12th April 2026. 
  • The matches will take place at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi. 
• Organising Body: The event is organised by Hockey India. 
• Participating Teams: A total of 29 teams from different states and Union Territories are competing in the championship. 
• Division-Based Format: The tournament follows a division-based competition format (Division A, Division B, and Division C) to ensure competitive balance among teams. 
• Objective: The championship aims to identify and nurture young women hockey players and provide them with a national platform to showcase their talent. 

Read More: Hockey India 

Karnataka Tops Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

Why in News? 

Karnataka emerged as the overall champion at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, showcasing dominant performances across multiple disciplines. 

Key Points 

• Overall Champion: Karnataka secured the top position in the medal tally.  
  • Karnataka won  23 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals, totalling 38 medals. 
  • Odisha finished second with 21 gold medals, while Jharkhand secured third place with 16 gold medals. 
• Dominance: Karnataka athletes delivered outstanding performances, particularly in events such as swimming and athletics, which significantly contributed to the state’s medal tally. 
  • Karnataka swimmer Manikanta L emerged as the most successful athlete of the games, winning 8 gold medals and 1 silver medal. 
• Objective of the Games: The Khelo India Programme aims to promote sports among tribal communities and provide a national platform for tribal athletes to showcase their talent. 
• Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: 
  • The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 concluded in Chhattisgarh. 
  • “Morveer” is the official mascot of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. 

Read More: Khelo India Tribal Games 2026