• 18 Apr 2026

School Ruaar 2026 Initiative Launched in Jharkhand

Why in News? 

The Government of Jharkhand launched the “School Ruaar 2026” initiative as a state-wide Back-to-School campaign to bring drop-out children back to classrooms and reduce the school dropout rate to below 1% in 2026. 

Key Points 

• Initiative: School Ruaar 2026 is a 21-day intensive campaign launched by the Jharkhand School Education and Literacy Department to ensure that every child in the state is enrolled in school.  
  • Maintaining 70% attendance and regular data updating are mandatory. 
  • Stakeholders are involved in door-to-door outreach and awareness campaigns to encourage parents to send children back to school. 
  • The District Education Officer and District Education Superintendent have been assigned full responsibility for implementing and monitoring the campaign. 
• Objective: The primary aim is to identify out-of-school children, re-enrol dropouts, and ensure continuous education, especially in rural and tribal regions. 
  • The initiative aims to reduce the dropout rate to less than 1% during the current academic year. 
• Monitoring Mechanism: Student enrolment and attendance are monitored through digital systems such as e-Vidyavahini to ensure regular tracking of newly enrolled and returning students.

R Vaishali Wins FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026

Why in News? 

Indian chess Grandmaster R. Vaishali won the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament 2026, earning the right to challenge reigning world champion Ju Wenjun of China for the Women’s World Chess Championship title later in 2026. 

Key Points 

• Venue: The tournament was held in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. 
• Organised by: The International Chess Federation (FIDE). 
• Tournament Victory: R. Vaishali secured the title of the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament 2026 by defeating Russian Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno in the final round.  
  • She finished with 8.5 points out of 14 rounds, clinching the tournament by half a point. 
  • With this victory, she earned the opportunity to challenge reigning champion Ju Wenjun in the Women’s World Chess Championship match scheduled later in 2026. 
• Historic Achievement: The 24-year-old Grandmaster became the first Indian woman to win the Women’s Candidates Tournament, marking a major milestone for Indian chess. 
• FIDE:FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne. 
  • It was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999. 
  • It was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”).

PM Inaugurated Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira in Karnataka

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district of Karnataka. 

Key Points 

• Inauguration: The Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Karnataka. 
  • The temple is associated with the Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, a prominent spiritual and socio-religious institution in southern India. 
• Spiritual Legacy: The Mandira has been constructed in memory of Dr. Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji, the former head of the Math known for his contributions to education, healthcare and social welfare. 
  • The Math is presently headed by Dr. Sri Sri Sri Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji. 
• Prime Minister’s Address: During the event, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of service, spirituality and community welfare in nation-building. 
  • The Prime Minister also urged citizens to adopt nine commitments, including water conservation, tree plantation under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, cleanliness, promoting local products, domestic tourism, natural farming, healthy lifestyle, fitness, and community service. 

Read More: Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 

Atal Bus Stand Scheme Launched in Odisha

Why in News? 

The Government of Odisha launched the Atal Bus Stand Scheme to modernise and standardise bus terminal infrastructure across the state and strengthen public transport connectivity. 

Key Points 

• Scheme: The Atal Bus Stand Scheme aims at the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of modern bus terminals across the state to improve passenger facilities and transport efficiency.  
• Implementing Agency: The scheme will be implemented by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).  
  • Under the supervision of the Department of Commerce and Transport. 
• Budget Allocation: The scheme has a planned outlay of about ₹3,400 crore up to 2031–32 for developing and upgrading bus terminals in Odisha.  
  • Bus terminals will be categorised into A, B, and C classes depending on passenger demand, traffic volume, and transport requirements. 
• Objective: The initiative aims to modernise public transport infrastructure, ensure uniform standards in bus terminal management, improve operational efficiency, and enhance passenger convenience across Odisha. 

Haryana Launched Dedicated Call Centre for Armed Forces Personnel

Why in News? 

The Government of Haryana has launched a Supportive Call Centre for serving armed forces personnel, ex-servicemen, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and their families to provide welfare-related assistance and grievance redressal. 

Key Points 

• Initiative: The Haryana government has established a dedicated call centre to serve as a single-point contact for the armed forces community, including ex-servicemen and CAPF personnel. 
• Purpose: The main objective is to provide information, guidance, and timely resolution of grievances related to various welfare schemes, benefits, and entitlements of defence personnel and their families. 
• Implementation: The initiative has been launched under the state’s Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare Department. 
• Objective: To ensure transparent, efficient, and accessible delivery of welfare schemes and improve coordination between beneficiaries and the government system. 

Read More: CAPF 

Punjab Launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’

Why in News? 

The Government of Punjab has launched a monthly financial assistance scheme “Mukhya Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana” for women aimed at providing direct income support to eligible beneficiaries. 

Key Points 

• Scheme Launch: The Punjab government has introduced a cash transfer scheme for women under which eligible women will receive monthly financial assistance. 
  • Women belonging to the general category will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from the Scheduled Caste (SC) category will receive ₹1,500 per month. 
  • The scheme was launched on a pilot basis across nine locations, namely Adampur, Malout, Anandpur Sahib, Dirba, Sunam, Moga, Kotkapura, Batala, and Patiala Rural. 
• Beneficiaries: The scheme is aimed at women aged 18 years and above. 
• Implementation Model: The scheme will be implemented through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. 
  • Registration for the scheme has been initiated in phases, and financial assistance will start being transferred from July 2026. 
• Objective: The initiative is designed to strengthen women’s financial independence and social security, particularly for economically weaker sections. 

Read More: DBT