• 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 

UP Signs ₹3,000 Crore MoUs to Modernise Dairy Sector

Why in News? 

The Government of Uttar Pradesh signed 59 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth over ₹3,000 crore, during the "Dugdha Swarn Mahotsav" (Golden Jubilee Celebration) in Lucknow. The event marked 50 years of the state’s Dairy Development Department and focused on strengthening the rural economy through technological integration.  

Key Points: 

• Total Investment: Over ₹3,000 crore specifically signed during the conclave. 
• Major Participants: MoUs were signed with prominent private entities, including: 
  • Ananda Dairy 
  • Gyan Dairy 
  • Param Dairy 
• Employment Impact: These 59 agreements are expected to generate more than 13,000 new jobs in the state. 
• Focus Areas: The investments are directed toward setting up dairy plants, milk chilling centres, cattle feed plants, and modernising cold chain logistics.  
• Strategic Performance of the Dairy Sector: Minister for Animal Husbandry, revealed that the department has executed a total of 796 MoUs worth over ₹25,000 crore to date, which will eventually create more than 60,000 jobs. 
  • Economic Contribution: The dairy sector contributes approximately ₹1.72 lakh crore to Uttar Pradesh’s Gross State Value Added (GSVA). 
• Farmer Support: Under the Nand Baba Dugdh Mission, roughly ₹84 crore has been distributed as grants to over 10,000 beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).  

Read More:Nand Baba Dugdh Mission 

Upgraded HAL Aerospace Museum Opens in Bengaluru

Why in News? 

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Aerospace Museum in Bengaluru was officially reopened to the public today following an extensive upgrade. The revamped facility serves as a premier destination for witnessing the evolution of India's indigenous aerospace industry and the milestones achieved by HAL.  

Key Points: 

• New Additions and Enhancements:The upgraded museum features a dedicated gallery for Tejas (LCA), India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. 
  • Virtual Reality (VR) Experience: A new state-of-the-art VR zone allows visitors to experience a simulated flight in a fighter cockpit, bridging the gap between historical displays and modern technology. 
  • Restored Heritage Aircraft: Several vintage aircraft, including the Marut (HF-24)—India's first indigenous supersonic fighter—and the Lakshya (PTA), have been meticulously restored for better display.  
• Strategic Significance: The museum aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and pilots by detailing the technical journey from the era of the HT-2 (India's first trainer) to the modern era of Stealth and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). 
  • Promoting 'Atmanirbharta': By documenting the history of aeronautical design and manufacturing in India, the facility highlights the nation's progress toward self-reliance in the defense sector.  
• Tourism and Cultural Impact:As India’s first aerospace museum (established in 2001), the upgrade solidifies its status as a key landmark in Bengaluru, the country's "Aviation Capital." 
  • Public Engagement: The facility includes a renovated library, an aero-modeling club, and an updated sustainability park, making it a comprehensive center for both leisure and learning. 

UP Unveils ₹2,900 Crore ‘Navayug Palika Yojana’ for Smaller Towns

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an ambitious ₹2,915 crore urban development blueprint titled the ‘Navayug Palika Yojana’. The initiative is designed to upgrade infrastructure in smaller cities and towns, replicating the success of the Smart Cities Mission in Tier-II and Tier-III urban centres.  

Key Points: 

• Total Investment: Over ₹2,915 crore to be invested over a five-year period until 2029–30. 
• Annual Expenditure: An estimated ₹583 crore will be spent annually on planned urban development. 
  • Funding Model: The scheme will be entirely funded by the state government from its own resources, without any financial contribution from the Centre.  
• Scope and Target Areas: The roadmap targets urban local bodies (ULBs) across 58 district headquarters that fall outside the 17 major municipal corporations. 
  • Urban Settlements: It focuses on upgrading towns managed by municipal councils (nagar palikas) and town councils (nagar panchayats) to match the standards of larger metro cities. 
  • New Townships: Parallel to this, the state plans to develop 100 new townships across 75 districts to decentralise urban growth.  
• Smart Infrastructure: Equipping smaller towns with modern roads, improved drainage systems, and smart street lighting. 
  • Digital Governance: Promoting e-services and digitally enabled governance platforms to make citizen services more transparent and efficient. 
  • Quality of Life: Enhancing the "ease of living" by providing clean water supply and effective waste management systems.  
• Strategic Objectives:The plan aligns with UP’s long-term goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by stimulating local economic activity and attracting investment. 
• Balanced Urbanisation: By creating future-ready urban ecosystems in smaller hubs, the government aims to reduce migration pressure on major metropolitan centres. 
• Reducing Regional Disparities: The initiative seeks to ensure development benefits extend beyond established hubs to foster inclusive growth across the state. 

Read More:Smart Cities Mission