• 12 Feb 2026

Karnataka Cabinet Approves Ballots for Panchayat and Civic Polls

Why in News? 

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a proposal to conduct upcoming panchayat and civic (urban local body) elections using paper ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). 

Key Points: 

• Decision: The Karnataka government decided to revert to ballot papers for panchayat and civic polls instead of using EVMs in upcoming local body elections. 
  • The move comes amid concerns over the credibility and confidence in electronic voting systems among the public and political discussions around election integrity.  
• Recommendation to SEC: The cabinet will recommend to the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct all future local body polls using ballot papers, subject to necessary legal amendments and rule changes. 
• Ballot Papers vs EVMs: Ballot paper voting is the traditional method where voters stamp their choice on paper, while in EVMs votes are cast electronically. 
  • Ballot papers are seen by supporters of the move as a way to improve transparency. 
• Electoral Roll Revision: The government has also suggested preparing and revising electoral rolls specifically for local body elections to ensure accurate voter lists. 
• Amendments: To implement ballot paper voting, amendments to existing election-related laws and rules may be required to align procedures with paper-based polling. 

Read More: Panchayat ,  State Election Commission, EVMs 

IIT Madras ₹600 Crore Venture Capital Fund for Deep-Tech Startups

Why in News? 

The IIT Madras Research Park has launched a ₹600 crore deep-tech venture capital fund aimed at nurturing early-stage and technology-intensive startups across India’s deep-tech ecosystem. 

Key Points: 

• Fund: The IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), in collaboration with Unicorn India Ventures, announced the establishment of a ₹600 crore deep-tech venture capital fund called IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I. 
  • The fund includes an additional ₹400 crore ‘greenshoe option’, bringing potential total deployment capacity to ₹1,000 crore for investment in deep-tech startups.  
  • The fund targets early-stage deep-tech companies with technologies such as AI, semiconductors, defence tech, robotics, and frontier research. 
• Strategic Vision: It emphasizes technology sovereignty, reducing reliance on imported technologies by supporting ventures building globally competitive solutions from India.  
• Innovation Support: The fund aims to provide patient capital, recognizing that deep-tech startups often require longer gestation periods due to intensive R&D, prototyping, and regulatory challenges. 
• Impact: The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem by enabling growth of intellectual property-led ventures and fostering collaboration between research institutions and industry. 
• IITMRP: It is one of India’s prominent university-based research parks, designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by incubating startups and hosting R&D entities within its facility.  

Read More:  India’s deep-tech ecosystem, AI, semiconductors,  Intellectual property 

SARAS Aajeevika Mela-2026 Begins in Gurugram

Why in News? 

The ‘SARAS Aajeevika Mela-2026’ is a grand fair promoting rural crafts and women’s empowerment that commenced in February 2026 in Gurugram. 

Key Points: 

• Inauguration: The fair was inaugurated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. 
  • Over 900 women entrepreneurs from 28 states affiliated with various self-help groups (SHGs) are participating in the fair. 
  • Stalls and Exhibits: More than 450 stalls display a variety of regional crafts such as Kashmir Pashmina, Tamil Nadu silk, Rajasthan embroidery, and Assam bamboo crafts, offering a “Mini India” experience under one roof. 
• Workshops: Special workshops are being organized daily under the Knowledge Pavilion. 
  • Teaching women entrepreneurs skills in packaging, branding, business proposal preparation, and social media marketing.  
• Market Access: Sessions on logistics and transport are being held to help rural producers expand their reach in domestic and global markets. 
• Impact on SHGs: About 10 crore women are organized under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission; nearly 2.9 crore Lakhpati Didis are already created towards the target of 3 crore. 
• Empowerment: Self-Help Groups have shown improved financial discipline, with Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) below 2%, demonstrating stronger credit management and repayment behaviour among rural women entrepreneurs. 

Read More:  Women empowerment, SHGs, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission,  Lakhpati Didis 

Gujarat Exchanges LoI with Starlink for High-Speed Internet Connectivity

Why in News?

The Government of Gujarat signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk's SpaceX, to expand high-speed satellite internet connectivity across the state. 

Key Points: 

• Signatories: The document was exchanged in Gandhinagar between State Industries Commissioner P. Swaroop and Starlink India Head Prabhakar Jayakumar, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi. 
• Target Areas: The initiative specifically focuses on remote, border, tribal, and underserved regions where traditional telecom infrastructure is limited or difficult to deploy. 
• Priority Districts: Special emphasis is placed on "Aspirational Districts" such as Narmada and Dahod. 
• Pilot Project Scope: The initial phase aims to connect key public infrastructure, including: 
  • Education: State schools for smart classrooms. 
  • Healthcare: Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and telemedicine services. 
  • Security: Coastal police outposts and highway safety systems. 
  • Public Services: Common Service Centres (CSCs) and e-Governance hubs. 
  • Logistics & Environment: Ports, GIDC industrial parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.  
• Joint Working Group: A collaborative team comprising representatives from the Gujarat government and Starlink will be established to oversee the pilot assessments and coordinate implementation. 
• Regulatory Standing: While Starlink has been issued an LoI, final commercial rollout remains subject to licensing and security requirements from India's central authorities (DoT/IN-SPACe).  
• Significance: This strategic move is part of Gujarat’s Digital Connectivity Mission aimed at bridging the digital divide where terrestrial telecom networks are weak or unviable due to geography or cost. 

Om Birla Launches e-Vidhan App at Bihar Assembly

Why in News?

On 7 February 2026, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla formally launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)—commonly referred to as the e-Vidhan app—at the Bihar Legislative Assembly in Patna.

Key Points:

• Event: This event coincided with the 105th foundation day of the Bihar Assembly.  
• e-Vidhan App (NeVA):The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is a digital legislative workflow system developed under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) framework and implemented with support from the National Informatics Centre (NIC).  
  • Aim: It aims to digitise and streamline legislative business across India’s state legislatures and Union Territory assemblies. 
• Core Features: Replace physical files and print documents with digital records. 
  • Real-Time Access: Members can access bills, notices, questions, minutes, reports and committee documents on handheld devices. 
  • Cloud-Based System: Hosted on a secure NIC cloud platform for uniformity and interoperability. 
  • One Nation–One Legislative Platform: Enables inter-assembly connectivity and standardised processes across states. 
• Significance: NeVA supports digital agendas, searchable archives, e-notices and integrated committee workflows—making legislative procedures more efficient, transparent and accessible for lawmakers.  

Read More: NeVA 

India to Establish Two New Telescopes in Ladakh

Why in News?

In the Union Budget 2026-27, the Indian government approved a major expansion of its ground-based astronomy infrastructure in Ladakh, including the establishment of two new mega-telescopes and the upgrade of an existing facility.

Key Points: 

• New Telescope Projects: Establish the National Large Solar Telescope and the National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope. 
• National Large Solar Telescope (NLST): To observe the Sun’s surface and atmosphere with high resolution. 
  • Location: Near Pangong Tso lake, Ladakh. 
  • Scientific Focus: Solar magnetic fields, flares, coronal mass ejections and space-weather phenomena. 
• Significance: Once completed, NLST will be India’s third ground-based solar observatory, complementing existing facilities such as the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (Tamil Nadu) and Udaipur Solar Observatory (Rajasthan), and augmenting data from India’s Aditya-L1 space observatory. 
• National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT): A deep-space optical and near-infrared telescope for cutting-edge cosmic research. 
  • Scientific Applications: Studies of exoplanets, stellar and galactic evolution, cosmology, supernovae and distant galaxies. 
• Significance: With its large collecting area and high altitude site, NLOT will be among the most powerful optical telescopes in the region for deep-space observation. 
• Upgradation of Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT):The HCT will be upgraded to a telescope with a 3.7-metre segmented primary mirror, improving its sensitivity and wavelength coverage into optical-infrared regimes. 
  • Scientific Impact: The enhanced HCT will allow deeper observations and complement both international observatories and the new telescopes being built under this programme. 
• Why Ladakh?: Ladakh, located at high altitude with clear, dry skies and low atmospheric disturbance, has been identified as an optimal site for astronomical observations, and is already home to several important optical and high-energy astronomy facilities. 

Himachal Pradesh CM Launches ‘Padhai with AI’ App

Why in News? 

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Padhai with AI’ digital learning initiative in Bilaspur district. 

Key Points: 

• Objective: The initiative aims to provide a fully digital learning environment with continuous academic counselling, ensuring access to quality study materials and guidance for students preparing for competitive exams. 
  • The initiative is specifically designed for students who are preparing for various competitive examinations and require technology-assisted learning support.  
• Vision: CM emphasised that education is a transformative force that broadens thinking and shapes the future of society, and the state government is committed to strengthening education through innovation and equal opportunities.  
  • The initiative is supported by NTPC, which aids in delivering modern, technology-based and quality educational facilities to students through the platform. 
• Equal Access: The platform is intended to ensure equal access to quality education irrespective of students’ geographical or socio-economic background by leveraging AI-based technology. 
• Significance: This initiative reflects a broader push by the state government to integrate artificial intelligence into public education delivery. 
  • Aiming to address educational disparities and enhance learning outcomes for students in rural and semi-urban areas. 

Read More: AI, NTPC 

Amaravati Quantum Valley Launched under National Quantum Mission

Why in News? 

Union Minister Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone of the Amaravati Quantum Centre in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, as a part of India’s ambitious National Quantum Mission. 

Key Points: 

• National Quantum Mission: India’s National Quantum Mission has an allocation of about ₹6,000 crore and spans 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 Union Territories. 
  • Organised under four core areas: Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing and Metrology, and Quantum Materials and Devices. 
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology. 
• Vision: Development of intermediate-scale quantum computers in the range of 50–1,000 physical qubits using different technology platforms (superconducting and photonic). 
  • Objective: Establishment of satellite-based secure quantum communication and ground-based quantum networks. 
  • Applications: High-precision timing, navigation, imaging, and detection for defence and space applications. 
• Amaravati Quantum Valley: Envisioned as a dedicated quantum innovation cluster, integrating research institutions, industry, startups, and talent development ecosystems. 
  • Collaboration with global technology companies such as IBM and Indian IT major TCS for quantum cloud access and innovation centres. 
• Strategic Relevance: Quantum technology is considered a critical and emerging technology (CET) globally, with implications for national security and encryption systems. 

Read More: National Quantum Mission, Quantum Computing, Superconducting,  critical and emerging technology (CET) 

Rajasthan Budget 2026-27

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan Government presented the State Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly, outlining fiscal consolidation, enhanced capital expenditure, agricultural strengthening, infrastructure expansion, and social sector prioritisation while adhering to FRBM norms. 

• Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Divya Kumari presented the Budget for the financial year 2026–27. 

Key Points: 

• Budget Size: Total budget outlay of approximately ₹6.11 lakh crore for 2026‑27.  
• Fiscal Position (₹Lakh): 
  • Estimated revenue receipts:.32574013 
  • Estimated revenue expenditure: 35005407 
  • Capital Receipts: 28543386 
  • Capital Expenditure: 26090222 
  • Revenue deficit: 2431393 
  • Fiscal deficit: 7949252 (around 3.69% of GSDP).  
  • Primary deficit: 3581730 
  • Budget Surplus: 21770 
  • Market Borrowings: 2765278 
  • Ways & Means Advance: 17000000 
  • Total Receipts: 61117400 
  • Total Expenditure: 61095630 
• Sector Wise Total Expenditure (₹Lakh): 
  • Education, Sports, Art & Culture: 6898947 
  • Medical, Health & Family Welfare: 3252630 
  • Agriculture and Allied Activities: 1829068 
  • Rural Development: 3359821 
  • Industries and Minerals: 141006 
  • Science, Technology and Environment: 4506 
• Education & Innovation: 
  • Launch of VIBRANT programme for mentoring, incubation and entrepreneurship support in colleges. 
  • Raj‑PAHAL programme for nomadic/migrant family children, including “School on Wheels” and temporary education camps. 
  • 400 schools to be upgraded into CM‑RISE (Rajasthan Innovative School of Excellence) with a dedicated outlay. 
• Youth and Skill Development: 
  • DREAM programme to benefit about 50,000 students. 
  • Training of 1,000 youth in foreign languages (English, Japanese, French, German, Korean) to improve global employability. 
• Farmer & Climate Initiatives: 
  • Carbon Credit Pilot Project to incentivize climate‑positive practices for farmers. 
  • Digital Agriculture Mission (Raj‑AIMS) with AI and satellite support. 
  • Mission Raj GIFT to boost geographical indication tagging and market access. 
• Health Sector Enhancements: 
  • RAJ‑SURAKSHA, a system for emergency response (accidents, childbirth, heart attacks). 
  • Raj‑MAMTA mental health programme, with a Centre of Excellence at SMS Medical College, Jaipur. 
  • Major upgrades in IPD facilities, including a 500‑bed tower at JK Lon Hospital and a 200‑bed paediatric IPD with neonatal ICU at RUHS. 
• Women Empowerment & Livelihood Support: 
  • Rural Women BPOs to be established at the district level with ₹100 crore outlay. 
  • Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana loan limit increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh. 
  • Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Udyam Protsahan Yojana loan limit increased up to ₹1 crore for women and self‑help groups. 
• Tourism Development: 
  • Development of an ultra‑luxury Special Tourism Zone in Khuri, Jaisalmer. 
  • Tourist facility centre at Kuldhara. 
  • A comprehensive Thar Cultural Circuit connecting key heritage zones. 
  • Establishment of a war museum in Jhunjhunu. 
• Senior Citizen & Social Schemes: 
  • Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme: air travel for 6,000 and AC train travel for 50,000 to pilgrimage sites.  
• IT & Cyber Security: 
  • New IT policy and establishment of a Rajasthan Cyber Crime Control Centre targeted at curbing cybercrime. 
• Employee Welfare: 
  • A high‑level committee to review government employee demands including implementation of the Eighth Pay Commission report. 
• Water & Irrigation Projects: 
  • Major allocation of ₹32,000 crore for the Yamuna water project in the Shekhawati region. 
• Wildlife & Environment: 
  • Launch of PRITHWI (Project for Resilient and Integrated Terrestrial Habitats and Wildlife Valorization Initiative) with an outlay of about ₹1,500 crore for habitat development, conflict mitigation and eco‑tourism. 
• Public Testing Agency: Formation of the Rajasthan State Testing Agency (RSTA) on the lines of the National Testing Agency to enhance transparency in competitive examinations. 
• Action Plan for Vision 2047: The budget is positioned as an action plan to realize the Viksit Rajasthan 2047 strategy, including a projection of per capita income exceeding ₹2 lakh. 

Uttar Pradesh First-Ever Economic Survey Charts $1 Trillion Economy Roadmap

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government tabled its first-ever Economic Survey 2025-26 in the state legislature, outlining a data-driven roadmap to transform India’s most populous state into a $1 trillion economy through investment-led growth, enhanced infrastructure, sectoral expansion, and policy reforms. 

Key Points: 

Macro-Economic Snapshot 

Indicator	Data / Value	Trend / Remark
GSDP (Current 2024-25)	₹30.25 Lakh Crore	Economy has doubled since 2016-17 (₹13.30 Lakh Cr).
GSDP Target (2025-26)	₹36.00 Lakh Crore	Projected growth rate of ~12%.
Growth Rate (CAGR)	10.8%	Calculated from 2016-17 to 2024-25.
Contribution to India	9.1% (2024-25)	Increased from 8.6% in 2016-17.
Per Capita Income	₹1,09,844 (2024-25)	Doubled from ₹54,564 in 2016-17.
Target Per Capita	₹1,20,000	Target for FY 2025-26.

• Target Economy Size: The survey projects Uttar Pradesh’s economy to grow to $1 trillion (approx. ₹83 lakh crore) over the medium term by strengthening investments, infrastructure, and productivity. 
• GSDP Growth: Uttar Pradesh’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%, rising from ₹13.30 lakh crore (2016-17) to ₹30.25 lakh crore (2024-25) and is projected to reach ₹36 lakh crore in 2025-26.  
• Investment Pipeline: The state has built an investment pipeline exceeding ₹50 lakh crore in industrial proposals, reflecting strong domestic and global investor interest. 
• Infrastructure Focus:  
  • Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself as India’s expressway hub with 22 expressways, has the largest rail network in the country, and plans to expand its aviation ecosystem to 24 airports, including five international ones. 
• Industrial Diversification:  
  • The number of registered factories has crossed 30,000, with industrial gross value added growing by 25%, highest among major states.  
  • Sectoral hubs are being promoted (e.g., AI in Lucknow, drone manufacturing in Kanpur, IT and electronics in Noida).  
  • Digital: UP ranks 4th in the startup ecosystem. 
  • Cluster-Based Development: 
    • Lucknow: AI City & Capital Region. 
    • Kanpur: Drone Manufacturing & Testing Hub. 
    • Noida: IT, Electronics & Data Centers. 
    • Bundelkhand: Defense Industrial Corridor. 
• Agriculture and Allied Growth:  
  • Agriculture continues to lead with Uttar Pradesh remaining the largest food grain producer; irrigation, crop diversification, and support programmes have boosted productivity and farm incomes. 
  • Milk Production: Contributes 15.66% of India's total milk output (Highest in India). 
  • National Share: UP contributes 20.6% to India's total foodgrain output. 
  • Rankings: UP is the largest producer of sugarcane, milk, and potatoes in India  
  • Focus: Seed parks (Lucknow), crop diversification (Pulses/Oilseeds mission). 
  • Productivity:Gross Value Added (GVA) per hectare increased from ₹0.98 lakh (2017-18) to ₹1.73 lakh (2024-25). 
    • Crop intensity has risen to 193.7%. 
  • Irrigation: Irrigated area expanded to 2.76 crore hectares in 2024-25  
• Public Finance & Fiscal Health:  
  • The state budget has more than doubled over nine years to ₹8.33 lakh crore for 2025-26, own tax revenue increased 2.5 times, and the debt-to-GSDP ratio stands at a favorable 28%. 
  • Fiscal Deficit: Successfully capped at 3% of GSDP. 
  • Revenue Surplus: Projected at 2.6% of GSDP, indicating strong financial health. 
  • Tax Revenue: Own tax revenues have increased 2.5 times to ₹2.09 lakh crore.  
    • Excise revenues specifically have tripled in under a decade. 
  • Debt Status: The Debt-to-GSDP ratio stands at 28%, which is lower than the national average, providing room for capital expenditure. 
• Human Development Indicators:  
  • Per capita income doubled to ₹1,09,844 (2024-25) and is expected to reach ₹1,20,000 (2025-26). 
  • Uttar Pradesh also leads in coverage under Ayushman Bharat and Jan Dhan accounts, reflecting improved social inclusion. 
• Export & Digital Performance:  
  • The state climbed to 4th position in the Export Preparedness Index 2024, ranked 1st among landlocked states, and topped national rankings in e-Prosecution while expanding direct benefit transfer systems. 
• Energy & Urban Planning:  
  • The share of solar power in installed capacity expanded, and plans for the Lucknow State Capital Region and 100 new townships aim to manage rapid urban growth and future demographic shifts. 
• Triple “S” Framework: The government’s investment strategy is based on Safety, Stability, and Speed to improve law and order, policy certainty, and speedy clearances via digital platforms such as Nivesh Mitra. 
• Future Outlook & Urbanization: 
  • Urbanization: Urban population is projected to reach 35.8% by 2046. 
  • New Developments: 
    • Creation of a Lucknow State Capital Region. 
    • Plans for 100 new townships to manage urban expansion. 
• Roadmap for Development: The Economic Survey institutionalises annual economic assessment and offers a comprehensive, data-backed framework for policy planning, fiscal management, and performance monitoring to achieve sustainable growth.