• 13 Feb 2026

Delhi Launches 'Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana'

Why in News? 

The Delhi Government has launched a new social welfare scheme called the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana to strengthen girls’ education by providing structured financial support from birth through higher education. 

Key Points: 

• Launch: The Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana was announced by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and will take effect from 1 April 2026. 
  • Replacing and upgrading the older Ladli Scheme that was launched in 2008 but faced implementation challenges. 
• Objective: The scheme’s primary purpose is to prevent girls from dropping out of school and to promote their educational continuity, financial security, and empowerment.  
  • It aims to support girls from economically weaker households across key educational milestones through phased bank deposits. 
• Financial Structure: Under the programme, financial assistance will be deposited in phased instalments linked to major educational milestones — starting from birth and continuing through graduation or diploma courses.  
  • The cumulative amount deposited will earn interest and is designed to grow to over ₹1 lakh at maturity in the beneficiary’s bank account. 
  • Girls who are already beneficiaries under the previous Ladli Scheme will continue to receive entitlements while new beneficiaries will be enrolled under the revamped Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana. 
• Eligibility Criteria: To qualify, the girl child must be born in Delhi, and her family must have resided in Delhi for at least three years with an annual income not exceeding ₹1.20 lakh.  
  • Up to two girl children per family are eligible to be covered under the scheme.  
• Direct Transfers: The payments will be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar‑linked bank account through a fully digital application and disbursement process, ensuring transparency and ease of access.  

Read More: Aadhaar 

Asian Development Approved $182 Million Loan for Assam

Why in News? 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved additional financing of a $182 million loan to support flood and riverbank erosion management in Assam, India. 

Key Points: 

• Focus: The fund will enhance resilience against severe floods and erosion along the Brahmaputra River. 
  • This will also expand the existing Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project, enabling support for additional high-priority reaches of the river.  
• Infrastructure Measures: Planned works include 63.5 km of riverbank protection, strengthening existing embankments, installing pro-siltation measures to encourage sediment deposition, and improving flood forecasting and early warning systems. 
  • The project is expected to benefit approximately 600,000 rural residents, including poor households, women and other disadvantaged groups in flood-prone areas.  
• Management: The financing enhances flood risk mapping, erosion prediction models, asset condition surveys, and community disaster preparedness programs to support long-term hazard-resilient river calibration. 
  • The project incorporates ecosystem-friendly approaches such as reed propagation and wetland restoration to reduce erosion and flooding while improving ecological stability.  
• Livelihood Support: Elements of the plan include disaster-resilient agriculture, vocational training, women-focused livelihood support, and upgraded rural markets to strengthen economic resilience. 

Read More: Brahmaputra River 

Ram Jalsetu Link Project in Rajasthan

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan Government is developing a major aqueduct across the Chambal River under the Ram Jalsetu Link Project, integrated with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). 

Key Points: 

• Project: The aqueduct is being built under the Ram Jal Setu Link Project ( Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project). 
  • It is an integrated river-linking initiative aimed at transferring water from the Chambal basin to Banas, Parbati, Banganga, and other sub-basins in Rajasthan to ensure water security. 
• Purpose: The aqueduct will enable water transfer from the Navnera Barrage on the Kalisindh River to the Mej River and further to reservoirs like Bisalpur and Isarda, strengthening drinking water supply and irrigation in eastern Rajasthan. 
• Design and Scale: 
  • Total length: about 2.3 kilometres. 
  • Estimated cost: around ₹2,330 crore. 
  • Construction began in May 2025 with a target completion by June 2028. 
  • The structure will also serve as a road link connecting nearby communities. 
• Geographical Extent: The aqueduct spans between Pipalda Samel village in Kota district and Guhata village in Bundi district, crossing the Chambal River without disturbing its ecology. 
• Significance: The aqueduct is a key component of the Ram Jal Setu initiative, reflecting the state government’s focus on long-term water security and resource optimisation in a water-scarce region. 

Read More:  Chambal River 

NeVA Seva Kendra Inaugurated in Ranchi

Why in News? 

The Jharkhand Legislative Assembly has taken a significant step towards digital governance with the inauguration of a NeVA Seva Kendra on the Assembly premises. 

Key Points: 

• Inauguration: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated the NeVA Seva Kendra at the Assembly in Ranchi to facilitate digital legislative functioning. 
• Objective: The initiative is designed to support the transition of the Assembly’s work processes from traditional paper-based methods to a digital, paperless system. 
• National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA): It is a digital legislative workflow system that allows members of legislative assemblies to access business lists, notices, questions, documents and session updates digitally. 
  • Nodal Ministry (NeVA): Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India. 
  • The CM and Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato distributed tablets preloaded with the NeVA application to MLAs and ministers to support seamless access and usage. 
• Benefits: MLAs will be able to submit questions, notices, private member bills and other documents online, eliminating the need for late-night submissions and reducing dependence on physical paperwork.  
  • The move is expected to enhance coordination, transparency and timeliness of House proceedings, enabling access from any location through mobile devices or tablets. 
• Significance: It modernises the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly by enabling transparent, efficient, and paperless functioning under the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) initiative. 

Read More: National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) initiative, 

24th Vasant Utsav in Gurugram, Haryana

Why in News? 

The 24th edition of Vasant Utsav was held in February 2026 at Sai Ka Aangan in Gurugram, Haryana. 

Key Points: 

• Theme State: Rajasthan was featured as the theme state. 
• Organisers: The festival was organised in association with the CBS Cultural Foundation. 
• Cultural Performances: 
  • Traditional performances included Rajasthani folk music like Kesariya Balam and dances such as Bhavai and Ghoomar. 
  • The festival also showcased UNESCO-recognised Kalbelia dance and performances blending Indian classical ragas with contemporary music by the Ether Band. 
• Classical & Devotional Arts: Young performers presented Raag Basanti, devotional verses, Odissi-style Basant Pallavi, classical sargams and bhajans, emphasising inter-generational transmission of tradition. 
• Cultural Fusion: The event blended centuries-old Rajasthani traditions with modern artistic expression, showcasing how folk memory and contemporary creativity coexist in cultural celebrations.  
• Significance: The Vasant Utsav provided a platform to preserve and celebrate India’s cultural heritage and to connect them with contemporary artistic expressions, strengthening cultural continuity and appreciation across generations. 

Read More: UNESCO, Kalbelia dance 

Uttar Pradesh Unveils First-Ever Excise Export Policy 2026-29

Why in News? 

On 13 February 2026, the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) approved a dedicated Excise Export Policy for the period 2026–27 to 2028–29, becoming the first state in India to frame a separate export-oriented policy for its excise ecosystem.  

Key Points 

• Aim: The move aims to scale up liquor and ethanol exports, enhance global presence of UP-made brands, attract investment and boost socio-economic gains. 
• Objectives: The Excise Export Policy has been formulated with the following primary goals: 
  • Promote Exports: Increase production and export of ethanol and other alcohol-related products using grain and fruit-based raw materials, leveraging the state’s strong agricultural base. 
  • Industrial Development: Foster investment in distilleries, packaging, logistics and allied sectors, thereby strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem and creating direct and indirect employment. 
• Major Features of the Policy:The policy includes a set of measures to make exports competitive and incentive-driven: 
  • Reduction in Fees: Rates for bottling charges, export pass fees, franchise fees, and special fees have been reduced to the minimum level for exports, equivalent to 25% of the beverage capacity. 
  • Export Duty Cut: The export duty on molasses-based Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) to other states has been slashed to ₹0.50 per bulk litre. 
  • Simplified Compliance: Brand registration and label approval processes for export-oriented liquor have been relaxed and fees significantly reduced. 
  • Heritage & Niche Markets: For the first time, provisions have been made for distilleries to manufacture heritage wines specifically for export, alongside the allowance of tasting taverns. 
  • Duration: This is the first time a separate excise export policy has been introduced for a three-year term (2026-29), providing long-term regulatory stability to investors. 
• Significance: UP has set a precedent among Indian states by adopting an excise export policy focused on foreign and inter-state markets. 
  • Agricultural Linkages: By linking raw materials like grains and fruits to ethanol and liquor exports, the policy strengthens agro-industrial value chains, benefiting farmers and processors alike. 

World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector

Why in News?

As India moves toward creating a decentralized storage network, Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh was selected as the pilot district under the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector (WLGSP).

Key Points: 

• The Parswada Model: The centerpiece of the pilot is the Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit (PACS), Parswada. 
• Infrastructure: A state-of-the-art 500 MT capacity godown has been constructed. 
• Inauguration: The project reached full completion and was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 February, 2024. 
• Operational Viability: To ensure the financial sustainability of the PACS, the godown has been hired by the Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation (MPWLC), providing an immediate and steady revenue stream for the society. 
• Grain Storage Plan: It is a central sector initiative aimed at creating decentralised foodgrain storage infrastructure across India. 
  • It is a key component of the Government’s vision of “Sahakar se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation). 
• Implementation Mechanism:The plan is being implemented through convergence of existing Government of India schemes, ensuring optimal utilisation of public resources.

World Radio Day 2026

Why in News?

World Radio Day is an international observance, celebrated annually on 13 February, to recognise radio as a powerful medium for communication, access to information, and cultural diversity. 

Key Points: 

• Official Theme: “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice.” 
• Purpose of Theme: The official theme, "Radio and Artificial Intelligence," explores how emerging technologies can support broadcasters without replacing them: 
• Acknowledgement: It honours the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946 and acknowledges the role of radio in building inclusive societies and reaching diverse audiences worldwide.  
• Adoption: The observance was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2011 and later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. 
• World Radio Day Conclave 2026: Akashvani Raipur (Chhattisgarh), in collaboration with UNESCO, hosted a major conclave in Chhattisgarh to deliberate on AI's role in preserving human-centric communication. 
• Significance: World Radio Day celebrates the enduring relevance of radio in a rapidly evolving media environment

Read More: UNESCO