State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 02 Apr 2026

Lucknow Waste Management Initiative

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has strengthened waste management in Lucknow by launching 250 electric and CNG vehicles for the Lucknow Municipal Corporation to improve cleanliness and sustainable urban development. 

Key Points 

• Launch: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off 250 electric and CNG vehicles to enhance waste management operations in Lucknow. 
• Objective: The initiative aims to ensure 100% waste collection, transportation, and processing across all wards of the city and promote a sustainable urban environment. 
  • Promotes the objective of achieving “Zero Waste to Zero Carbon Emissions.” 
• Eco-Friendly Approach: The Municipal Corporation is prioritising electric and CNG vehicles, gradually replacing diesel-powered vehicles to reduce pollution.  
  • To support the electric fleet, about 520 charging points at 13 locations have been established across the city. 
• Waste-to-Wealth: The project focuses on converting waste into useful resources and strengthening the circular economy.  

Read More: Waste-to-Wealth 

India Begins First Fully Digital Census

Why in News? 

The Government of India has commenced Phase I of Census 2027 – Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), marking the beginning of the world’s largest census exercise with the introduction of digital data capture and self-enumeration. 

Key Points 

• About: Census 2027 is India’s nationwide population enumeration exercise conducted to collect demographic, social, and economic data for policy planning and governance. 
  • The exercise marks the country’s 16th Census and the 8th to be conducted since Independence. 
• Digital Census: Census 2027 will be the first Indian census with digital data capture and an online self-enumeration facility. 
  • For the first time, enumerators will collect and submit data using a mobile application on smartphones. 
• Self-Enumeration Facility: 
  • Citizens can submit details through a secure web portal (se.census.gov.in). 
  • A Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) will be generated after submission for verification during the enumerator’s visit. 
• Beginning : Droupadi Murmu, President of India, became the first citizen to complete the self-enumeration process for Census 2027. 
  • About 55,000 households from these States/UTs availed Self-Enumeration facility on the very first day. 
• Languages: The self-enumeration facility is available in 16 regional languages, making the process accessible to people across the country. 
• Initial Rollout Areas: The self-enumeration process initially started in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, and areas under New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment Board.  
• Phase I – Houselisting and Housing Census: 
  • Conducted between 1 April and 30 September 2026. 
  • Each state/UT will conduct 30 days of continuous field operations within this period. 
  • For the first time, an additional 15-day period for Self-Enumeration will be provided just before the commencement of the door-to-door survey. 
• Information Collected: During Phase I, details related to housing conditions, household amenities, and assets will be collected through 33 notified questions.  
• Legal Framework: The data collected during the census is protected under the Census Act, 1948, ensuring strict confidentiality of personal information. 

Read More: Census Act, 1948, Census 2027 Mascots