State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 07 Aug 2025

Lucknow's Charbagh Railway Station Completed 100 years

Why in News?

On 1st August 2025, Charbagh Railway Station in Lucknow marked its centenary (100 years). Its unique architecture and deep-rooted history symbolize the distinct identity of the city.

Key Points

• History and Architecture: The construction of Charbagh Station is a beautiful blend of Mughal, Rajasthani, and British architecture.
  • The foundation of Charbagh Station was laid in 1914 by Bishop George Herbert, and it was completed in 1923.
  • The building is designed as an amalgamation of Indo-British style of architecture by J.H Horniman.
  • On 1st August 1925 C.L Colvin, the agent of East India Railway laid inside the turret of the same building, a casket containing a coin of those times and a newspaper of the same day as a call to remembrance of the successful completion of the foundation of the building.
• Role in the Independence Movement: Charbagh Station has witnessed the arrival of prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Maulana Azad during the freedom struggle.
  • It is believed that the first formal meeting between Gandhi ji and Nehru (26th December 1916) took place at this station, making it an important historical site.

UP Increases Maintenance Allowance for Students

Why in News?

Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has doubled the maintenance allowance for disabled students, increasing it from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 per month.

• An increase in the maintenance allowance will benefit 2,650 disabled students enrolled in 28 residential schools across the state.
• According to the data of the UP government, over 50 lakh students benefit from the state’s scholarship and fee reimbursement programs every year, including around 14-15 lakh from the Scheduled Castes.

Key Points

• Excluding Criteria: The government has made students above 40 years of age ineligible for scholarships, whereas previously, there was no maximum age limit for applicants.
  • Students passing their high school exams from state boards outside UP will no longer be eligible for scholarships, but those from central boards like CBSE and ICSE will still receive them.
  • The amended scheme will also exclude students of UP campuses run by universities domiciled outside the state from receiving scholarships.
• Mandatory: DigiLocker registration will now be mandatory for scholarship applicants, enabling automatic Aadhaar-based data verification and helping prevent fraud.
• Increased Amount for SC Students: For Scheduled Caste (SC) students, the yearly scholarship amount will be increased by Rs 500, taking the total to Rs 3,500 per annum.
  • Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, the income limit restriction has been removed for children of families engaged in unhygienic professions such as manual scavenging and working with raw leather, allowing them to avail the benefits of the scholarship scheme.

Note:  As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, there are 21 recognized types of disabilities: Blindness, Low-vision, Leprosy Cured Persons, Hearing Impairment (deaf and hard of hearing), Locomotor Disability, Dwarfism, Intellectual Disability, Mental Illness, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Chronic Neurological Conditions, Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia), Multiple Sclerosis, Speech and Language Disability, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Disease, Multiple Disabilities including deaf-blindness, Acid Attack victim, and Parkinson's disease.

Nivesh Mitra Portal 3.0

Why in News?

The third-generation version of Uttar Pradesh's Nivesh Mitra portal is designed to enhance the ease of doing business by reducing procedural delays and bureaucratic red tape.

Key Points

• About:  Nivesh Mitra 3.0 is an advanced, digital single-window platform launched by the UP Government to streamline investment processes, expedite approvals, and enhance the ease of doing business through integration, automation, and AI-powered tools.

• Features:

  • Integrated Digital Ecosystem: It offers enhanced interoperability with both central and state government portals, providing a synchronized and unified interface for investor services across departments.
  • Revamped Common Application Form (CAF): The dynamic application form is now available in multiple languages and adapts to user profiles, making it easier for investors to identify and apply for necessary approvals efficiently.
  • GIS-enabled Land Bank: Investors can access centralized, real-time land data using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, enabling efficient land selection and collaboration with nodal agencies.
  • Smart Dashboards & Real-Time Analytics: The portal provides district-wise KPI rankings, industrial park ratings, and actionable insights to assist both investors and the administration in monitoring progress and decision-making.
  • AI-powered Multilingual Chatbots: Artificial intelligence-based chatbots offer instant, multilingual support and grievance redressal, drastically improving response time and user experience.
  • Enhanced Grievance Redressal: The entire complaint and feedback process is automated and routed through digital channels for transparency and faster resolution.
  • Reduced Service Delivery Timelines: The platform aims to cut timelines for service delivery by up to 30-50%, minimize procedural delays, and significantly reduce the need for physical documentation and visits to government offices.
  • Compliance Reduction & Deregulation: By integrating over 4,600 reforms across 45 departments, including simplification of forms and deregulation of legal requirements, Nivesh Mitra 3.0 aims to create a more business-friendly environment.
  • Extensive Departmental Coverage: The system covers over 525 services from more than 44 departments, including labor, fire, housing, urban planning, and environmental clearances.