State PCS - Punjab (PPSC)

• 14 Feb 2026

Nivedita Dubey First Woman Member of Airports Authority of India (AAI)

Why in News? 

Nivedita Dubey has become the first woman officer to be appointed to the Board of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), marking a significant milestone in the Indian civil aviation sector’s leadership and gender representation. 

Key Points: 

• Historic Appointment: Nivedita Dubey has assumed charge as Member (Human Resources) — the second-highest position — on the AAI Board, making her the first woman officer ever inducted into the board of the Airports Authority of India. 
• Organisation: Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a statutory body responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.  
• Background: She began her career with AAI in 1995 as a management trainee.  
  • Over the years, she has held diverse roles, including airport manager at Indira Gandhi International Airport and served as Regional Executive Director (Eastern Region).  
• Role & Responsibilities: As Member (Human Resources) on the AAI Board, she will play a key role in policy formulation, personnel management, industrial relations and administration for the organisation. 
• Significance: Her appointment is being widely hailed as an inspiring achievement for women and youth in India, especially within the aviation sector, which has historically seen limited female representation at senior governance levels.  

Read More: Airports Authority of India (AAI) 

India Hosts First BRICS Sherpa Meeting 2026

Why in News? 

India hosted the first BRICS Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa Meeting in New Delhi as part of its 2026 chairmanship of the BRICS grouping. 

Key Points: 

• Chair & Representatives: The meeting was chaired by Sudhakar Dalela, India’s BRICS Sherpa and Secretary (Economic Relations), along with Shambhu L. Hakki, India’s BRICS Sous-Sherpa. 
  • Participants: Senior officials and sherpas from BRICS member and partner countries — including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE — took part in the discussions. 
• Theme: The priorities were presented under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting India’s people-centric approach to its BRICS leadership. 
• Focus: Emphasising cooperation across sectors such as health, agriculture, labour, disaster risk reduction, climate change, energy, innovation, ICT, security and economic and financial domains.  
• Significance: The meeting laid the foundation for India’s 2026 BRICS agenda by promoting cooperation, resilience, innovation, and sustainability ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit. 

Read More: BRICS 

Country’s Second Tulip Garden in Himachal Pradesh

Why in News? 

In a significant boost to hill tourism and floriculture, the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) has officially opened its Tulip Garden in Palampur (Kangra district) to the general public.  

Key Points: 

• Second Tulip garden: This is the country’s second major tulip garden after the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), which is Asia’s largest and most famous tulip garden. 
• Strategic Location: Situated at an altitude of approximately 1,290 metres, the garden leverages the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Dhauladhar range. 
• Variety and Scale: The garden features over 50,000 tulips spanning several varieties and colours, including Red, Yellow, Pink, and White. 
• Research Integration: Unlike purely commercial gardens, this is a research-cum-demonstration plot managed by CSIR-IHBT Palampur.  
  • It serves as a testing ground for indigenous bulb production to reduce India's dependency on imports from the Netherlands.  
• Promotion of Floriculture: The garden serves as a "Technical Hub" for local farmers, showcasing the commercial viability of tulip cultivation as a high-value cash crop in Himachal Pradesh. 
• Tourism Circuit: The garden adds a new dimension to the Kangra tourism circuit, attracting visitors during the "shoulder season" (late winter/early spring) when traditional snow tourism begins to taper. 
• Biodiversity Conservation: The institute uses this platform to educate visitors on the importance of Himalayan floral diversity. 

Read More: CSIR 

Nationwide Campaign to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis

Why in News?

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) across 12 endemic States of India. 

Key Points: 

• Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign: To interrupt transmission of LF and achieve elimination as a public health problem. 
• Strategy: Annual administration of anti-filarial medicines to the entire eligible population, excluding pregnant women, infants below a certain age, and seriously ill individuals. 
• Drug Used: Drugs commonly used include Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), Albendazole, and in selected districts, Ivermectin (Triple Drug Therapy – IDA). 
• Target States: The campaign is being implemented across 12 endemic states: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. 
• Lymphatic Filariasis (LF):Lymphatic Filariasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by parasitic worms (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi). 
  • It is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. 
  • Chronic infection leads to conditions such as elephantiasis, hydrocele, and long-term disability. 
  • India accounts for a significant global burden of LF. 
• Ahead of Schedule: India's 2027 target reflects the nation's proactive stance in meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) targets early. 

Read More: SDG