State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 26 Feb 2026

UN Launched Road Safety Financing Project in Four Indian States

Why in News?

The United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) has launched a Sustainable Road Safety Financing Project in India, aiming to strengthen financial mechanisms and capacity for road safety interventions in selected states. 

• The project was inaugurated in New Delhi during the visit of the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt.

Key Points:

• Objective: The initiative aims to establish sustainable and coordinated financing mechanisms for road safety programmes at national and state levels.
  • The project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), WHO, UNICEF, and non‑profits like the Save LIFE Foundation to provide technical and policy support.
• Focus States: The financing project is being rolled out in four Indian states — Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam — to build capacity for implementing effective road safety action plans.
• Need: India records a high number of road traffic fatalities each year, with road accidents imposing significant health, social, and economic costs, including an estimated loss of around 3 % of GDP due to crashes.
• Sustainable Financing Strategies: The project promotes innovative financing tools such as road safety bonds, dedicated taxes, and public‑private partnerships (PPP) to ensure predictable funding streams for road safety.
• Capacity Building: A core component is strengthening institutional capacity at national and sub‑national levels for planning, budgeting, and monitoring road safety investments.
• Global Alignment: The initiative supports the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, which seeks to halve road fatalities and serious injuries worldwide by 2030.

Read More: United Nations,  Road Safety , WHO, UNICEF, PPP

Rob Jetten Becomes Netherlands’ Youngest and First Openly Gay Prime Minister

Why in News?

Rob Jetten has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, making history as both the youngest person and the first openly gay leader of the country. He assumed office in February 2026. 

Key Points:

• Historic Leadership: Rob Jetten became the youngest prime minister in Dutch history at 38 and the first openly gay person to lead the Netherlands, highlighting progress in LGBTQ+ representation in politics.
  • He leads a three‑party minority coalition composed of his centrist Democrats 66 (D66) party, the centre‑right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), and the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), which together hold 66 of the 150 seats in the lower house. 
• Swearing‑In Ceremony: The new government was sworn in by King Willem Alexander at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. 
• Political Background: Jetten’s political career began in 2010 at the municipal level. 
  • He entered the Dutch House of Representatives in 2017 and later served as Minister for Climate and Energy Policy and as Deputy Prime Minister before becoming PM.
• Significance: Jetten’s leadership is seen as a milestone for inclusion and diversity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, in a country known for advancing equal rights (the Netherlands was the first to legalise same‑sex marriage in 2001).

Read More: India–Netherlands

Five Northeast Frontier Railway Stations Receive ‘Eat Right Station’ Certification

Why in News?

Five railway stations under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) have been awarded the ‘Eat Right Station’ certification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for ensuring safe, hygienic, and nutritious food services for passengers.

Key Points:

• Eat Right Station: The initiative is part of the Eat Right India movement led by FSSAI to promote food safety, hygiene, and nutrition among the public.
• Awarded Stations: Five NFR stations received the certification for maintaining high standards of food hygiene, quality, and safety practices at food outlets within station premises. 
  • Dimapur Railway Station (Nagaland)

  • Alipurduar Railway Station (West Bengal)

  • Kokrajhar Railway Station (Assam)

  • Golakganj Railway Station (Assam)

  • New Mal Junction Railway Station (West Bengal)

• Criteria for Certification: The certification is granted after rigorous assessment of compliance with food safety guidelines, hygiene protocols, proper storage and handling of food, safe water availability, and consumer awareness measures at food vending points.
• Implementation Partners: The certification was facilitated through joint efforts by FSSAI, Northeast Frontier Railway, food vendors, and local health officials to improve food safety infrastructure and passenger awareness.
• Expansion of Initiative: The Eat Right Station programme complements other national efforts to improve public health, such as Swachh Bharat Mission and Safe Water initiatives, and encourages other railway zones to adopt similar standards.

Read More: Eat Right Station,  Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Swachh Bharat Mission