State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 18 Feb 2026

Kerala Becomes First State in India to Frame Urban Policy

Why in News? 

Kerala has become the first state in the country to frame a comprehensive Urban Policy aimed at guiding long‑term development and managing rapid urbanisation effectively. 

Key Points: 

• Vision 2050: The policy envisions the state in 2050 as a continuous network of climate‑smart cities and towns, emphasising scientific planning and sustainable governance. 
• Approval: The draft policy was approved by the Kerala cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, after nearly two years of preparation by the Local Self Government Department. 
  • The initiative was first announced in the 2023–24 state budget, and a Kerala Urban Policy Commission comprising national and international experts was set up to develop the roadmap. 
• Consultations: The Commission submitted the Nava Kerala Urban Policy report in March 2025, and inputs from a global conference in Kochi were incorporated into the policy.  
  • According to the Commission’s estimates, Kerala’s urban population is expected to reach nearly 80% by 2050, requiring proactive and inclusive urban governance.  
• Focus Areas: The policy outlines key thematic areas including reforms in laws and institutional systems, capacity building, infrastructure development, people‑centric services, and spatial planning.  
  • It aims to harness the benefits of urbanisation to reduce inequalities, strengthen social support systems, and improve the quality of infrastructure across urban areas. 

Read More: Urbanisation,  Local Self Government,  climate‑smart cities 

Government Launches Bodhan AI to Integrate AI in Education

Why in News? 

The Government of India has announced plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into the education system across all levels—from pre‑primary to higher education. 

Key Points: 

• Bodhan AI: A not‑for‑profit company named Bodhan AI has been launched at the Centre of Excellence in AI for Education, hosted by IIT Madras, with the goal of building foundational AI technologies for the education sector. 
  • Bodhan AI will develop the Bharat EduAI Stack as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—similar in concept to UPI—to enable large‑scale, interoperable AI services for education. 
• Objective: The Centre plans to incorporate AI tools into teaching and learning processes nationwide to make education more adaptive, effective, and accessible.  
  • Focus Areas: The initiative will prioritise research and development of AI capabilities in Indian languages, including automatic speech recognition, speech synthesis, and multilingual language models. 
  • Emphasis will be on multilingual AI systems capable of understanding and interacting in various Indian languages so students can receive feedback and support in their mother tongue.  
• Applications: AI tools are expected to support personalized student learning, assist teachers with intervention strategies, and aid administrators in evaluating educational outcomes at district and school levels. 
• Data Privacy and Ethics: Experts involved in the initiative have highlighted the need to protect student data and ensure that personal information is not stored on public forums, and to balance AI use with responsible screen engagement. 
• Policy Framework: The development and implementation of AI tools will align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, incorporating NCERT and SCERT educational frameworks into the AI ecosystem. 

Read More: AI, IndiaAI Stack, Bodhan AI,  Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) 

Mud Volcano Erupts After Two Decades in Andaman

Why in News? 

A mud volcano that had been dormant for more than two decades erupted unexpectedly at Shyamnagar in Diglipur in North Andaman, causing thick mud and gas to be released from the ground. 

Key Points: 

• Geological Significance: Mud volcanoes are geological formations that expel mud, gas, and water due to underground pressures and fluid movements, and are distinct from conventional lava-spewing volcanoes. 
  • Location: The mud volcano is located near Jal Tikrey in North Andaman’s Diglipur, a region known for its chain of mud volcanoes set amid green forest landscapes. 
• Monitoring: The unexpected activity has attracted geologists who are likely to monitor the site more closely to understand underground processes and fluid dynamics beneath the islands. 
• Impact: Local authorities have taken precautionary measures by restricting public access to the eruption site to ensure safety, though no major injuries or structural damage have been reported.  
  • Experts note that mud volcano eruptions are generally linked to tectonic activity and underground pressure rather than external climate factors, and such events can provide insights into regional geology.  

Read More: volcano, A&N Islands 

Tarique Rahman Set to Become Bangladesh’s Next Prime Minister

Why in News? 

Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is poised to become the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh after his party won a landslide victory in the general elections held in February 2026. 

Key Points: 

• Election: The elections marked a significant political shift in Bangladesh after a period of political uncertainty and transitions in leadership. 
• BNP Victory: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a decisive win in the 2026 general elections, allowing it to form the next government with a clear parliamentary majority. 
• Tarique Rahman:  
  • He emerged as the top leader of the BNP and is expected to take office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.  
  • He is the son of former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.  
  • He has been a leading figure in BNP politics for years, even during periods of exile and political challenges. 
• Return from Exile: Rahman had spent almost two decades living abroad before returning to Bangladesh in late 2025 following political changes that cleared the way for his participation in domestic politics. 
• Campaign Focus: The BNP’s election campaign centred on promises of economic revival, political reform, and national unity, resonating with voters across the country. 
• Significance to India: Bangladesh is India’s key neighbour in South Asia, sharing a long land boundary and deep economic, cultural, and strategic ties.  
  • A new BNP-led government may influence bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, connectivity projects, border management, counter-terrorism coordination, and regional groupings like BIMSTEC and SAARC.  

Read More: India-Bangladesh Relations, BIMSTEC ,SAARC