IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 – 11 February
• The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed annually on 11 February to highlight the vital contribution of women in scientific and technological fields.
• The year 2026 marked the 11th edition of this global observance.
• The theme for 2026 is “From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap.”
• This year’s focus moves beyond policy discussions to showcasing successful practices that promote a more inclusive STEM ecosystem.
• In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed 11 February as this international day.
• Earlier, on 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognising the importance of science, technology and innovation for development and gender equality.
• The observance underscores that equal access and participation of women and girls in science are essential for sustainable development and empowerment.
• Since 1998, UNESCO and the L'Oréal Foundation have jointly honoured outstanding women scientists through a global awards programme.
Death Anniversary of Deendayal Upadhyaya – 11 February
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya passed away on 11 February 1968; he was born on 25 September 1916 in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
• He emerged as a key ideologue, economist, and national leader associated with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
• He served as the president of the Jana Sangh and guided the party until his sudden demise in 1968.
• Upadhyaya propounded the philosophy of Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan), which became his core ideological contribution.
• His ideas promoted balanced progress that integrates individual welfare with societal and environmental harmony.
• He advocated development based on India’s cultural and spiritual foundations rather than purely material growth.
• In 2014, the Government of India declared 25 September as Antyodaya Diwas to honour his birth anniversary.
• He is remembered for championing a people-centric model of development aimed at uplifting the last person in society.
NATIONAL NEWS
India’s First Musical Road Unveiled on Mumbai Coastal Road
• India’s first musical road has been introduced on the Mumbai Coastal Road Corridor.
• The feature is installed on the northbound stretch from Nariman Point to Worli.
• The initiative was inaugurated on February 11 by Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
• Special grooves have been laid for about 500 metres on the first lane near the divider after the Worli tunnel exit.
• When vehicles travel at 70–80 kmph, the grooves generate the tune of “Jai Ho” from the film Slumdog Millionaire through tyre friction.
• The grooves are positioned at precise, fixed intervals to produce accurate musical notes.
• Advance signboards at 500m, 100m, and 60m inside the tunnel inform drivers about the musical stretch.
• The concept, proposed by former MP Rahul Shewale, aims to enhance the driving experience while ensuring road safety.
STATE NEWS
Rajasthan Budget 2026–27: Employment Push and Infrastructure Boost
• On 11 February, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Divya Kumari presented the Rajasthan Budget 2026–27 in the State Assembly, outlining major welfare and development measures.
• To promote self-employment, the government announced interest-free loans up to ₹10 lakh under the Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme, expected to support nearly 30,000 young beneficiaries.
• A new Rajasthan Testing Agency will be set up on the lines of the National Testing Agency to conduct transparent and technology-driven examinations.
• Infrastructure expansion includes construction of 42,000 km of roads and 250 Atal Pragati Paths with an estimated outlay of ₹500 crore.
• Major investments worth ₹24,000 crore have been cleared for drinking water projects, with a target of providing 3 lakh new tap connections within a year.
• Around 6,500 villages will be covered under the ‘Har Ghar Nal’ initiative to ensure household tap water connectivity.
• Industrial growth will be supported through new industrial parks costing ₹350 crore across the state.
• The Jodhpur-Pali-Marwar Industrial Region will see development of about 3,600 hectares of land with ₹600 crore to be spent over two years.
• To strengthen global outreach, the Rajasthan Foundation plans to open 14 new international chapters, including in South Africa and Canada.
• Traditional artisans will receive support through distribution of electric pottery wheels, with ₹15 crore allocated for empowering clay workers.
Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026–27: Growth, Fiscal Discipline and Social Development
• On 11 February 2026, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presented a ₹9.12 lakh crore Budget for 2026–27, marking nearly 13% growth over the previous year and introducing new schemes worth over ₹43,500 crore.
• The Budget prioritises capital expenditure (19.5% of total outlay), while allocating significant shares to education (12.4%), agriculture (9%), and health services (6%).
• Fiscal discipline remains central, with the fiscal deficit capped at 3% of GSDP until 2030–31 and a roadmap to reduce the debt-to-GSDP ratio to 23.1% by 2026–27, aiming below 20% in the medium term.
• Law and order infrastructure receives major investment, including funds for police buildings, housing, new districts’ facilities, and Mission Shakti vehicles for women officers, alongside sharp declines in serious crimes since 2016.
• Healthcare expansion is a key focus, with nearly ₹38,000 crore allocated to the Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department and ₹14,997 crore for medical education.
• Sixteen new medical colleges will be developed in underserved districts under the PPP model, with additional funding for 14 upcoming colleges.
• Public health schemes such as the National Rural Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat receive strong financial backing, along with dedicated support for cancer care and treatment of critical diseases.
• The state’s economy continues to expand, with GSDP estimated at ₹30.25 lakh crore for 2024–25 and per capita income projected to reach ₹1.2 lakh in 2025–26.
• Social and economic indicators show improvement, including a fall in unemployment to 2.24%, progress in SDG rankings, and top position among landlocked states in the Export Preparedness Index 2024.
• To strengthen the digital ecosystem, the government plans to establish a dedicated data authority and develop eight new data centre parks across the state.
SPORTS
India Wins Five Medals at Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin
• India finished sixth overall at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, securing a total of five medals.
• Tejaswin Shankar clinched India’s only gold medal by winning the men’s heptathlon event.
• Shankar set a new national indoor record with 5,993 points, surpassing his earlier best of 5,650 points achieved in 2021 in the United States.
• On the final day, India added three more medals to its tally.
• Pooja secured a silver medal in the high jump event.
• Tajinderpal Singh Toor earned silver in the men’s shot put competition.
• Ancy Sojan claimed a bronze medal in the long jump event.
• Host nation China topped the medal table with 34 medals, including 10 gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze.
AWARDS
India Named ‘Country of the Year’ at BIOFACH 2026
• India has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Country of the Year’ title at BIOFACH 2026, held in Nuremberg, the world’s leading trade fair for organic products.
• The recognition marks India’s return to the global organic spotlight after a gap of 14 years.
• India’s participation at the event has been coordinated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
• A sprawling 1,074 sq. metre India Pavilion has been set up to present the country’s organic capabilities.
• The pavilion features 67 co-exhibitors, including exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and state government representatives.
• A wide range of organic produce such as rice, spices, pulses, oilseeds, herbs, and essential oils is being showcased.
• Value-added items including mango puree, ginger, turmeric, and large cardamom are also drawing attention.
• With participation from over 20 States and Union Territories, the honour strengthens India’s image as a leading global supplier in the organic agriculture sector.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
‘White Revolution 2.0’ Launched to Boost Dairy Cooperatives and Women’s Empowerment
• The Centre has rolled out White Revolution 2.0, a cooperative-driven initiative aimed at strengthening India’s dairy sector and promoting women’s economic empowerment.
• The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Cooperation to widen cooperative coverage and generate rural employment.
• It sets an ambitious target of increasing milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50% within five years.
• Daily milk procurement is projected to reach 1,007 lakh kg by 2028–29, the fifth year of implementation.
• The strategy includes expanding dairy cooperatives into previously uncovered regions and improving their operational efficiency.
• Around 1.20 lakh Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS), Multipurpose Dairy Cooperative Societies (M-DCS), and M-PACS will be created or strengthened under the plan.
• New milk collection routes will be introduced and existing networks upgraded to ensure better market access for farmers, supported by infrastructure like testing units and bulk milk coolers.
• The initiative is funded under the National Dairy Development Programme 2.0 of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with a strong focus on empowering women, who constitute nearly 70% of the dairy workforce.
‘Kaushal Rath’ Launched Under Yuva AI for All Campaign
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has partnered with the All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology to roll out the Kaushal Rath initiative.
• The programme is part of the National AI Literacy campaign titled “Yuva AI for All”, aimed at building foundational AI awareness.
• Kaushal Rath is designed as a mobile digital laboratory to reach students, teachers, and young learners across regions.
• The specially equipped vehicle includes internet-enabled computers, audio-visual systems, and structured modules on Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI.
• It will travel to schools, colleges, ITIs, and community centres to ensure wider access to digital education.
• The initiative supports the skilling pillar of the IndiaAI Mission, which identifies capacity building as a key focus area.
• The four-hour, self-paced Yuva AI for All course requires no prior coding knowledge, making it accessible to beginners.
• The programme is backed by partners such as FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, Coursera, and TCS iON, with the India AI Impact Summit scheduled from 16–20 February at Bharat Mandapam.
