Daily filter — 29 April 2026
7 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🗳️ Polity & Governance · LAW track
West Bengal General Elections 2026: Record-High Voter Turnout
West Bengal recorded its highest-ever poll participation in the General Elections for the Legislative Assemblies since Independence, with 92.47% combined turnout over two phases.
- The combined poll-percentage for the two phases was 92.47%.
- Phase-II alone recorded 91.66% poll-participation.
- This surpasses the previous highest of 84.72% in 2011.
- ECINET facilitated real-time data updates and live-webcasting in 100% of polling stations.
- New voter-friendly initiatives included color photos on EVM ballot papers and assistance for PwD voters.
💡 For the exam: Remember West Bengal 2026 Assembly elections set a new record high for voter turnout since Independence, reaching 92.47% overall.
Source: Election Commission · PIB PRID 2256756
🚀 Defence & Security · UPSC track
DRDO & Navy conduct maiden salvo launch of Anti-ship Missile
DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully conducted the first salvo launch of **Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR)**.
- The launch involved two missiles in quick succession from a helicopter.
- The test took place off the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha.
- The NASM-SR missile system was developed by Research Center Imarat, Hyderabad.
- It demonstrated both salvo launch and waterline hit capabilities.
💡 Remember: NASM-SR is DRDO-Indian Navy's first air-launched anti-ship salvo missile.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2256722
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
JJM 2.0: Reform-linked MoUs signed with three states
Reform-linked Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Tripura under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
- MoUs with Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Tripura were signed on 29 April 2026.
- The MoUs mandate a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based, and community-centred model.
- JJM deadline has been extended to December 2028 for 100% tap water coverage.
- Uttarakhand has achieved 98% coverage, Karnataka 87%, and Tripura 86% under JJM.
💡 Remember Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Tripura signed reform-linked MoUs for JJM 2.0 on April 29, 2026, aiming for December 2028 completion.
Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB PRID 2256663
📊 Polity & Governance · UPSC track
Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0 Released on National Panchayati Raj Day
The **Ministry of Panchayati Raj** released the **Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Report** for FY 2023–24.
- The PAI 2.0 Report was released on 24th April 2026, National Panchayati Raj Day.
- It saw 97.30 per cent participation from 2,59,867 Gram Panchayats across 33 States/UTs.
- 3,635 Gram Panchayats are categorized as 'Front Runners', and 1,18,824 as 'Performers'.
- It assesses Gram Panchayat performance against 150 indicators across 9 thematic areas.
- Top-performing themes include Poverty Free and Enhanced Livelihoods and Healthy Panchayats.
💡 Remember PAI 2.0 assesses GPs on 9 SDG themes with 97.30% participation, classifying them into 5 categories for FY 2023–24.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2256616
📚 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Social Justice Ministry boosts education spending for disadvantaged students
The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment significantly increased its spending on scholarship and education schemes for OBC, EBC, and DNT students.
- Spending increased to ₹2042.08 crore in FY 2025–26.
- OBC welfare schemes saw a 36.96% expenditure increase.
- Pre-Matric Scholarship spending rose by 59.13%.
- Top Class Education in Schools spending increased by 154%.
- Top Class Education in Colleges spending increased by 105.80%.
💡 Remember the specific percentages for scholarship and top-class education increases for OBC, EBC, DNT in FY 2025-26.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2256689
📊 Reports & Indices · UPSC track
27th 'Women and Men in India 2025' Report Released
The **Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)** released the 27th edition of its gender-disaggregated data publication.
- The 27th edition of 'Women and Men in India 2025' was released on 29th April 2026.
- Sex ratio at birth increased from 904 (2017-19) to 917 (2021-23).
- Gender parity achieved across all school education levels from primary to higher secondary.
- Female LFPR (ages 15+) increased from 37.5% to 45.9% in rural areas (2022-2025).
- Women in managerial positions saw a 102.54% increase (2017-2025).
💡 Remember: The 'Women and Men in India 2025' report (27th edition, MoSPI) shows improved sex ratio, gender parity in school, and increased female LFPR and managerial roles.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2256593
🧵 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Union Budget 2026-27 boosts textiles, education, health skilling
The Union Budget 2026-27 positions skill development as a cross-sectoral priority, announcing key initiatives across various sectors.
- The Union Budget 2026–27 allocates ₹1.39 lakh crore to education, an 8.27% increase over 2025–26.
- It will create 5 University Townships and 1 girls' hostel in every district to boost education access.
- Mega Textile Parks will be developed for value addition in technical textiles.
- Biopharma SHAKTI has a proposed outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years to expand pharmaceutical education.
- The budget aims to train 1.5 lakh caregivers in the coming year and add 100,000 Allied Health Professionals over the next 5 years.
💡 Remember the 2026-27 Budget for increased education allocation, Mega Textile Parks, and Biopharma SHAKTI.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2256476