• It is called 'Ashtalakshmi' (group of eight states).
• It comprises the Seven Sister states and one brother state (Sikkim): Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.
• Chicken's Neck: This narrow corridor connects the Northeast to the rest of India.
• Borders: The region is surrounded by international borders (China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal), making it central to the 'Act East Policy'.
• Major River: The Brahmaputra, known as 'Yarlung Tsangpo' in Tibet, is the lifeline of the region.
• North Eastern Council (NEC): Headquartered in Shillong, it is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of these states.

• Initiation: It was started in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to address serious issues such as child marriage and female feticide.

Major Initiatives for the Development of Girls:

• "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" (BBBP): Launched in 2015, its main objective is to improve the sex ratio at birth, ensure education for girls, protect them from exploitation, and provide them with social and financial independence.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): Launched on January 22, 2015, under the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, it is a small savings scheme notified by the Government of India. Interest is paid on deposits at rates notified by the government from time to time, and the amount is paid according to the rules of the scheme. Currently, the interest rate under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is 8.2%. Since its inception, more than 4.53 crore accounts have been opened, and the total deposits exceed Rs. 3.33 lakh crore (as of December 2025).
• Mission Shakti: Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2022 (effective from April 1, 2022) as an integrated umbrella scheme for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021–26), it has been allocated Rs. 3,150 crore in the Union Budget 2025–26.

It includes two major sub-schemes:

• Sambal: (Focused on safety and security, including One Stop Centres, Women Helpline, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Nari Adalats)
• Samarthya: (Focused on empowerment, including Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Palna, Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas, and Sankalp Hub).
• Samagra Shiksha: Launched by the Ministry of Education in 2018.
• UDAAN: UDAAN is an innovative initiative launched in 2014 by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under the guidance of the Ministry of Education.
• Nurturing Aspirations of Young Adolescent Girls through Vocational Training (NAVYA): Launched on June 24, 2025, in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, NAVYA is a joint pilot initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). It targets adolescent girls aged 16–18 years (at least Class 10 pass) in 27 aspirational and North-Eastern districts across 19 states.
• According to the UDISE report, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level reached 80.2 percent during the period 2024–2025.
• As of January 2026, a total of 2,153 child marriages have been prevented across the country, and 60,262 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers have been appointed.

• Born: January 24, 1924
• Birthplace: Samastipur, Bihar
• Died: February 17, 1988
• Nickname: Jan Nayak (People's Leader)
• Party: Socialist Movement (Socialist Leader)
• Chief Minister of Bihar (twice): First term: 1970–1971, Second term: 1977–1979

• Pioneering role in implementing reservations for backward classes
• Made education free up to matriculation to promote education
• Bharat Ratna (2024): Posthumous

• Banned Products: The ban includes gutkha, paan masala, zarda, khaini, and all forms of flavored chewing tobacco.
• Ban on: Manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, and distribution.

Odisha:

• Foundation Day: April 1 (Utkal Divas)
• Capital: Bhubaneswar (also known as the 'Sports Capital of India' and the 'City of Temples')
• Coastline: Approximately 480 km long (along the Bay of Bengal)
• Major Rivers: Mahanadi (the largest), Brahmani, and Baitarani
• Chilika Lake: It is Asia's largest brackish water lagoon and India's first Ramsar site.
• Hirakud Dam: One of the world's longest earthen dams, located on the Mahanadi River.
• India's largest iron ore producing state.
• Classical Dance: 'Odissi'
• World Heritage Site: Konark Sun Temple
• Jagannath Puri: One of the Char Dhams, where the annual 'Rath Yatra' is held.

• The celebration of Uttar Pradesh Day began in 2018 under the leadership of the then Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
• This year's theme: "Developed India - Developed Uttar Pradesh"
• On this occasion, following the success of the 'One District One Product' (ODOP) scheme, the 'One District One Cuisine' (ODOC) scheme was also launched.
• Note: The state is completing 77 years since its formation (1950 to 2026), but this is the 9th year it is being celebrated as 'Uttar Pradesh Day'.
• Key dishes included in the 'One District One Cuisine' (ODOC) scheme: Mathura: Peda, Aligarh: Chamcham, Mainpuri: Sonpapdi, Hathras: Rabri, Varanasi: Launglata, Barabanki: Chandrakala, Amethi: Samosa, Azamgarh: White Carrot Halwa, Lucknow: Kebabs, Biryani and Rewri, Pratapgarh: Amla products (Murabba, Laddoo)

• Target: To become a $250 billion domestic market with $100 billion in exports by 2030

Current Contribution:

• Contribution of the Indian textile industry to GDP – approximately 2%
• Share in global trade – 4.1%
• India is the world's sixth-largest textile exporter
• Recently, the Ministry of Textiles launched the District-based Textile Transformation Initiative, with the main objective of developing each district of India into an independent textile export hub.

• According to the World Economic Forum, the 'Reskilling Revolution' initiative has reached more than 80 million people globally.
• Under this initiative, more than 25 technology companies have pledged to support 120 million workers by providing access to AI tools, skills training, and employment opportunities.
• Skill Accelerator:
• It is a platform where the government, industry, and civil society work together to prepare the workforce for future jobs.

• These companies manufacture components for air conditioners.
• They are expected to generate a total production of over ₹8,300 crore and create 1,799 additional direct jobs by the financial year 2027-28.
• A total of 85 companies have been selected under the PLI scheme so far.
• These companies are expected to invest ₹11,198 crore and achieve a cumulative production of ₹190,000 crore during the scheme period.

• Total foreign exchange reserves: US$701 billion
• Foreign currency assets (FCA): US$508.50 billion
• Gold reserves: Over US$117.40 billion
• Special Drawing Rights (SDR): US$18.70 billion
• Reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF): US$4.68 billion

• Selection: From 91 schools across 18 countries under three categories at the national level
• Award: Ten thousand rupees to each winner and the opportunity to attend this year's Republic Day parade as a special guest
• This year, approximately 1.92 crore students from about 1.92 lakh schools participated.
• This is the highest participation since its inception in 2021.
• The Veer Gatha Award is a joint initiative of the Ministries of Defence and Education.

• Institutional Category: Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) for strengthening the disaster management mechanism up to the Gram Panchayat level and for the effective deployment of 'Disaster Mitra' volunteers.
• Individual Category: Lieutenant Colonel Sita Ashok Shelke (Indian Army) for leading relief operations during the 2024 Wayanad (Kerala) landslides and constructing a Bailey bridge in record time.
• Date of Announcement: Annually on January 23 (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary)

Award Amount:

• For Institutions: ₹51 lakh in cash and a certificate. (This amount can only be used for disaster management activities)
• For Individuals: ₹5 lakh in cash and a certificate