Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and Amrit Bharat Express Trains

Introduction

• The Prime Minister laid the foundation for a conservation-oriented transport project in Assam and expanded rail connectivity for the region.
• The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor is intended to enhance ecological conservation alongside transportation infrastructure.
• The Amrit Bharat Express services provide modern passenger amenities for long-distance travel.

Why in news?

• On 18 January 2026, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam.
• On the same occasion, he virtually flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains.

Background

• The corridor is part of the four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of National Highway-715.
• It includes approximately 34.45 km of wildlife-friendly elevated sections.
• Bypasses are planned at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat.

Significance

• Ensures safe wildlife movement across the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
• Reduces road accidents on National Highway-715.
• Boosts ecotourism and generates local employment opportunities.
• Improves long-distance rail connectivity between Assam and West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana.
• Reduces travel time and offers modern passenger amenities.

Facts/General knowledge

• Project value: ₹6,957 crore.
• Kaziranga National Park hosts the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, with substantial populations of tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer.
• Amrit Bharat Express routes launched: Dibrugarh–Gomti Nagar (Lucknow) and Kamakhya–Rohtak.

Namo Laxmi Scheme, Gujarat

Introduction

• Girls’ education in Gujarat has received a major boost through expanded direct financial assistance for adolescent girls.
• The initiative aims to ensure economic hardship does not interrupt schooling after primary education.
• It reflects Gujarat’s continued focus on educational access, gender equity, and the empowerment of girl students.

Why in news?

• The Gujarat government has announced ₹1,250 crore financial aid under the Namo Laxmi Scheme for the 2025–26 academic year.
• The announcement will benefit over 12 lakh girls studying in Classes 9 to 12.

Background

• The Namo Laxmi Scheme is a state-sponsored initiative supporting secondary and higher secondary education of girls.
• Launched under the guidance of Bhupendra Patel, it provides structured assistance over four years, linking education with health, nutrition, and empowerment.
• It builds on earlier education-focused programmes such as Shala Praveshotsav, which boosted school enrolment and retention.
• Many such initiatives, started during the tenure of Narendra Modi as Chief Minister of Gujarat, later inspired similar schemes at the national level.
• The scheme targets adolescent girls, a group vulnerable to school dropouts.

Significance

• Ensures financial constraints do not force girls to drop out after primary schooling.
• Encourages continuity and successful completion of schooling through a phased assistance design.
• Strengthens the link between education and holistic development by addressing nutrition and health.
• Regular support helps families provide proper food and healthcare, improving learning outcomes, attendance, and overall well-being.

Facts/General knowledge

• Total assistance per eligible girl (Classes 9–12): ₹50,000 over four years.
• Classes 9–10: ₹20,000, including monthly support and a lump sum after clearing the Class 10 board examination.
• Classes 11–12: ₹30,000, combining monthly instalments with a completion-based payout after Class 12.
• Eligibility: girls enrolled in schools recognised by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board or the Central Board of Secondary Education.
• Prior schooling requirement: completion of Classes 1–8 in government or aided schools, under RTE, or Class 8 in a private school.
• Family income cap: not exceeding ₹6 lakh annually.
• Compatibility with other scholarships: girls already receiving other scholarships are also eligible, as this scheme offers additional support.

Kalpetta Paperless District Court

 Introduction

• Kalpetta judicial district in Wayanad, Kerala, has become India’s first fully paperless district court.
• The paperless court system was virtually inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Why in news?

• Marks a historic achievement as the first district court in India to function completely without paper, transitioning to a fully digital judicial system.

Background

• The District Court Case Management System (DCMS) underpins the paperless operations.
• DCMS was developed in-house by the Kerala High Court’s IT department to ensure secure and efficient digital operations.

Significance

• Expected to reduce litigation costs.
• Eliminates delays in transferring files.
• Enhances access to justice.
• Advances “green jurisprudence” by lowering the environmental impact of judicial processes.
• Serves as a model for other judicial districts across India, with potential to transform traditional court operations into efficient digital systems nationwide.

Facts/General knowledge

• All stages of court proceedings — including pretrial processes, recording of evidence, interlocutory orders, and final adjudications — are conducted electronically without physical files.
• The system integrates AIbased judicial assistance tools that generate structured case summaries, assist with annotation, query case details, and support judges with faster access to digital records.

Justice Revati Mohite Dere appointed as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court

Introduction

• Justice Revati Mohite Dere has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
• She is the second woman to hold this position in the state’s history.

Why in news?

• She was recently sworn in as the newest Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.

Background

• The Meghalaya High Court was established on 23rd March 2013 after an amendment to the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.
• Justice T. Meena Kumari was the first female Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, sworn on 23rd March 2013, following the court’s establishment.

Significance

• Meghalaya is known for its matrilineal social structure, making the appointment of a female Chief Justice particularly symbolic for the state’s judicial leadership.
• In 2026, India continues to push for higher representation of women in the higher judiciary, where women currently constitute less than 15% of the total judge strength.

Facts/General knowledge

• The appointment was made by the President of India under Article 217 of the Constitution, following the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.
• The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the state.