February 13, 2026 - Current Affairs

India’s First Musical Road Debuts in Mumbai, to Play ‘Jai Ho’ for Motorists

February 13, 2026

The first musical road in Mumbai is on a 500-metre stretch of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road. The distinctive road has a built-in sound system that plays the iconic song 'Jai Ho' from the movie Slumdog Millionaire when cars drive over grooves at a certain speed of approximately 60-80 km/h, producing sound through the vibration of tyres and the road. The musical experience, which could be heard in the vehicle, was launched by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The project will be seeking to integrate innovation and road safety through the promotion of consistent speeds and driving experience.

Significance of India’s First Musical Road in Mumbai

The musical road occupies a 500-meter portion of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road in Mumbai.
When vehicles move through special grooves at a constant speed, it plays a tune known as Jai Ho.
The sound is generated by tyres and road vibration, and there are no external speakers or electronic systems.
It is the initial application of a musical road in India.
The project will ensure road safety, as motorists will be advised to drive at a speed of about 60-80 km/h.
The tune is audible to the drivers only when they are travelling within the recommended speed limit, and it does not encourage over-speeding.
Posters placed before the stretch warn motorists, which serves to make traffic move easily.
The innovation in the urban infrastructure is depicted by the project, which is a mixture of engineering and innovative design.
The naming of the song, Jai Ho, also gives the song an emotional and cultural touch.
The musical road makes the city of Mumbai look more modern, smart and experience-oriented in its approach to public infrastructure.

PYQs on Slumdog Millionaire Movie and Award

Exam Type	Year (Asked/Trend)	Question	Options	Answer
SSC CGL	2023	Who composed the song “Jai Ho”?	(A) Shankar Mahadevan (B) A.R. Rahman (C) Vishal Bhardwaj (D) Pritam	(B) A.R. Rahman
Railway NTPC	2022	The song “Jai Ho” is from which movie?	(A) Rang De Basanti (B) Lagaan (C) Slumdog Millionaire (D) Swades	(C) Slumdog Millionaire
SSC CHSL	2021	“Jai Ho” won the Academy Award in which year?	(A) 2007 (B) 2008 (C) 2009 (D) 2010	(C) 2009
SSC MTS	2020	Who was the main playback singer of “Jai Ho”?	(A) Sonu Nigam (B) Sukhwinder Singh (C) Udit Narayan (D) Shaan	(B) Sukhwinder Singh
Railway Group D	2019	For which category did “Jai Ho” win the Oscar?	(A) Best Original Song (B) Best Background Score (C) Best Lyrics (D) Best Music Album	(A) Best Original Song
SSC CPO	2022	A.R. Rahman won how many Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire?	(A) One (B) Two (C) Three (D) Four	(B) Two

Conclusion (India’s First Musical Road Debuts in Mumbai)

The inaugural musical road in Mumbai, India, is a creative fusion of innovation, culture, and the safety of the population. The program facilitates responsible use of the roads by promoting discipline in driving by providing the experience in the form of music, in addition to improving the infrastructure in the urban areas. It points out how careful design can make day-to-day commuting more secure, smarter, and more interactive for motorists.

Puducherry Doctors Win Chang–Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026

February 13, 2026

The Aravind Eye Care System has two senior ophthalmologists who have been recognised to deserve the 2026 Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award because of their remarkable contributions to the field of eye health and humanitarian care, including Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R. Venkatesh. The award was given to acknowledge their efforts in fighting cataract blindness and increasing access to quality and affordable care of the eye. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation awards it every year to people whose contributions have played a major role in minimising avoidable blindness in the world. The award will take place at the ASCRS annual meeting in Washington DC in April 2026.

About: Chang–Crandall Humanitarian Award

The Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award is a humanitarian award given every year by the ASCRS Foundation, which is a section of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
It was founded in 2017 with a gracious gift by David and Victoria Chang to commemorate excellent humanitarian efforts in treating cataract blindness and disability in the world.
The award is given in recognition of outstanding accomplishments by an individual or an organisation operating in the United States or elsewhere in order to advance access to and the outcomes of eye care.
In honour of the recipient, a charitable ophthalmic organisation of his or her choice is given a $100,000 prize.
The award was renamed in 2020 to honour, as well as the humanitarian dedication of Dr Alan S. Crandall.

Contributions of Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R. Venkatesh

Dr Haripriya Aravind, the intraocular lens and cataract chief, has spearheaded high cataract care that has focused on patient outcomes and quality processes in large-scale environments.
Dr R. Venkatesh is a chief medical officer who is an expert in manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and has led outreach initiatives to provide affordable eye care to needy populations.
They both have played a key role in increasing access to eye care in Puducherry using the Aravind Eye Care model.
Their practice incorporates clinical excellence, innovation, training of young ophthalmologists and community service.
They have decided to put back the money obtained in the Chang-Crandall award to make non-profit eye care services sustainable.

Numerical PYQs on Eye and Lens

Exam	Year	Question	Options	Answer & Solution
SSC CGL	2023	A convex lens has a focal length of 20 cm. Find its power.	(A) +2 D (B) +5 D (C) –5 D (D) +4 D	(B) +5 D Solution: f = 20 cm = 0.20 m → P = 1/f = 1/0.20 = +5 D
Railway NTPC	2022	The power of a lens is –2 D. What is its focal length?	(A) –0.5 m (B) +0.5 m (C) –2 m (D) +2 m	(A) –0.5 m Solution: f = 1/P = 1/–2 = –0.5 m
SSC CHSL	2021	An object is placed at 2F of a convex lens. The image formed will be:	(A) At F (B) At 2F (C) Beyond 2F (D) At infinity	(B) At 2F Solution: Object at 2F → Image at 2F, same size, real & inverted
RRB JE	2020	A concave lens has a focal length of 25 cm. Calculate its power.	(A) –4 D (B) +4 D (C) –2.5 D (D) +2.5 D	(A) –4 D Solution: f = –25 cm = –0.25 m → P = 1/–0.25 = –4 D
SSC MTS	2019	A lens has power +2 D. What is the focal length?	(A) 0.5 m (B) 2 m (C) 0.2 m (D) 1 m	(A) 0.5 m Solution: f = 1/P = 1/2 = 0.5 m
Railway Group D	2018	If the focal length is 10 cm, what is its power?	(A) +10 D (B) –10 D (C) +0.1 D (D) +100 D	(A) +10 D Solution: f = 10 cm = 0.10 m → P = 1/0.10 = +10 D

Conclusion (Puducherry Doctors Win Chang–Crandall Award)

The Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award of Puducherry doctors indicates their excellent service to accessible and affordable eye care. Their efforts of preventable blindness elimination are the representation of clinical excellence and social responsibility, which makes the world see the role of India in developing humanitarian ophthalmology and community care services.

Delhi Govt Launches Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana for Girl Children

February 13, 2026

The Delhi government has introduced the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, which is an improved version of the Ladli Scheme, which aims at young girls by giving them long-term financial aid and ensuring their education till graduation. With this programme, it will deposit phased deposits amounting to approximately 56,000 in a girl Aadhaar linked account at a bank at significant school stages, and by the time of maturity, having gained interest, the sum is set to go well beyond the mark of 1 lakh to serve the purpose of curbing school dropouts in financial terms. This plan will be realised starting April 1, 2026, and will reinforce financial aid and enhance higher education among girl children in the economically disadvantaged households.

What Are The Objects of Lakhpatii Yojana?

The Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana focuses mainly on providing continuous education to girls from birth until graduation or diploma level using organised financial aid.
The programme is designed to minimise the number of girls who drop out of schools, particularly in those families which are not well off.
It aims to establish a long-term savings fund by depositing with the government at various stages of education.
This amount, plus the accrued interest, is supposed to increase to more than 1 lakh when the beneficiary becomes an adult.
The initiative aims to encourage higher learning and assist girls to graduate from secondary school and college.
It seeks to have a solution to gender inequity in education, whereby families should emphasise the education of girls.
The scheme increases financial security among girl children who may get assistance with education costs.
The money is deposited directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts with the purpose of making it transparent and properly delivered.
The programme promotes long-term financial planning for girls.
In general, it aims at empowering girls by providing educational support and economic empowerment, which enables them to be more independent and have more opportunities.

Important Scheme in India 2025

Scheme Name	Objective	State / National	Launched / Announced By
Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana	Increase productivity of pulses and oilseeds; support farmers and improve agricultural output	National	Union Budget 2025
PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana	Generate employment opportunities with EPF support for new workers	National	Ministry of Labour & Employment
Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)	Extend the rural employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days	National	Ministry of Rural Development
1,200 Vocational Skill Labs Initiative	Expand vocational and skill education infrastructure in schools	National	Ministry of Education
Micro-Enterprise Credit Card Scheme	Provide credit support up to ₹5 lakh for micro enterprises	National	MSME Ministry
SWAMIH Fund 2	Complete stalled affordable housing projects	National	Housing & Urban Affairs Ministry
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme	Promote the availability of educational books in Indian languages	National	Education Ministry
Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana	Provide a monthly allowance and skill training to unemployed graduates	Bihar	Government of Bihar
Charan Paduka Yojana	Provide footwear to tendu leaf collectors	Chhattisgarh	Government of Chhattisgarh

Conclusion (Lakhpatii Yojana)

Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana indicates the desire to support girls with orderly financial help, being connected with the education. The scheme will motivate girls to continue their education, decrease school dropouts, and become empowered in the long run by establishing a savings fund that allows them to mature and invest in their own secure and self-reliant future.

Goa Set to Release Its First Biodiversity and Culture Map

February 13, 2026

The first biodiversity and cultural map has officially been released in Goa, which was done through the support of WWF India. The new visual guide points out 48 species that are commonly distributed throughout the state, including catfish and mangroves as well as tigers and local birds, and matches them with the elements of the traditional Goan culture, such as Kaavi art. The map will be kid-friendly and distributed to the schools both electronically and physically as part of a larger initiative of reinforcing the environmental consciousness and relating the young learners to the natural and cultural heritage of the region.

Goa’s 1st biodiversity map on 48 species

Goa has also introduced the first biodiversity and cultural map in the state, which was created with the help of WWF-India.
The map includes 48 of the most frequent local species, including aquatic life, like catfish; mammal species, like tigers; several species of birds; insects; and mangrove species.
It links biodiversity to the Goan cultural heritage, including elements of Kaavi art.
The map is also kid-friendly, and this aspect will motivate children to be environmentally conscious and observe.
It was announced at the Goa Art and Literature Festival (GALF) 2026.
The copies will be distributed to Goan schools in print and electronic copies.
They are also offering large wall-sized versions to government and aided schools at no cost.
The chosen species are those that children are supposed to see in their natural environments.
The programme will be used to awaken interest and encourage a hands-on learning experience in classrooms.
It is also through the engagement of the teachers that WWF-India is assisting in making the map part of the environmental education initiatives.

PYQs on Biodiversity and Cultural

Exam	Year	Question	Options	Answer
SSC CGL	2022	The conservation of species outside their natural habitat is known as	(A) In-situ conservation (B) Ex-situ conservation (C) Biosphere reserve (D) Wildlife corridor	(B) Ex-situ conservation
SSC CHSL	2021	The Red Data Book contains information about:	(A) Medicinal plants (B) Endangered species (C) Forest cover (D) Polluted rivers	(B) Endangered species
SSC CGL	2020	Which of the following is an example of in situ conservation?	(A) Zoo (B) Botanical garden (C) National park (D) Seed bank	(C) National park
Railway NTPC	2021	Lichens are considered good indicators of:	(A) Water pollution (B) Soil fertility (C) Air pollution (D) Noise pollution	(C) Air pollution
Railway Group D	2019	The term “ecosystem” was first used by:	(A) Charles Darwin (B) A.G. Tansley (C) Mendel (D) Odum	(B) A.G. Tansley
RRB JE	2022	Jim Corbett National Park is located in:	(A) Rajasthan (B) Madhya Pradesh (C) Uttarakhand (D) Assam	(C) Uttarakhand
SSC CPO	2018	Biodiversity hotspots are regions with:	(A) Low species diversity (B) High endemic species and high threat (C) Desert vegetation (D) High rainfall only	(B) High endemic species and high threat
Railway NTPC	2020	Which of the following is a biodiversity hotspot in India?	(A) Western Ghats (B) Thar Desert (C) Indo-Gangetic Plain (D) Deccan Plateau	(A) Western Ghats

Biodiversity in India, Listed in UNESCO Sites

Name of Site	Location	Importance (Biodiversity Significance)	Year Listed by UNESCO
Kaziranga National Park	Assam	Home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros; rich grassland ecosystem with tigers and elephants	1985
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	Assam	Habitat of rare species like the golden langur and the pygmy hog, located in the Himalayan foothills	1985
Keoladeo National Park	Rajasthan	Important wetland and bird sanctuary; major migratory bird habitat	1985
Sundarbans National Park	West Bengal	Largest mangrove forest in the world; habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger	1987
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks	Uttarakhand	Alpine meadows with endemic Himalayan flora and fauna	1988 (extended 2005)
Western Ghats	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu	One of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with high endemic species	2012
Great Himalayan National Park	Himachal Pradesh	Rich alpine biodiversity; habitat of the snow leopard and Himalayan species	2014

Conclusion

The initial Biodiversity and Culture Map of Goa is a significant move towards ensuring that people, particularly the students, are linked with the natural resources and culture of the state. The act of highlighting 48 local species together with traditional forms of art brings about awareness, pride, and responsibility, which reinforce environmental education and long-term conservation due to community involvement.