Summary
February 2026 saw key constitutional and legal developments: the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee Report flagged “creeping centralization” and proposed federal reforms. Kerala’s renaming to Keralam progressed. The Supreme Court of India delivered rulings on spectrum, PMLA, and taxation, while labour reforms advanced through the Industrial Relations Code Amendment Bill, 2026.
Detailed Analysis
1. Major Governance Schemes & Welfare Updates
A. PM RAHAT Scheme (Launched Feb 13, 2026)
The Union Cabinet approved the Road Accident Holistic Action for Treatment (PM RAHAT) scheme, a transformative step in emergency healthcare.
- Mechanism: Provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for the first 7 days (the "Golden Hour" and beyond) at any empanelled hospital.
- Technology Link: It integrates the eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) of the Transport Ministry with the TMS 2.0 of the National Health Authority.
- Accountability: Stabilization treatment is mandated for 24–48 hours based on life-threatening status, subject to digital police authentication.
- Mains Dimension: This operationalizes the Right to Health and reduces Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE), which often pushes families into poverty after accidents.
B. Lakhpati Didi 2.0 (Target Revised to 6 Crore)
The government achieved its initial target of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis ahead of schedule and has now doubled the goal.
- Revised Target: To create 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029.
- Definition: An SHG member earning a sustainable annual household income of ₹1 lakh or more.
- Governance Strategy: Focuses on shifting women from "subsistence livelihood" to "formal enterprise ownership" through digital financial literacy and market access (SHE-Marts).
- Mains Dimension: Highlights the transition from "Welfare" to "Entrepreneurship-led Empowerment" in rural India.
2. Urban & Institutional Governance
A. Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)
Approved on February 13, 2026, with a central assistance of ₹1 lakh crore, this scheme marks a paradigm shift in urban financing.
- The "Challenge Mode": Funds are not given as unconditional grants; cities must compete by proposing bankable projects and implementing urban reforms.
- Funding Model: The Centre provides 25% funding, provided the city/state raises 50% from the market (Municipal Bonds, PPPs, etc.).
- Inclusivity: For the first time, small towns (population <1 lakh) and Hilly/NE states are supported through a Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme (up to ₹7 crore).
- Mains Dimension: Promotes Fiscal Federalism and forces Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to improve their own internal resource mobilization.
B. NITI Aayog: Viksit Bharat @ 2047 Roadmaps
NITI Aayog released a landmark series of 11 study reports in February detailing the path to 2047.
- The "Net Zero" Alignment: For the first time, the government-led study integrated the Viksit Bharat vision with the 2070 Net Zero goal.
- Key Targets: 100% door-to-door solid waste collection and treatment of all wastewater by 2047.
- Tech Services Roadmap: Outlined how India’s tech sector can scale to $850 billion by 2035 by shifting from labor-arbitrage to IP-led and AI-platform-driven delivery.
3. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) & AI Governance
A. India AI Impact Summit 2026 & New Delhi Declaration
Concluding in late February, this summit redefined global AI governance through the Global South's perspective.
- The Declaration: Endorsed by 91 countries, focusing on AI's impact on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
- New Regulations: Effective February 20, 2026, new rules require permanent metadata and visible labeling for all AI-altered photos or videos to combat deepfakes.
- AI Commons: India advocated for making compute power and datasets accessible to developing nations to prevent a "Digital Divide."