SNIPPETS 16 FEBRUARY 2026

Electoral Trust: Based on the Electoral Trusts Scheme, 2013 and Income Tax Rules, 1962  these are non-profit companies+  To receive contributions from donors and distribute them to registered political parties facilitating transparent political funding+ Registration: By Central board of Direct Taxes+ They need to distribute at least 95% of the contributions received during the year to eligible political parties

Urban Challenge Fund: A ₹1 lakh-crore Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) was approved by the Union Cabinet+ Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26+Focus Areas: Cities as Growth Hubs, Creative Redevelopment of Cities , Water and Sanitation+ UCF will finance up to 25% of project costs+ At least 50% of funding must come from market sources like:Municipal bonds, Bank loans, Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Technology Services – Reimagination Ahead Roadmap: A strategic 10-year blueprint prepared by the NITI Frontier Tech Hub+ Aimed at transforming India’s technology services sector from a labour-arbitrage model to an AI-native, IP-led, and platform-driven ecosystem+ Scaling the sector from billion to 850 billion by 2035+ Moving from back-office outsourcing to global AI system architecture leadership+ Strengthening India’s position in next-generation digital infrastructure and AI services

Dal Lake: Urban freshwater lake and wetland ecosystem, often called the Jewel in the crown of Kashmir+ Located in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir+ Part of the Kashmir Valley lacustrine (lake-formed) system+ Hydrologically connected to the Jhelum River system+ Covers about 18 sq km, forming part of a larger 21 sq km wetland system