Daily Current Affairs and GK | 29 January 2026

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. Gujarat government will provide financial support of Rs 1,250 crore in the 2025-26 academic year under the Namo Laxmi Scheme.

• Over 12 lakh girls studying in secondary and higher secondary education will get this support.
• Namo Laxmi Scheme aims to ensure that lack of finances do not prevent girls from continuing and completing their education after primary schooling.
• The scheme was introduced under the guidance of CM Bhupendra Patel.
• Its implementation is being overseen by Education Minister Dr Praduman Vaja and State Education Minister Rivaba Jadeja.
• The scheme provides benefit to students enrolled in schools recognised by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
• The scheme is also open to girls who are already beneficiaries of other government scholarships.
• As part of the scheme, students in Classes 9 to 12 will receive total financial support of Rs 50,000 over four years.
• For Classes 9 and 10, the total support is Rs 20,000.
• The scheme is also intended to enhance adolescent nutrition and health.
• Eligibility requires completion of Classes 1 to 8 in government or aided schools.
• Students covered under the RTE are also eligible. Those who completed Class 8 in private schools are also included.
• Family income must not exceed Rs six lakh per year. Eligible students can apply when enrolling in Class 9.

Topic: Personality in News

2. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash at Baramati, Maharashtra.

• According to Civil Aviation Ministry, the aircraft involved was a Learjet 45 (VT-SSK). The plane was operated by VSR.
• The crash occurred while the aircraft was landing at Baramati airport.
• There were five people on board the flight. Ajit Pawar was one of the passengers. None of the five people survived the crash.
• Ajit Pawar was popularly known as ‘Dada’ across Maharashtra.
• He was a dominant and influential leader in state politics. He represented the Baramati Assembly constituency many times.
• He was elected from Baramati seven times beginning in 1991.
• His political career spanned more than three decades and he held several important ministerial positions.
• He led a major split in the Nationalist Congress Party and then joined the Eknath Shinde-led government.
• Since then, he had been serving as Deputy Chief Minister.
• The Maharashtra government declared a holiday across the state and announced three days of official state mourning.