The Lucknow Convergence: 9 Lakh Crores, RSS Centenary, and the "Big Board" Pressure

Townhall Times, New Delhi

Reporter: Bhavika Kalra

Lucknow is currently the most crowded city in India, not just by population, but by stakes. Today, February 17, 2026, marks the intersection of three massive events: the largest-ever state budget is being debated, CBSE board exams have just kicked off, and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has arrived for a high-octane centenary visit. The capital isn’t just humming; it’s vibrating.

The ₹9.12 Lakh Crore Gambit: “Farewell” or “Foundation”?

Finance Minister Suresh Khanna recently tabled a ₹9,12,899 crore budget—a figure that would have been unthinkable five years ago.

The “Triple S” Model: The government is pitching its growth on Safety, Stability, and Speed. This isn’t just rhetoric; they’ve allocated ₹1.78 lakh crore specifically for capital outlay (building things like the Ganga Expressway and the Lucknow State Capital Region).
The AI Hub: In a surprise move, Lucknow is being officially branded as the “AI Hub of the North,” with dedicated funds for a tech-ecosystem meant to stop the “brain drain” to Bengaluru.
The Opposition Fire: Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav has dubbed this the “Farewell Budget,” claiming that despite the massive numbers, the government hasn’t even spent 50% of last year’s allocation in key sectors like Animal Husbandry.

RSS @ 100: Mohan Bhagwat’s Lucknow “Manthan”

As the RSS enters its centenary year, Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat landed in Lucknow this morning for a two-day “Prabuddhjan” (Intellectual) outreach.

The agenda: This isn’t a political rally, but it is deeply strategic. Bhagwat is holding “Kutumb Milans” (Family Gatherings) and “Samajjik Sadbhav” (Social Harmony) meetings.
The Signal: Coming right after the budget, his presence is seen as a move to reinforce the ideological “spine” of the state ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

The Board Exam Fever: 17th February D-Day

While the politicians argue, millions of students across UP are facing their own “budget session.” Today marks the start of the CBSE Class 10 and 12 Theory Exams.

Strict Vigil: To prevent the “cheating mafias” of the past, the state has deployed a triple-layer security—CCTV streaming directly to a central Lucknow command center, voice-recording invigilation, and “Special Task Force” (STF) patrols near sensitive zones.
Mental Health Shift: For the first time, “Vikas Bhawan” helplines aren’t just for farmers; they are now active 24/7 for exam-related stress, reflecting a shift in how the state views its youth.

The “Trillion Dollar” Clock is Ticking

Every speech in the Assembly today had one common phrase: “One Trillion Dollar Economy.” * The Math: To hit that mark, UP needs to grow at roughly 30% GSDP, a target that experts call “ambitious” and the opposition calls “hallucination.”

The Ground Reality: With over 50 lakh crores in MoUs signed at the recent Global Investors Summit, the government is banking on the Jewar International Airport and the Defence Corridor to bridge the gap.

📊 Part 1: The ₹9.12 Lakh Crore Budget (FY 2026-27)

The “Trillion Dollar Roadmap” is no longer just a slogan; the fiscal math for this year is heavily skewed toward Asset Creation (Capex) rather than just administrative spending.

Sector	Allocation (Approx)	Key Projects / Targets
Education	₹1,13,000 Cr (12.4%)	40 Lakh tablets/smartphones; “Smart School” upgrades for all primary schools.
Infrastructure	₹2,10,000 Cr (Capex)	Ganga Expressway completion; Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed Rail corridor.
Agriculture	₹82,000 Cr (9%)	Agri-Export Hub (UP-AGREES); ₹3,000 Cr boost to Sugarcane prices.
Healthcare	₹54,700 Cr (6%)	14 new Medical Colleges; Trauma Centers in every district hospital.
AI & Tech	₹2,059 Cr	Uttar Pradesh AI Mission; “U-Hubs” in Lucknow & Noida.

The “Hidden” Number: The state has set a 3% Fiscal Deficit target, keeping it strictly within the Finance Commission’s limits while aiming for a 13.4% GSDP growth.

📅 Part 2: The CBSE 2026 “Battle Plan”

The exams started today (Feb 17). This year is unique because of the “Dual-Board” mandatory attempt for Class 10.

Class 10 (High School) – Key Dates

Feb 17: Mathematics (Standard & Basic) — Completed today
Feb 21: English (Language & Literature)
Feb 25: Science
Mar 2: Hindi (Course A & B)
Mar 7: Social Science

Class 12 (Intermediate) – Key Dates

Feb 17: Entrepreneurship / Biotechnology — Completed today
Feb 20: Physics
Feb 24: Accountancy
Feb 28: Chemistry
Mar 24: Mathematics / Applied Maths

The Digital Shift: For the first time, Class 12 answer sheets are undergoing On-Screen Marking (OSM). Every page is scanned and evaluated digitally to prevent “totaling errors” and speed up the results.

🚩 Part 3: RSS Centenary Visit (Mohan Bhagwat in Lucknow)

The RSS Chief isn’t just visiting; he is conducting a “Social Audit” of the organization’s outreach as it hits the 100-year mark.

Feb 17-18: Four closed-door sessions at the RSS Mahanagar unit.
The “Kutumb Milan”: A focus on “Family Values” to counter digital isolation among youth.
The Political Angle: While officially non-political, the timing alongside the budget session allows for a direct feedback loop between the Sangh’s grassroots cadre and the state leadership.