Current Affairs - National

Global Research and Development expenditure reached $2.87 trillion in 2024, reflecting a 3% year-on-year increase and nearly tripling since 2000. Asia accounts for 45% of the total global share, highlighting the region’s growing innovation capacity. China leads global R&D spending with $785.9 billion, slightly ahead of the United States at $781.8 billion. India holds the 7th position with an expenditure of $75.7 billion. Although India’s R&D spending has grown more than threefold since 2000, it remains about one-tenth of China’s total outlay, indicating scope for further expansion.

India’s doctor-population ratio has improved significantly, reaching 1:811, which is better than the World Health Organisation’s prescribed norm of 1:1000. This improvement is based on the Health Dynamics 2022–23 report that considers 13.88 lakh allopathic and 7.51 lakh AYUSH doctors, assuming 80% of them are actively available for service. The strengthened healthcare workforce indicates progress in medical infrastructure and human resource planning. Additionally, government support through initiatives like the National Health Mission has contributed to addressing gaps in healthcare personnel across states, enhancing overall public health service delivery.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a protocol regarding the proper rendition of Vande Mataram during official events. It directed that when performed along with Jana Gana Mana, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram must be sung first. The official version has a prescribed duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds and is mandated at key government functions. During its rendition, the audience is required to stand in attention as a mark of respect, except in specific contexts such as film screenings. Educational institutions are also encouraged to begin the day with community singing.

New Delhi is the city where the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited to partner with Bharat Taxi. This initiative makes Delhi the first state to collaborate with Bharat Taxi for providing technology-enabled and transparent taxi services. The partnership aims to enhance tourism and urban mobility by offering curated sightseeing circuits, improving last-mile connectivity, and deploying trained driver-ambassadors. The move is expected to modernize transportation services, ensure better commuter experiences, and strengthen the capital’s tourism infrastructure.

Second is India’s global rank in LEED-certified real estate space outside the United States. According to data from the US Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc., India stands just after Mainland China in terms of certified green building space. The country has recorded around 16 million square meters of LEED-certified space, reflecting significant progress in sustainable construction practices. Much of this growth has been driven by increased adoption of LEED Operations and Maintenance (O&M), highlighting a strong focus on improving energy efficiency in existing buildings across sectors such as offices, industry, retail, and education.