Current Affairs - National

India and Bhutan have agreed to develop two cross-border rail projects: Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse, with a total investment of ₹4,033 crore. These projects, announced by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will connect key Bhutanese cities—Gelephu and Samtse—to India via rail routes originating from Kokrajhar in Assam and Banarhat in West Bengal. The initiatives aim to enhance bilateral connectivity, facilitate trade and travel, and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two nations. These rail links mark a significant step in improving regional transportation infrastructure and cross-border cooperation.

India achieved its best-ever position in the SDG Index 2025, ranking 99th out of 167 countries, an improvement from 109th in 2024. This rise reflects progress in infrastructure and basic services, although challenges remain in achieving SDG 3 related to Good Health and Well-being. Key issues include maternal and child mortality rates, life expectancy, out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, and incomplete immunisation coverage. To enhance progress, measures such as universal health insurance, strengthening primary health centres, school health education, cross-sectoral coordination, and accelerated implementation of schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan are recommended.

India’s first fleet of electric heavy-duty trucks with swappable batteries was launched at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) on September 25, 2025. The initiative, flagged off by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, is a major step toward decarbonising port operations and promoting sustainable logistics. The EV fleet features quick battery-swapping technology to minimise downtime, improve energy efficiency, and reduce emissions. With plans to convert 90% of JNPA’s 600-truck fleet to electric by December 2026, the project demonstrates the commercial viability of green logistics, supports India’s maritime competitiveness, and aligns with national initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and Maritime India Vision 2030.

The 28th National Conference on e-Governance was hosted in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on September 23, 2025, where the landmark declaration on India’s digital transformation was adopted. Organised by DARPG, MeitY, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the conference focused on the theme “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation.” The declaration emphasised the role of advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and data analytics in governance, along with priorities such as cybersecurity, digital literacy, and inclusive growth. Visakhapatnam was also endorsed as a future IT and innovation hub, underlining its significance in India’s digital journey.

The 49th meeting of PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2025. This ICT-enabled platform is a key governance tool developed by the Prime Minister’s Office to fast-track development projects, improve coordination between the Centre and States, and ensure timely delivery of public assets. In this meeting, eight major projects worth ₹65,000 crore across sectors such as mining, railways, water resources, industrial corridors, and power were reviewed. Modi emphasised timely execution, resolving bottlenecks, and adopting a result-oriented approach to accelerate India’s infrastructure growth.