Current Affairs - National

The Union Home Ministry introduced a significant policy change by increasing the reservation for ex-Agniveers in Group C (constable-level) posts of Central Armed Police Forces to 50%. This marks a major shift from the earlier 10% quota announced in 2022 and aims to address post-service employment concerns of Agniveers completing their four-year tenure. The enhanced 50% reservation is being implemented first in the Border Security Force and will be extended to other CAPFs through amended recruitment rules. The decision reflects adaptive policymaking in response to social, political, and employment-related feedback.

Bannerghatta Biological Park carried out the import of eight black-capped capuchin monkeys as part of an animal exchange programme with South Africa. The monkeys included an equal number of males and females and were sourced from Induna Primate and Parrot Park. After their arrival at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, they were shifted to a designated quarantine facility. This step follows established wildlife management and health protocols, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the existing fauna within the park.

Power Grid commissioned the Khavda II-B inter-state transmission project to facilitate the evacuation of 4.5 GW of renewable energy from the Khavda region of Gujarat, one of India’s largest renewable energy hubs. The project was implemented through Power Grid’s subsidiary under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route and achieved commercial operation from December 13. This transmission system plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s interstate power grid by enabling the large-scale integration of solar and wind energy, supporting the country’s renewable energy expansion and long-term clean energy goals.

AIIMS Vijaypur became the location for Jammu & Kashmir’s first Gen Z Post Office, reflecting India Post’s strategy to modernise postal services within educational and institutional campuses. The Gen Z Post Office model focuses on youth-centric, technology-enabled services designed to meet the expectations of younger users. AIIMS Vijaypur also earned the distinction of being the first AIIMS in the country to host such a facility. Alongside this, India Post expanded the concept further by launching its first Gen G Post Office in Karnataka at Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, highlighting a parallel effort to create inclusive, community-focused postal service hubs for the general population.

The India CPSE Consultative Conference was organised in New Delhi by the Capacity Building Commission in collaboration with the Department of Public Enterprises. The event focused on enhancing the role of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in India’s long-term development vision. It aimed to align CPSE capacity-building initiatives with Mission Karmayogi, a national programme designed to improve governance, leadership capabilities, and institutional efficiency. By bringing together key stakeholders, the conference emphasised collaboration, skill development, and strategic reforms to strengthen CPSE performance, supporting the broader goal of achieving Developed India by 2047.