Current Affairs - National

Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat has achieved the distinction of becoming Rajasthan’s first fully organic village body by completely adopting chemical-free farming practices across its seven hamlets. Farmers in the village have stopped using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified inputs, relying instead on natural manure, compost, crop rotation, and biological pest control. This collective transition highlights strong community participation and effective implementation of sustainable agricultural methods. The achievement is especially significant given Rajasthan’s challenging agro-climatic conditions, demonstrating that organic farming can improve soil health, support sustainable livelihoods, and align with national climate and organic farming goals.

Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima is an optional health insurance scheme launched by the Finance Ministry for beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The policy, offered by New India Assurance, provides coverage of ₹10–20 lakh with flexible co-payment options, discounted premiums, and comprehensive hospitalisation benefits. It complements existing CGHS provisions, covering pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, and includes cumulative bonuses for claim-free years. By combining affordability, flexibility, and financial protection, the scheme enhances access to quality healthcare for central government employees and pensioners while promoting risk mitigation against rising medical costs.

The National Highways Authority of India achieved a major milestone by setting four Guinness World Records for bituminous paving on the NH-544G economic corridor connecting Bengaluru, Kadapa, and Vijayawada. The records included laying 28.89 lane-kilometres of pavement and using 10,655 metric tonnes of bitumen within 24 hours near Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh on January 6, 2026. A second record followed on January 11, 2026, with 57,500 metric tonnes of bitumen and 156 lane-kilometres of paving completed, surpassing previous global benchmarks and highlighting India’s growing infrastructure execution capabilities.

Jio has announced plans to launch a people-first artificial intelligence platform designed to make AI accessible, affordable, and inclusive for citizens. The platform will be built in India with the objective of enabling users to access AI services in their own languages and on their personal devices. To support this initiative, Jio is developing India’s largest AI-ready data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which will provide the necessary infrastructure for large-scale deployment. The initiative reflects a broader vision of digital inclusion, productivity enhancement, and positioning India as a global leader in artificial intelligence innovation.

Akasa Air’s entry into the International Air Transport Association marks an important milestone for India’s aviation sector. By becoming the fifth Indian airline to join IATA, Akasa joins established carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet in the global aviation body. The membership was achieved after clearing the IATA Operational Safety Audit, confirming compliance with international safety standards. This development strengthens Akasa’s global credibility, allows participation in international aviation policy discussions, and supports the airline’s long-term expansion plans amid rapid growth in India’s aviation market.