Current Affairs - National

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the declaration of Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an International Airport. Madurai Airport is among the oldest airports in the state and serves as an important gateway to Southern Tamil Nadu. Granting international status is expected to improve regional and global connectivity, facilitating greater trade and economic activity. The decision will also boost tourism and pilgrimage since Madurai is widely known as the “Temple City” and is home to several historically and culturally significant sites. Increased international flights are likely to attract more visitors, businesses, and investors, contributing to the overall economic and infrastructure development of the region.

NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to encourage technological and scientific solutions aimed at improving climate resilience in rural India. The initiative focuses on developing near-term climate hazard forecasting models and user-friendly dashboards that can support agriculture and rural livelihoods. It is built upon NABARD’s existing climate data platform, DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture), which aims to evolve into a comprehensive digital public infrastructure for climate intelligence. The challenge is organised in partnership with the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors and offers prizes of ₹15 lakh, ₹10 lakh, and ₹5 lakh to promote innovative and scalable climate solutions.

New Delhi witnessed the inauguration of India’s first fully operational Ring Metro with the completion of the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro network. The Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur section completed the entire circular corridor of about 71.56 km, enabling seamless connectivity across various parts of the city without requiring frequent line changes. The project includes significant infrastructure such as a new bridge over the Yamuna River and a double-decker viaduct that carries both metro tracks and a road flyover. Alongside this, a key stretch of the Magenta Line was also inaugurated to improve connectivity in North Delhi. These developments aim to reduce congestion, improve commuting efficiency, and strengthen the capital’s public transportation system.

Lakshadweep, located in the Arabian Sea, faces persistent freshwater shortages due to limited groundwater reserves, salinity intrusion, and heavy reliance on seasonal rainfall. To address these challenges, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has implemented advanced solutions such as Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants across several islands. These plants utilise the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep-sea water to produce drinking water. Additionally, India’s first Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)-powered desalination facility is being developed in Kavaratti. This project aims to generate electricity and potable water simultaneously, reduce dependence on diesel-based power, and enhance long-term water and energy security for the islands.

The NHCX Hackathon was organised by the National Health Authority as part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at creating a comprehensive digital health ecosystem. The hackathon encouraged innovators to develop open-source solutions to streamline and standardise health insurance claims through the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX). It focused on improving interoperability, converting legacy systems to FHIR standards, and structuring clinical data for efficient claims processing. ABDM also includes important digital components such as ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) and the Health Facility Registry, which together aim to enhance digital healthcare infrastructure, improve transparency, and ensure seamless access to health services across India.