Current Affairs - National

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of 26 judges to the Allahabad High Court, which is currently struggling with a record number of vacancies. Out of a sanctioned strength of 160 judges, only 84 are in position, leaving 76 seats vacant—nearly half the court’s capacity. The fresh recommendations consist of 14 judicial officers and 12 advocates, including two senior women lawyers, Garima Parshad and Swarupama Chaturvedi. This move represents one of the largest single batches of recommendations for any High Court in recent years. By strengthening the Allahabad High Court, the initiative aims to reduce case backlogs, improve efficiency, and ensure faster delivery of justice while also promoting greater gender diversity in the judiciary.

Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, was ranked as the safest city for women in India in the NARI 2025 report released by the National Commission for Women (NCW). The rankings were based on feedback from 12,770 women across 31 major cities and considered parameters like workplace safety, trust in authorities, harassment reporting, and night-time mobility. Kohima’s first-place ranking highlights the strong safety culture, community vigilance, and gender inclusivity present in Nagaland. Along with Aizawl and Gangtok, the Northeast region showcased a dominant presence in the top five, reflecting its positive approach toward women’s security and urban well-being.

DGCA granted safety clearance to Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt Ltd, making India only the second country in the Asia Pacific region after Malaysia to adopt this robust ICAO-aligned safety framework. This clearance highlights the country’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety standards by strengthening safety management systems (SMS) and ensuring stricter regulatory oversight in ground handling operations. Such a move ensures operational efficiency, passenger safety, and compliance with global standards, reinforcing Air India SATS’ reputation as a reliable ground-handling service provider in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.

The Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited was launched with the core aim of providing credit access for rural women entrepreneurs through a digital, transparent, and affordable financial model. With an initial infusion of ₹105 crore, the cooperative seeks to empower over 20 lakh women by enabling them to start or expand income-generating activities in small businesses, agriculture, and rural services. Unlike microfinance institutions that often charge high interest, this initiative offers low-interest loans directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. It strengthens Bihar’s self-help group ecosystem, enhances financial inclusion, and aligns with women-led development schemes like Lakhpati Didi and Bank Sakhi.

The Kapas Kisan App was launched to empower cotton farmers by digitizing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement process. It provides farmers with a transparent and farmer-first platform where they can self-register, book delivery slots, and track payments in real time. By cutting out middlemen and reducing paperwork delays, the app ensures timely transactions and prevents distress sales, protecting farmers from volatile market conditions. Supporting multiple Indian languages, the app is designed for inclusivity and ease of use. This initiative not only enhances farmer welfare but also aligns with Digital India and agri-tech innovation goals to modernise the cotton sector.