Current Affairs - National

The Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh was inaugurated at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi by the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice. Launched on 18th July 2025 by Union Minister of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, this wellness facility marks a significant step toward promoting physical and mental well-being among women employees in government offices. Developed from a repurposed garage, the space includes a fully equipped gym and a private lactation room, reflecting a shift in workplace culture that prioritises inclusivity, health, and self-care. The initiative aligns with the Fit India Movement and Viksit Bharat vision.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes 2.0 (NSCSTI 2.0) in New Delhi at the Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI). This initiative, developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), aims to enhance the training framework for civil services by focusing more on outcomes. It reduces the evaluation metrics from 59 to 43, making the system more streamlined and performance-driven. Inputs from over 160 CSTIs, domain experts, and assessors contributed to its creation, and the approach includes hybrid learning to meet future-ready training goals.

Mysuru made a significant comeback in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 by entering the prestigious Super Swachh League, becoming the only city from Karnataka to achieve this distinction. Recognised for consistent sanitation excellence, the city showcased effective civic engagement, strong sanitation systems, and impactful cleanliness campaigns led by both the administration and local communities. This accomplishment is particularly meaningful given Mysuru’s earlier status as India’s cleanest city in 2016 and affirms its long-term commitment to sustainable urban hygiene. The Super Swachh League designation highlights not just cleanliness at a point in time but sustained performance, making Mysuru a model for other cities aiming for holistic urban cleanliness.

The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, recently approved by the Union Cabinet, is focused on enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting crop diversification. This ambitious scheme targets 100 districts that have been specifically identified due to their low agricultural productivity, limited cropping intensity, and insufficient credit flow. The initiative also emphasises sustainable farming practices, better post-harvest storage solutions, improved irrigation systems, and increased access to credit for farmers. By focusing on these 100 districts, the government aims to uplift underperforming agricultural regions and ensure a more balanced and productive agricultural landscape across the country.

The revival of the historic Machilipatnam port in Andhra Pradesh is a major infrastructure project with its completion expected by the end of 2026. Construction is already nearly halfway done, with workers operating in two shifts and major engineering tasks like dredging and breakwater building underway. The project faced several delays since 2007, but gained momentum after the formation of the Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation in 2020. With an investment of ₹5,155 crore, the first phase includes four berths and uses advanced techniques like tetrapod placement to manage sea waves. The operational target year is set for 2026, promising significant regional economic growth.