Current Affairs - National

Zoho played a crucial supporting role in the development of India’s first Made-in-India MRI scanner by backing the medtech startup VoxelGrids. This support enabled the startup to design and manufacture a 1.5-tesla MRI machine entirely within the country, significantly reducing reliance on imported diagnostic equipment. The indigenous MRI is around 40% cheaper than foreign alternatives and does not require liquid helium, making it more cost-effective and sustainable. Zoho’s backing aligns with the goals of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, strengthening domestic innovation, improving affordable healthcare access, and boosting India’s medical technology ecosystem.

The integration of NATGRID with the National Population Register significantly strengthens India’s intelligence and law-enforcement framework. NPR is a comprehensive, family-wise database of usual residents of India, maintained under the Citizenship Act. By linking NATGRID with NPR, agencies gain access to verified demographic and familial relationships, enabling deeper network analysis and faster identification of suspects. This integration supports counter-terrorism, crime detection, and tracking of movement patterns by combining real-time intelligence with reliable population data, thereby improving coordination, accuracy, and efficiency in criminal investigations across authorised agencies.

Indian Railways has set a clear long-term target to double the originating train capacity in 48 major cities by the year 2030. This timeline aligns with broader efforts to modernise rail infrastructure and address rapidly growing passenger demand in urban and peri-urban areas. The plan includes expanding terminals, constructing new platforms, developing additional stabling and maintenance facilities, and upgrading signalling systems. By setting 2030 as the milestone, the initiative aims to future-proof the rail network, reduce congestion at busy stations, improve punctuality, and enhance overall passenger comfort while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Two new airlines received No Objection Certificates from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, marking an important step toward expanding competition in India’s domestic aviation sector. These approvals allow Al Hind Air and FlyExpress to proceed toward commercial operations, expected to begin in 2026. Another airline, Shankh Air from Uttar Pradesh, which already has an NOC, is expected to begin operations in 2026. Granting NOCs signifies that the airlines have met key regulatory requirements related to ownership, financial strength, and security. At a time when the market is dominated by a few major players, the entry of new carriers is expected to improve competition, enhance connectivity on underserved routes, and contribute to a more resilient and balanced aviation ecosystem.

Mumbai achieved the 5th position in the World’s Best Food Cities list released under the TasteAtlas World Food Awards 2025–26. This recognition highlights Mumbai’s rich and diverse culinary landscape, which blends street food traditions with regional and global cuisines. Although Italian cities dominated the top ranks, Mumbai’s placement reflects its growing international reputation as a major food destination. The presence of six Indian cities in the top 100 further underscores India’s expanding influence in global food tourism. These rankings also indicate how gastronomy is playing an increasingly important role in shaping travel choices worldwide.