Current Affairs - National

The Asian Development Bank approved a $400 million results-based lending program aimed at strengthening rural and state road networks across Maharashtra. The initiative focuses on improving nearly 2,577 km of rural roads and 350 km of state highways, enhancing access to markets, education, healthcare, and public services for more than 1.7 million people. It also integrates climate-resilient designs, multi-hazard risk assessments, and advanced maintenance systems to address extreme weather challenges. Additionally, the project emphasizes gender inclusion, youth engagement, road safety enhancements through iRAP methodologies, and the development of digital planning systems, ensuring comprehensive and sustainable regional growth.

The World Bank approved a total of $776 million to support major reform-oriented projects in Punjab and Maharashtra. The funding is divided between two key initiatives: the POISE project in Punjab aimed at improving education quality through digital tools, teacher training, and performance-based systems, and the POCRA Phase II project in Maharashtra designed to promote climate-resilient agriculture using precision-farming technologies. These projects collectively aim to benefit more than 60 lakh people, including students, farmers, and early childhood learners. With long-term loan tenures and a strong emphasis on innovation, inclusion, and sustainability, the World Bank intends to drive measurable improvements in learning outcomes and agricultural resilience.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has established a four-member committee to undertake comprehensive cadre restructuring with the goal of improving operational efficiency and service delivery. Led by BP Sharma, the committee will evaluate the current organisational structure, identify gaps, streamline workflows, and propose reforms that align with the organisation’s growing responsibilities in a rapidly digitising ecosystem. With rising demands from EPF subscribers and new service expansions to gig and unorganised sector workers, the restructuring aims to ensure timely claim processing, enhanced grievance redressal, and improved customer support. The committee is expected to submit its detailed recommendations by March 31, 2026.

Jaipur served as the main host city for the 5th Khelo India University Games, with the grand inauguration held at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium on November 24, 2025. The city hosted major sporting disciplines such as athletics, shooting, archery, badminton, and hockey. This edition marked the first time Rajasthan hosted the Games, extending events across multiple cities including Udaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur. With nearly 7,000 participants, the event celebrated youth sports, Rajasthan’s cultural heritage, and India’s commitment to nurturing university-level athletes under the Khelo India initiative.

India holds the 36th position in the Commitment to Development Index (CDI) 2025, which evaluates how effectively countries contribute to global development through a variety of policy measures rather than focusing solely on foreign aid. The index, published by the Centre for Global Development, assesses eight different policy components, offering a comprehensive perspective on each nation’s developmental engagement. India’s placement at 36th among 38 countries highlights both its strengths and areas needing improvement. While the nation demonstrates progress in certain policy areas, it still faces challenges that limit its overall ranking compared to the top performers like Sweden, Germany, and Norway.