Current Affairs - National

New Delhi is the city where the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited to partner with Bharat Taxi. This initiative makes Delhi the first state to collaborate with Bharat Taxi for providing technology-enabled and transparent taxi services. The partnership aims to enhance tourism and urban mobility by offering curated sightseeing circuits, improving last-mile connectivity, and deploying trained driver-ambassadors. The move is expected to modernize transportation services, ensure better commuter experiences, and strengthen the capital’s tourism infrastructure.

Second is India’s global rank in LEED-certified real estate space outside the United States. According to data from the US Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc., India stands just after Mainland China in terms of certified green building space. The country has recorded around 16 million square meters of LEED-certified space, reflecting significant progress in sustainable construction practices. Much of this growth has been driven by increased adoption of LEED Operations and Maintenance (O&M), highlighting a strong focus on improving energy efficiency in existing buildings across sectors such as offices, industry, retail, and education.

VOC Port, officially known as V.O. Chidambaranar Port at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, created history by becoming India’s first port to deploy an advanced anti-drone system. The system integrates radar and radio frequency technologies to provide 360-degree surveillance and real-time detection, tracking, and neutralisation of unauthorised drones. This initiative enhances the safety of port assets, personnel, and cargo while addressing emerging aerial threats. The deployment aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, positioning the port as a benchmark for technology-driven maritime security in India.

2035 is the target year set under NITI Aayog’s draft clean energy blueprint to transform Andhra Pradesh into a major renewable energy hub. The long-term roadmap focuses on large-scale expansion of solar and wind power, energy storage systems, and grid modernisation. Massive investments from private players are expected to support this transition while ensuring affordable electricity for consumers. By aligning energy planning with industrial growth and sustainability goals, the plan positions Andhra Pradesh as both a domestic clean power leader and a renewable energy export hub, contributing significantly to India’s broader energy transition objectives.

The National Biodiversity Authority launched the digital portal to enable online issuance of Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants, marking an important step in digitizing biodiversity-related regulatory processes. The portal facilitates easier access for stakeholders seeking Access and Benefit Sharing exemptions under the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023. By offering a single-window, end-to-end digital system, it significantly reduces procedural delays and improves transparency. The initiative supports sectors such as AYUSH, seed industries, and research institutions, ensuring smoother compliance with biodiversity regulations while promoting sustainable use and conservation of biological resources across the country.