Current Affairs - National

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has launched a new Medical Application Portal specifically designed for laboratories applying under ISO 15189:2022. This standard is globally recognised for defining quality and competence requirements in medical laboratories, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and safety in diagnostic testing. The digital portal simplifies application processes, offers real-time status tracking, and introduces multi-user access for better accountability. By streamlining accreditation procedures, it aims to enhance India’s healthcare infrastructure, reduce human errors, and speed up approvals. Accreditation under ISO 15189:2022 strengthens trust in diagnostic services, making it critical for patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) collaborated with IIT Guwahati to work on developing biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics. This partnership is focused on addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution by creating sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for railway operations as well as passenger services. As part of the first phase of the project, eco-friendly green bed-roll bags were introduced on NFR trains, marking a significant step toward reducing non-biodegradable waste. This initiative not only strengthens India’s fight against plastic pollution but also demonstrates the role of academic–industry partnerships in driving impactful environmental innovation.

India’s first all-women operated clean street food hub, named “Mauli,” was inaugurated in Kandivani, Mumbai by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is also the MP from North Mumbai. The hub is completely managed by women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), highlighting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship in the food sector. These women were trained under the FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) initiative to ensure that food businesses meet high standards of hygiene, safety, and cleanliness. This milestone reflects a step forward in both gender inclusivity and the promotion of safe, hygienic street food culture in urban India.

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a 1984-batch IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been entrusted with additional charge as the Governor of Nagaland after the vacancy left by the passing of La Ganesan. Bhalla has had an extensive career, having served as the Union Home Secretary for nearly five years until August 22, 2024. He was appointed as the Governor of Manipur on January 3, 2025, and now expands his responsibilities to Nagaland as well. His administrative experience and leadership are seen as vital in handling key governance matters in the northeastern region of India.

Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, launched a new facility in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka, dedicated to producing the iPhone 17. This unit is Foxconn’s second-largest plant globally outside of China, emphasizing Bengaluru’s growing importance as a global technology and manufacturing hub. The new facility strengthens India’s role in Apple’s international supply chain, signaling a strategic shift in diversifying production beyond China. With Bengaluru already known as India’s “Silicon Valley,” this development reinforces the city’s status as a critical center for advanced electronics manufacturing and innovation, while also boosting India’s presence in the global smartphone industry.