Current Affairs - National

The Union Cabinet has approved the conduct of the Census of India in the year 2027, marking a significant milestone as it will be the country’s first completely digital census. This will be the 16th national census and the 8th since independence. Scheduled in two phases, the houselisting and housing census will take place from April to September 2026, followed by population enumeration in February 2027. The digital approach is expected to improve data accuracy, speed of collection, accessibility, and policy relevance while covering the entire population of the country.

Kolkata, often referred to as the football capital of India, has unveiled a massive 70-foot iron statue of Lionel Messi, making it the largest statue of the Argentine football icon in the world. The statue has been installed at Lake Town in South Dum Dum and was created by the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club. This initiative highlights the city’s deep-rooted passion for football and its admiration for international football stars. Adding to its global significance, Lionel Messi himself is set to virtually inaugurate the statue, drawing international attention.

The month-long campaign was carried out on a major metro network operating in the national capital region, making New Delhi the focal point of this initiative. As the seat of the Union Government, New Delhi is a strategic location for public awareness drives launched by the Union Health Ministry in collaboration with global organizations such as the WHO. The city’s extensive metro network enables wide outreach among daily commuters, ensuring effective dissemination of messages related to women’s health, safety, mental health, tuberculosis awareness, and legal compliance. This initiative also aligns with broader national programs like Ayushman Bharat, emphasizing the role of healthy women in nation-building.

Lucknow has taken the lead in Uttar Pradesh in terms of rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme. With over 62,000 rooftop solar setups, the city has played a key role in pushing the state beyond the milestone of three lakh installations. The scheme, launched in 2024, aims to provide affordable and clean energy by offering subsidies that enable households to generate their own electricity and receive up to 300 free units per month. Lucknow’s performance highlights effective implementation, public participation, and growing awareness of renewable energy benefits.

NABARD has provided significant financial support to Odisha’s power sector by extending a long-term loan of ₹1,685.27 crore to OPTCL. This initiative represents NABARD’s first-ever project financing to a State PSU within the state, marking an important milestone in its efforts to strengthen infrastructure development. The loan, offered at a concessional interest rate of 7.75%, is aimed at enabling large-scale transmission upgrades and improving the reliability of Odisha’s electricity network. By facilitating affordable funding, NABARD plays a crucial role in accelerating the state’s long-term power sector modernization and overall economic progress.