Current Affairs - National

RITES Ltd, a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate General of Naval Projects (DGNP) in Mumbai to provide consultancy services for naval infrastructure development in the Mumbai region. The services will cover soil studies, feasibility analysis, detailed project reports, structural design, project management, and third-party inspection. This partnership aims to improve planning, design, and execution efficiency for Indian Navy infrastructure projects, strengthening defence-related construction capabilities in the Mumbai area.

Under “Operation Weed Out,” the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai seized 42.34 kg of high-grade hydroponic weed valued at ₹42 crore from two passengers arriving from Bangkok. The contraband was cleverly hidden inside food packets and intercepted at Mumbai Airport. This major bust came shortly after a ₹47 crore cocaine seizure, pushing the total drug recovery value beyond ₹100 crore in just three days. The operation highlights the DRI’s continued vigilance and commitment to combating sophisticated drug-smuggling networks in support of the “Nasha Mukt Bharat” initiative.

India has secured the third position globally in the clean industrial project pipeline, following China and the United States. With 65 large-scale low-emission industrial projects, India demonstrates its strong commitment to decarbonizing sectors such as chemicals, steel, cement, and aviation. The nation’s clean industry pipeline represents an investment potential exceeding $150 billion and the creation of nearly 200,000 jobs. Although only six projects have reached the investment stage, this ranking highlights India’s expanding role as a key player in sustainable industrial transformation aligned with its net-zero by 2070 target.

Lucknow has been declared a UNESCO Creative City under the Gastronomy category in 2025, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Established in 2004, the UCCN promotes creativity as a core pillar of sustainable urban development. This recognition highlights Lucknow’s centuries-old culinary heritage rooted in Awadhi cuisine, known for its kebabs, biryanis, and refined cooking traditions. With this inclusion, Lucknow joins other Indian cities like Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Art), Varanasi and Chennai (Music), Hyderabad (Gastronomy), Mumbai (Film), and Srinagar (Crafts and Folk Art), further showcasing India’s cultural and creative diversity on a global platform.

The Election Commission of India has initiated the second phase of the Special Voter List Revision, encompassing nine states and three Union Territories, representing an electorate of around 51 crore voters. This nationwide electoral update aims to ensure accuracy and inclusivity in voter registration. The process will conclude with the publication of the final voter list on February 7, 2026. The first phase of the exercise was completed in Bihar, covering 7.42 crore voters. The ongoing phase includes states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, while Assam remains excluded due to Supreme Court-led citizenship verification.