Current Affairs - National

The Cabinet Committee, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a greenfield highway project worth ₹22,864 crore that will connect Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya with Panchgram in Assam. The proposed four-lane access-controlled highway will stretch over 166.8 km, of which 144.80 km lies in Meghalaya and 22.00 km in Assam. The project is to be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), which blends government support with private-sector investment. This initiative is part of broader infrastructure development efforts in the Northeast region, aiming to enhance connectivity and support economic growth through improved transportation links.

The 53rd meeting of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters was hosted in Hyderabad by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under ISRO. This event marked a significant moment as ISRO assumed leadership of the Charter for a six-month term starting April 2025. The Charter is a collaboration among global space agencies to provide satellite data in response to natural and man-made disasters. Hosting the meeting in Hyderabad not only showcased India’s space capabilities but also emphasized the city’s growing importance as a hub for technological and scientific collaboration on an international scale.

Hubballi Airport earned the prestigious Platinum Recognition at the ACI Green Airports Recognition 2025, highlighting its outstanding commitment to sustainable energy practices. This honour was specifically awarded to airports handling fewer than six million passengers and reflects Hubballi’s impactful contributions to green infrastructure. A major factor in this recognition is the 8 MW solar power plant set up by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Hubballi, which generates over 11 million units of clean energy annually. This initiative not only powers the airport efficiently but also supports the energy needs of multiple airports and facilitates future terminal expansions.

The 'Ayushman Vay Vandana' scheme was launched in New Delhi on April 28, 2025, with the aim of providing enhanced healthcare services to senior citizens aged 70 and above. Spearheaded by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, this initiative offers free health insurance coverage up to Rs 10 lakh, annual medical check-ups, and the creation of secure digital health records. It represents a significant step towards ensuring dignity, accessibility, and medical security for the elderly population in the capital. The launch event marked the distribution of the first health cards, which were attended by top government officials, signalling strong administrative support for elderly welfare.

The Doha Round of WTO negotiations began in 2001 with the goal of reforming international trade rules by reducing tariffs and addressing issues like agricultural subsidies and industrial barriers. Despite ambitious objectives, the negotiations ultimately collapsed due to deep divisions between developed and developing countries. Only a partial agreement on fisheries has been achieved. The failure of the Doha Round revealed the difficulties within the WTO’s consensus-based system and highlighted the broader shift toward bilateral and regional trade agreements, weakening the influence of multilateral trade mechanisms.