Current Affairs - National

Lokpal, the anti-corruption body, examined and dismissed allegations of impropriety and conflict of interest against former SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch. These allegations were linked to claims made in a report by Hindenburg Research. After thorough scrutiny, Lokpal concluded that the accusations were based on mere assumptions without any verifiable evidence. As an independent ombudsman established to tackle corruption at high levels, Lokpal's decision to clear the former SEBI chief reinforces its role in ensuring that only substantiated and credible claims are pursued in anti-corruption investigations.

SKUAST-K an Agricultural University at Shalimar, Srinagar, in Kashmir has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in animal biotechnology by developing India’s first gene-edited sheep. This advancement was accomplished using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, a powerful tool for precise gene editing. The research team, led by Riaz Ahmad Shah, has previously made headlines for cloning India’s first Pashmina goat, 'Noori', back in 2012. This new development further cements the university’s position at the forefront of animal genetics research and showcases India’s growing capabilities in advanced biotechnological innovations.

Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, has become the fourth northeastern capital to be connected to the national railway network through the Bairabi–Sairang line. This 51.38-km railway project, costing over ₹5,000 crore, features impressive infrastructure including 48 tunnels and a bridge taller than the Qutub Minar. Previously, Mizoram's railway access was limited to Bairabi near the Assam border. The project is a crucial component of India’s “Act East” policy and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, designed to boost regional connectivity, economic growth, and accessibility in remote and challenging terrains of the Northeast.

Department of Post, under the Ministry of Communications, launched the innovative digital platforms ‘Know Your DIGIPIN’ and ‘Know Your PIN Code’ on May 27, 2025, as part of its mission to modernise India’s address infrastructure. These initiatives aim to enhance location accuracy, improve last-mile delivery, and support disaster response systems by integrating advanced geospatial technologies. Developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC-ISRO, these tools align with the National Geospatial Policy 2022 and are central to the Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) framework. By leveraging GNSS data and a geo-coded grid system, these applications represent a significant step in India’s digital and governance transformation.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) in New Delhi on May 27, 2025. Located at Metcalfe House, this advanced facility is dedicated to enhancing India’s strategic and defence-related quantum capabilities. The QTRC will focus on developing indigenous technologies such as quantum communication systems, quantum sensing tools, and precision timekeeping systems. It houses state-of-the-art setups including Quantum Key Distribution platforms, atomic clocks, and quantum material development labs. This initiative is a major milestone in India’s pursuit of technological sovereignty in the quantum domain, especially amid rising global competition in post-quantum security infrastructure.