Current Affairs - National

Balod district in Chhattisgarh has become India’s first officially certified child marriage-free district under the “Child Marriage Free India” campaign. The milestone was achieved after two years of zero reported child marriage cases and verification of all 436 gram panchayats and nine urban bodies. The accomplishment reflects coordinated efforts by local administration, panchayats, Anganwadi workers, and community members in raising awareness and ensuring compliance with legal provisions. This achievement sets a national benchmark for social reform and demonstrates that grassroots participation, combined with government support, can effectively eliminate harmful practices like child marriage.

The government of India has announced that from October 1, 2027, all electric cars, buses, and trucks in production will be required to have an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). This system is designed to improve pedestrian safety by producing artificial sounds that alert road users to the presence of near-silent EVs. While newly launched EV models must include AVAS from October 2026, the broader implementation for all models comes into force in October 2027. This step aligns India with global EV safety regulations while addressing the risks posed by the quiet operation of electric vehicles.

The Union Cabinet approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from July 1, 2025. This increase raises the DA rate from 55% to 58% of Basic Pay/Pension and benefits over 1.18 crore people, including 49.19 lakh employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners. The move aims to offset rising inflation and maintain purchasing power. The financial impact of this hike is estimated at ₹10,083.96 crore annually. This adjustment follows the periodic DA revisions under the 7th Central Pay Commission formula to protect the livelihood of government employees and retirees.

The Delhi Jal Board is inaugurating Asia’s largest wastewater treatment plant in Okhla, covering 40 acres with a total project cost of ₹1,161.18 crore, funded by JICA. The plant is designed to serve approximately 40 lakh residents in South Delhi and is equipped to generate power and produce A-class sludge after sewage treatment. This project represents a major step in improving urban wastewater management, enhancing environmental sustainability, and supporting resource recovery. The Okhla plant underscores Delhi’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure while addressing critical water treatment and public health needs.

India and Bhutan have agreed to develop two cross-border rail projects: Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse, with a total investment of ₹4,033 crore. These projects, announced by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will connect key Bhutanese cities—Gelephu and Samtse—to India via rail routes originating from Kokrajhar in Assam and Banarhat in West Bengal. The initiatives aim to enhance bilateral connectivity, facilitate trade and travel, and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two nations. These rail links mark a significant step in improving regional transportation infrastructure and cross-border cooperation.