Current Affairs - National

The Government of India, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), has outlined a plan to gradually reduce the number of National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN) centres. Originally established in 1997, this network was crucial in achieving India’s polio-free status in 2014. As part of the proposed restructuring, the number of centres will be reduced from 280 in 2024-25 to 140 by the year 2026-27. This transition marks a strategic shift in public health resource allocation while maintaining vigilance against the potential resurgence of the disease.

The Ministry of Coal launched the C CARES Version 2.0 portal to enhance the welfare of coal workers by streamlining provident fund (PF) and pension disbursements. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the portal enables real-time tracking of claims, significantly reducing settlement times. This initiative aims to improve social security benefits for coal workers by providing faster and more transparent access to their financial entitlements, reflecting the government’s focus on welfare and efficiency in managing workers’ benefits.

The National Agriculture-Renewable Energy Conference 2025, also known as the National Agro-RE Summit 2025, was organized by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and held in New Delhi. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, participated in the event where he released the federation’s report and annual reference book focused on agriculture and renewable energy. This summit highlights the growing integration of renewable energy initiatives within India’s agricultural sector, emphasizing sustainable development and innovation.

The Population Census of India is scheduled to be conducted in two phases with the primary reference date as March 1, 2027, for most regions. This census will mark a significant milestone by including caste enumeration after a long gap, enabling more detailed socio-economic data collection. The census had been postponed since 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making 2027 the year to resume this vital demographic exercise to aid governance, planning, and social welfare policy formulation.

One-third of the total seats in the Hill Development Councils have been reserved for women in the region of Ladakh. This move comes after President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Amendment) Regulation Rules, 2025. The amendment aims to promote greater gender representation and empowerment in local governance. The reservation will be implemented through rotation, with seats being allotted to different territorial constituencies in sequence, as notified officially through a gazetted order. This regulation strengthens the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1997, reinforcing inclusive political participation at the grassroots level.