Current Affairs - National

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.

Gogabeel Lake, located in the Katihar district of Bihar, has been designated as India’s newest Ramsar site, earning international recognition for its ecological and cultural significance. This ox-bow lake, formed by the meandering of rivers in the trans-Gangetic plains, is flanked by the Mahananda River in the northeast and the Ganga in the south. It supports diverse flora and fauna, serving as a vital wintering ground for migratory birds and home to species like the Smooth-Coated Otter and Helicopter Catfish. Additionally, its community involvement and cultural importance highlight the Ramsar Convention’s principle of “wise use” of wetlands.

The Emerging Science & Technology Innovation Conclave 2025 (ESTIC-2025) is being hosted in New Delhi from November 3 to 5, bringing together over 3,000 participants, including leading scientists, innovators, and policymakers. The event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focuses on the theme “Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement and Empowerment.” During the conclave, the Prime Minister also launched the ₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to accelerate private-led R&D initiatives and support deep-tech startups, strengthening India’s path toward technological self-reliance and sustainable innovation.

SITAA, which stands for Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar, is a new initiative launched by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The programme aims to strengthen Aadhaar’s technological foundation by encouraging innovation and research in areas like artificial intelligence, biometric authentication, and data security. In collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub and NASSCOM, SITAA will nurture startups and researchers to develop homegrown solutions for a secure and inclusive digital identity ecosystem. It also aligns with national missions such as Digital Public Infrastructure and Atmanirbhar Bharat, fostering self-reliance and trust in India’s digital framework.