Current Affairs - National

The State Bank of India (SBI) inaugurated two new Global Trade Finance Centres in the cities of Kolkata and Hyderabad to strengthen its role in international trade facilitation. These centres aim to modernise the import-export process by implementing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and document digitization. With over 800 trained professionals, the centres are set to provide faster, more secure, and efficient services for businesses. This move aligns with SBI’s broader vision of digital transformation in global trade and enhances India's position in the international market by streamlining trade processes and reducing dependence on traditional paper-based methods.

Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu has been chosen as the site for a state-of-the-art PM MITRA Textile Park, with an investment of ₹1,900 crore sanctioned by the Central Government. Spanning 1,052 acres, the park will feature sustainable and modern infrastructure, including a 15 MLD Zero Liquid Discharge effluent treatment plant, a 10,000-bed dormitory for workers, and over 1.3 million sq. ft. of ready-to-use industrial space. Aimed at promoting integrated textile manufacturing and export-oriented production, the project is expected to attract ₹10,000 crore in private investment and generate over one lakh jobs by 2026, positioning India as a global textile manufacturing powerhouse.

C-FLOOD is India’s first unified flood forecasting platform, launched by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, on July 2, 2025. Developed collaboratively by C-DAC, CWC, and NRSC under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), this innovative platform aims to provide two-day advance flood forecasts down to the village level. It integrates 2-D hydrodynamic modelling and real-time data from multiple river basins, including Mahanadi, Godavari, and Tapi. C-FLOOD serves as a vital decision-support tool for disaster management authorities, enabling timely evacuations and preparedness. Its web-based design and integration with emergency response portals enhance India’s resilience to flood-related disasters.

Indore became the first Indian city to implement a QR-based digital house address system, marking a transformative step in urban governance. Under this initiative, each household receives a metal plate with a unique QR code embedded with GPS coordinates, allowing precise property identification. This system is integrated with the national Digipin platform and facilitates services like tax payments and grievance redressal through mobile scanning. Launched as a pilot in Ward 82 of Sudama Nagar, the project is aligned with India’s Smart Cities and Digital India missions, aiming to streamline civic services and create a scalable, tech-driven model for other cities.

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) launched the SPREE 2025 scheme, aimed at enhancing social security coverage by encouraging unregistered employers and workers to voluntarily register under the ESI Act, 1948. Running from July 1 to December 31, 2025, the scheme offers simplified digital registration through portals like ESIC, Shram Suvidha, and MCA. It provides immunity from past inspections and contribution demands, removing a major deterrent for employers. By covering contractual, temporary, and gig workers, SPREE 2025 promotes inclusivity and seeks to strengthen the social safety net for India’s vast informal and underserved workforce.