Current Affairs - National

Five newly appointed judges — Pramod Kumar Srivastava-II, Santosh Rai, Zafeer Ahmad, Abdul Shahid, and Tej Pratap Tiwari — will take oath in the Allahabad High Court, bringing its current strength to 83 judges. The oath ceremony will be held in the Chief Justice's courtroom. Although the sanctioned strength of the Allahabad High Court is 160 judges, the present appointment marks an important step toward filling vacancies and improving judicial capacity. Strengthening the bench is crucial for reducing case backlogs, ensuring timely justice, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the judicial system in Uttar Pradesh.

India’s first indigenous 1MW green hydrogen plant was commissioned at Kandla in Gujarat by the Deendayal Port Authority. This pioneering facility is not only a milestone in India’s clean energy and maritime decarbonization efforts but also a showcase of the Make in India initiative, with the electrolyser being domestically manufactured. Initially used to power buses and street lighting within the port, the plant is set to expand to 10MW capacity and will eventually fuel port operations, including vehicles and vessels. The project, supported by the government and inaugurated by the Union Shipping Minister, is a benchmark for sustainable port development in India.

NITI Aayog launched the report “Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India” on 4th August 2025 in New Delhi, marking a significant step in accelerating India’s electric vehicle (EV) transition. The report presents a detailed roadmap to boost EV adoption, identifies key challenges, and recommends strategic actions for achieving India's ambitious target of 30% EV sales by 2030. It was developed through extensive stakeholder consultations involving government officials, industry leaders, and researchers. By providing actionable insights and highlighting India’s progress compared to global trends, the report aims to shape a sustainable and competitive EV ecosystem in the country.

The ‘Apna Ghar’ initiative, launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is primarily aimed at improving the well-being of truck drivers across the country. By July 1, 2025, a total of 368 rest units with 4,611 beds were established at highway fuel outlets. These facilities provide clean and safe environments for rest, equipped with essential amenities like sanitation and bedding. Truck drivers, who often face fatigue and lack proper resting spaces during long journeys, are the main beneficiaries. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance logistics infrastructure and improve working conditions in the road transport sector.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta initiated a month-long door-to-door cleanliness campaign in New Delhi, beginning at ISBT Kashmiri Gate. The campaign is designed to improve hygiene standards in residential areas, government offices, and public transport hubs. Civic bodies and citizens are both playing an active role in ensuring the success of this initiative. The Chief Minister also drew attention to the poor conditions of existing government offices, underlining the necessity for a new Secretariat. This reflects a broader push to not only clean public spaces but also upgrade the infrastructure that supports government functioning in the capital city.