Current Affairs - National

Salkhan Fossils Park, located in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh near Salkhan village, about 15 km from Robertsganj, has earned a place on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. It is recognized as one of the oldest fossil sites globally. This inclusion is a significant step toward global recognition of the site’s paleontological importance. The development was made possible through a memorandum of understanding signed between the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow, aiming to preserve and promote the park's heritage and ecological value.

The Green Data Centre is being set up in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, as a significant step towards technological infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh. The foundation stone and Bhumi Pujan ceremony were conducted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. This initiative is a joint venture between Central Electronics Limited (CEL) and ESDS, with an investment of ₹1,000 crore and a projected power capacity of 30 MW. Ghaziabad was chosen for its strategic location and development potential, marking it as a growing hub for technological advancements in the state.

The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched a two-day training programme on Artificial Intelligence in Governance at the Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi. This initiative, part of the Capacity Building Scheme Phase III of the Digital India Programme, was held from June 26–27, 2025, and aimed at equipping 59 government officials with critical knowledge on AI applications in public service. The program focused on responsible AI use, policy frameworks, and improving public sector decision-making and governance through AI-driven digital transformation strategies.

India’s inaugural Quantum Computing Valley is set to launch in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, by January 2026. This initiative, spearheaded by the Andhra Pradesh government under the National Quantum Mission, aims to foster innovation and research across industries using quantum technology. The Amaravati Quantum Valley Tech Park will serve as a national hub supporting sectors such as pharmaceuticals, EV batteries, and logistics while offering training programs to build a skilled quantum workforce. Strategic collaborations with global leaders like IBM and LTIMindtree ensure the integration of cutting-edge technology, making Amaravati a focal point for India’s quantum future.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated a two-day National Conference of Estimates Committees in Mumbai. This conference included participation from Estimates Committees of both the Parliament and the legislative bodies of various States and Union Territories. The focus of the event was on enhancing the role of Estimates Committees in ensuring effective budget monitoring and promoting administrative efficiency. Mumbai was chosen as the venue for this significant political gathering, reinforcing its status as a hub for major governmental and parliamentary events.