Current Affairs - National

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.

The DHRUVA policy, introduced by the Department of Posts, aims to create a standardized Digital Address Infrastructure using geo-coded data to enhance service delivery across India. DHRUVA, which stands for Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address, is designed to overcome inconsistencies in traditional address formats and improve the efficiency of public and private sector services. By adopting an Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) model, it ensures user privacy, interoperability, and inclusive access. The initiative positions address data as a core component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, aligning it with key systems like Aadhaar and UPI to support governance, logistics, and financial inclusion.

The Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, announced at a conference in Bhopal that the National Cadet Corps (NCC) would undergo a major expansion by adding 3 lakh cadets. This move is part of a broader initiative to increase the total strength of NCC cadets across India to between 17 and 20 lakh, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision. The NCC, headquartered in New Delhi, plays a crucial role in fostering discipline, patriotism, and leadership among youth. The announcement made in Bhopal underlines the city’s importance in national defence-related developments and strategic youth engagement.

Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a new Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Rajarhat, Kolkata. The advanced facility, built at a cost of ₹88 crore, is designed to serve not only the state of West Bengal but also several neighbouring regions such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Sikkim, Assam, and other northeastern states. This laboratory is expected to significantly strengthen forensic infrastructure in eastern India, aiding in quicker and more accurate criminal investigations across a broad geographic area. The choice of Kolkata highlights its strategic location for regional accessibility and operational efficiency.