Current Affairs - National

The Union Cabinet approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from July 1, 2025. This increase raises the DA rate from 55% to 58% of Basic Pay/Pension and benefits over 1.18 crore people, including 49.19 lakh employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners. The move aims to offset rising inflation and maintain purchasing power. The financial impact of this hike is estimated at ₹10,083.96 crore annually. This adjustment follows the periodic DA revisions under the 7th Central Pay Commission formula to protect the livelihood of government employees and retirees.

The Delhi Jal Board is inaugurating Asia’s largest wastewater treatment plant in Okhla, covering 40 acres with a total project cost of ₹1,161.18 crore, funded by JICA. The plant is designed to serve approximately 40 lakh residents in South Delhi and is equipped to generate power and produce A-class sludge after sewage treatment. This project represents a major step in improving urban wastewater management, enhancing environmental sustainability, and supporting resource recovery. The Okhla plant underscores Delhi’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure while addressing critical water treatment and public health needs.

India and Bhutan have agreed to develop two cross-border rail projects: Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse, with a total investment of ₹4,033 crore. These projects, announced by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will connect key Bhutanese cities—Gelephu and Samtse—to India via rail routes originating from Kokrajhar in Assam and Banarhat in West Bengal. The initiatives aim to enhance bilateral connectivity, facilitate trade and travel, and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two nations. These rail links mark a significant step in improving regional transportation infrastructure and cross-border cooperation.

India achieved its best-ever position in the SDG Index 2025, ranking 99th out of 167 countries, an improvement from 109th in 2024. This rise reflects progress in infrastructure and basic services, although challenges remain in achieving SDG 3 related to Good Health and Well-being. Key issues include maternal and child mortality rates, life expectancy, out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, and incomplete immunisation coverage. To enhance progress, measures such as universal health insurance, strengthening primary health centres, school health education, cross-sectoral coordination, and accelerated implementation of schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan are recommended.

India’s first fleet of electric heavy-duty trucks with swappable batteries was launched at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) on September 25, 2025. The initiative, flagged off by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, is a major step toward decarbonising port operations and promoting sustainable logistics. The EV fleet features quick battery-swapping technology to minimise downtime, improve energy efficiency, and reduce emissions. With plans to convert 90% of JNPA’s 600-truck fleet to electric by December 2026, the project demonstrates the commercial viability of green logistics, supports India’s maritime competitiveness, and aligns with national initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and Maritime India Vision 2030.