Current Affairs - National

AIIMS New Delhi launched the “Never Alone” program to address the critical issue of student suicides by providing affordable, accessible, and technology-driven mental health support. The program integrates artificial intelligence to offer 24/7 virtual as well as offline consultations with qualified mental health professionals through a user-friendly web-based app that can be accessed on WhatsApp. It also ensures personalised and secure mental health screenings. The affordability of the service, priced at just 70 paise per student per day for institutions with 5,000 students, makes it a scalable and impactful initiative to improve student mental health and reduce risks of self-harm.

Coal India Limited (CIL), in collaboration with the National Scheduled Tribe Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the holistic development of tribal students studying in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The initiative focuses on four major areas: digital access, career mentorship, menstrual hygiene management, and teacher capacity building. CIL will provide digital infrastructure such as desktops, UPS systems, and tablets, while also supporting career guidance programs and exposure visits. Additionally, the project includes health interventions like sanitary napkin vending machines and teacher training workshops. This MoU is strategically aligned with the goals of inclusive education, equity, and social empowerment, especially in coal-bearing and tribal-dominated regions.

The International Conference on Space 2025, inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, carried the theme “Harnessing Space for Global Progress: Innovation, Policy & Growth.” The event emphasised India’s ambitious vision, including establishing a Bharatiya Space Station by 2035 and a human Moon mission by 2040. Dr. Singh highlighted the role of more than 300 startups that are fueling innovation in the space sector following major reforms. The conference also focused on global cooperation, reflecting how space technology can drive progress in innovation, policy, and sustainable growth. This theme underscores space as a catalyst for international collaboration and scientific advancement.

Angikaar 2025 is a two-month nationwide campaign launched by the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs to strengthen the implementation of PMAY-U 2.0. Running from 4th September to 31st October 2025, the campaign focuses on bridging last-mile delivery gaps, raising awareness about housing benefits, and fast-tracking applications for urban housing. It covers more than 5,000 Urban Local Bodies, prioritises vulnerable groups, and integrates related welfare schemes like CRGFTLIH and PM Surya Ghar. Angikaar 2025 is designed to ensure that no eligible urban family is left behind in the mission of affordable and sustainable housing for all.

UIDAI achieved a record milestone by registering 221 crore Aadhaar authentications in August 2025, marking a 10.3% growth compared to the same period in 2024. This surge reflects India’s increasing reliance on digital identity verification for various services. A significant highlight was face authentication, which rose sharply to 18.6 crore in August 2025 from 6.04 crore in August 2024, bringing the cumulative total of face-based transactions to over 213 crore. More than 150 entities now utilise AI-driven face authentication, offering secure and convenient service delivery across multiple sectors, thereby strengthening India’s digital transformation journey.