Current Affairs - National

The UDAN scheme, which stands for "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik," was launched in 2016 to enhance regional air connectivity across India. It aims to make air travel more accessible by operationalizing new routes, airports, and aerodromes. Since its inception, 601 routes and 71 airports have been activated, significantly increasing air travel infrastructure. This initiative is a part of India's larger plan to further expand airport capacity, aiming for 350-400 operational airports by 2047.

Nikita Porwal from Madhya Pradesh was crowned Femina Miss India World 2024, earning the opportunity to represent India at the Miss World pageant. The prestigious event, which marked its 60th edition, also saw Rekha Pandey from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Aayushi Dholakia from Gujarat named as the 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively. The event featured a celebrity jury that included Sangeeta Bijlani, Anees Bazmee, and Madhur Bhandarkar, further adding to the glamour of the occasion.

The Mumbai court ordered the ossification test to ascertain if an accused individual in a murder case is a minor. This test is commonly used in legal cases to determine the age of an individual by examining the bones, especially those that change significantly with age, like the clavicle and sternum. The degree of bone growth or fusion can indicate the individual's age, which is particularly relevant in cases involving juveniles.

Vikash Yadav, an individual wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a murder plot and other conspiracies, was arrested by Delhi Police for extortion. The arrest took place in West Delhi, where Yadav had extorted money and issued threats in connection with his criminal activities, including his suspected involvement in a plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Khalil Singh and US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

India has set an ambitious target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, as highlighted in the World Energy Outlook 2024 report. This goal is crucial for India, the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, with annual emissions reaching around 3 billion tonnes. To achieve this target, India plans to increase non-fossil fuel capacity to 500 GW and meet up to 50% of consumer demand through renewables by 2030. Significant progress has been made, with India ranking fourth globally in total renewable capacity, demonstrating a 400% growth over the last decade.