Current Affairs - National

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the addition of translation services for 6 new languages: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, and Sanskrit. This expansion builds upon the previously available 10 languages, ensuring greater accessibility and inclusivity in parliamentary proceedings. By incorporating more regional languages, the Lok Sabha aims to promote linguistic diversity and enable better communication for members representing various linguistic backgrounds across India.

India secured the 3rd position in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Global LEED Green Buildings 2024 rankings, with 370 projects covering 8.50 million gross square meters (GSM) of green-certified space. China ranked first with over 25 million GSM, followed by Canada with 10 million GSM. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is a globally recognized standard for sustainability, energy efficiency, and reduced carbon footprint in buildings. India's consistent ranking highlights its growing commitment to eco-friendly infrastructure and sustainable construction, reinforcing its leadership in green building development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was launched in 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household by 2024. Initially, only 17% of rural households had tap water connections, but as of 2024, the coverage increased to 80%. To ensure complete access and sustainable infrastructure, the mission has been extended until 2028. This extension focuses on improving service delivery, public participation, and maintenance of rural water supply systems. JJM is expected to bring significant health benefits, save time for rural households, and contribute to a reduction in child mortality through access to safe drinking water.

The Ministry of Finance, through its Department of Expenditure (DoE), issued a circular on January 29 cautioning government officials against using AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek on official devices. The advisory was driven by concerns over data confidentiality and the risk of sensitive government information being accessed or exposed. The Finance Secretary approved the decision, making it an official directive across government departments. The government is adopting a cautious stance on AI tools, aiming to balance their potential benefits with the need for data security and privacy in handling official documents and communications.

The Indian Army has renamed Kolkata’s Fort William ‘Vijay Durg’ as part of a decolonization initiative aimed at honouring India’s indigenous military heritage. The decision, made in December 2024, draws inspiration from Maharashtra’s Vijaydurg Fort, a key Maratha naval stronghold under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The renaming aligns with broader efforts by the Indian government to remove colonial imprints from institutions and landmarks. Fort William, originally built by the British in 1781, served as a major military base and later became the Eastern Command headquarters of the Indian Army post-independence.