Current Affairs - National

The 27th Western Zonal Council meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is being held in Pune, Maharashtra, on February 22. This council includes representatives from Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, and the UTs of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The meeting is attended by Chief Ministers, administrators, and senior officials from the region. Zonal Councils, established in 1957, facilitate inter-state cooperation, and each council has a Standing Committee headed by Chief Secretaries to ensure effective governance and collaboration between states.

India’s first Open-Air Art Wall Museum was inaugurated at Mausam Bhawan in New Delhi on February 18, 2025, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The museum features 38 murals that depict the evolution of meteorology, IMD's contributions to weather forecasting, and the department’s historical milestones. The project was developed in collaboration with Delhi Street Art, bringing science and art together to make weather science more engaging and accessible to the public. The murals also highlight India’s cultural ties with the weather, creating an informative and artistic tribute.

The Matsya-6000 submersible, developed under India’s Deep Ocean Mission by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), successfully passed its wet tests at Kattupalli Port. This submersible is a significant part of India’s Samudrayan Project, which aims to advance deep-sea exploration. It features state-of-the-art systems such as thrusters, ballast, navigation sensors, and life-support systems, making it crucial for India’s shallow-water and deep-sea exploration goals. The success of these tests brings India closer to conducting 500-meter shallow-water trials by 2025.

The Digital Inner Line Permit System has been launched in Chamoli for tourists visiting the India-Tibet border areas. This system replaces the previous offline process and allows tourists to obtain their permits online via pass.chamoli.org. The new digital platform simplifies the application process, with approvals from the local police and health department. It also offers real-time weather and road updates, aimed at improving tourism and administrative efficiency in the region.

The National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) has been launched by the Ministry of Rural Development in India. This pilot project aims to modernize urban land records in 152 Urban Local Bodies across 26 States and 3 UTs. It focuses on ensuring accurate land ownership documentation, reducing disputes, and improving urban planning. NAKSHA is a significant initiative with a budget of ₹194 crore, backed by key partners such as the Survey of India, MPSEDC, and NICSI.