Current Affairs - National

The sex ratio at birth (SRB) in India has improved significantly, rising from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24, as per provisional data from the Health Management Information System. This improvement reflects ongoing efforts to address gender disparity through social and policy initiatives. Additionally, the national gross enrollment ratio of girls in secondary education has also seen an increase, highlighting progress in education access and gender equality across rural and urban areas.

The government has set a target of establishing post offices within a 3-km radius to enhance accessibility, especially in rural and left-wing extremist-affected areas. Over the past decade, 10,500 new post offices have been set up, with the majority in underserved regions. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve service delivery and connectivity for rural populations, while the postal workforce remains a robust network of 450,000 employees across 165,000+ post offices.

The PM e-VIDYA DTH Channel No. 31, launched by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, is dedicated to Indian Sign Language (ISL). This initiative aims to bridge communication gaps for the hearing-impaired community and promote ISL as a recognized language. The launch event included participation from hearing-impaired children, special educators, and ISL interpreters, underscoring the importance of inclusive education and communication.

The 100-day TB elimination campaign is a significant step in addressing TB incidence and mortality in India. It will be launched in Panchkula, Haryana, as part of the government's effort to intensify TB detection and treatment across 347 districts in 33 states and UTs. Haryana's selection for the campaign launch highlights its strategic importance in health initiatives targeting high-risk groups.

The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), launched in February 2024, aims to revolutionize rooftop solar adoption in India. The scheme targets 10 lakh installations by March 2025 and a milestone of 1 crore installations by March 2027. With robust infrastructure, vendor support, and simplified consumer processes, states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are leading in implementation. Integration with DISCOMs, financing options, and streamlined application systems have accelerated growth, making the 2027 target achievable.