Current Affairs - National

Nirmala Sitharaman has made history by presenting her 8th consecutive Union Budget on February 1, 2025. This sets a new record for the highest number of back-to-back budget presentations by any finance minister in India's history. Her tenure also marks the first budget under the Modi 3.0 government and reflects her significant role as India’s first full-time woman Finance Minister, continuing her impactful career in the country's financial landscape.

India has recently added four new wetlands to the Ramsar List, bringing the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 89. These include Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand, Sikkim’s first Ramsar site, a wetland in Gujarat, and another in Northeast India. This expansion highlights India’s ongoing efforts to conserve important wetlands, which are vital for biodiversity and the health of local ecosystems. The addition of these sites marks a significant milestone in the country’s environmental conservation journey.

NITI Aayog organized a workshop on the Circular Economy in Jaipur, focusing on the management and recycling of End of Life Vehicles (ELV) and End of Life Tyres (ELT). The event was inaugurated by Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar and emphasized the importance of circular economy practices in achieving India's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. With over 150 participants, the workshop facilitated discussions on policy, technological advancements, and collaborative solutions for improving recycling and sustainability in the sector.

BSNL has launched the IFTV platform across India, offering over 550 live TV channels and premium OTT apps in collaboration with Skypro and PlayboxTV. This initiative aims to enhance digital entertainment accessibility for both urban and rural users. Skypro handles content delivery, while PlayboxTV curates high-quality entertainment. With a strong base of over 4 million FTTH users, BSNL now provides premium TV and OTT services at no extra cost, strengthening its position in the telecom and digital content sectors. This move aligns with BSNL’s goal of expanding its broadband and multimedia offerings nationwide.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Dibrugarh as the state's second capital during the Republic Day celebrations. A new permanent assembly building will be constructed in Dibrugarh on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. This decision aims to decentralize governance and promote development in Upper Assam, ensuring better administrative reach and infrastructure growth in the region. By designating Dibrugarh as a second capital, Assam takes a significant step towards balanced regional development and improved governance accessibility.