Current Affairs - National

The European Space Agency's PROBA-3 mission was launched aboard PSLV-C59, marking the 61st flight of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). This mission demonstrated ISRO's proficiency in satellite deployment and highlighted its collaboration with the European Space Agency and NewSpace India Limited. The PSLV has been a reliable workhorse for ISRO, and this launch utilized the PSLV-XL configuration, a variation optimized for specific missions. This milestone underlines ISRO’s sustained excellence in space exploration and international cooperation.

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.