Current Affairs - Places

Vijayawada, located in Andhra Pradesh, earned national recognition by ranking fourth in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 and receiving the prestigious 'Super Swachh League City' award. This achievement is especially notable given the city’s resilience in maintaining high cleanliness and sanitation standards despite severe flooding in September 2024. The recognition reflects a combination of strong civic administration, infrastructure, waste management strategies, and active citizen participation. Vijayawada’s consistent progress aligns with India's broader cleanliness initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission and supports global sustainability objectives such as the Paris Agreement and Net Zero Emissions goals, reinforcing its status as a model for urban development.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) carried out two successful hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) on July 3, 2025, at its Propulsion Complex located in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This facility is crucial for propulsion-related development and testing. These hot tests simulated real flight conditions to ensure the system's performance and reliability under operational stress. The successful validation at Mahendragiri marked a significant milestone in ISRO’s preparations for India’s first human spaceflight mission under the Gaganyaan programme. The choice of this location reflects its specialised infrastructure for high-precision propulsion experiments.

The first Governing Council meeting of the National Cadet Corps Alumni Association (NCCAA) was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. The NCCAA is envisioned as a platform to connect former and current NCC cadets, fostering a spirit of unity and continuity among members of the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation. Holding the meeting in the national capital underlines the importance of the initiative and reflects the government's support for strengthening youth involvement in nation-building. The association is poised to play a significant role in energising and modernising the NCC framework going forward.

The bridge that was recently renamed as Sindoor Bridge is the Carnac Bridge in Mumbai. This renaming was part of a larger effort to shed colonial-era names and honour Indian achievements. The new name commemorates Operation Sindoor, a military mission against terrorist camps, and symbolizes both national pride and historical correction. The original Carnac Bridge, named after British Governor James Rivett-Carnac, had become structurally unsafe and was demolished in 2022. After reconstruction, the 328-meter-long, four-lane bridge was inaugurated on July 10, 2025, by CM Devendra Fadnavis. It now stands as a symbol of modern Indian resilience and post-colonial identity.

The Uttar Pradesh Agritech Innovation Hub was inaugurated in Meerut at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT) by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alongside Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary. This state-of-the-art hub is part of a strategic initiative to revolutionise Indian agriculture through next-generation technologies like IoT-enabled devices, real-time analytics, and smart irrigation systems. By situating the hub in Meerut, the government aims to empower local farmers, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen collaboration among agricultural institutions, startups, and rural communities—ultimately contributing to a self-reliant, technologically advanced farming ecosystem.