Current Affairs - Places

The Union Government officially notified the creation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The new railway zone will become operational from June 1, 2026, and has been formed by reorganising parts of the East Coast Railway and South Central Railway under the Railways Act, 1989. The restructuring includes divisions such as Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, and the reorganised Visakhapatnam division. The establishment of the new zone is aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening freight and passenger connectivity, and supporting regional infrastructure development across Andhra Pradesh and nearby regions.

The New Delhi Government approved a significant salary hike for Vocational and Samagra Shiksha teachers to strengthen the education system and support contractual educators. Vocational teachers will now receive ₹38,100 per month, while Samagra Shiksha teachers will receive ₹35,420 per month, bringing them closer to the salary structure of regular teaching staff. The policy benefits more than 1,100 vocational teachers and educators working in hundreds of Special Training Centres. The initiative aims to improve teacher retention, reduce financial insecurity, and ensure better academic support for school dropouts so they can successfully reintegrate into the formal education system under the Samagra Shiksha framework.

India’s first comprehensive Urban Testbed and Aerosol Observatory was inaugurated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The project was established by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) along with the Centre for Atmospheric Science Research and Innovation (CASRI). Equipped with advanced instruments, weather stations, and X-band radars, the observatory is designed to monitor atmospheric conditions, aerosols, rainfall patterns, and thermodynamic changes. The initiative aims to improve short-term weather forecasting, study the effects of aerosols on climate change, and strengthen India’s climate and weather research capabilities under the broader vision of Mission Mausam.

The Second Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026 was held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from May 6 to 7, 2026. The meeting brought together representatives from 11 BRICS member countries to discuss labour, employment, and worker welfare issues. Key focus areas included social protection through digital public infrastructure, women’s employment opportunities, digital skilling, labour market formalisation, and welfare support for gig and platform workers. Technical assistance for the discussions was provided by organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Social Security Association (ISSA), and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office. The meeting also prepared the groundwork for the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for July 2026.

Bengaluru secured the top position in Savills' Growth Hubs Index as the world’s fastest-growing major city through 2035 among 245 evaluated urban centres. The ranking was determined using indicators such as projected GDP growth, personal wealth expansion, demographic trends, inward migration, and high-income household growth. Bengaluru’s rise has been driven by its strong, skilled workforce and the rapid growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Commonly known as the Silicon Valley of India, the city is also home to the headquarters of ISRO. The report highlighted India’s strong presence in the global rankings, reflecting significant urban economic growth across multiple Indian cities.