Current Affairs - Places

Bengaluru introduced two key initiatives aimed at improving urban water access. The 'Sanchari Cauvery' system uses GPS-tracked water tankers to deliver clean drinking water within 24 hours of booking through a mobile app, promoting transparency and affordability. In addition, the 'Sarala Cauvery' initiative streamlines the process of acquiring new water connections, allowing payment in instalments to ease the financial burden on poor and middle-class urban families. These steps reflect the city’s commitment to addressing water accessibility challenges through technology and inclusive planning.

The Quad partners—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—came together at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies located in Honolulu, Hawaii, to conduct a Tabletop Exercise as part of the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) simulation. This initiative is designed to enhance strategic coordination and logistics interoperability among the Quad nations in the Indo-Pacific region. By using a shared platform, the partners aim to streamline logistics, improve response capabilities, and reinforce regional security cooperation. Hawaii, strategically located in the Pacific, served as an ideal neutral and central site for this critical multilateral simulation exercise.

The Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) was officially launched in Mumbai during the WAVES 2025 event by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw. This institution is part of a national effort to promote excellence in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector, aiming to position India as a global hub for digital creativity. Mumbai, being a major centre for media and entertainment, was a strategic choice for the launch. The IICT will provide training, research, and industry collaboration opportunities to empower young creative professionals and advance India’s digital content ecosystem.

ISRO conducted a successful short-duration hot test of its semi-cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) located in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, on April 24, 2025. This test represents a key milestone in India's development of indigenous propulsion systems, particularly for future launch vehicles. The test involved the Engine Power Head Test Article and focused on validating critical components like the start-up sequence and ignition stability at 60% power level. Mahendragiri serves as an essential hub for propulsion system testing, and this achievement marks continued progress in ISRO’s advanced space engine capabilities.

The ₹9 crore Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder lab, also referred to as the "Black Box Lab", was inaugurated in New Delhi at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. This advanced facility is designed to significantly improve aviation safety by enabling precise analysis of flight data and cockpit voice recordings in the event of accidents or incidents. The establishment of the lab demonstrates India’s commitment to adhering to global aviation safety norms and supporting the rapid expansion of its aviation sector. The lab also aligns with international best practices for air accident investigation and data retrieval.