Current Affairs - Places

The 9th meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was chaired by the Union Home Minister as part of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen drug control and inter-agency coordination. NCORD functions as the primary platform for cooperation between central and state agencies in combating drug trafficking and abuse. The meeting took place in New Delhi, highlighting the capital’s role as the administrative and decision-making hub of the country. Such high-level meetings are typically organized there to ensure effective policy discussion, coordination, and implementation under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The TCWI 2025 ranking assessed 125 Indian cities based on parameters related to social and industrial inclusion of women. Bengaluru secured the top position with the highest Composite Inclusion Score, reflecting its strong performance in areas such as workplace inclusion, safety systems, access to skilling opportunities, and career advancement support. The city’s robust industrial ecosystem and progressive work culture have contributed to creating an enabling environment for women’s participation in the workforce. While other cities like Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad also performed well, Bengaluru emerged as the most women-friendly city in India for 2025.

The Third International Conference on Indian Languages was inaugurated in New Delhi by the Vice President of India, highlighting the city’s role as a major centre for national and international academic and cultural dialogue. The conference brought together scholars, language experts, and global delegates to discuss the preservation, promotion, and study of Indian languages. The event emphasized the cultural, constitutional, and democratic importance of linguistic diversity in India, along with the role of education policies and modern technology such as digital archives and AI tools in safeguarding language heritage for future generations.

Chennai served as the venue for the “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ports” programme, during which port projects worth ₹235 crore were launched in Tamil Nadu. The initiative was led by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal. The funding allocation included ₹129.36 crore for the Chennai Port Authority and ₹105.64 crore for Kamarajar Port Limited. The programme also witnessed the launch of the e-port clearance portal under the One Nation–One Port Process, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and ease of doing business in India’s port sector.

Guwahati hosted the National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026, which began on January 8 as a two-day event organized by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the Government of Assam. The conference brought together Textile Ministers and senior officials from all States and Union Territories to discuss the future roadmap of India’s textile sector. Held under the theme “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation,” the event emphasized cooperative federalism, development of PM MITRA Parks, and the strategic goal of positioning India as a global textile manufacturing hub by 2030, while also highlighting the potential of the North-Eastern region.