Current Affairs - State

Uttarakhand became India’s sixth fully literate state under the ULLAS initiative in 2026 after achieving an adult literacy rate of 98.70%, well above the national benchmark of 95% functional literacy. The milestone was announced in Dehradun by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Around 25,000 volunteers contributed by identifying non-literate adults, registering learners and supporting them throughout the learning process. ULLAS focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy, digital literacy, financial literacy and civic awareness. Uttarakhand’s achievement is particularly significant because its difficult Himalayan terrain, remote villages and scattered settlements make education outreach challenging.

Odisha launched India’s first dedicated MICE Incentive Portal to promote business tourism, corporate events and investment. The portal was launched by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, during the Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026. MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions and refers to organised travel for professional and commercial purposes. The portal aims to simplify applications for financial incentives, support event organisers and tourism operators, attract business events and improve project approvals. Bhubaneswar, known as the “Temple City,” has also been highlighted as an important destination for heritage and cultural events.

Odisha announced cash rewards for the Indian Women's Hockey team following their gold medal victory at the Asian Games. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced ₹11 lakh each for the players and ₹5.5 lakh each for the support staff. India defeated defending champions China 1-0 in the final, ending a 44-year wait for the women's hockey gold at the Asian Games. The team had last won the gold medal in 1982. The victory also secured India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Odisha has been a major supporter of Indian hockey and extended its sponsorship of the national teams until 2036.

Assam was the state where the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) was officially recorded for the first time in Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve on September 30, 2026. The record was documented through photographs captured by wildlife photographer Nejib Ahmed and cinematographer Chandan Saikia. The sightings were confirmed near the Rowmari Anti-Poaching Camp, with additional sightings near the Hazaribagh Anti-Poaching Camp. Orang National Park is located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. This discovery adds to the documented avian biodiversity of the protected ecosystem and highlights the ecological significance of Orang National Park.

Uttarakhand launched its first real-time Glacial Lake Early-Warning System (EWS) at Vasundhara Tal in Chamoli district on September 29, 2026. The system aims to reduce the risks associated with Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Vasundhara Tal is among the 13 high-risk glacial lakes identified by the National Disaster Management Authority, with five classified under Category A, representing the highest risk. The system monitors water levels, flow, snow depth, temperature, and vibrations, while an automatic weather station records rainfall and other weather conditions. The installation was carried out by teams from CBRI Roorkee and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.