Current Affairs - State

Odisha approved a new agricultural marketing law to replace the Odisha Agricultural Produce Markets (OAPM) Act, 1956, with the objective of creating a more competitive, transparent, and farmer-centric agricultural marketing system. The new legislation aligns the state's framework with the Centre's Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing Act, 2017. It promotes electronic trading, e-auctions, a unified statewide market, inter-state trade, and a single trading licence. The reforms also recognise warehouses, cold storages, and silos as market sub-yards while encouraging the participation of Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives, and self-help groups to improve market access for farmers.

Maharashtra increased the subsidy under the Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme from 20% to 40% to promote women's economic empowerment and self-employment. The revised subsidy also provides retrospective benefits to eligible women who had already purchased e-rickshaws under the scheme. Beneficiaries are required to contribute at least 10% of the vehicle cost, while the remaining amount can be financed through bank loans or interest-free deferred payment facilities offered by suppliers. The scheme is implemented through the Office of the Commissioner, Women and Child Development, Pune, with the state government empowered to reallocate beneficiary targets across districts.

Arunachal Pradesh is the state where researchers discovered two new species of solitary bees during a biodiversity documentation expedition in the Siang Valley. The newly identified species, Elaphropoda triangulata and Habropoda adi, belong to the Anthophorinae subfamily, which consists of ground-nesting solitary bees that play a crucial role as pollinators. The discovery was made by researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and Felis Creations. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh is a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot and continues to contribute significantly to India's newly discovered plant and animal species.

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of cyber fraud complaints in India during the period from January to June 2026. The state registered around 1.85 lakh complaints, making it the most affected state in terms of reported cybercrime cases. The surge reflects the growing challenges associated with increasing digital transactions and online financial activities. Across the country, more than 12.7 lakh cyber fraud complaints were filed, with financial losses exceeding ₹10,178 crore. The data highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, timely reporting of fraud, and adoption of safe digital practices by citizens.

Karnataka has announced the establishment of India's first government-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) University as part of its vision to become an "AI-native State." The proposed university will focus on developing world-class AI talent, promoting advanced research, encouraging innovation, and strengthening collaboration among academia, industry, and government. Along with the university, the state will also establish an AI Hub to support startups, research, and commercialization of AI technologies. These initiatives aim to enhance Karnataka's leadership in artificial intelligence while contributing to India's growing digital economy and future-ready workforce.