Current Affairs - State

Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk-producing state in India, contributing 15.66% of the country’s total milk production in 2024–25, according to the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) 2025. The state produced approximately 19.01 million tonnes of milk during the year. Rajasthan ranked second with a 14.82% share, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 9.12%. Uttar Pradesh’s strong dairy sector is supported by its large livestock population, rural dairy farming base, availability of feed and fodder, expanding dairy cooperatives, and improving milk-processing infrastructure. India is also the world’s largest milk-producing country.

Karnataka has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Karnataka High Court ruling concerning the registration of motorcycles as transport vehicles and their operation as bike taxis. The state has raised concerns about passenger safety, insurance coverage, traffic congestion, pollution and the absence of a specific regulatory framework for bike-taxi services. Karnataka has also argued that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 does not expressly provide for motorcycles to be used as taxis. The Supreme Court’s decision could have wider implications for bike-taxi operators, mobility companies, insurance providers and state transport authorities across India.

Madhya Pradesh was the state where the Ministry of Railways introduced the daily Train No. 51673/51674 connecting Itarsi and Madan Mahal. The service was approved on August 8, 2026, covering a distance of 242 km in approximately 5 hours and 5 minutes. It connects the important railway nodes of Itarsi and Jabalpur and benefits commuters in the Jabalpur–Narmadapuram belt. Major stoppages include Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Gadarwara, Sridham, Bagra Tawa, Sohagpur, Bankhedi, Salichauka Road, and Kareli. Itarsi Junction is located in Narmadapuram district and comes under the West Central Railway zone.

Tamil Nadu launched the Vetri Vaanmagal Scheme on August 6, 2026, as part of its 2026-27 agriculture budget to promote women’s participation in modern agricultural technology. The scheme aims to train 500 eligible candidates, including 100 women drone operators, through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). The government allocated ₹1.50 crore for operator training and pilot licences. Additionally, 50 women will receive financial assistance covering 50% of the cost of agricultural drones, supported by a ₹2.50 crore allocation. The initiative focuses on precision farming and strengthening women’s role in agricultural mechanisation.

Gujarat and Rajasthan were covered by the deployment of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) on August 5, 2026, to manage the Chandipura Virus (CHPV) outbreak. The multidisciplinary team includes experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). Investigations are focusing on possible vectors, the clinical spectrum of the disease, animal reservoirs and genetic variations of the virus. Whole-genome sequencing of samples is being conducted at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre in Gandhinagar to identify genetic changes in the circulating virus.