Current Affairs - State

The Madhya Pradesh government partnered with Google on May 20, 2026, to establish an AI-powered governance ecosystem and an AI Centre of Excellence (AI CoE). The initiative aims to enhance public service delivery through advanced technologies such as real-time crowd monitoring, predictive safety analytics, digital twin models, and multilingual AI assistants. The partnership also focuses on innovation, startup incubation, and large-scale AI skill development. Additionally, Google Play plans to train 10,000 app developers, while AI-based solutions will be introduced in education, agriculture, and healthcare. The collaboration reflects the growing adoption of artificial intelligence for governance and socio-economic development.

Odisha introduced a policy on May 22, 2026, requiring the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs) for official government duties and encouraging virtual meetings to improve administrative efficiency. The initiative aims to reduce travel-related costs, enhance sustainability, and support environmentally friendly governance practices. The Finance Department of Odisha was tasked with preparing the implementation framework for the policy. The move aligns with broader efforts to promote clean transportation and digital governance. Odisha has often been recognized for progressive administrative reforms and is also known for landmarks such as the Konark Sun Temple and its role in hosting major international sporting events.

The Bihar Cabinet approved direct international flight operations on the Gaya–Bangkok route and selected IndiGo to operate the service for a period of 12 months. The initiative aims to improve international connectivity and facilitate travel for Buddhist pilgrims from Thailand visiting Bodh Gaya, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. Along with this decision, the cabinet also approved the Young Professionals Selection Policy-2026 and extended the recommendations of the Fifth State Finance Commission for FY 2026–27. The move is expected to strengthen tourism, cultural exchanges, and economic activity in the region.

On April 23, 2026, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for ReNew Energy Global plc’s ₹5,400 crore solar manufacturing facility in Anakapalli district, which is located in Andhra Pradesh. The project includes a 6 GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing unit and falls under the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024. It is expected to be commissioned within 24 months, creating over 2,100 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, ReNew Energy has committed a total cumulative investment of ₹82,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh.

The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 began at the Umroi Military Station located in Meghalaya on May 20, 2026. PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. The two-week exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. A total of 12 friendly foreign nations, including Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Indonesia, are participating alongside India. The exercise also highlights the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by showcasing indigenous defence technologies and equipment, while promoting joint planning, intelligence sharing, and tactical cooperation among participating armies.