Current Affairs - State

HIMCARE is a health insurance scheme implemented by the government of Himachal Pradesh to provide financial assistance for medical treatment, particularly aimed at supporting poor and needy families. The scheme ensures access to quality healthcare services and aims to reduce the financial burden on households. The state government has announced that registration for HIMCARE cards will now be open quarterly, in the months of March, June, September, and December. Additionally, principals of medical colleges and medical superintendents have been authorized to approve the creation of HIMCARE cards, streamlining access to this essential health benefit.

Himachal Pradesh became the first Indian state to introduce Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for ration distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This system, launched in July 2025, was developed to address challenges with previous methods like fingerprint scans and OTP verification, which often failed in hilly and remote areas due to network issues or biometric mismatches. The new FaceAuth method uses a mobile app on Fair Price Shop dealers’ smartphones to scan beneficiaries’ faces and match them with Aadhaar records, ensuring quicker and more reliable authentication. This initiative marks a significant advancement in digital governance and inclusive public service delivery.

India’s first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) was established at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College located in Meerut Cantonment, which is in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This facility earned global recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), making it a significant development for Indian equestrian sports. It aligns with international biosecurity standards, allowing Indian sport horses to participate in global competitions. The choice of Uttar Pradesh for this facility reflects its strategic military and veterinary infrastructure, especially in Meerut, a city known for its historical association with the Indian Army.

A new species of the genus Garcinia, named Garcinia kusumae, was discovered in the Baksa district of Assam. This evergreen tree, locally known as thoikora, can grow up to 18 metres tall and is dioecious in nature. The species was named in honour of Kusum Devi, the late mother of environmentalist Jatindra Sarma, who led the discovery team. Assam, known for its rich biodiversity and forest cover, continues to be a hotspot for botanical discoveries. The finding adds to the growing list of unique flora native to the northeastern region of India, highlighting its ecological significance.

Puducherry became the first Union Territory in India to integrate tuberculosis (TB) screening into the Family Adoption Programme, a unique health initiative where medical students adopt and monitor families over time. This innovation allows for routine TB checks, early detection, and improved access to care, significantly boosting community health outreach. Additionally, Puducherry introduced verbal autopsies to study TB-related mortality and involved all nine of its medical colleges in the process. These colleges are central to identifying cases, conducting diagnostics, and supporting treatment, making Puducherry a model for combining education, technology, and healthcare in public health policy.