Current Affairs - State

Karnataka emerged as the top-performing state in the 78th Senior National Aquatic Championships by securing the highest number of medals overall. The state’s athletes collectively won 16 gold, 11 silver, and 14 bronze medals, amounting to a total of 41. This impressive tally placed Karnataka significantly ahead of other states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, who secured 17 and 16 medals respectively. The performance of swimmers such as Shoan Ganguly, who set a new meet record in the 400m medley, contributed greatly to Karnataka's dominant position in the competition.

On June 25, 2025, the Union government announced that Bihar will be among the first six Indian states to receive a nuclear power plant under the ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission. The plant will be based on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, offering a safer, scalable, and more adaptable alternative to traditional nuclear plants. The decision was driven by Bihar’s persistent power deficit and infrastructural limitations, with the new facility expected to strengthen the state's grid, support industrial expansion, and drive long-term development. Additionally, a major battery energy storage project was sanctioned, reinforcing Bihar’s shift toward energy resilience.

The petition was filed in the Karnataka High Court by two individual bike owners who challenged a ruling that prohibited the operation of bike taxis in the state. They argued that such a ban infringes upon their fundamental rights, specifically the right to carry on a business and the freedom to choose bike taxis as a mode of transportation over public options like buses or the metro. This legal move underscores the ongoing debate in Karnataka about balancing regulatory controls with constitutional freedoms in the context of emerging transport services.

Andhra Pradesh launched the ‘Vidya Shakti’ initiative, aimed at supporting slow learners in government schools by leveraging technology for remedial education. The program targets core subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English and is being implemented across thousands of Zilla Parishad, Government, Municipal, and Residential schools. By conducting after-school sessions and training teachers specifically for this purpose, the initiative seeks to enhance learning outcomes, reduce dropout rates, and increase enrolment. This effort reflects a broader move toward inclusive, technology-driven education reform in the state, setting a precedent for other regions to follow.

Assam has taken a significant step towards inclusivity by granting OBC (Other Backward Class) status to the transgender community, thereby enabling their access to educational, employment, and welfare benefits reserved for OBCs. Simultaneously, the state announced a 50% reservation for Anganwadi workers in supervisory roles under the Women and Child Development Department. This dual announcement, made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 23, 2025, aims to address both gender minority rights and the recognition of grassroots workers. These initiatives reflect Assam's broader push to institutionalize equity and improve the representation of marginalized communities in governance structures.