Current Affairs - State

Uttarakhand became the first state in India to collaborate with the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs for organising the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv under the PM VIKAS Scheme. Held at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, the festival showcased traditional handicrafts, textiles, and indigenous products through 150 exhibition stalls. Around 90 women artisans participated, highlighting the theme of Nari Shakti, while 40% of the stalls were dedicated to the state's crafts and arts. The event also promoted entrepreneurship, facilitated buyer-seller interactions, and supported artisans through digital marketing initiatives, contributing to cultural preservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Uttarakhand became India's sixth fully literate state on 8 July 2026 after fulfilling the literacy benchmarks under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – New India Literacy Programme. The centrally sponsored scheme focuses on improving adult literacy, digital literacy, financial literacy, and critical life skills among non-literate citizens aged 15 years and above. Implemented through volunteer participation and the ULLAS Mobile App, the programme aims to promote lifelong learning and inclusive education. Uttarakhand joined Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim in achieving this milestone.

Andhra Pradesh launched the ‘Mee Bhoomi-Mee Hakku’ programme under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to improve land record management and ownership transparency. The initiative aims to distribute 29.04 lakh new Pattadar Passbooks across 6,887 villages by the end of July 2026. It also includes the removal of 2,074 acres of land from the prohibited list under Section 22-A, benefiting hundreds of farmers. Additionally, 101 acres were removed from the ‘dotted lands’ category to resolve ownership issues, making the programme a significant step toward efficient land administration and farmer welfare.

Jharkhand launched the AI Policy 2026–31 with the objective of transforming the state into a leading hub for artificial intelligence, digital governance, and technology-driven innovation. The roadmap aims to attract more than ₹10,000 crore in private investment, establish over 50 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), support more than 1,000 AI startups, and generate over one lakh AI-enabled jobs within five years. The policy also emphasises AI-powered governance through initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Data Intelligence Platform, Health and Nutrition Vigilance System, and Critical Minerals Administration System, while strengthening the state's IT infrastructure, startup ecosystem, and digital economy.

Andhra Pradesh introduced a millet-based chikki under the Dokka Seethamma Mid-Day Meal Scheme to enhance the nutritional intake of students in government schools. The snack is prepared using peanuts, jaggery, and nutritious millets such as ragi, jowar, and bajra. It is distributed three times a week and is monitored through barcode-based tracking to ensure transparency and quality. The initiative aims to improve the intake of calcium, iron, protein, and dietary fibre among children while promoting the consumption of millets, which are nutrient-rich, environmentally sustainable, and widely encouraged across India.