Current Affairs - State

The Bathou religion, an indigenous faith central to the Bodo community, is primarily practiced in Assam. It emphasises nature worship and promotes harmony between humans and the natural environment. Recognizing its cultural significance, the Bathou religion has been granted a separate code in the upcoming national census, allowing better representation of the Bodo community and their traditions. This acknowledgment supports the preservation of indigenous identities and highlights Assam’s rich cultural diversity, reinforcing the importance of documenting minority faiths in national demographic surveys.

Telangana has emerged as the top-performing state in India for recovering lost and stolen mobile phones via the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) portal. Since its extension to Telangana in April 2023, the state has successfully recovered over 1 lakh devices, with Hyderabad alone accounting for nearly 15,000 recoveries. This achievement highlights Telangana’s effective integration of technology with law enforcement, active citizen participation, and strong public awareness campaigns. The CEIR portal allows authorities to block, trace, and return stolen devices, enhancing both personal data security and overall crime reduction.

The “CM Flight” initiative was launched by the Chief Minister of Assam to provide the state’s youth with training, mentorship, exposure, and placement opportunities aimed at pursuing global careers. The programme addresses key challenges such as unemployment, skill mismatches, and brain drain by equipping young professionals with the skills required for international job markets. By fostering global employability and career readiness, Assam seeks to empower its youth, promote economic development, and enhance the state’s talent presence on a worldwide scale, making it a pioneering model in youth-centric skill initiatives.

Uttarakhand hosted the AI Impact Summit 2025 in Dehradun, serving as a precursor to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026. Organised by the Department of IT, Government of Uttarakhand, in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission under MeitY, the summit emphasised responsible and inclusive AI growth. Key focus areas included governance, education, healthcare, disaster management, and rural empowerment through AI. The event brought together officials, academia, and industry leaders, highlighting India’s multi-stakeholder approach to ethical AI adoption. Uttarakhand’s summit set the stage for the national-level 2026 summit, promoting India’s position as a global leader in AI for public good.

The Meghalaya government has entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NorthEast United FC to promote football development and position Shillong as the 'Football Capital' of India. The partnership, effective from 2025 to 2028, involves collaboration between the football club, the Department of Tourism, and the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. This initiative aims to enhance grassroots football programs, nurture local talent, and boost sports tourism in the state, reflecting Meghalaya’s commitment to fostering a strong sporting culture and leveraging football as a tool for youth engagement and regional recognition.