Current Affairs - State

Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, commissioned a 100 MW solar power project in Gujarat with effect from March 31, 2026. The project received its official commissioning certificate from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). This initiative is part of CIL’s broader strategy to diversify into renewable energy and move toward becoming a net-zero energy company. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had earlier highlighted delays in achieving the company’s solar energy targets, prompting faster implementation of renewable energy projects to support India’s clean energy transition and sustainable development goals.

The Union Cabinet approved two semiconductor manufacturing projects in Gujarat under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) on May 05, 2026. One project by Crystal Matrix Limited in Dholera will establish India’s first commercial Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Mini/Micro-LED display facility, while the second project by Suchi Semicon Private Limited in Surat focuses on semiconductor assembly and testing. Together, the projects involve investments worth ₹3,936 crore and are expected to generate employment for more than 2,200 skilled professionals. These initiatives strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and support the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for electronics and chip manufacturing.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the establishment of a new Ship Repair Facility at Vadinar in Gujarat on May 05, 2026. The project will be jointly implemented by the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) with an investment of ₹1,570 crore. The facility is planned as a brownfield infrastructure project and will include advanced repair facilities such as floating dry docks, marine workshops, and a long jetty. It is expected to strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure, improve ship repair capacity for larger vessels, and generate significant employment opportunities in logistics and related industries.

Karnataka launched the Centre of Excellence for Space Technology (CoE SpaceTech Foundation) in Bengaluru on May 1, 2026, to promote advanced aerospace research and innovation. The initiative aims to support both hardware and software development in cutting-edge space technology. The centre operates under the supervision of Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology. Bengaluru, often called the Space City of India, serves as a major hub for aerospace, defence, and software industries. The initiative also seeks to attract global scientists, researchers, and institutional investments through focused outreach programmes. Karnataka has been a pioneer in the aerospace sector and was the first Indian state to introduce a dedicated aerospace policy in 2013.

Sikkim became India’s first paperless judiciary state after the formal declaration made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at a judicial conclave in Gangtok. The initiative completely removed the requirement for physical document submissions across courts in the state. The judiciary system now operates through e-filing platforms, centralised digital case management systems, and electronic archival of court proceedings and evidence. The transition involved extensive server setup and digitisation of historical case records over several years. The initiative supports the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by promoting technology-driven governance and modernisation of judicial administration. Sikkim, which became the 22nd state of India in 1975, is governed under special provisions of Article 371F.