Current Affairs - State

Kerala is the first state in India to establish the Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC), which provides a 25-year strategic roadmap to manage rapid urbanisation sustainably. The KUPC focuses on climate-sensitive urban planning, real-time urban data systems, green fees, municipal and pooled bonds, and governance reforms such as elected city cabinets. It emphasises place-based urban growth, inclusive planning, and community-driven data integration, aiming to balance development with climate resilience, cultural preservation, and social welfare. Kerala’s model serves as a benchmark for other states, offering lessons in creating climate-aware, financially empowered, and participatory urban ecosystems.

The ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme was launched in Tamil Nadu by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on September 16, 2025. This welfare initiative provides ₹2,000 monthly financial support to orphaned children until they complete school education or reach the age of 18. In its first phase, over 6,000 children across Tamil Nadu will directly benefit. The scheme ensures uninterrupted education, protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, and access to digital resources such as laptops for college-bound orphans. Additionally, a mobile app developed with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency enables transparency, real-time monitoring, and grievance redressal, ensuring effective implementation statewide.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently introduced a revised design for EVM ballot papers to improve voter experience, focusing on visibility, readability, and uniformity. The updated design includes colored candidate photos, a standard font style, and a maximum of 15 candidates per sheet with the NOTA option placed after the last candidate. Importantly, the ECI confirmed that this new ballot paper design will first be implemented in the Bihar Elections of 2025, making Bihar the pioneering state for this initiative aimed at strengthening transparency and voter convenience.

Bihar, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, expanded the Chief Minister’s Nishchay Self Help Allowance Scheme to support unemployed graduates from Arts, Science, and Commerce streams. The scheme targets young individuals between the ages of 20 and 25 who are actively searching for jobs and are not enrolled in further studies. Beneficiaries will receive a monthly allowance of ₹1,000 for up to two years, providing crucial financial support during their job seeking phase. This initiative reflects Bihar’s commitment to empowering its youth and reducing the financial hardships faced by unemployed graduates in the state.

The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated several large-scale campaigns to mark the Seva Parv 2025 celebrations. These include the plantation of 15 lakh saplings to promote environmental sustainability, the Swachh Utsav to strengthen cleanliness drives, and the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan aimed at empowering women through health and blood donation camps. Additionally, the Urban Development Department will observe “Swachhata Hi Seva 2025,” reinforcing the importance of sanitation. These initiatives reflect a holistic approach by the state government, addressing environment, health, and cleanliness in alignment with sustainable development and community welfare goals.