Current Affairs - State

Assam became the first state in India to introduce an AI-powered news anchor named 'Ankita', capable of delivering government updates in the Assamese language. Launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 15, 2025, Ankita aims to enhance public communication by presenting Cabinet meeting highlights via social media. This initiative is a major step towards digital transformation and e-governance, showcasing the state’s commitment to innovation. While it has received praise for embracing technology and improving transparency, it has also sparked debate around the role of AI in media and its potential impact on traditional employment in the sector.

Maharashtra has given its approval for the merger of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) with Indian Railways. This move addresses the financial difficulties faced by KRCL, including low revenue generation and increasing infrastructure costs, which had hindered further development and modernization efforts. With this decision, all the states served by the Konkan Railway—Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and now Maharashtra—have supported the integration. The merger is expected to streamline operations, reduce administrative overheads, and enhance the efficiency of railway services along the Konkan coast, thereby benefiting both passengers and freight logistics in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India's first 9000 HP electric locomotive engine at the Dahod railway factory located in Gujarat. This event is significant as it represents a milestone in India's push towards advanced transportation technology and efficient logistics. The factory, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is designed to produce 1,200 engines over the next decade, which will cater to both domestic and international markets. This initiative also aligns with broader efforts to enhance regional infrastructure and stimulate economic growth, making Gujarat a key hub in this ambitious industrial progression.

The Maharashtra government has introduced a comprehensive aggregator policy aimed at regulating app-based cab services such as Ola and Uber. This policy outlines new guidelines including fare structures, mandatory driver training programs, promotion of electric vehicle adoption, and specific penalties for service violations. Notably, if a driver cancels a booking without a valid reason, a financial penalty of 10% of the fare or Rs. 100—whichever is lower—will be imposed. The policy is intended to ensure greater accountability, improve service quality, and support sustainable transportation initiatives within the state.

The butterfly species Euthalia malaccana, previously known from Southeast Asia, has been officially recorded in the Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh, marking its first confirmed presence in India. This discovery extends the known range of the species and contributes significantly to the country’s biodiversity data. It also underscores the importance of citizen science in wildlife documentation and research. Euthalia malaccana was once considered a subspecies but is now recognized as a distinct species. The finding is notable for entomologists and conservationists, as it highlights the ecological richness of Arunachal Pradesh and India's northeastern biodiversity frontier.