Current Affairs - State

ISRO, in partnership with the Muskaan Foundation, inaugurated a space laboratory in Mechuka, Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh, on August 16, 2025. The facility, named the Pasang Wangchuk Sona ISRO Space Laboratory, was launched to provide rural students with hands-on exposure to space science and STEM learning. Situated in a remote area near the India-China border, this initiative reflects ISRO’s commitment to making advanced education accessible even in geographically challenging regions. By fostering curiosity and innovation among youth, the laboratory aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and strengthen India’s future space research and technology capabilities.

The Bihar government has taken a significant step to honor the contributions of political prisoners jailed during the Emergency by doubling the pension under the JP Senani Scheme. Those imprisoned for 1 to 6 months will now receive ₹15,000, up from ₹7,500, while those jailed for over 6 months will get ₹30,000, compared to the earlier ₹15,000. Additionally, the government has also increased the honorarium for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), reflecting its commitment to welfare measures. This move not only recognises historical sacrifices but also strengthens the state’s social support system for beneficiaries.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has cleared the construction of the Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh with an outlay of ₹8,146.21 crore. Designed to generate 700 MW of clean energy through four units of 175 MW each, the project is expected to produce 2,738.06 million units annually. It will bring multiple benefits including 12% free power to the state, additional local development funding, employment opportunities, and infrastructure upgrades such as roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. Strategically, it strengthens renewable energy capacity and integrates Arunachal Pradesh into the national power and economic framework.

Jharkhand’s women’s hockey team emerged victorious at the 15th Junior National Women’s Hockey Championship held in Kakinanda, Andhra Pradesh, defeating Hockey Haryana 2-1 in the final. This win marked their second consecutive junior national title and their fourth overall, with earlier victories in 2018, 2019, 2024, and 2025. More impressively, in 2025, Jharkhand completed a clean sweep by winning national titles across all three categories — Senior, Junior, and Sub-junior. This remarkable achievement highlights the state’s strong grassroots development system, consistent performance, and growing dominance in women’s hockey on the national stage.

The rare Blue Pinkgill mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri), native to New Zealand, was recently found in the Kagaznagar forest division of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana. Known for its vivid sky-blue colour due to rare azulene pigments, this species is among the most visually striking fungi in the world. Its discovery in Telangana suggests that the local forest ecosystem provides conditions similar to its native habitat. Alongside, the shuttlecock mushroom (Clathrus delicatus) was spotted for the first time in the Eastern Ghats at Kawal Tiger Reserve. These findings highlight Telangana’s rich biodiversity and the ecological significance of its forest regions.