1. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India : Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India highlighted major financial irregularities and operational inefficiencies in Indian Railways, with total lapses amounting to ₹570+ crore.

• About CAG : Established under Article 148 of the Constitution.

  o Acts as the guardian of the public purse and oversees the entire financial system of the Centre and States.

  o Ensures adherence to the Constitution and laws enacted by Parliament in matters of financial administration.

  o Serves as a bulwark of India’s democratic system by ensuring financial accountability and transparency.

  • Audits all expenditures from: Consolidated Fund of India, State, and Union Territories.

  o Contingency Fund and Public Account of both Centre and States.

  • Article 148: CAG appointed by the President through a warrant under his hand and seal.

  o Ineligible for any further appointment to any office under the Central or State Government after completing their tenure.

  o All expenditures related to the CAG's office, including salaries, allowances, and pensions, are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).

  • Term of Office: The CAG holds office for a term of six years or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • Resignation: The CAG may resign at any time by submitting a written resignation to the President of India.
  • Removal: The CAG can be removed by the President in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court, ensuring a high level of protection and independence.

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2. National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED) 2025

National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED) 2025 : Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released the revised National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED) 2025, marking a major step forward in decentralising healthcare testing across the country.

• About NLED : The ICMR introduced the first NEDL in 2019, recognising diagnostics as a core component of the healthcare system.

o Specifies the most basic and essential diagnostic tests that should be accessible at all levels of healthcare, right from village-level sub-health centres and health & wellness centres to primary health centres and beyond.

o India : First country in the world to formally release a national list of essential diagnostics.

• List includes : General laboratory tests for a wide range of common conditions.

o Disease-specific tests for major communicable and non-communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, and region-specific diseases.

• Since 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that countries develop and adopt their own NEDL to ensure access to In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) at various levels of the healthcare system, including facilities without on-site laboratories.
• Key additions to the 2025 NLED include diagnostics for sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, hepatitis B, syphilis, dengue, tuberculosis, diabetes, hypertension, and latent TB infections.

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3. Pale-Capped Pigeon

Pale-Capped Pigeon : Recently, in a significant development for birdwatchers &  conservationists, the elusive Pale-capped Pigeon was photographed in Dehing Patkai National Park, Assam.

About Pale-Capped Pigeon : Also known as the purple wood pigeon. this large, dark purplish-maroon bird is a rare species

o Distribution: Northern and northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

o Habitat: Prefers primary and secondary evergreen forests, bamboo groves, and nearby agricultural fields. Found from lowlands up to 1,600 meters elevation.

o Diet: Frugivorous, often seen in small flocks foraging in tree canopies

o Conservation Status: ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

• About Dehing Patkai National Park: Located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam, lies at the foothills of the Patkai Range, alongside the Dehing River and near Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary. Nicknamed the “Amazon of the East”, it contains India’s longest stretch of tropical lowland rainforest.

o Climate: Tropical with over 4,000 mm annual rainfall

o Vegetation: Deciduous rainforest with semi-evergreen and dense flora

o Flora: Includes Hollong, Nahor, Mekai, Paroli, Simul, orchids, ferns, cane, and bamboo

o Fauna: Rich wildlife including Asian elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, clouded leopard, gaur, Chinese pangolin, slow loris, and multiple macaque species

o Communities: Home to diverse ethnic groups like the Tai Phake, Singpho, Ahom etc.

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4. Bima Sakhi Scheme

Bima Sakhi Scheme : Recently, the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Rural Development under the Union Ministry of Rural Development to scale up the Bima Sakhi Yojana across rural areas.

• About Bima Sakhi Yojana : Launched by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to promote financial inclusion and women's empowerment .

o The scheme targets women aged 18 to 70 years who have completed at least Class 10 education.

o Selected candidates receive specialised training and a monthly stipend over three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness.

o Stipend Structure: ₹7,000 per month in the first year

- ₹6,000 per month in the second year

- ₹5,000 per month in the third year

• Additional Income: Bima Sakhis are also eligible for commissions, with up to ₹48,000 (excluding bonuses) in the first year.

o The scheme aims to appoint two lakh Bima Sakhis over a span of three years.

o After completing training, Bima Sakhis can work as LIC agents, and those with graduation qualifications may also be considered for roles as development officers in LIC.

• Relatives of existing LIC agents or employees, as well as retired LIC employees, are not eligible to apply under this scheme.

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5. Meghna River

Meghna River : Recently, experts, policymakers, civil society groups, and indigenous organisations from India and Bangladesh are set to convene for a multi-stakeholder dialogue to address climate change risks and strengthen community resilience in the Meghna River Basin.

o Themed "Building Community and Ecosystem Resilience to Climate Change", the event will be facilitated by the Meghna Knowledge Forum II, with support from the IUCN, South Asian University, and the Asian Institute of Technology.

• About Meghna River : Formed by the confluence of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Bangladesh.

o Indian Connection: In Karimganj district of Assam, India, the Barak River splits into the Surma and Kushiyara streams, which later reunite at Kishoreganj district in Bangladesh to form the Meghna.

o Upper and Lower Meghna: From Kishoreganj to Chandpur, it is called the Upper Meghna.

- After meeting the Padma River at Chandpur, it becomes the Lower Meghna.

Major Watercourse: Principal distributary in the Padma (Ganga) River delta in Bangladesh.

oCourse: Flows almost due south from Bhairab Bazar after receiving the Old Brahmaputra channel.

- Joins with the Padma and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers near Chandpur.

- Travels about 164 miles (264 km) before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

o Ecological and Economic Role: Supports fisheries, navigation, and local livelihoods.

- Plays a vital role in the regional ecosystem.

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6. SASCI Scheme

SASCI Scheme : Recently, the Ministry of Tourism released the operational guidelines for the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – a flagship initiative aimed at transforming iconic tourist destinations into world-class centres.

• About SASCI Scheme : This scheme operates under the broader umbrella of the Union Government’s infrastructure push, specifically aimed at economic revival through tourism-led development.

o Aim: To create globally competitive, iconic tourist centres by enhancing infrastructure, branding, marketing, and sustainable operations.

o Key Features : End-to-End Development: Holistic improvement of tourist sites, from entry to exit experience.

- Funding Assistance: Financial support to state-identified and Centre-approved proposals.

- Tourist Value Chain Strengthening: Focus on accommodation, transport, local experiences, and digital connectivity.

- Design Expertise: Involvement of reputed agencies for planning and execution.

- Sustainability Focus: Emphasis on environmental safeguards and long-term viability.

- Strict Timelines: All projects must be completed within 2 years, and Central funding is available until 31st March 2026.

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7. Meri Panchayat App

Meri Panchayat App : Recently, India’s Meri Panchayat mobile application was honoured with the prestigious WSIS Champion Prize 2025 at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event held in Geneva, Switzerland.

o The award, conferred under the Action Line Category: Cultural Diversity, Linguistic Identity & Local Content, signifies a major global recognition of India’s model for rural digital empowerment.

• About Meri Panchayat App : Launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

o A mobile governance (m-Governance) platform developed to digitally empower India's rural local bodies and citizens.

o Key highlights: Designed to digitally empower 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats across India.

- Aims to benefit 25 lakh elected representatives and over 950 million rural citizens.

- Promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in local governance.

- Serves as a scalable digital governance model, decentralizing information and enhancing access to Panchayat-level services.

- Provides Panchayat-level weather data for better local planning.

- Citizens can submit project ideas, rate works, and view Gram Sabha outcomes.

- Enables bottom-up governance by placing information directly in the hands of rural citizens.

• Global Recognition at WSIS 2025: The WSIS Forum 2025 was co-hosted by major global institutions including ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD, and the Swiss Confederation.

o The forum marked 20 years of global efforts to create inclusive and equitable information societies.

o It celebrated digital innovations that address cultural, linguistic, and accessibility divides.

o This recognition highlights India’s commitment to rural digital empowerment and participatory local governance.

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