• 20 Dec 2025

Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina Project

Why in News? 

The Union Government approved an ₹887 crore plan to develop a world-class marina in Mumbai Harbour — the Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina — to boost coastal shipping, maritime tourism and the blue economy.  

Key Points

• Approval: The Union Government, through the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, cleared the ₹887 crore Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina project. 
• Location: The marina will be developed in Mumbai Harbour over a 12-hectare water area with capacity to berth 424 yachts up to 30 meters long. 
• Mumbai Harbour: It is a natural deep-water harbour on India’s west coast, serving as a major port and maritime hub. 
• Investment Model: Mumbai Port Authority will invest ₹470 crore for core infrastructure, while ₹417 crore will come from a private operator for onshore facilities.  
• Employment & Economy: The project is expected to create over 2,000 jobs and enhance coastal shipping & maritime tourism, strengthening the blue economy.  
• Facilities: Planned onshore infrastructure includes a marina terminal, sailing school, maritime tourism centre, hotel, clubhouse and skill development hub.  
• Vision Alignment: The marina supports national frameworks like Maritime India Vision 2030, Sagarmala Programme, Cruise Bharat Mission and the Port Master Plan 2047 to make India a global maritime destination

Bheja–Bakaur Kosi Bridge Project

Why in News?

The 13.3 km Bheja–Bakaur Kosi Bridge in North Bihar is in its final stage and is expected to transform connectivity, reduce travel distances, and boost regional development in flood-affected areas. 

Key Points 

• Project Location: The Bheja–Bakaur Kosi Bridge, constructed across the Kosi River in Bihar. 
• Kosi River: It is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar",originating from the Tibetan Plateau, flowing through Nepal, and merges with the Ganga near Kursela in Katihar district of Bihar. 
• Strategic Connectivity: The bridge will reduce travel distance by 44 km, providing direct connectivity between Madhubani and Supaul with NH-27 and Patna. 
• Regional Commerce: It is expected to open seamless routes to Nepal and Northeast India, boosting cross-border trade and regional commerce.  
• Scheme: Developed under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. 
• Investment: The project has an estimated cost of ₹1101.99 crore.  
• Completion Timeline: The project is targeted for completion during FY 2026–27. 
• Religious & Tourism Access: Easier connectivity to sites like Bhagwati Uchchaith, Bideshwar Dham, Ugratara Temple, and Singheshwar Sthan.  
• Transformative Symbol: The bridge represents a major shift from years of flood struggle and isolation to enhanced connectivity and regional development in North Bihar. 

Jharkhand Students Represent at INSPIRE Exhibition

Why in News? 

15 students from Jharkhand have been selected to represent the state at the national-level INSPIRE Award–MANAK exhibition in New Delhi.

Key Points 

• Program & Organiser: The event is part of the INSPIRE Award–MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) initiative under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. 
• Selection Process: Students were chosen after competing in a state-level science exhibition-cum-project competition. 
• Number Selected: A total of 15 students from various districts of Jharkhand will represent the state at the national exhibition.  
• Platform: The national-level INSPIRE exhibition provides young innovators a platform to showcase their projects and compete with other talented students from across India. 
• Objective: The program aims to foster scientific temperament, creative thinking and innovation among school students, particularly in fields of science and technology.  
• Broader Scheme: INSPIRE Awards – MANAK is a key scheme to encourage students of Classes 6-10 to develop original ideas and solutions, eventually selected through district, state, and national level competitions. 

NHRC Suo Motu Cognizance in MP

Why in News? 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that six children tested HIV positive following blood transfusion at a district hospital in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• Incident: Six children undergoing treatment for Thalassemia reportedly became HIV positive after blood transfusion at Satna district hospital, raising serious health concerns. 
• Human Rights Concern: The NHRC observed that the incident, if true, constitutes a violation of children’s rights to health, safety, and protection. 
• Systemic Issue: Similar cases have been reported in other parts of the country, indicating possible lapses in blood safety protocols nationwide. 
• Notices Issued: NHRC has issued notices to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, seeking detailed reports within four weeks. 
• Reporting Requirement: States/UTs have been asked to provide information on action taken or proposed to investigate and prevent such incidents in the future. 
• Ongoing Investigation: Local authorities in Madhya Pradesh are probing whether other hospitals may have been involved in similar cases to ensure accountability. 
• About HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)  is a retrovirus that contains single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) as its genetic material and attacks the body’s immune system, thereby weakening the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases. 
  • Effect: Attacks CD4 (T helper) cells, a type of White Blood cells, thus weakening the immune system. 
  • Progression: Can lead to AIDS if untreated. 
  • Transmission: Through blood transfusion, sexual contact, mother-to-child, and contaminated needles. 
  • Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) controls the virus and prevents progression. 
  • Cure: No cure, but early treatment improves life expectancy and quality. 
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): It is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, mandated to protect and promote human rights. 

Finance Commission Grants ₹94 Crores for Uttarakhand PRIs

Why in News? 

The Union Government has released ₹94.236 crore as XV Finance Commission grants for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Uttarakhand for FY 2025‑26. 

Key Points 

• Grant Release: The government allocated ₹94.236 crore as XV Finance Commission grants to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/PRIs in Uttarakhand for FY 2025‑26. 
• Untied Grants: This includes the second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024‑25 covering 13 District Panchayats, 95 Block Panchayats, and 7,784 Gram Panchayats. 
• Additional Release: An amount of ₹13.60 lakh, previously withheld from the first instalment of FY 2024‑25, was released to 15 newly eligible Gram Panchayats. 
• Role of Ministries: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation) recommend the grants, which are released by the Ministry of Finance in two installments during the financial year. 
• Purpose of Untied Grants: Untied Grants allow RLBs/PRIs to address local needs under the 29 subjects of the Eleventh Schedule, excluding salaries and establishment expenses. 
• Tied Grants: Tied Grants are earmarked for essential services like sanitation, ODF maintenance, waste management, drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling. 
• Finance Commission: It is a constitutional body constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution of India, responsible for recommending the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the States, including tax devolution and grants-in-aid. 

Kalanubhaav: Rajasthan Craft Exhibition in Delhi

Why in News?

The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) Ajay Kumar Sood, inaugurated the Kalanubhaav exhibition at The Kunj in New Delhi, highlighting Rajasthan’s artisanal craft innovations developed under science, technology, and livelihood programmes. 

Key Points 

• Exhibition Focus: Kalanubhaav showcases leading handicrafts, handlooms, artisan‑led innovations, and design‑registered products developed under national science, technology, and livelihood programmes. 
• Location: The event is held at The Kunj, New Delhi, offering artisans a unique platform to present their creations. 
• Objective: The exhibition aims to empower artisans, enhance their market access, and elevate India’s craft sector from villages to global markets.  
• S&T Clusters Initiative: The Jodhpur City Knowledge & Innovation Cluster (JCKIC) focuses on strengthening artisan livelihoods through S&T‑enabled interventions like Kalaanubhav.in and AR/VR tools, promoting design registration and GI support. 
• National Priority Alignment: The exhibition supports coordinated science, technology, and innovation efforts to address region‑specific challenges and strengthen artisan ecosystems across India. 

India’s First Forest University in Gorakhpur

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the establishment of India’s first dedicated forest university in Gorakhpur, with an investment of about ₹500 crore, aimed at promoting forestry, wildlife and environmental education and research. 

Key Points 

• Approval & Cost: The state government has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the forest university, with an estimated expenditure of ₹500 crore. 
• Location: The university will be developed in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh on about 125 acres of land near the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre.  
• Academic Focus: The university will provide specialised degree and diploma courses in forestry, agroforestry, social forestry, horticulture, wildlife studies, ecology, and environmental sciences. 
• Curriculum & Training: The academic framework will integrate classroom instruction with field-based practical research, ensuring hands-on exposure to forests and conservation sites. 
• Infrastructure Plan: The campus will feature separate student hostels, classrooms, laboratories, an administrative block, an auditorium, and residential facilities for faculty.  
• National Importance: Once operational, the university will serve as a national centre for forest education, conservation research and training, enhancing India’s environmental protection and sustainability capacity. 
• UP ISFR 2023 Report: Uttar Pradesh recorded the second-highest increase in green cover (forest + tree cover) in India, adding 559.19 sq km, with its total green cover reaching 9.96% of its geographical area.