PCS ParikshanNational Current Affairs Switch to Hindi
World Bank Launched ‘Water Forward’ Initiative
Why in News?
The World Bank launched a global initiative titled “Water Forward” in April 2026 to improve water security for more than 1 billion people by 2030.
Key Points
- Initiative: The World Bank Group introduced the Water Forward initiative to tackle the growing global water crisis and ensure reliable water access worldwide.
- The World Bank itself has pledged to help deliver water security to about 400 million people by 2030, with the remaining beneficiaries supported by partner institutions.
- Country-Led Water Compacts: At the core of the initiative are national water compacts, through which governments identify reform priorities, strengthen institutions, and outline investment plans for their water sectors.
- Participation: Initially, 14 countries announced their national water compacts.
- Investment: It seeks to accelerate investment in water infrastructure, water management systems, and climate-resilient water services.
- Objective: It aims to support sustainable development by ensuring a safe, reliable, and affordable water supply while strengthening resilience to climate-related water risks such as droughts and floods.
| Read More: World Bank |
National Current Affairs Switch to Hindi
India’s First Petroglyph Conservation Park to be Set Up in Leh, Ladakh
Why in News?
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, laid the foundation stone for India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, Leh on World Heritage Day to preserve the region’s ancient rock art heritage.
Key Points
- Launch: The foundation stone was laid at Sindhu Ghat on the banks of the Indus River in Leh to protect Ladakh’s prehistoric rock carvings.
- Objective: The park aims to conserve centuries-old petroglyphs (rock carvings) that represent early human life, trade routes, belief systems, and ecological history, many of which are under threat from tourism, infrastructure development, and environmental factors.
- Ladakh is home to nearly 400 petroglyph sites spread across the banks of the Indus and Zanskar rivers, making it one of the richest rock art regions in South and Central Asia.
- Implementation: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for joint conservation and management of heritage sites.
- Vulnerable and isolated rock carvings will be carefully relocated to the conservation park for protection and curated public display in an educational setting.
- Cultural Significance: The petroglyphs are considered “open-air museums” and provide a continuous record of human civilisation from prehistoric to historic periods, reflecting Ladakh’s role as a cultural and trade crossroads.
| Read More: Central Asia, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) |
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Third Edition of AICTE-VAANI Scheme Launched
Why in News?
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) launched the 3rd edition of the VAANI (Vibrant Advocacy for Advancement and Nurturing of Indian Languages) scheme in April 2026 to promote the use of Indian languages in technical education and higher studies.
Key Points
- Launch: AICTE has launched the VAANI scheme to strengthen the use of Indian languages in technical education and make learning more inclusive and accessible across linguistic groups.
- Objective: The scheme aims to bridge the language gap in higher education by enabling students to access technical knowledge in their mother tongue.
- Financial Support: Under the initiative, AICTE will provide around ₹4 crore annually to support nearly 200 conferences, seminars, and workshops conducted in Indian languages.
- Coverage: The programme will promote academic activities in 22 Indian languages across emerging technical fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technology, Cybersecurity, Space Technology, and Agrotech.
- AICTE-approved institutions will be invited to apply online through a dedicated portal within a fixed time window for organising approved academic events.
| Read More: 22 Indian languages, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technology, Cybersecurity |
