• 17 Dec 2025

Varanasi Becoming Railway Locomotive Export Hub

Why in News? 

Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi dispatched indigenously manufactured locomotives to Mozambique, strengthening India’s position as a global railway export hub. 

Key Points 

• Export Milestone: BLW dispatched the 6th 3300 HP AC-AC diesel-electric locomotive to Mozambique on 15 December 2025. 
• Production & Dispatch Timeline: 2 locomotives dispatched in June 2025, 3rd in September, 4th in October, 5th on 12 December, and 6th on 15 December 2025. 
• Technical Features: Locomotives are 3300 HP, Cape Gauge (1067 mm), with a maximum speed of 100 km/h and equipped with modern, driver-friendly cab amenities. 
• Strategic Importance: Enhances India’s railway export capability and supports Make in India and Make for the World initiatives. 
• Global Export Footprint: Since 2014, BLW has exported locomotives to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Mozambique; Indian Railways exports now span Europe, Africa, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. 
• National Significance: Demonstrates self-reliance in railway manufacturing and growing global trust in Indian engineering. 

Bihar’s Nitin Nabin Appointed BJP National Working President

Why in News? 

Bihar minister Nitin Nabin has been appointed as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

Key Points 

• In a significant political development on December 14, 2025, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed Bihar Cabinet Minister Nitin Nabin as its National Working President.

About Nitin Nabin 

• Born: May 23, 1980, in Ranchi (then Bihar, now Jharkhand). 
• Constituency: He is a five-time consecutive MLA from the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Patna, holding the seat since 2006. 
• Political Lineage: He entered politics after the demise of his father, Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, a veteran BJP leader and former MLA. 

Portfolios Held in Bihar Government 

• During his tenure in the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, he has held critical portfolios: 
  • Road Construction Department (RCD): (2021–2022, 2025) 
  • Urban Development & Housing Department (UDHD): (2024–2025) 
  • Department of Law: (Additional Charge, 2024–2025) 

Key Initiatives & Administrative Reforms 

• His tenure is noted for integrating technology into governance and pushing for structural reforms in Bihar's infrastructure sectors. 
• Urban Development Initiatives 
  • Satellite Township Scheme: Launched a plan to develop 11 new cities to decongest major urban centers. This includes upgrading 9 divisional headquarters (like Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur) and developing towns like Sonepur and Sitamarhi. 
  • Land Pooling Policy (2025): Instrumental in implementing the Bihar Town Planning Scheme Rules 2025. This policy allows landowners to become partners in development projects rather than losing land to forceful acquisition, solving a major hurdle in urban expansion. 
  • GIS Mapping: Mandated GIS-based mapping of Patna’s drainage, sewerage, and water supply networks to ensure scientific management of civic amenities. 
• Road Construction Reforms 
  • "Path Sandharan" App: Introduced a mobile application for real-time monitoring of road conditions. It allows officials and the public to report potholes, ensuring accountability from contractors. 
  • OPRMC Policy: Implemented Output and Performance-Based Road Maintenance Contracts. Under this, contractors are responsible for maintaining the roads they build for 7 years, shifting the focus from mere construction to long-term quality. 
    Bridge Health Monitoring: In response to bridge collapses, he established a dedicated Bridge Maintenance Wing and ordered regular health audits of all major bridges in the state. 

Hansi Named Haryana’s 23rd District

Why in News?

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that Hansi will become the state’s 23rd district.

Key Points

• Administrative Change: Hansi was earlier part of Hisar district and will now function as a separate administrative district once notification is issued.
• Development Highlight: During the announcement, the CM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹77.30 crore.
• Historical Significance: Hansi has rich historical and cultural heritage, noted for its role in past struggles and historic identities like Asi/Asigarh. 
• Notification Timeline: The official notification for Hansi’s district status is expected to be issued within a week from the announcement.
• Background: The decision fulfills a long-standing demand from local residents and leaders to promote better governance and accelerate development in the region. 

Mechanism of District Formation in Haryana:

• Legal Basis:Districts in Haryana are created by the State Government under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887 (as applicable to Haryana).
• Initiating Authority: Proposals are initiated by the State Revenue Department, often based on administrative convenience, population, area, and public demand.
• Approval Process: Cabinet approval of the Haryana Government is required.
• Official Declaration: A notification is issued in the Haryana Gazette declaring the new district.
• Post-Formation Changes: Reorganisation of tehsils, sub-divisions, police, revenue and judicial jurisdictions follows.

25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027

Why in News? 

The Government has set a new target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in India to 25,000 by March 2027. 

Key Points 

• Current Status: As of 30 November 2025, a total of 17,610 Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened nationwide, compared to only 80 in 2014, showing significant expansion of the scheme.  
• Target Set: The Government has set a target of increasing JAKs to 25,000 by March 2027 to further improve access to low‑cost quality generic medicines. 
• About Jan Aushadhi Kendra: It is a government-supported retail outlet  scheme that sells quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the public. 
• Growing Awareness: Rising sales volumes and an expanding product basket under the scheme indicate increasing public confidence and awareness about Janaushadhi medicines. 
• Entrepreneur Participation: Enhanced viability and attractiveness of JAKs have led to a 37% increase in outlets and a 38% increase in MRP sales value in the last financial year. 
• Application Process: JAKs are opened by inviting online applications from individual entrepreneurs, NGOs, societies, trusts, firms, and companies through the official Janaushadhi website. 

Sahakar Sarathi

Why in News? 

The Government of India has established Sahakar Sarathi, a Shared Service Entity (SSE), to modernise and digitally empower Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs). 

Key Points

• Establishment of Sahakar Sarathi: Sahakar Sarathi (SSE) has been set up with the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to strengthen the technological and service capabilities of Rural Cooperative Banks. 
• Date of Registration: The entity was registered on 21 July 2025 with the aim of providing shared infrastructure for cooperative banking digitalisation. 
• Authorised Capital & Shareholding: Sahakar Sarathi has an authorised capital of ₹1,000 crore, with equal 33.33% shareholding each for NABARD, NCDC, and Rural Cooperative Banks. 
• Services Provided: It offers shared modern banking infrastructure and digital services including: Common Core Banking Solutions (CBS), Digital payments like AePS and UPI, Cybersecurity, IT governance etc. 
• Purpose & Impact: The initiative seeks to help RCBs provide modern, standardised, and digital banking services, enhance customer reach, and improve operational efficiency comparable to other regulated financial institutions. 

NAMASTE Scheme: Nationwide Survey of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers

Why in News? 

A nationwide survey covering over 4,800 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) was conducted under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme to identify Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and strengthen their safety and dignity in sanitation work.  

Key Points 

• Survey Objective: The survey was conducted to identify Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) under the NAMASTE scheme — not manual scavengers — to ensure improved working conditions and safety. 
• Fatality Data: According to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), 471 sanitation workers have lost their lives due to hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning between 2019 and October 2025. 
•  Legal Prohibition: Section 7 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 prohibits hazardous entry into sewer or septic tanks. 
• NAMASTE Scheme: Launched in 2023–24 by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment in convergence with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs 
• Scheme Objectives: The scheme aims to eliminate manual entry into sewer and septic tanks and promote mechanised cleaning to achieve zero fatality and protect workers health. 
• Scheme Components: Support includes safety devices for Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), capital subsidies for mechanised equipment, occupational safety training, and workshops on prevention of hazardous cleaning. 
• SBM-U 2.0 Linkage: Under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, the Used Water Management (UWM) component focuses on eradicating hazardous sewer/septic tank entry through mechanisation.