NATIONAL NEWS

Census 2027: India’s Transition to a Fully Digital Enumeration System

• Census 2027 will introduce India’s first completely digital population survey, replacing traditional paper-based methods.

• Data collection will be conducted through mobile applications and self-enumeration tools, connected to a central monitoring platform.

• A Census Management and Monitoring System will supervise field operations, data entry, and administrative coordination in real time.

• Special Housing Listing Block portals will help create accurate geographic mapping and structured household identification.

• A uniform national location coding system will assign unique identifiers to every administrative unit for smooth digital processing.

• Distinct numeric code categories will be provided for villages, forest settlements, statutory towns, and census towns to prevent duplication.

• A cascade training framework will be implemented where national trainers guide master trainers, who further train field staff and supervisors.

• Training programmes will emphasise digital skills, confidentiality, ethical data handling, and inclusive enumeration practices.

Anahat Singh’s Breakthrough Victory Elevates India’s Global Squash Presence

• 17-year-old Anahat Singh secured a career-defining victory by winning her first PSA Bronze-level title at the Squash On Fire Open in Washington.

• She defeated world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy in straight games, demonstrating exceptional confidence and match control.

• The Indian player, seeded seventh, dominated the final with scores of 12-10, 11-5, 11-7 in a short 26-minute contest.

• The win marked her 15th professional title, reflecting her rapidly growing success on the international circuit.

• Following the triumph, Anahat entered the world’s top 20 rankings, becoming the youngest Asian squash player to achieve this milestone.

• She reached the top-20 position after participating in only 26 PSA Tour events, highlighting her swift progress.

• Her earlier achievements include being part of India’s historic Squash World Cup-winning team in Chennai (2025) and reaching the semifinals of the Canadian Women’s Open.

• The Professional Squash Association (PSA) organises global tournaments across various tiers, and Anahat’s success reflects India’s rising stature in international squash competitions.

AWARDS

Paradip Port Authority Wins First Prize at Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025

• Paradip Port Authority secured the top position in Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025 for excellence in sanitation, environmental efforts and public participation.

• The award was presented by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways at a ceremony held in New Delhi on 3 February 2026.

• Chairman P. L. Haranadh accepted the award on behalf of the port authority.

• The evaluation considered performance during Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 and Swachhata Hi Sewa 2025, focusing on hygiene campaigns and worker welfare.

• The port successfully implemented three major themes — Jan Bhagidari, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and Safai Mitra Suraksha.

• Under public participation initiatives, the authority organised large-scale cleanliness and awareness drives.

• As part of environmental sustainability, around 40,000 saplings were planted at Paradip Sea Beach under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign.

• Special programmes like Scrap to Structure highlighted innovative recycling, while the awards continue to assess ports on cleanliness, waste management and green development efforts.

STATE NEWS

Tripura Sets National Benchmark in Grassroots Governance through PAI 2.0

• Tripura secured the top national rank in Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0, highlighting its strong village-level governance model.

• Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee in Sepahijala district achieved first place across India with an impressive score of 88.44.

• Two additional panchayats from the same district — South Nalchar and Chesrimai — also ranked among the top performers nationally.

• The success of multiple panchayats from one district reflects consistent administrative planning and implementation rather than isolated performance.

• During the 2023–24 financial year, all 1,176 gram panchayats in Tripura completed full data reporting and verification under the index.

• This complete compliance demonstrates the state’s commitment to digital monitoring, transparency, and accountability in local governance.

• The Panchayat Advancement Index evaluates panchayats based on service delivery, decentralised planning, and governance efficiency.

• Gram panchayats, being the foundation of rural self-governance, play a key role in delivering welfare schemes and strengthening democratic participation at the grassroots level.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Haven-1: The World’s First Fully Private Space Station Initiative

• With the International Space Station (ISS) expected to retire around 2030, private companies are preparing to manage human activity in low Earth orbit.

• US startup Vast Space is developing Haven-1, aiming to become the first commercially owned space station.

• Haven-1 is planned as a single-module, compact orbital station, reducing complexity compared to multi-module stations.

• The station is expected to be launched using SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket, with the mission now targeted for early 2027.

• The project relies on tested space technologies, including the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for life-support and power assistance.

• Haven-1 is being developed with expertise from former NASA and SpaceX engineers, strengthening technical reliability.

• The station will operate in low Earth orbit (160–2,000 km above Earth), which is crucial for research, tourism, and commercial space operations.

• The project aligns with NASA’s plan to shift from government-owned stations to commercial service-based partnerships, supporting the expansion of the private space economy.

MISCELLANEOUS

India’s Participation in 61st Venice Biennale Art Exhibition

• India will showcase its art at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia to be held in Venice, Italy.

• The Ministry of Culture has officially confirmed India’s participation in the globally recognised art event.

• India’s National Pavilion is returning after a seven-year absence, marking a significant cultural comeback.

• The pavilion will host a collective exhibition titled “Geographies of Distance: Remembering Home.”

• The initiative reflects India’s rising global cultural presence while highlighting its deep civilizational roots.

• Five Indian artists — Alwar Balasubramaniam, Sumakshi Singh, Ranjani Shettar, Asim Waqif, and Skarma Sonam Tashi — will present their creative works.

• The artworks will focus on themes such as identity, memory, migration, and emotional connection to home, using traditional and recycled materials.

• The exhibition will be organised at the Arsenale venue from 9 May to 22 November, with preview sessions scheduled from 6 to 8 May.