Asia’s First UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion
- Context: India has established Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development
About the Initiative
- The UNESCO Chair is a global academic initiative focused on reducing gender disparities in technical and vocational education
- Launched on April 24, 2026 in Pune
Organizations Involved
- Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
- UNESCO
- Symbiosis Skills and Professional University
Objective
- Aims to promote gender equality in skill development
- Seeks to ensure greater participation of women in emerging economic sectors
- Focuses on inclusive growth and social transformation
Key Features
- Training women in advanced fields such as semiconductors, AI, robotics, defence, and advanced manufacturing.
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- Linked with international bodies like International Labour Organization, UNESCO-UNEVOC, and UNESCO Global Skills Academy.
- Targets women from underprivileged backgrounds with industry-relevant skills.
- Involves 40+ industry experts and policymakers to align training with job market needs.
- Backed by both the Skill Development and Education ministries.
Significance
- Positions India as a leader in gender-inclusive skill development in Asia
- Promotes women’s empowerment and financial independence
- Prepares women for future-ready, high-value employment opportunities
Virli Khandar Megalithic Site
- Context: An ongoing excavation at a megalithic site in Virli Khandar has revealed distinctive burial architecture, rare artefacts and unusual pottery arrangements, offering fresh insights into ancient funerary practices in Vidarbha.
- The site, located in Pauni tehsil of Bhandara district, in Maharashtra was first reported in 2008.
Unique Burial Pattern
- Features stone circles with menhirs inside (composite megalithic structure)
- Distinct from nearby sites like Pimpalgaon Nipani and Tirota Kheri, which mainly have dolmen burials
Artifacts Discovered
- Copper items (e.g., necklace)
- Iron tools: axes, chisels, ladles, arrowheads
- Semi-precious beads, including etched carnelian
- Gold earring recovered
Pottery Findings
- Unique pottery cluster not previously reported in the Vidarbha region
- Around 50 pots arranged systematically in one burial
- Larger pots covered with inverted bowls
Burial Structure Details
- Pots placed over black cotton soil layer
- Soil laid above natural lateritic (murum) base
Abhilekh Patal Portal
- Context: Prime Minister encouraged citizens to explore the Abhilekh Patal portal to better understand India’s historical heritage
About the Abhilekh Patal Portal
- Abhilekh Patal Portal is a comprehensive online platform providing access to archival materials
- Developed and maintained by the National Archives of India
- Functions as a digital repository of historical records
Objective
- Aims to make historical documents easily accessible to users worldwide
- Designed to bridge geographical barriers and reach a global audience
Content Available
- Over 7 million digitised records
Includes:
- Government records from various ministries and departments
- Private papers of notable individuals
- Photographs, maps, microfilms, and rare documents
- Digitised archival files preserved by NAI
About National Archives of India
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- Established in 1891 in Kolkata as the Imperial Record Department
- Largest archival institution in South Asia
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- Custodian of non-current government records
- Holds diverse collections such as public records, private papers, oriental and cartographic materials
- Headquarters in New Delhi, Operates under the Ministry of Culture
Significance
- Enhances public access to India’s historical documents
- Supports research, education, and administrative reference
- Promotes awareness of India’s rich historical legacy
India’s Digital Content Regulation
- Context: India has joined a select group of nations where platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram) automatically curb flagged online content at scale
Sahyog Portal
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- The Sahyog Portal is a centralised online system launched in 2024
- Developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and managed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
- Functions as a single-window platform for law enforcement agencies to issue quick and coordinated requests to remove or block illegal online content
Evolution of the Portal
- Initially created as an emergency response tool during the pandemic
- Later transformed in late 2024 into a key mechanism for regulating online content
Legal Framework
- Based on Information Technology Act, 2000 under Section 79(3)(b)
- This provision states that intermediaries lose “safe harbour” protection if they fail to promptly remove unlawful content after government notice
- Section 69A: Provides a formal blocking process with safeguards like written justification
- Section 79(3)(b): Used via Sahyog Portal as a quicker, parallel route for content takedown without the same procedural steps
Significance
- Enables faster enforcement of digital laws
- Strengthens government oversight of online platforms
- Raises discussions around balance between regulation and safeguards
Google AI Data Centre Hub
- Context: Andhra Pradesh is set for a technological leap the foundation stone for Google’s massive $15 billion (₹1.35 lakh crore) AI data centre hub at Tarluvada, near Visakhapatnam, on April 28.
- It is one of the largest FDI projects in India
Project Execution
- Managed by Raiden Infotech in Partnership with Adani Infra
- Developed under ‘Speed of Doing Business’ policy
Technical Features
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- Planned capacity: 1 Gigawatt (GW)
- Google’s first major AI-driven data centre campus in India
- Includes
- Submarine cable landing stations
- Dedicated fiber networks
- Ensures low-latency global connectivity
Economic & Employment Impact
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- Creation of thousands of high-value jobs
- Opportunities in: Data science, Cybersecurity, AI operations
- Boost to allied sectors like: Renewable energy, Advanced manufacturing
Strategic Importance
- Positions Visakhapatnam as a global AI and cloud hub
- Supports development of 6.5 GW digital ecosystem
- Seen as a major driver of long-term economic transformation
Mission SAKSHAM by RBI
- Context: The Reserve Bank of India introduced Mission SAKSHAM the initiative is intended to strengthen the Urban Co-operative Banking (UCB) sector by improving its overall functioning
Launch & Objective
- Reserve Bank of India launched Mission SAKSHAM on April 28, 2026
- Aims to strengthen the Urban Co-operative Banking (UCB) sector
- Focus on improving skills, governance, and operational efficiency
About Mission SAKSHAM
- “SAKSHAM” stands for Sahkari Bank Kshamta Nirman
- Designed as a mission-mode capacity-building programme
- Targets personnel working in Urban Co-operative Banks across India
Core Focus Areas
- Enhancing professional skills and institutional capacity
- Strengthening governance practices
- Improving day-to-day banking operations
Approach
- Not limited to training alone
- Aims for long-term transformation in functioning of UCBs
Development Process
- Formulated after consultations with: Umbrella Organization of UCBs and Various cooperative federations
- Designed to address practical challenges faced by the sector
Significance
- Promotes stronger and more efficient cooperative banks
- Supports financial stability and better service delivery
- Enhances capacity of UCB workforce across India
WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative
Global Goal
- Led by World Health Organization
- Aim: Make cervical cancer a rare disease
Target incidence: 4 cases per 1,00,000 women
2030 Targets
- 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV before age 15
- 70% of women screened using HPV test at ages 35 & 45
- 90% of detected cases receive proper treatment
India’s Progress
- Has crossed halfway mark since global declaration
- Still significant gap in achieving 2030 targets
National HPV Vaccination Campaign
- Launched on February 28, 2026
- Initiated by Prime Minister
- Reflects strong political commitment to women’s health
Public Health Importance
- Focus on awareness among parents
- Free vaccination available at government health centres for 14-year-old girls
Significance
- Aims to ensure a cervical cancer-free future
- Contributes to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047
Tamil Nadu HPV Vaccination Programme Expansion
- The Government of Tamil Nadu started the HPV vaccination initiative on 27 January 2026
- Main objective is to protect 14-year-old girls from cervical cancer, a major cause of cancer deaths among women
Objective
- Emphasis on early vaccination to lower future disease burden
- Supports broader efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare
Initial Implementation
- First introduced in four districts: Ariyalur, Tiruvannamalai, Perambalur, Dharmapuri
- These areas were chosen based on population characteristics and healthcare access
Expansion Phase
- After a successful pilot, the programme is being extended across the State
- Backed by the Government of India under the national HPV vaccination drive
Future Goal
- Target is universal coverage among eligible adolescent girls
- Expected to significantly reduce cervical cancer cases over time
