• 09 Apr 2026

Menaka Guruswamy Becomes India’s First Openly Queer MP

Why in News? 

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy has made history by becoming India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament after taking oath in the Rajya Sabha, marking a major milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian politics. 

Key Points 

• Historic Achievement: Menaka Guruswamy became the first openly queer MP in India after being sworn in as a member of the Rajya Sabha. 
  • She was elected to the Rajya Sabha as a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress from the state of West Bengal.  
• Legal Background: She is a renowned constitutional law expert and senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India. 
  • She has been a prominent voice for civil liberties, constitutional rights, and LGBTQ+ equality in India. 
• Landmark Case: She was one of the lawyers involved in the historic Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India case. 
  • The case led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality by reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in 2018. 
• Significance: Her entry into Parliament is viewed as a milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in governance and reflects increasing visibility and acceptance of queer voices in Indian politics. 

Read More: Rajya Sabha, Supreme Court, LGBTQ+, Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India 

BiharOne Project

Why in News? 

The Government of Bihar has awarded a ₹87-crore contract to Corporate Infotech Pvt. Ltd. for implementing the BiharOne digital governance platform, aimed at integrating government services into a single online system.  

Key Points 

• Project: BiharOne is an integrated digital platform designed to provide multiple government services through a single online interface, making public service delivery simpler and more accessible. 
  • The BiharOne platform is expected to become operational by July 2026.  
• Single-Window Platform: The platform will integrate various government services, including RTPS and non-RTPS services, enabling citizens to access certificates, schemes, and administrative services online. 
• Contract Award: The Bihar government signed an agreement worth ₹87 crore with Corporate Infotech Pvt. Ltd. to develop and implement the project.  
• Technology: The system will include AI-based chatbots in Hindi, English, and local languages to guide citizens in accessing services more easily. 
• Integration: The project will connect government databases with the Bihar Common Social Registry, reducing duplication of documents and improving efficiency in service delivery. 
• Significance: The initiative aims to strengthen e-governance, transparency, and citizen-centric service delivery. 

Read More: AI, e-governance 

Bank of Baroda Launches ‘bob SAMVAD’ in Mumbai

Why in News?

Bank of Baroda launched bob SAMVAD, an AI-powered multilingual conversational platform, in Mumbai to improve customer interactions at bank branches.

Key Points

• Launch: The platform was launched by M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, under the Ministry of Finance. 
  • bob SAMVAD is an AI-based conversational system designed to enhance communication between customers and bank staff at branches. 
  • The platform enables real-time two-way communication in 22 languages, helping eliminate language barriers in banking services.
• bob Forest: It is a green initiative by Bank of Baroda following earlier sustainability efforts such as bob Earth, Green Deposits, and Green Bonds.
• Technology: It uses AI-driven speech and language technologies to enable low-latency, natural communication.
• Significance: The initiative aims to promote inclusive banking, improve customer service, and strengthen the use of technology in India’s financial sector.

Read More: AI, Green Bonds

Divya Singh Becomes First Indian Woman to Cycle to Everest Base Camp

Why in News? 

Divya Singh, a 28-year-old teacher from Gorakhpur, created history by becoming the first Indian woman to cycle to the Everest Base Camp. 

Key Points 

• Historic Achievement: Divya Singh became the first Indian woman and the second woman globally to reach Everest Base Camp by bicycle. 
  • She is a school teacher by profession. 
  • She completed the challenging expedition in 14 days, cycling through rugged Himalayan terrain from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp. 
• Altitude: The base camp is located at an altitude of about 17,560 feet (5,364 metres) above sea level. 
• Challenges: During the journey, she faced extreme cold (around −12°C), low oxygen levels, strong winds, and steep mountain trails, often cycling for 10–12 hours daily.  
• Route: Her journey passed through difficult Himalayan locations such as Saleri, Surke, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Lobuche, and Gorakshep. 

Read More: Mount Everest 

Saline Water Aquaculture Cluster in Sirsa under PMMSY

Why in News? 

The Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Abhilaksh Likhi reviewed the progress of the saline water aquaculture cluster developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).  

Key Points 

• Cluster Development: The saline water aquaculture cluster developed in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, and Rohtak and promotes farming of high-value species like shrimp, scampi, and seabass in saline-affected areas. 
  • The Department of Fisheries has notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters across India. 
  • Inland fisheries contribute about 75% of India’s total fish production. 
• Integrated Aquapark: A ₹110-crore Integrated Aquapark is being established in Sirsa along with cold-chain infrastructure to strengthen post-harvest management and value addition. 
• Challenges: Issues such as high electricity costs, irregular power supply, dependence on other states for quality seed, and inadequate water supply for aquaculture.  
• Technology Adoption: Aquaculture practices include RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) and Biofloc systems. 
• Investment: About ₹760.88 crore investment has been attracted in Haryana under PMMSY. 
•  Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): 
  • It was launched in September 2020. 
  • The scheme is implemented by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. 

Read More: PMMSY, RAS and Biofloc 

Union Cabinet Approved Jaipur Metro Phase-2 Project

Why in News? 

The Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi has approved the Jaipur Metro Phase-2 project, a major urban transport initiative aimed at improving connectivity and mobility in Jaipur, Rajasthan. 

Key Points 

• Project: The Union Cabinet has approved the Jaipur Metro Phase-2. 
  • The project involves a 41-km long North–South metro corridor from Prahladpura to Todi Mod with 36 stations.  
  • The total estimated cost of the project is ₹13,037.66 crore. 
  • The project is targeted for completion by September 2031. 
• Implementing Agency: The project will be implemented by Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited (RMRCL).  
  • A 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan. 
• Phase-1: Jaipur Metro Phase-1 currently operates on an 11.64-km East–West corridor from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar with 11 stations.  
• Significance: The project aims to reduce traffic congestion, lower vehicular emissions, and improve sustainable urban mobility in Jaipur. 

Read More: Jaipur Metro 

CAG Report on Disappearance of Lakes in Jammu & Kashmir

Why in News? 

A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed that nearly half of the lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have disappeared since 1967, raising concerns about a growing ecological crisis in the region. 

Key Points 

• CAG Findings: The audit found that out of 697 lakes recorded in 1967, about 315 lakes have vanished, indicating a major decline in water bodies in the region.  
  • Around 203 lakes have shrunk in size. 
  • In total, 518 lakes have experienced a reduction in area.  
  • About 63 lakes have already lost more than half of their original area, putting them at high risk of disappearing completely. 
  • 150 recorded an increase in area, while 29 showed no change. 
• Causes of Decline: The decline is attributed to encroachment, pollution, land-use changes, weak monitoring, and lack of coordinated management among government departments.  
  • Government conservation initiatives have focused mainly on six major lakes—Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Hokersar Wetland, Manasbal Lake, Surinsar Lake, and Mansar Lake—while most other lakes lack protection plans. 
• Budget Allocation: Between 2017 and 2022, only about 1% of Jammu and Kashmir’s capital expenditure budget (₹560.65 crore) was allocated to these six lakes. 

Read More: Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Dal Lake, Wular Lake