• 21 Apr 2026

Odisha Becomes India’s First State to Host 3D Semiconductor Chip Packaging Unit

Why in News?  

Odisha has marked a major milestone in India’s technology sector with the establishment of the country’s first advanced 3D chip packaging (3D Glass Substrate) manufacturing unit at Info Valley, Bhubaneswar.  

Key Points  

• First of its Kind: Odisha becomes the first state in India to host an advanced 3D semiconductor chip packaging unit, placing the country in the global advanced chip manufacturing ecosystem.  
  • The facility will start commercial production by August 2028 and is expected to be fully operational by 2030.  
  • The initiative aligns with India’s Semiconductor Mission and strengthens the goal of making India self-reliant in chip manufacturing.  
• Investment: The project involves a total investment of around ₹2,000 crore.  
  • The plant is expected to manufacture around 70,000 glass panels annually, along with millions of advanced semiconductor chips. 
• Technology: The facility will use 3D heterogeneous integration (3DHI) and glass substrate packaging technology.  
  • The chips produced will support critical sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G/6G communication, defence technology, aerospace, and data centres.  
• Global Collaboration: The project is being developed in partnership with US-based 3D Glass Solutions (3DGS).  

Read More: India’s Semiconductor Mission 

Kankaria Becomes India’s First Water-Neutral Railway Depot

Why in News?  

The Kankaria Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad has been declared India’s first “water-neutral railway depot”, achieving a major milestone in sustainable water management. 

Key Points  

• First in India: Kankaria Coaching Depot (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) becomes the first railway depot in India to achieve water neutrality.  
  • The depot saves nearly 1.6 lakh litres of water daily, which is equivalent to more than 300 household water tanks.  
  • This leads to an estimated saving of about 5.84 crore litres of water annually.  
• Recycling: The depot treats and reuses wastewater generated from coach washing and maintenance operations, ensuring zero wastage.  
  • Water undergoes a scientific multi-stage process, including wetland-based treatment, sand filtration, carbon filtration, and UV disinfection.  
  • A key feature of the system is phytoremediation, where plants are used to naturally absorb and remove pollutants from wastewater.  
• Model for Indian Railways: The depot is being seen as a replicable model for other railway depots and stations across the country.  

Read More: Wastewater Treatment 

Scientific Conclave on Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 Held in Jammu

Why in News?  

A Scientific Conclave and Interactive Session on Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 was organized at the CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu. 

Key Points

• Organising Institutions: The conclave was organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).  
• Objective: The conclave aimed to discuss developments in pharmacopoeial standards and strengthen mechanisms to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines.  
  • The discussions highlighted the role of the Indian Pharmacopoeia as a key tool for maintaining uniform pharmaceutical standards across the country.  
• Technical Sessions: It includes the development and revision of monographs and strengthening impurity standards.  
• Focus: Deliberations included standardisation of phytopharmaceuticals, and improvements in microbiological and blood-related standards.  

Read More: CSIR 

Minimum Wage Revision in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government's minimum wage revision, effective retrospectively from 1st April , 2026, introduces a significant interim hike of up to 21% across various worker categories. This move follows intense industrial unrest and protests in major hubs like Noida and Ghaziabad. 

Key Points 

• Three-Tier District Classification: To address regional economic disparities, the state has been divided into three categories: 
  • Category I: Includes high-cost industrial zones like Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida) and Ghaziabad. 
  • Category II: Covers districts with Nagar Nigams (Municipal Corporations) such as Lucknow, Kanpur, and Varanasi. 
  • Category III: Covers all remaining districts, primarily representing rural and semi-urban areas. 
• Wage Adjustment and Inflation Indexing:The new wage structure incorporates both the Basic Pay and the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA). The revision is linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), ensuring that the remuneration reflects current inflationary trends. 
• Inter-Category Wage Differentiation: In the high-priority Category I districts, unskilled workers now receive a monthly wage of 13,690 rupees, semi-skilled workers 15,059 rupees, and skilled workers 16,868 rupees.  
  • In contrast, Category III districts have lower thresholds, with unskilled wages set at 12,356 rupees, reflecting the lower cost of living in those regions. 
• Significance: The hike, reaching up to 21% in certain sectors, serves as a vital social safety net for the unorganised sector, protecting vulnerable workers from economic exploitation. 
  • Mitigation of Industrial Unrest: The revision follows a period of labor dissatisfaction in the NCR region. By addressing wage stagnation, the government aims to ensure a stable industrial climate and prevent frequent labor strikes. 
• Economic Rationalization: By adopting a tiered system, the government acknowledges that a "one size fits all" approach is ineffective for a state as geographically and economically diverse as Uttar Pradesh. 

Meghalaya Recognises Khasi and Garo as Official Languages

Why in News? 

In a landmark reform aimed at linguistic preservation and administrative inclusivity, the Meghalaya Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026. This decision grants Khasi and Garo full official status alongside English, marking a historic shift in the state's language policy.  

Key Points 

• Repeal of 2005 Act: The new ordinance repeals the Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005, which previously designated English as the sole official language, with Khasi and Garo functioning only as "associate" languages. 
• Phased Implementation: While the status is granted immediately, the full rollout will be gradual.  
  • The state must first establish translation systems, recruit personnel, and create the necessary administrative infrastructure. 
• Administrative Use: Official government notifications, orders, and communications will eventually be issued in all three languages—English, Khasi, and Garo. 
• Legislative Changes: The state plans to amend the Meghalaya State Legislature (Continuance of the English Language) Act, 1980.  
  • This will allow legislators to speak and debate in their native Khasi and Garo during assembly sessions. 
• Constitutional Significance: By exercising powers under Article 345 of the Indian Constitution, the state government has officially formalised the use of indigenous languages for administrative purposes. 
• Eighth Schedule Demand: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated that according state-level official status is a strategic move to strengthen the long-standing demand for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.  
• Link Language: Despite the new status for indigenous tongues, English will continue to serve as the "common thread" or link language for inter-district communication and formal file notings to ensure administrative continuity.

Read More:Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao Honoured with 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award

Why in News?

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director of the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), has been conferred with the prestigious 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award for the 2024-2025 period. The award recognises his pioneering contribution to Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) and sustainable dryland farming in India.  

Key Points: 

• Climate Adaptation: Dr. Rao has played a critical role in developing and scaling climate-resilient technologies across rainfed regions in India, focusing on soil health and carbon sequestration. 
• Policy Planning: He was instrumental in designing the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, which helps farmers adapt to extreme weather events like droughts and heatwaves. 
• Contingency Mapping: His work includes the development of district-level agricultural contingency plans for over 650 districts in India, providing a roadmap for state governments to handle monsoon variability. 
• Soil Management: His research on soil carbon sequestration and "Climate-Smart" villages has helped smallholder farmers improve crop yields while reducing the environmental footprint of farming. 
• Significance: In the era of global boiling and unpredictable monsoons, Dr. Rao’s recognition underscores the shift in Indian agriculture from "production-centric" to "resilience-centric."  
• Climate Goals Alignment: His efforts align with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the goal of making Indian agriculture self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) in the face of climate challenges. 

Read More: M.S. Swaminathan Award 

Poila Boishakh Celebrated Across West Bengal

Why in News?  

Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, was celebrated across West Bengal with great enthusiasm, devotion and traditional cultural activities marking the beginning of the Bengali calendar year.  

Key Points  

• Bengali New Year: Poila Boishakh marks the first day of the Bengali calendar month ‘Boishakh’ and celebrates the beginning of the Bengali New Year.  
  • It is celebrated on April 15 and marks the beginning of the year 1433 in the Bengali calendar.  
  • The festival holds great cultural significance for Bengalis in West Bengal, Bangladesh and other parts of India with Bengali communities.   
• Greetings: People greet each other with the phrase “Shubho Noboborsho”.  
• Traditional Attire: People celebrated the occasion by wearing traditional Bengali clothing, including sarees for women and kurta–pyjama or dhoti–kurta for men.  
• Prabhat Pheris: Social organisations, clubs and schools organised ‘Prabhat Pheri’ (morning processions) to mark the festival.  
• Haal Khata Ceremony: Traders and shopkeepers performed the Haal Khata ritual, opening new account books for the new financial year. 

Civil Services Day 2026

Why in News?  

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) will observe the 18th Civil Services Day on 21st April 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.  

Key Points  

• Organising Authority: The event will be organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.  
• Chief Guest: The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan.  
• Theme for 2026: The theme for Civil Services Day 2026 is “Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile.”  
• Breakaway Sessions: Four thematic breakaway sessions will be organised to deliberate on key governance priorities.  
  • One of the sessions titled “Sustainable Livelihood through PM Vishwakarma” will focus on strengthening livelihood opportunities for traditional artisans.  
  • The session will be chaired by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitan Ram Manjhi.  
• Objective: The day provides an opportunity for civil servants across India to recommit themselves to public service, good governance and citizen-centric administration.  
• Historical Significance: Civil Services Day commemorates 21st April 1947, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first batch of probationers of the All India Administrative Service and described civil servants as the “Steel Frame of India.”  

Read More:  PM Vishwakarma 

Sasoni Merbeel Eco-Tourism Project in Assam

Why in News?  

The Sasoni Merbeel Eco-Tourism Project in Assam’s Dibrugarh district is facing infrastructure and management challenges and is awaiting revival despite its strong ecological and tourism potential.  

Key Points  

• Location: The Sasoni Merbeel Eco-Tourism Project is located near Naharkatia in Dibrugarh district of Assam.  
  • It is a wetland ecosystem spread across about 1,550 bighas and is known for its rich biodiversity.  
  • The area is often referred to as the “Island of Silence” because of its serene natural environment.  
• Biodiversity Hotspot: The wetland hosts more than 200 species of birds and about 250 varieties of flora, making it an important ecological habitat.  
• Objective: The project was originally developed to promote sustainable tourism and generate livelihood opportunities for local communities.  
• Financial Support: The project initially received financial assistance of more than ₹1 crore from Oil India Limited, along with government support.  
• Challenges: Poor transport connectivity, limited promotion and accessibility issues have affected tourism growth at the site.  
  • Tourist cottages are reportedly not being fully utilised, while basic amenities and services require improvement to meet visitors’ expectations.  
• Need for Strategic Intervention: Experts emphasise that better planning, infrastructure improvement and effective management are needed to revive the project.  

Read More: Biodiversity Hotspot, Wetland ecosystem,  Eco-Tourism 

BWSSB Becomes India’s First Water Utility to Receive ISO Certification

Why in News?  

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in Bengaluru has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first water utility in India to receive the ISO 50001:2018 certification for its energy management systems.  

Key Points  

• Issued By: The certification was issued in April 2026 by Bureau Veritas, an international certification agency.  
• ISO 50001 focuses on efficient energy management, reducing energy consumption, and improving operational efficiency in organisations.  
• The certificate was presented to D. K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka.  
• Key Facilities: The certification recognises BWSSB’s operation and maintenance of bulk water supply pumping stations at TK Halli, Harohalli, and Tataguni.  
• Previous Recognition: BWSSB had also become the first water board in India to receive BIS certification for its piped drinking water supply management system.  
• Sustainability Goal: The certification reflects efforts to build sustainable and energy-efficient urban water infrastructure in Bengaluru.  

Read More: Sustainability Goal