Topic- 1: The nation’s multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, Jammu & Kashmir
GS- 3: Infrastructure
The context:
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, Jammu & Kashmir on 07th June 2025. Saluting the land of the brave Veer Zorawar Singh, he remarked that today’s event is a grand celebration of India’s unity and determination. PM inaugurates Chenab bridge – world’s highest railway arch bridge and Anji bridge – India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
The Key Highlights:
Kashmir Joins India’s Railway Grid: For the first time, Kashmir is connected to India’s national railway network through the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line Project, turning a long-standing dream into reality and symbolizing national integration.
Engineering Triumphs: Chenab & Anji Bridges
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- The Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-supported rail bridge, were inaugurated. These are landmark achievements in engineering, built despite extreme terrain and weather challenges.
Flagging Off of Vande Bharat Trains: High-speed Vande Bharat Express trains were launched in the region, ensuring faster and more efficient connectivity within Jammu and Kashmir and to other parts of India.
All-Weather Infrastructure: Projects like the Sonmarg Tunnel and the newly inaugurated bridges reflect the government’s focus on year-round connectivity, reducing dependency on weather conditions for travel and trade.
Economic Boost & Market Access
Improved rail connectivity is expected to:
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- Reduce transport costs for apples, dry fruits, and Pashmina.
- Open new markets for artisans and farmers.
- Stimulate local industries and entrepreneurship across the region.
Promoting Tourism: The new infrastructure, especially the Chenab Bridge, is expected to become a tourist attraction, enhancing travel comfort and stimulating tourism-based livelihoods.
Expanding Healthcare Access
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- A new medical college was announced in Reasi.
- 7 medical colleges have been set up in 5 years.
- MBBS seats increased from 500 to 1,300.
- State cancer institutes and expansion of the Vaishno Devi hospital to 500 beds are underway.
Advancing Education & Innovation: The PM highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s growing role in India’s education sector, citing institutions like IIT, IIM, AIIMS, NIT, and Central Universities in the region. The research and innovation ecosystem is also being strengthened.
Social Impact Stories: Residents expressed joy at seeing real trains for the first time. Children shared that trains were earlier only seen in videos, and now they’re memorizing train schedules — indicating deep local enthusiasm.
Preserving Cultural Identity: The PM praised J&K’s rich traditions, heritage, medicinal flora, and talented youth, calling it the crown of Maa Bharati adorned with natural and cultural gems.
Ongoing projects worth ₹46,000 crore are reshaping the region’s infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economy, reflecting the government’s developmental commitment to J&K.
Welfare-Oriented Governance: In a broader context, the PM mentioned the completion of 11 years in office, with major welfare schemes like PM Awas Yojana providing housing to 4 crore poor families, as part of a larger mission to empower the underprivileged.
Source: PIB
Topic- 2: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala
GS-3: Science and Technology
The context:
Indian Navy is all set to commission the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, on 18 Jun 2025. The ceremony will be presided over by the Chief of Defence Staff. The ceremony will be hosted by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and attended by senior naval officials, distinguished guests, and representatives from the shipbuilders and various other agencies associated with its construction.
The Key Highlights:
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- INS Arnala is the first of sixteen Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) class ships inducted into the Indian Navy.
- The ship has been designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
- Delivered to the Navy on 08 May 2025, it reflects the success of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in indigenous defence manufacturing.
- Named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, the ship symbolizes India’s rich maritime heritage and resilient defence posture.
- The construction was carried out under the guidance of the Directorate of Ship Production and supervised by Warship Overseeing Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli.
- Arnala has over 80% indigenous content, integrating advanced technologies from Indian firms like BEL, L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL.
- More than 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were involved, boosting local industry and creating economic opportunities.
- The ship is designed for subsurface surveillance, search and rescue operations, and low-intensity maritime missions, enhancing coastal security.
- With a length of 6 metres and a displacement of over 1490 tonnes, Arnala is the largest Indian Naval warship powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion system.
- Its commissioning marks a transformative step in strengthening India’s naval power and reinforces its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
Source: PIB
Topic- 3: Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (Indian Languages Section)
GS-1: Art and Culture
The context:
On 07th June 2025, the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation launches Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (Indian Languages Section) in New Delhi. It will prove to be a milestone in the direction of freeing the administration from the influence of foreign languages.
About the Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (Indian Languages Section):
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- The initiative aims to provide a strong and organized platform for all Indian languages, promoting the linguistic diversity of India.
- With its establishment, the Department of Official Language has now become a complete and empowered
- The launch marks a significant step toward freeing administration from the influence of foreign languages.
- Indian languages are considered the soul of our culture, and Indian culture is seen as the soul of India.
- True progress can be achieved only when thinking, analysis, and decision-making happen in our mother tongues.
- The development of one language is not possible without the support and growth of other languages.
- All Indian languages are interconnected, like rivers that come together to form the Ganga of Indian culture.
- Technology should be used in a way that preserves the richness, spirit, and sensitivities of every language.
- Strengthening local languages will help India reclaim its eternal and glorious position in the world and counter the imposition of English.
Source: PIB
Topic- 4: UMEED Portal
GS-3: Environmental Conservation
The context:
The UMEED Central Portal was launched by the Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs in New Delhi on 07th June 2025.
About the UMEED Portal:
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- The ‘Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Portal is a centralised digital platform to register Waqf properties across the country.
- It aims to promote better management and enhance transparency.
- The portal is being launched against the backdrop of the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which received presidential assent.
- Registrations will be facilitated by respective State Waqf Boards.
It is a symbol of the government’s firm commitment to safeguarding the rights of minority communities and ensuring that community owned Waqf assets are utilized effectively and fairly, for the poor Muslims, for whom, it was originally meant.
The UMEED Central Portal, short for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 will serve as a centralized digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties. The portal is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in how Waqf assets are administered across India by introducing greater transparency, accountability, and public participation.
Key Features of the Portal are:
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- Creation of a digital inventory with geo-tagging of all Waqf properties
- Online grievance redressal system for better responsiveness
- Transparent leasing and usage tracking
- Integration with GIS mapping and other e-Governance tools
- Public access to verified records and reports
The Portal is a long-awaited reform that will curb misuse and bring Waqf administration closer to the people.
The system ensures that every property is accounted for and used in accordance with the purpose it was endowed for the UMEED Portal to become the backbone of digital Waqf governance, thereby ensuring that the Waqf assets contribute meaningfully to education, healthcare, livelihood generation and social welfare, especially for underprivileged sections within the Muslim community.
Source: PIB
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