Current Affairs Description: In a bid to address the escalating workloads – a long-standing concern that has been pressing substantially on the judiciary – the Union Cabinet has given the green light to increase the Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength to 37 judges along with the Chief Justice of India, thus paving the way for a more resilient and streamlined judicial system.

Simultaneously on the structural front – where development and progress are inherently interconnected – the CCEA has approved three crucial rail projects that pledge to elevate connectivity to unmatched heights covering six states with a focus on Nagda–Mathura and Guntakal–Wadi lines, thus connecting gaps and stimulating growth.

Other prominent developments – in the areas of technology, policy, and beyond – include the NITI Aayog’s inception of the CPO Portal (aimed at bolstering district governance) and the UIDAI’s incursion into AI-based cybersecurity (NFSU).

Additionally, a series of measures has been carried out to strengthen the economy: the SCBs have observed a noteworthy 15.9% year-on-year growth in non-food credit; Rs. 18,100 crore ECLGS 5.0 scheme has been authorized to aid MSMEs grappling with liquidity issues; and the DPIIT has rolled out new SOPs to accelerate FDI sanctions from neighboring countries – specifically in critical sectors like rare earth magnets.

India’s Semiconductors and Power landscape is undergoing a transformation of sorts, with ISM 1.0 sanctioning projects to the tune of Rs. 3,936 crore, such as the country’s pioneering commercial GaN Mini/Micro-LED facility in Dholera.

Last but not least, India’s Climate and Energy sector is abuzz with movement the Doppler Weather Radar network is growing at a astonishing rate of 250% under Mission Mausam, while NLC India and France’s EDF are partnering on the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – a move that highlights the nation’s unwavering pledge to environmental sustainability.