Why in News?

• The Union Cabinet approved the Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) on 6 October 2026.
• ITLA will act as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for planning, research and monitoring in the transport and logistics sector, with the aim of reducing fragmented planning and preparing a National Transport Master Plan.

Why in News?

• eSanjeevani, India’s National Telemedicine Service, crossed 50 crore teleconsultations on 15 September 2026, covering all 36 States and UTs.
• It has also introduced an AI-powered Clinical Decision Support System (AI-CDSS) and is expanding specialist consultations through AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Jammu and AIIMS Patna.

Key Facts – eSanjeevani

• About: eSanjeevani is a Made-in-India telemedicine platform, developed by C-DAC, with C-DAC Mohali providing technology support. It is guided by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• Scale: Supports over 1.42 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir spokes, 19,473 hubs and 901 online OPDs, with about 2.42 lakh healthcare providers.
• Languages: Available in 15 languages, including English and 14 Indian languages.
• Model: Uses a hub-and-spoke system, connecting patients at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs with doctors at medical hubs.
• Two Modules: eSanjeevani AB-HWC – doctor-to-doctor consultation; eSanjeevani OPD – patient-to-doctor consultation.
• AI Support: Its AI-powered Clinical Decision Support System (AI-CDSS) assists doctors but does not replace them.
• Digital Health: Integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and supports digital health records through ABHA IDs.
• Usage: Handles around 2.5–3 lakh consultations daily; women account for about 57% of users.
• Importance: Supports Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), especially by improving access to healthcare in underserved areas.

Why in News?

• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav led India’s delegation at Pre-COP31, co-hosted by Australia, Fiji and Tuvalu.
• India stressed equity, Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), climate adaptation and finance, and offered to share its coastal resilience and space-based expertise with Pacific countries.

Key Facts – Pre-COP31 & India’s Climate Position

• Pre-COP: An informal preparatory meeting held before the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP). COP31 will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026.
• Focus Areas: India emphasised adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation such as climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building.
• Coastal Resilience: India offered expertise in coastal vulnerability assessment, shoreline mapping, marine spatial planning and integrated coastal management to Pacific countries.
• Space Technology: ISRO uses Earth-observation satellites for shoreline monitoring, cyclone warnings, inundation mapping and climate-risk assessment.
• Key Institutions: ISRO, NCSCM and NCCR support India’s coastal and climate-resilience efforts.
• UNFCCC: Adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1994; its secretariat is in Bonn, Germany. The COP is its main decision-making body.
• Paris Agreement: Seeks to keep global warming well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
• Pacific Islands: Highly vulnerable to sea-level rise and extreme weather. India engages them through Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), launched in 2014.
• India’s Climate Commitments: India’s key links include its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and net-zero target by 2070.

Why in News?

• The 20th Asian Games were held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
• India won 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.
• The 5th Asian Para Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya from 18 to 24 October 2026.

Asian Games 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya): Key Facts

• The Asian Games (Asiad) are held every four years and organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The emblem’s red sun is the OCA symbol.
• The 20th Asian Games had 45 participating countries or regions, 43 sports, 71 disciplines, 469 events and 1,407 medals.
• The slogan was “Imagine One Asia”, and the mascot “Honohon” is inspired by the Shachihoko of Nagoya Castle.
• Japan hosted for the third time, after Tokyo (1958) and Hiroshima (1994).
• The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi in March 1951, opened by President Rajendra Prasad at the National Stadium. The idea came from Prof. G.D. Sondhi and was decided at a 1947 conference in New Delhi.
• In 1951, 11 nations and 489 athletes competed in six sports, and India finished second, behind Japan.

India at the 2026 Asian Games

• India sent a 501-athlete contingent in 36 disciplines, with more than 300 debutants. Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat led the parade.
• India’s 21 golds came from Archery (5), Shooting (3), Boxing (3), Cricket (2), Hockey (2), Kabaddi (2), Wrestling (2), Athletics (1) and Golf (1).
• Athletics gave the most medals (24), and Archery gave the most golds (5).
• In the finals, men’s cricket beat Pakistan by 19 runs, and men’s hockey beat Malaysia 5-1 to retain the title.
• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is headed by Dr P.T. Usha.
• Sports is a State subject (State List, Entry 33), though the Union supports it through schemes.
• The Asian Para Games 2026 will be Japan’s first Para Games and India’s fifth appearance. India’s earlier tallies were 14 (2010), 33 (2014), 72 (2018) and 111, including 29 gold (Hangzhou 2022).