National Current Affairs - 2026-06-18

Background: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was initiated to establish a comprehensive national digital health ecosystem, aiming to link healthcare providers and citizens digitally. Current Context: The Union Health Ministry recently announced a major expansion of ABDM, focusing on integrating an additional 10,000 private hospitals and diagnostic centers, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. New features, including a unified health interface for citizens to access their health records and telemedicine services, have also been rolled out. Impact: This expansion is expected to significantly improve healthcare accessibility and efficiency across India. It will streamline patient data management, enhance public health surveillance, and empower citizens with greater control over their health information, fostering a more connected and transparent healthcare system.

Background: India's judicial system has long grappled with a substantial backlog of cases, leading to prolonged delays in justice delivery and impacting public confidence. Current Context: The Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with the Supreme Court, has unveiled a new comprehensive framework to expedite justice. This initiative includes establishing dedicated fast-track benches for commercial disputes and minor criminal offenses, alongside a significant upgrade and expanded utilization of e-courts infrastructure nationwide. Impact: This reform is anticipated to drastically reduce case pendency, thereby enhancing the efficiency and credibility of the judiciary. It will ensure quicker resolution of legal matters, improve the ease of doing business, and reinforce citizens' faith in the timely dispensation of justice.