22 July 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

SAMADHAN Portal 2.0

Why in News

The Delhi Regional Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), functioning under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, recently held an awareness programme for trade union representatives on SAMADHAN Portal 2.0.

What is SAMADHAN Portal 2.0

• SAMADHAN Portal 2.0 is the upgraded version of a digital platform that enables the online filing, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication of industrial disputes.

• Its design is aligned with the provisions of the Labour Codes.

• The platform has been developed by the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

• It supports efficient resolution of industrial disputes involving workers, employers and trade unions.

Core Objectives

• Bring the industrial dispute resolution mechanism onto a digital platform.

• Enable faster and more transparent redressal of grievances.

• Make labour justice easier to access.

• Improve the implementation of the Labour Codes.

• Minimise delays in the settlement of industrial disputes.

Major Features of Version 2.0

• Industrial disputes can be filed online.

• Different types of claims permitted under the Labour Codes can be submitted digitally.

• Conciliation, arbitration and adjudication can be processed through the portal.

• Stakeholders can track the status of cases in real time.

• The digital workflow improves transparency and accountability.

• A user-friendly interface makes the platform accessible to all major stakeholders.

SAMADHAN Portal: Broader Platform

• The original SAMADHAN Portal is a digital initiative of the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

• It functions as a single online platform for workers, trade unions, employers and other stakeholders.

• Users can raise employment-related grievances and monitor their progress through the same portal.

What Can Users Do Through the Portal?

• Submit industrial disputes.

• File Charters of Demand.

• Submit claims under the applicable labour laws.

• Register employment-related complaints.

• Track the status of cases online.

Benefits

• Introduces greater transparency into labour dispute resolution.

• Improves administrative efficiency by replacing several offline processes.

• Cuts delays associated with manual procedures.

• Makes it easier for stakeholders to follow the progress of a case.

• Allows the Ministry of Labour & Employment to monitor cases centrally.

• Supports quicker dispute settlement and stronger enforcement of labour laws.

National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

Why in News

The Central Government has appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities.

About the Commission

• The National Commission for Minorities is a statutory institution working under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

• It advises both the Union and State Governments on the welfare, protection and development of minority communities in India.

Evolution of the Institution

• In January 1978, the Government of India constituted the Minorities Commission to protect the interests of minority communities.

• After the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 came into force, the body acquired statutory status and was renamed the National Commission for Minorities.

Minority Communities Notified by the Union Government

• Initially, five religious communities were notified as minorities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis).

• Jains were added to the list of notified minority communities in 2014.

Composition

• One Chairperson.

• One Vice-Chairperson.

• Five Members.

Appointment and Representation

• The Central Government nominates the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members.

• Appointees must be persons known for eminence, ability and integrity.

• At least five members of the Commission, including the Chairperson, must belong to the notified minority communities.

Tenure

• Every member holds office for three years from the date on which the person assumes charge.

Functions of the National Commission for Minorities

• Advisory role: It advises the Union and State Governments on matters concerning the welfare and development of minorities and recommends suitable measures for their advancement.

• Monitoring role: It reviews the progress of minority development programmes implemented by the Union and State Governments and monitors the operation of constitutional and legal safeguards available to minorities.

• Recommendatory role: It suggests measures for the effective enforcement of safeguards protecting minority interests and submits periodic as well as special reports to the Central Government.

• Grievance redressal role: It examines complaints concerning the denial of minority rights or safeguards and raises such matters with the relevant authorities.

• Research role: It undertakes studies on discrimination, socio-economic development and educational development among minorities, and recommends measures to address the problems identified.

Two New Spider Species Documented by ZSI

Why in News

Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India have formally recorded two new spider species: Simonia lawbah from Meghalaya and Hamataliwa papikonda from Andhra Pradesh.

1. Simonia lawbah

• Simonia lawbah is a newly described cave-dwelling ray spider.

• It was found inside Krem Lawbah Cave in Meghalaya.

• The species belongs to the family Theridiosomatidae, whose members are commonly called ray spiders.

• Its discovery is the first record of the genus Simonia from India.

Key Characteristics of Simonia lawbah

• The spider is less than 2 millimetres long.

• It displays adaptations that help it live in permanent darkness.

• It is troglophilic: it flourishes in cave habitats but can also survive outside caves when conditions are favourable.

• It builds an elaborate cone-shaped “ray web”.

• This web works like a tiny slingshot, allowing the spider to propel the web quickly and trap flying insects.

• Habitat: Krem Lawbah Cave, Meghalaya.

2. Hamataliwa papikonda

• Hamataliwa papikonda is a newly identified lynx spider species.

• It was recorded in the mixed deciduous forest canopy of Papikonda National Park in Andhra Pradesh.

• This is the first documented occurrence of the genus Hamataliwa in Andhra Pradesh.

• The species belongs to the family Oxyopidae, commonly known as lynx spiders.

Key Characteristics of Hamataliwa papikonda

• It measures slightly less than 5 millimetres.

• Its body is yellow in colour.

• Its eight eyes are arranged in a distinctive hexagonal pattern, helping it track prey accurately.

Hunting Behaviour

• The spider is an active hunter rather than a web-building predator.

• It captures prey through speed, agility and the use of its spiny legs.

• Habitat: Mixed deciduous forest canopy of Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh.

Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026

Why in News

Gujarat ranked as India’s most investment-friendly state in NITI Aayog’s first Investment Friendliness Index, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

What is the IFI 2026

• The Investment Friendliness Index 2026 is the first nationwide index of its kind released by NITI Aayog.

• It evaluates the readiness of States and Union Territories to attract both domestic and foreign investment.

• All 28 States and 8 Union Territories are included in the assessment.

• The index acts as a benchmark through which States can strengthen their investment ecosystem and improve competitiveness.

Objectives

• Measure the investment attractiveness of States and Union Territories.

• Encourage constructive competition among subnational governments.

• Promote reforms that improve the ease of doing business.

• Enable evidence-based policymaking.

• Strengthen India’s overall investment environment.

Eight Assessment Pillars

• Infrastructure.

• Business climate.

• Resources.

• Government policy.

• Regulatory ease.

• Institutional environment.

• Financial health.

• Environmental resilience.

Methodology

• The framework uses 84 indicators.

• It combines secondary data with perception-based measures collected through a primary survey of investors.

• States and Union Territories are scored on a 100-point scale.

Pallikaranai Marshland

Why in News

Rapid urbanisation over several decades and indiscriminate waste dumping have reduced Pallikaranai Marshland to a small fraction of its former area, intensifying concerns about wetland protection.

About the Wetland

• Pallikaranai is a freshwater marsh with partly saline characteristics, located approximately 20 kilometres south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

• It is included among India’s Ramsar Sites.

• The wetland acts as an important aquatic buffer for the flood-prone districts of Chennai and Chengalpattu.

Location and Hydrology

• State: Tamil Nadu.

• The marsh system encompasses 65 wetlands.

• Its waters drain into the Bay of Bengal through two outlets: Okkiyam Madavu and Kovalam Creek.

• The Buckingham Canal runs along the eastern edge of the wetland.

Ecological Importance

• It functions as a natural flood-control buffer by regulating stormwater and lowering the risk of urban flooding.

• It contributes to groundwater recharge.

• It sustains a biologically rich wetland ecosystem.

• It provides habitat to both resident birds and migratory species.

Notable Species

• Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis).

• Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus).

• Grey-headed lapwing (Vanellus cinereus).

• Pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus).