Tamil Nadu

History, Archaeology & Culture

Sangam-Age Irrigation Structure Discovery in Tiruchi:
- Archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) identified large-sized brick structures on the Kollidam riverbed near Koogur (Lalgudi, Tiruchi district), close to the ancient Kallanai dam.
- Features: Underwater observation revealed a semi-circular brick wall and parallel submerged walls with a channel opening, suggestive of an Early Historic / Sangam-period (3rd–4th Century AD) irrigation or sluice structure.

K. Jayalakshmi (58) from Chennai became the first woman with a disability (polio-affected) from Tamil Nadu to reach the Mount Everest Base Camp.

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026:
- Lok Sabha passed the Bill, which restricts State governments from levying additional taxes, cesses, or royalties on mineral rights and provides central regulation over mineral-bearing land.

Financial Sustainability Options for UPI:
- A Parliamentary Standing Committee report highlighted that current government subsidies cover only 11% of the ₹20,700-crore annual operational cost of processing UPI transactions. The Ministry of Finance is evaluating options including restoring Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges for high-value transactions/merchants or implementing a tiered incentive structure.