India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) has powered 10 lakh homes with solar energy by March 10, 2025. Over 47.3 lakh applications have been received, with Rs 4770 crore in subsidies disbursed to 6.13 lakh beneficiaries. The scheme offers collateral-free loans up to Rs 2 lakh at 6.75% interest. Chandigarh and Daman & Diu have achieved 100% rooftop solar installations in government buildings. Top states benefiting are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala lead the way in solar adoption. The goal is to reach 1 crore households by 2026-27.

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The Union Minister of Science and Technology laid the foundation stone for the North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) permanent campus in Mawdiangdiang, Shillong. NECTAR is an autonomous society under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya. It focuses on using advanced technologies for biodiversity, watershed management, telemedicine, horticulture, infrastructure, planning, tele-schooling via MESHNET, and employment generation through local resources and skill development.

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A year-long “Cleanliness Drive” named Hnatlangpui was launched in Aizawl, Mizoram. It is a joint effort by the Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation Department, Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC), and the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA). The initiative aims to keep Mizoram clean, with a focus on waste management in Aizawl through a “Comprehensive Plan for Municipal Waste Management.” A Monitoring Committee will oversee the campaign, chaired by the UD & PA Secretary. A ‘Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility’ will be set up for hospitals and healthcare centers. The campaign will run until March next year.

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released draft guidelines to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses. The Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to blend traditional Indian knowledge with modern education. The initiative promotes interdisciplinary research, preservation, and dissemination of IKS for research and societal use. It covers diverse fields like Arts, Literature, Agriculture, Basic Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Management, and Economics.

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To promote tourism in Ladakh, the Department of Tourism, Union Territory of Ladakh is organizing events under the Apricot Blossom Festival 2025 in various apricot-growing regions of Leh and Kargil. Inspired by Meghalaya’s Cherry Blossom Festival, Ladakh started this festival two years ago to support ecotourism. The festival celebrates the month-long apricot blossom season, enhancing spring tourism in lesser-known areas.

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The Supreme Court of India recently directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to assess the impact of nearby glass industries on the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) is a premier research body under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Initially, it focused on water supply, sewage disposal, communicable and occupational diseases, and industrial pollution. Its core aim is to support pollution control, environmental management, and sustainable development. NEERI operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Its headquarters is located in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

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South India’s first Air-Conditioned Electric Multiple Unit (AC EMU) train has started operations on the Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu corridor. This marks a major milestone for Chennai’s suburban rail network, which is a key transport system for the city and nearby areas. The service is operated by the Chennai division of Southern Railway. It is the first AC EMU service in southern India, according to officials. The train has advanced features like automatic doors and a passenger information system, offering a more comfortable and modern travel experience.

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The Telangana government recently sanctioned 10,000 Indiramma houses for Chenchu tribal families to improve their living conditions. The Chenchus are a food-gathering tribe mainly living in the Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the government due to their isolated lifestyle and low development indicators. Chenchus are also found in Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha. Their language, also called Chenchu, belongs to the Dravidian language family, and many speak Telugu as well. A Chenchu village is called a “Penta”, with huts spaced based on family closeness. They live in small families, with men and women having equal social roles.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) hosted the fourth edition of its Manasvi: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Mentorship Program for High School Girls from May 13 to 17, 2025. The five-day event welcomed 100 girls from Classes 9 to 12, mainly from government schools in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), to promote STEM learning. Organized by the Office of Academic Outreach and New Initiatives at IIT Delhi, Manasvi aims to boost confidence and interest among girls in STEM careers. The program included technical workshops, motivational talks, and hands-on sessions like solar lamp assembly at the MakerSpace Lab.

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The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched ‘Sagar Mein Samman’ (SMS) to promote women’s participation in the maritime sector. It was unveiled by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during the first International Day for Women in Maritime celebrations in Mumbai. The policy aims to create a gender-equitable maritime workforce through training, safety, leadership, and skill development. It aligns with the government’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) goals and Maritime India Vision 2030. The government targets 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030. The event theme, “Women in Maritime: Leading Transformation and Sustainability,” supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative aims to make women a strong pillar of ‘Nari Shakti’ in India’s maritime future.