India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme was launched on June 29, 2020. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The scheme helps micro food processing enterprises upgrade technology and get formal recognition. It supports farmer producer organizations, self-help groups, and cooperatives to improve food processing businesses. Financial, technical, and capacity-building support is given under the scheme. Bihar secured the first position in implementing the PMFME scheme in 2024–25, as announced recently by the Industries Minister. This shows Bihar’s success in boosting small food processing businesses.

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The Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021 report released by the Registrar General of India (RGI) on May 7 shows that India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR), the average number of children per woman, stayed constant at 2.0 in both 2020 and 2021. Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 3.0, while Delhi and West Bengal had the lowest at 1.4. The share of children aged 0-14 dropped from 41.2% in 1971 to 24.8% in 2021. The working-age population (15-59 years) increased from 53.4% to 66.2% in the same period. The elderly population aged 65+ rose from 5.3% to 5.9%, and those aged 60+ increased from 6% to 9%. Kerala had the highest elderly population at 14.4%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 12.9% and Himachal Pradesh at 12.3%. Bihar, Assam, and Delhi had the lowest elderly population with 6.9%, 7%, and 7.1% respectively. The average age at effective marriage for women has increased from 19.3 years in 1990 to 22.5 years in 2021.

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Recently, 31 Maoists were killed in one of India’s biggest anti-Naxal operations called Operation Black Forest. It was a 21-day counterinsurgency mission in the Kurraguttalu Hills, spread across 1,200 square kilometres on the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border. The aim was to destroy Naxal bases, remove top Maoist leaders, and regain control of the area. This supports India’s goal to end Left Wing Extremism by March 31, 2026. The forces involved included the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Special Task Force (STF), and District Reserve Guard (DRG). The Karregutta Hills, key to this operation, lie between Telangana and Chhattisgarh.

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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 Narayanpatna goat, recently highlighted for its disease resistance and climate resilience, is facing threats due to unscientific crossbreeding and lack of official breed recognition. It is a non-descriptive native goat breed reared by tribal communities in Koraput district of southern Odisha. The breed is known for its hardiness, good reproductive ability, and ability to survive in tough agro-climatic conditions. It is mainly found in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks of Koraput, within the Eastern Ghats. These goats are reared under low-input systems in hilly and forested areas with a tropical monsoon climate.

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Ministry of Panchayati Raj held a two-day national write-shop in New Delhi to launch the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Version 2.0 for the financial year 2023–24. PAI is a tool developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to track performance of more than 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats. It is based on nine themes that align with Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). The new version helps improve local governance by measuring progress in areas like health, education, infrastructure, and environment.

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On May 28, 2025, the Andhra Pradesh government proposed converting Kondakarla Aava, a key freshwater lake, into a Conservation Reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This decision aims to balance environmental protection with local economic needs through coordinated planning. The irrigation department was directed to conduct a boundary survey and strengthen bunds to avoid overflow and ecological damage. Kondakarla Ava lake is located in Anakapalli District, Andhra Pradesh.

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Karnataka government has issued the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Ordinance, 2025 to protect gig workers’ rights. The ordinance creates a welfare fund and mandates social security, health, and safety duties for aggregators or platforms. A welfare board led by the Labour Minister will register gig workers and platforms in the state. Aggregators must pay a gig worker welfare fee of 1% to 5% per transaction, notified by the government within six months. A Payment and Welfare Fee Verification System (PWFVS) will track all payments and fee deductions to ensure transparency. Gig workers get a two-tier grievance redressal system—one against platforms and another against the board.

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Recently, Mizoram and Goa declared themselves “fully literate” under the ULLAS adult literacy programme, with literacy rates of 98.2% and 99.72%, respectively. ULLAS stands for Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society and is officially known as Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP). It is a centrally sponsored scheme aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

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On World Environment Day, Kerala Forest Department launched an afforestation project named ‘Vithoot’ (Seed Shower). ‘Vithoot’ is India’s first aerial seed ball distribution programme. It is a community-driven campaign to restore greenery and improve forest health. The project aims to reduce human-animal conflicts and revive damaged ecosystems. It boosts biodiversity, increases forest cover, and ensures food for wildlife and people.