India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The women of the Lanjia Saora tribal group in Gunupur, Rayagada district, Odisha, celebrate the mango harvest with traditional dance. The Lanjia Saora are a culturally rich subgroup of the Saora tribe. The Lanjia Saora tribe is primarily found in Odisha, specifically in the forested hills of Gajapati and Rayagada districts. They speak Saora, a Mundari language of the Austroasiatic family. The Lanjia Saora perform vibrant dances with spontaneous songs, using brass pipes, cymbals, and gongs.

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The Maharashtra government launched the “One State, One Registration” scheme to make property registration easy and citizen-friendly. It allows people to register property documents at any sub-registrar office in Maharashtra, regardless of where the property is located. Earlier, buyers had to register documents only at the local sub-registrar office of the property, which caused delays and overcrowding. The new policy saves time, reduces paperwork, and helps senior citizens and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Legal steps and documents like sale deed, Aadhaar, and PAN remain unchanged. It does not affect stamp duty or registration fees. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is using technology like Geographic Information System (GIS), drone mapping, and blockchain for better accuracy. This move is expected to boost real estate activity and investor confidence in the state.

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The Indian Security Forces have launched Operation Shiva to secure the Amarnath Yatra amid the Pahalgam terror attack and rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Shri Amarnath Ji is located in the Anantnag district at an altitude of 13,000 feet. The Amarnath Cave houses an ice lingam, symbolizing Lord Shiva, along with two smaller ice stalagmites representing Parvati, his wife, and Ganesha, his son. The pilgrimage takes place during the Shravan month, when the lingam reaches its full size. The origin of the pilgrimage is mentioned in the Sanskrit text “Bringesha Samhita.”

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India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, as a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, including tourists. The operation targeted nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are often blamed for sponsoring attacks in India. The attack on April 22, 2025, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to LeT, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting it. Operation Sindoor was described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” aiming to dismantle terrorist infrastructure while avoiding military targets. Rafale jets and precision missiles were used in the 23-minute operation.

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A wild banana species called Musa indandamanensis from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently set a world record with the longest banana infructescence measuring 4.2 metres. An infructescence is the full fruiting part of a plant. This wild species is endemic to the Nicobar group, especially found in Campbell Bay. The tree grows about 11 metres tall with a stem girth of around 110 centimetres. Earlier, the longest known banana infructescence was only 3 metres. The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and botanical centres like A.J.C. Bose Indian Botanic Garden. It holds potential for future disease-resistant and high-yield banana varieties.

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Uttar Pradesh has launched India’s first jungle safari train with Vistadome coaches between Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The Vistadome train has large glass windows and transparent roofs for panoramic forest views. It operates on weekends, with plans to run daily to attract more tourists. The train covers 107 kilometers in about 4 hours and 25 minutes, costing ₹275 per person. This is part of the ‘One Destination Three Forests’ campaign linking Dudhwa, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur sanctuaries. The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board aims to boost eco-tourism and generate local jobs.

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The Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi platform has crossed a major milestone of 1 crore registered users. iGOT Karmayogi is launched under Mission Karmayogi, which is India’s National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB). It acts as a central learning hub for all levels of government officials through online, anytime, and role-based digital training. The platform replaces traditional classroom training with continuous and modular learning. It is designed as a scalable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for long-term learning. iGOT Karmayogi is developed as a key part of the Digital India stack.

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Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav launched a nationwide campaign called ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’ ahead of World Environment Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness, change behaviour, and promote eco-friendly alternatives to plastic across India. It is part of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a larger movement started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage sustainable living. The campaign focuses on reducing plastic use, managing plastic waste efficiently, and supporting the development of sustainable materials. It will involve ministries, state governments, schools, industries, civil groups, and local communities in united action against plastic pollution.

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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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Uttarakhand Chief Minister recently inaugurated the ‘Ahilya Smriti Marathon – Ek Virasat, Ek Sankalp’ and the ‘Pratham Gaja Ghantakarna Mahotsav-2025’ to highlight the state’s cultural richness. The Ahilya Smriti Marathon took place in Dehradun as part of a heritage-themed event. The theme of the marathon, “Ek Virasat – Ek Sankalp” (One Heritage, One Resolution), promotes unity and pride in Uttarakhand’s traditions. The event aimed to raise awareness about health, social harmony, and cultural identity. These initiatives connect the state’s cultural heritage with ongoing development efforts and public participation.