India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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In its first phase, the DRAVYA portal aims to catalogue information on 100 key medicinal substances. DRAVYA stands for Digitized Retrieval Application for Versatile Yardstick of AYUSH Substances. It is the largest digital database of Ayurvedic ingredients and products. The portal combines data from classical Ayurveda texts, modern scientific literature, and field studies. It is an initiative of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). The portal is Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ready and will link with the Ayush Grid and drug policy initiatives. It features QR code integration for standardised display in medicinal plant gardens and repositories. It offers open-access, dynamic data on Ayurvedic pharmacology, botany, chemistry, and safety information.

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The 624-megawatt (MW) Kiru Hydroelectric Project in Jammu and Kashmir recently achieved a major milestone by completing 10 lakh cubic meters of dam concreting out of a total 12 lakh cubic meters. It is a run-of-river project built on the Chenab River near Patharnakki and Kiru villages in Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir. The dam is a 135-meter-high concrete gravity structure with an underground powerhouse on the left bank. The powerhouse will have four Francis turbines of 156 MW each. It will boost power supply in northern India. The project is developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) — a joint venture of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC, 49%), Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC, 49%), and Power Trading Corporation (PTC, 2%).

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the establishment of a new National Security Guard (NSG) hub at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh on October 14, 2025. This will join the six existing NSG hubs in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Jammu, where commandos are stationed 24×7. NSG commandos at Ayodhya will be ready to respond immediately to terrorist threats in their zone. The government will focus on continuous training, sharing best practices, and ensuring physical fitness of NSG and State anti-terror units. NSG has surveyed over 770 critical locations and created a data bank for counter-terror planning.

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Laxman Jhula, the historic hanging bridge in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, was completed in 1929 and linked the villages of Tapovan and Jonk across the Ganges River. It is steeped in mythology, believed to be the spot where Lakshmana from the Ramayana crossed the river. The bridge was shut in 2019 for safety concerns and no longer allowed vehicles or pedestrians. The government decided to replace it with Bajrang Setu, a new 132.5-meter-long glass suspension bridge. Bajrang Setu features two-way lanes for light vehicles, pedestrian walkways with 3.5-inch thick toughened glass panels, and offers stunning views of the Ganges. The bridge design is inspired by Kedarnath Temple with intricate carvings on towers, reflecting local cultural heritage.

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Recently, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) announced major reforms to enhance transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in the national rehabilitation system. The RCI is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament. It was initially formed as a registered society in 1986 and became a statutory body on 22 June 1993 after the RCI Act, 1992. Its main mandate is to regulate and monitor rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment serves as its nodal ministry.

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The Punjab Police Cyber Crime Division has launched a statewide awareness programme called ‘Cyber Jago’ to ensure children’s digital safety. The initiative aims to teach Internet Safety and promote safe online use among government school students across Punjab. It addresses rising cyber threats, exposure to inappropriate content, and other online dangers faced by children.

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In November 2025, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) during the National Urban Conclave 2025 in New Delhi. DRAP is a year-long, mission-mode initiative to fast-track the cleanup of dumpsites across urban India. The programme aims to achieve the national goal of “Lakshya Zero Dumpsites” by September 2026. Currently, 1,428 sites are under remediation, with 80% of legacy waste concentrated in 214 sites across 202 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). DRAP will target about 8.8 crore metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste at these locations.

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The Ministry of Road Transport recently made it mandatory to use the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) analysis in all highway Detailed Project Reports. National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) is a unique geo-portal that provides space-based inputs and forecasts for all natural disasters in India. It serves as a national repository of multi-scale geospatial data with decision support tools. It was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the guidance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The portal is maintained by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC).

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recently launched YUVA AI for ALL under the IndiaAI Mission, giving a big push to AI awareness in India. It is a free 4.5-hour self-paced course introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to students, professionals, and all curious learners. The course uses simple language and Indian real-life examples and is available on FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, and major ed-tech platforms. Learners receive an official Government of India certificate after completion.

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The Ministry of Steel has launched a new simplified registration facility called SARAL SIMS under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), effective from 21 November, to ease steel import procedures. SARAL SIMS simplifies registration for small consignments and export-oriented imports under Advance Authorization, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Export-Oriented Units (EOUs). It applies to steel and iron products under Chapters 72, 73, and 86 of the Indian Trade Classification – Harmonized System (ITC-HS), 2022. Importers will make one annual declaration and receive a single SARAL SIMS number usable for multiple consignments in a financial year.