India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
Minister of Power and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the Bharat Bodh Kendra at India Habitat Centre (IHC), New Delhi. Bharat Bodh Kendra is a new section under the Habitat Library and Resource Centre. It is dedicated to deepening understanding of India’s cultural and civilizational heritage. The centre offers curated books and resources on Indian art, music, spirituality, history, and philosophy. It provides a quiet space for reflection, learning, and cultural exploration.

Notes:
A protest has erupted in Goa after the release of a scientific paper titled “The water budget of the Mahadayi river and its implications for the inter-State dispute.” The Mahadayi River, also called Mhadei, starts from Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and flows west to the Arabian Sea at Panaji, Goa. It is vital for Goa’s water needs, especially in North Goa, and has tributaries like Rogaro, Kushavati, Nanorem, Nanuz, Valvota, and Mapusa. The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary lies on Chorao Island in the Mandovi River. A long-standing dispute exists between Goa and Karnataka over water diversion by Karnataka from Kalasa and Bhandura tributaries.

Notes:
The Ministry of Culture has launched a new campaign called Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan, which means One Nation, One Heartbeat. This campaign aims to honour the bravehearts of India and promote national unity and pride in the Indian flag, the Tiranga. The slogan is being widely used across digital platforms to spread patriotic feelings among citizens. In the last 48 hours, all 43 institutions under the Ministry of Culture have actively taken part in the campaign. Famous cultural institutions and heritage sites have been lit in the colours of the Indian flag. Over 60 monuments across India have been illuminated under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) supervision.

Notes:
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) recently demolished 36 illegal bungalows from the River Villa project that were built within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River in Chikhali. The Indrayani River is a rain-fed river located in Maharashtra and is a tributary of the Bhima River, which further joins the Krishna River. It originates from the Western Ghats near Lonavala and flows through Pune district before merging with the Bhima River at Tulapur. The river is 103.5 kilometres long and holds religious importance as the towns of Dehu and Alandi lie on its banks. Dehu is the birthplace of poet-saint Tukaram, and Alandi is where saint Dnyaneshwar’s samadhi is located. The Indrayani River also flows through Pimpri-Chinchwad and supports local agriculture through irrigation.

Notes:
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently launched the nationwide “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan” to be held from May 29 to June 12, 2025. It aims to make agriculture modern and prosperous under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission for a developed India. Agriculture supports nearly half of India’s population and is key to national food security. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has a six-point strategy: increase production, reduce costs, ensure fair prices, compensate disaster losses, promote crop diversification and organic farming. India recorded its highest-ever agricultural output in 2024–25, with food grain production rising to 3309.18 lakh tonnes. The campaign seeks to make India the “Food Basket of the World” through sustainable and surplus farming.

Notes:
Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has recently introduced compostable bags made from PBAT as a green alternative to single-use plastic (SUP). PBAT stands for Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate, a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer used to replace traditional plastics. It is made by combining adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and terephthalic acid and can be processed using normal plastic-making machines. PBAT is 100% compostable and breaks down into water, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and biomass within 180 days under industrial composting. It is strong, flexible, moisture-resistant, and safe for packaging, making it a practical and eco-friendly solution to plastic pollution.

Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) inaugurated Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Vasco da Gama, Goa. NCPOR was established in 1998 as an autonomous Research and Development (R&D) institute and was earlier known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR). NCPOR functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). Polar Bhavan is the largest building on the NCPOR campus, covering 11,378 square meters and built at a cost of ₹55 crore. It includes advanced laboratories, 55 rooms for scientists, conference halls, a library, and the Science on Sphere (SOS) 3D Earth systems visualisation platform. It will also house India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum to help the public learn about scientific research. Sagar Bhavan covers 1,772 square meters and was built at a cost of ₹13 crore.

Notes:
Nagshankar Temple in Biswanath district of Assam has recently been designated as a model temple for turtle conservation. It is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River. The temple was originally built by King Narasankar of Nagakha in the 4th century AD and later renovated by Ahom king Su-sen-pha in 1480. The temple has a large pond that is home to around 250–300 turtles, including rare species like black softshell, Indian softshell, and Malayan softshell turtles. Some turtles in the pond are believed to be hundreds of years old. The temple campus also houses peacocks, deer, and pythons, adding to its biodiversity significance.

Notes:
The Prime Minister participated in the ‘Mahila Sashaktikaran Maha Sammelan’ in Bhopal to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795) ruled the Malwa region as part of the Maratha Confederacy from 1767 to 1795. She first served as regent and then as the ruler of the Holkar dynasty with capitals at Maheshwar and Indore in central India. Her reign is known as the peak period of the Holkar dynasty, bringing peace, prosperity, and cultural growth.

Notes:
Mock drills were recently held in states and Union Territories near India’s western border under Operation SHIELD. The main goal is to check and improve India’s readiness against external threats. The drills simulate emergencies like enemy air raids, drone attacks, missile strikes, and mass evacuations. It includes silent and general recall of civil defence volunteers to test quick response. This helps authorities prepare better for real security situations along the border.