India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
On 17 September 2024, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) elected Atishi Marlena as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. This followed the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down after facing corruption charges in the Delhi Liquor Excise case. Kejriwal, a three-time Chief Minister, tendered his resignation to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena after being granted bail. Atishi Marlena, MLA from Kalkaji, becomes the third woman and eighth person to serve as Delhi’s Chief Minister.
Delhi’s Legislative Assembly term ends on 11 February 2025, with AAP holding 62 seats from the 2020 election.

Notes:
The Swachhata Hi Seva—2024 campaign ran from 17 September to 2 October 2024. The theme for 2024 was ‘Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata’. The campaign aims to raise awareness and increase public participation in cleanliness activities.
It will focus on large-scale cleanliness drives targeting challenging and neglected waste areas across the nation.
It also acknowledge and honour the contributions of sanitation workers. President Droupadi Murmu attended the Safai Mitra Sammelan in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on 19 September 2024. The Safai Mitra Sammelan was organised as part of the campaign’s fortnightly activities initiated by the Indian government.

Notes:
The NAS 2024 will be conducted on December 4, covering nearly five million students across 792 districts in India. This large-scale assessment aims to evaluate the learning achievements of students in Classes 3, 6, and 9, expanding from previous surveys. The results will help identify trends in educational outcomes and inform policy decisions, especially after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notes:
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has launched a ‘Dust-free Delhi’ drive to reduce air pollution before winter. This 10-day campaign involves multiple agencies like the MCD and PWD, focusing on cleaning roads and drains to prevent dust accumulation. Dried mud and silt from recent dry weather contribute significantly to pollution. The initiative aligns with the Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan to tackle pollution levels during winter months

Notes:
Kerala has achieved the top rank in the Urban Governance Index (UGI), a study by the Praja Foundation assessing cities in India. Scoring 59.31 out of 100, it excelled in fiscal empowerment and local governance. The state’s commitment to decentralized planning has been acknowledged, despite challenges in city administration empowerment. Odisha followed in second place with a score of 55.10, highlighting the competitive nature of urban governance across India.

Notes:
Union Minister Sarabanand Sonowal launched the Cruise Bharat Mission on 30 September 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The mission aims to make India a global hub for cruise tourism and top cruise destination. The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways will implement the mission with support from various regulatory agencies. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) for cruise development will be set up under the Indian Ports Association. The mission will run from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2029 in three phases.

Notes:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the “Jal Hi AMRIT” program under AMRUT 2.0 to enhance the quality of treated wastewater and promote its recycling in urban areas. The program aims to incentivize states and union territories to manage sewage treatment plants (STPs) for producing good quality recyclable water. It introduces a Clean Water Credit System to foster competition among cities and develop their capacities for effective water management. STPs will receive star ratings (3 to 5 stars) as clean water credits, valid for six months, and performance-based incentives will be awarded based on these ratings.

Notes:
NITI Aayog launched the first State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in Telangana. It was done in collaboration with WE Hub and the state government. The platform supports women entrepreneurs by tackling issues like lack of finance and mentorship. It focuses on digital skills, financial services, and market connections. Over 30,000 women entrepreneurs and 400 mentors are part of the platform. WE Hub will lead WEP-related activities in the state.

Notes:
SIPCOT, or the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu, was established in 1971 to foster industrial growth in Tamil Nadu. With 50 industrial parks, it has facilitated over 3,290 industrial units and generated millions of jobs. The initiative aims to enhance the state’s economy, targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2030. SIPCOT focuses on sector-specific parks, innovation centers, and sustainable housing for workers, playing a crucial role in Tamil Nadu’s industrial landscape.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the Humsafar Policy on 7 October 2024 in New Delhi. The policy was introduced by Nitin Gadkari in the presence of key officials. Humsafar Policy aims to improve travel convenience on National Highways and Expressways. It focuses on developing world-class facilities like eateries, fuel stations, and trauma centres along highways. Commuters will have access to well-maintained, hygienic services. Service provider details can be easily found on the NHAI’s ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app.