India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Ministry of Home Affairs introduced two special visas: ‘e-student visa’ and ‘e-student-x visa’ for international students. The ‘e-student visa’ is for foreign nationals admitted to full-time programs in India, while the ‘e-student-x visa’ is for their dependents. Both visas are available for students registered on the Study in India (SII) portal and are valid for up to five years. The SII portal offers access to over 600 institutions and 8,000 courses across various disciplines, supporting higher education in India.

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Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched the All India Radio Kumbhvani FM channel (103.5 MHz) for Maha Kumbh 2025 at Circuit House, Prayagraj. The channel will bring Mahakumbh to remote areas, providing live commentary for those unable to attend. It aims to spread the ambience of the Mahakumbh globally, promoting India’s religious traditions and providing vital information to devotees.

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PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School Namchi, Sikkim, is the only school from Northeast India to receive a Green School Rating. The Green Carnival and Green School Award Ceremony 2025 was organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in New Delhi. This annual event engages young environmentalists and recognizes sustainable schools. Over 10,000 schools submitted Green School Audit reports (July-Dec 2024), but only 150 schools received the Green School rating. Schools are evaluated based on their sustainability practices under the Green School Programme Network.

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Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited launched a 14-day awareness campaign called SAKSHAM. The campaign focuses on green energy and fuel conservation. It aims to promote fuel conservation and responsible use of petroleum products for a safer environment and sustainable energy future.

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The Prime Minister mentioned the Soliga tribe of Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) Tiger Reserve in the 119th Mann Ki Baat and praised their role in tiger conservation. The Soligas are indigenous forest dwellers found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Their name means “children of bamboo,” reflecting their deep connection with nature. They were the first tribe to have their forest rights recognized inside a tiger reserve in 2011. They speak Sholaga, Kannada, and Tamil and live in bamboo and mud huts. Their economy depends on shifting cultivation, forest produce collection, and honey. They follow Hindu customs, naturism, and animism.

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Gujarat leads India in mangrove afforestation, covering 19,020 hectares in two years under the MISHTI scheme. MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) was launched in 2023 to expand mangrove forests and support coastal livelihoods. The initiative aims to strengthen coastal ecosystems across India’s coastal states and union territories. Gujarat’s rapid afforestation efforts have made it the top performer in the scheme.

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Due to heavy rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) opened the spillway gates of Pandoh Dam as a precautionary measure. Pandoh Dam is an embankment dam located in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. It is built on the Beas River and primarily serves hydroelectric power generation. The dam is a concrete gravity structure, standing 76 meters (249 feet) tall.

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National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought an action taken report from the Keonjhar district magistrate on alleged human rights violations of the Juanga tribe. Juang is one of 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) among 62 tribes in Odisha. As per the 2011 census, their population is around 50,000. They are mainly found in Keonjhar and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha. They speak the Juang language, part of the Munda family within Austroasiatic languages. The Juangs are known for their strong clan structure and kinship organizations.

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Assam announced the launch of its own satellite, ASSAMSAT, in the 2025-26 state budget to boost socio-economic initiatives and border security. Assam becomes the first Indian state to launch its own satellite. ASSAMSAT will support agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure development, and security operations. The satellite will be developed in collaboration with IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). This initiative strengthens Assam’s technological capabilities and enhances governance through satellite-based surveillance and monitoring systems.

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The Jammu and Kashmir government has allocated ₹3 crore annually for each MLA under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) scheme. MLAs can recommend development projects in their constituencies, focusing on infrastructure, public welfare, and essential services. Funds will support projects like roads, irrigation, power infrastructure, and housing for the underprivileged. Projects must be completed within a year, with exceptions for high-altitude areas. Certain projects, like government offices and places of worship, are not eligible for funding. The fund encourages projects costing up to ₹10 lakh per work.