India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Dongria Kondh tribe of Odisha was recently highlighted for showcasing their vibrant identity and cultural resilience during a festival near the Niyamgiri Hills. They are an indigenous community classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The Dongria Kondh are known for their environmental stewardship and strong resistance against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills. They live in scattered hamlets within the Niyamgiri hill range, located across Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in southwestern Odisha. These hills are ecologically rich and hold spiritual significance, being the home of their revered deity, Niyam Raja.

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The Supreme Court of India recently quashed a Delhi High Court order that had asked the Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, to remove a user-created page and related discussions. The Court strongly upheld the “Right to Know” as a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of Speech and Expression, and Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty. It said the Right to Know helps citizens take part in democracy, seek justice, and hold the government accountable. The judgment clarified that criticism of courts in public debate is allowed in a democracy and should not be called contempt without reason. Under Article 19(1)(a), the Right to Know includes information about government work, public decisions, and court actions. The Court said freedom of speech also means people have a right to receive information, which is key to a healthy democracy. Under Article 21, the Right to Know supports informed choices, justice access, and dignity in life, all of which are important for full participation in governance.

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India’s largest Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant was recently inaugurated in Lucknow by the Union Defence Minister and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. It is operated by Aeroalloy Technologies Limited, a subsidiary of PTC Industries Limited. The plant covers 50 acres and has an annual capacity of 6,000 tonnes, making it the world’s largest single-site titanium remelting facility. It uses advanced technologies like Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR), Electron Beam (EB), Plasma Arc Melting (PAM), and Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) to produce aerospace-grade materials. The project is part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which supports self-reliant defence manufacturing in India.

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The Tamil Nadu Cabinet recently approved a Space Industrial Policy to boost the space sector and attract investments. Tamil Nadu became the third Indian state after Karnataka and Gujarat to promote the space ecosystem. It already hosts key Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facilities like the ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli, which tests cryogenic and liquid engines. A second Indian spaceport is being built by ISRO at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi to increase satellite launch capacity. The state also has several startups working on reusable launch vehicles, in-space manufacturing, in-orbit refuelling, and satellite data analytics. IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) is an autonomous agency under the Department of Space to promote private participation.

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Recently, Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana took charge as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN). The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is India’s first integrated theatre command, established in 2001. It is headquartered in Port Blair and integrates the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The command plays a crucial role in securing India’s strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region. The post of Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) rotates among the three armed services.

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The Union Education Minister launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign by planting a sapling in New Delhi to promote environmental awareness on World Environment Day. A special module and website were also launched, along with a web portal to monitor eco club activities under Mission Lifestyle for Environment (Mission LiFE). The importance of trees in sustaining life was emphasized, linking the campaign to environmental and health benefits. The campaign called for reducing plastic use and adopting sustainable development practices to protect the environment.

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On World Environment Day, Kerala Forest Department launched an afforestation project named ‘Vithoot’ (Seed Shower). ‘Vithoot’ is India’s first aerial seed ball distribution programme. It is a community-driven campaign to restore greenery and improve forest health. The project aims to reduce human-animal conflicts and revive damaged ecosystems. It boosts biodiversity, increases forest cover, and ensures food for wildlife and people.

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The Maharashtra government has launched a new digital system to monitor infrastructure projects using a geo-tagged 13-digit unique identification number. This system is being implemented through the Infra ID portal to improve transparency, real-time tracking, and coordination among departments. It will help prevent duplication of projects and ensure centralized digital records for better decision-making. The system will be piloted in Wardha district first and expanded across the state by October 2025.

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Himachal Pradesh has opened the Shipki La Pass to Indian tourists, aiming to boost local economy in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, which share a 240-km border with China. Shipki La Pass, once known as Pema La or Shared Gate, is a motorable mountain pass at 3,930 metres in tribal Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. It lies on the India-China border and is among the highest motorable passes in the region. The Sutlej River, called Langqen Zangbo in Tibet, enters India through this pass, which was historically used as a trade route between India and Tibet.

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India’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal was inaugurated at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant in Haryana. It is linked to Patli railway station by a 10 km dedicated rail line, part of the 121.7 km Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor developed by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC). The terminal cost ₹800 crore, with ₹684 crore funded by HRIDC and the rest by Maruti Suzuki. It can load up to 4.5 lakh automobiles annually, making it one of the highest-capacity terminals in India.