India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Russia recently honoured Biju Patnaik by unveiling a memorial plaque at its embassy in New Delhi for his heroic role during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. Biju Patnaik, born in Cuttack in 1916, was a brave freedom fighter, expert pilot, and prominent politician. He joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1936 and flew dangerous missions during World War II. During the Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43), he risked his life flying through German defences to supply arms to the Soviet Red Army. This battle was a turning point in World War II, stopping the German advance. Patnaik also played a vital role in India’s Quit India Movement by secretly flying nationalist leaders.

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The Punjab government banned hybrid paddy and the Pusa-44 variety to tackle groundwater depletion and environmental harm. These varieties consume more water and take longer to mature, worsening Punjab’s groundwater crisis. The ban is based on research by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Out of 150 blocks, groundwater is overexploited in 114, with only 17 stable. Hybrid paddy is prone to diseases like bacterial blight and smut, which affect yields and nearby crops. Hybrid seeds are costly for small farmers, requiring more pesticides and fertilizers. Taller hybrid plants cause more stubble burning, worsening air pollution. The ban faces legal challenge in Punjab and Haryana High Court on May 19, 2025. Farmers and seed companies oppose the ban, citing uncertainty ahead of sowing season.

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The Chief Minister of Sikkim has urged the central government to ban climbing on Mt. Khangchendzonga, respecting local sentiments. Locals believe the peak is sacred and home to their guardian deity, Dzonga. Mt. Khangchendzonga is located in Sikkim on the India-Nepal border in the Eastern Himalayas. It contains the Khangchendzonga National Park, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

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The Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiya Bagad Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand has received in-principle approval from the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). The FAC works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). This approval allows the diversion of 29.997 hectares of forest land for the project. The project is located on the Gori Ganga River in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It is planned to generate 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity. This project highlights the government’s push for clean energy while balancing forest conservation. The recent approval marks a key step toward project execution.

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Odisha government launched ANKUR – Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanisation and Reforms – to drive smart and citizen-friendly urban growth. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with six key organisations to support this initiative. ANKUR aims to build resilient, livable, and future-ready cities as Odisha’s urban population is expected to triple by 2036. It supports four pillars – capacity building, knowledge and research, implementation support, and innovation – and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

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The Chhattisgarh government has approved the ‘Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy 2025-30’ to promote tourism in rural and tribal areas. This policy focuses on Bastar and Sarguja, which are tribal-dominated regions rich in natural beauty and biodiversity. It was launched during ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the Maoist-affected Bastar region. The policy promotes tribal culture through homestays and handicrafts. It will generate income for locals and supports the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative to boost rural tourism

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Recently, the Government of India launched the Ayush Nivesh Saarthi portal during the Ayush Stakeholder and Industry Interaction Meet at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi. It is a dedicated digital platform for investors developed by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in collaboration with Invest India. It aims to boost India’s traditional wellness systems as a strong economic sector. The portal combines policy details, incentive schemes, ready-to-invest projects, and real-time assistance in one interface.

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Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab and Anji rail bridges in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a major milestone in regional connectivity. The Chenab Rail Bridge is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. It is a steel-and-concrete engineering marvel spanning 1,315 meters across the Chenab River gorge. It is designed to withstand earthquakes and strong winds, and it will reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just about 3 hours. The Anji Rail Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, located in Reasi district.

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Recently, the central government revised the procedure for the Foreigners Identification Portal (FIP) under the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS). States and Union Territories have been directed to use fingerprint scanners available in districts through the District Police Module (DPM) of the Immigration Visa Foreigner Registration Tracking system (IVFRT). NAFIS is a pan-India searchable database that stores fingerprints related to crime and criminals. NAFIS is managed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) at the Central Fingerprint Bureau in New Delhi.

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A special six-day “Bodhi Yatra” was organised in Uttar Pradesh from June 2 to June 7, 2025, to promote the state’s Buddhist heritage globally. The event was held under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) framework by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and the Union Ministry of External Affairs. A 50-member delegation from five Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—joined the yatra. The tour covered key Buddhist sites like Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar, Sarnath, and cities like Varanasi, Lucknow, and Agra.