India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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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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Twenty-two Hakki Pikki tribe members from Channagiri, Davangere, Karnataka, were penalized and asked to leave Gabon due to policy changes. The Hakki Pikki are a semi-nomadic tribe traditionally known as bird catchers and hunters. They are one of Karnataka’s major tribal communities and also live in Western and Southern India, mostly near forests. As per the 2011 Census, 11,892 Hakki Pikkis live in Davangere, Mysuru, Kolar, Hassan, and Shivamogga districts. They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India. Their mother tongue, Vaagri, is listed as endangered by UNESCO.

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National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Private Limited successfully completed the trial run of Unit 2 (200 MW) of the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh. The Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-the-river project in Sainj, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, harnessing the lower Parbati River, a tributary of the Beas River. A concrete gravity dam at Pulga village diverts water through a 31.52 km head race tunnel to a powerhouse in Suind village, Sainj Valley. The project has a total capacity of 800 MW (four units of 200 MW each). Once fully operational, it will generate 3,074 million units of electricity annually. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Private Limited owns 100% of the project.

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The Sagarmala Programme, launched in March 2015, aims to revolutionize India’s maritime sector. It was launched by Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. India’s 7,500 km coastline and 14,500 km of waterways offer significant growth potential. It focuses on streamlining logistics, reducing costs, and improving trade competitiveness via efficient coastal and waterway networks. The program emphasizes port modernization, industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 sets targets for shipbuilding and port handling, aiming to make India a top global maritime leader. 839 projects worth ₹5.79 lakh crores, with 272 completed, investing ₹1.41 lakh crore.

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West Bengal has launched a ‘Triple Elimination’ pilot project to stop mother-to-child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis, and Hepatitis B by 2026. This is India’s first such initiative and is being carried out with the William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Led by the State Health Department, the project focuses on preventing sexual and vertical (mother-to-child) transmission. All three diseases have long incubation periods and cause lifelong health issues. Infected mothers and newborns face high health risks like deformities from congenital syphilis and liver disease from early Hepatitis B infection.

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Arunachal Pradesh government has allocated Rs 269.97 crore for the Etalin Hydroelectric Project in Dibang Valley. Etalin Hydroelectric Project is a 3,097 Megawatt (MW) hydropower project planned in Arunachal Pradesh. It is among the largest proposed hydropower projects in India in terms of installed capacity. The project includes two run-of-the-river schemes on the Dri and Tangon rivers, which are tributaries of the Dibang River. Two concrete gravity dams of 101.5 metres and 80 metres height are planned under this project. The project lies in a highly rich biodiversity zone of the Himalayan region and is a global mega biodiversity hotspot. The area is home to the Idu-Mishmi tribal community.

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Tension recently arose near the buffer zone in the Thangjing Hill range of Churachandpur district in Manipur, which separates Kuki and Meitei inhabited areas. Thangjing Hill, also known as Thangching Hill or Thangting Hill, is a mountain peak in Manipur. It lies west of Moirang in Churachandpur district and forms part of the Thangjing range. The range runs north to south and marks the western boundary of the Imphal Valley. The hill is believed to be the sacred abode of Thangching, the ancestral deity of Moirang. The Meitei community considers it a holy site and traditionally visits it during the Manipur month of Sajibu, which falls in April.

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Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the world’s 17th Athlete Passport Management Unit at the National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi. The Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) is a dedicated unit to track athletes’ biological data over time. It works under the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) system to detect doping trends and ensure fair sports practices. APMU helps protect clean sport by spotting unethical performance enhancement methods early.

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The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in partnership with Microsoft, launched the ‘AI Careers for Women’ initiative on April 22, 2025. The program aims to train 20,000 women from Tier-II and Tier-III towns across six Indian states in Artificial Intelligence (AI). It focuses on empowering women with digital skills, leadership abilities, and entrepreneurship knowledge. A 240-hour curriculum has been developed in collaboration with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). Training will be delivered using the Hub-and-Spoke model, with 30 Centres of Excellence and 150 spoke centers. The initiative promotes digital inclusion and bridges the gender gap in tech fields.

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The women of the Lanjia Saora tribal group in Gunupur, Rayagada district, Odisha, celebrate the mango harvest with traditional dance. The Lanjia Saora are a culturally rich subgroup of the Saora tribe. The Lanjia Saora tribe is primarily found in Odisha, specifically in the forested hills of Gajapati and Rayagada districts. They speak Saora, a Mundari language of the Austroasiatic family. The Lanjia Saora perform vibrant dances with spontaneous songs, using brass pipes, cymbals, and gongs.