India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has recently drilled Northeast India’s first geothermal production well at Dirang in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. This marks a major step towards using clean and renewable energy sources in the Himalayan region. Geothermal energy is the heat from within the Earth, used to produce electricity or direct heating. CESHS achieved this breakthrough after two years of detailed geochemical and structural surveys in hot spring sites of western Arunachal Pradesh. CESHS geosciences division head Rupankar Rajkhowa confirmed the success of the drilling project. This initiative can reduce dependency on fossil fuels and support green development in remote regions.

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The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has recently revived two rare Ayurvedic texts—Dravyaratnakara Nighantu and Dravyanamakara Nighantu. The term “Nighantu” in Ayurveda refers to a collection of drug names, their synonyms, properties, and the parts used. Dravyaratnakara Nighantu, authored by Mudgala Pandita in 1480 AD, has 18 chapters with detailed information on drug actions and medicinal uses. It draws knowledge from earlier classical texts like Dhanvantari and Raja Nighantu, and adds new substances from plants, minerals, and animals. Dravyanamakara Nighantu, attributed to Bhisma Vaidya, focuses on homonyms in drug names. It acts as an important appendix to the Dhanvantari Nighantu and helps avoid confusion in Ayurvedic drug identification.

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Recently, the Karnataka government launched Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE) initiative with an initial funding of ₹7,000 crore to accelerate major infrastructure projects in Bengaluru. B-SMILE is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a government-owned company created to plan, fund, and implement large-scale urban projects. It is part of the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, aimed at unified and efficient urban development. Unlike existing civic bodies like BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), BDA (Bangalore Development Authority), and BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board), B-SMILE will work centrally across zones. It will be governed by an 11-member Board and led by a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO), an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. This move addresses issues like traffic congestion, overlapping authorities, and slow project execution by enabling professional, long-term planning.

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Recently, 31 Maoists were killed in one of India’s biggest anti-Naxal operations called Operation Black Forest. It was a 21-day counterinsurgency mission in the Kurraguttalu Hills, spread across 1,200 square kilometres on the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border. The aim was to destroy Naxal bases, remove top Maoist leaders, and regain control of the area. This supports India’s goal to end Left Wing Extremism by March 31, 2026. The forces involved included the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Special Task Force (STF), and District Reserve Guard (DRG). The Karregutta Hills, key to this operation, lie between Telangana and Chhattisgarh.

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The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a high wave alert for the coasts of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala. INCOIS was established in 1999 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It is part of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) and is located in Hyderabad. INCOIS provides ocean information and advisory services to society, industries, government agencies, and scientists. Its services include Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories, Tsunami Early Warning System, Ocean State Forecast (OSF), and Coral Bleaching Alerts. The recent alert highlights INCOIS’s critical role in protecting coastal communities and marine activities.

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Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested alleged members of a transnational cybercrime syndicate under Operation Chakra-V. Operation Chakra-V aims to curb transnational organized cybercrime and digital arrests. Digital arrest is a scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money using threats like arrest, frozen bank accounts, and passport cancellations. To fight cybercrime, India has set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Cyber Surakshit Bharat, Cyber Swachhta Kendra, and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). These initiatives work together to protect citizens and strengthen cybersecurity in the country.

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Recently, Goa became India’s second fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) after Mizoram. Goa used a Whole-of-Government approach, involving departments like Panchayats, Municipal Administration, Social Welfare, Planning & Statistics, and Women & Child Development. The ULLAS scheme is a centrally sponsored programme from 2022 to 2027, aiming to educate adults aged 15 and above through five components including literacy, life skills, and vocational training.

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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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Recently, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), along with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), launched the ICRISAT Centre of Excellence for South-South Cooperation. ICRISAT also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DAKSHIN, which is India’s initiative to promote South-South cooperation through training and partnerships. ICRISAT, headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, was established in the 1970s as a non-profit under the CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research).

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Raja Khas village in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, has been declared the state’s first solar model village under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. All public institutions like schools, panchayat office, health centres, anganwadis, and community halls have been solarized. It promotes clean energy, rural self-reliance, and serves as a model for green transition in hilly areas.