India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Byadgi chilli prices have dropped due to excess stock, strict export tests, and high production costs. It is a famous chilli variety from Karnataka, named after Byadgi in Haveri district. The chilli is bright red, 12-15 cm long, with wrinkled pods and a strong fragrance. It is widely used in pickles, masalas, chilli powder, and oleoresin extraction. Byadgi chilli has received Karnataka Geographical Indication status.

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Haryana government launched AI-powered chatbot ‘Sarathi’ for easy access to government documents. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini introduced it as part of digital governance efforts. The chatbot provides instant access to over 17,820 official documents spanning 73,622 scanned PDF pages. It retrieves government orders, acts, policies, and circulars using AI-powered search. ‘Sarathi’ eliminates manual searches, improving efficiency and transparency. Features include 24/7 availability, user-friendly interface, and instant document retrieval. The initiative aligns with India’s broader trend of using AI in governance.

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The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir launched the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). This initiative allows women to travel free of cost on Smart City electric buses and Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses across the Union Territory. It also includes free travel for schoolgirls, ensuring safer and easier commutes for young students. The move is part of a larger set of pro-women and pro-poor policies focused on improving social and economic empowerment. The initiative promotes gender-inclusive mobility and supports access to education and opportunities.

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A controversy has emerged in Manipur over renaming Thangjing Hill, sacred to the Meitei community, as ‘Thangting Camp’ by the Kuki National Front – Military Council (KNF-MC). Thangjing Hill, also known as Thangching or Thangting Hill, is a pilgrimage site for Sanamahism followers and is linked to the Ibudhou Thangjing temple. It is located in Churachandpur district of Manipur, within the Churachandpur-Khaopum Protected Forests.

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In April 2025, strong protests erupted against the Sillahalla Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (SPSHEP) in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, led by farmers, tribal groups, and environmentalists. The project is proposed by Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) to generate 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity for meeting peak power demand and integrating renewable energy. It is located in the Tamil Nadu, specifically within the Nilgiris district. It includes two dams, tunnels of 2.8 km (head race) and 1.56 km (tail race), an underground powerhouse, and surface storage. Around 1,000 acres of farmland and 500 acres of forest may be submerged, affecting nearly 3,000 farmers. Landowners with joint pattas may not receive fair compensation, and earlier compensations for road projects remain pending. People are protesting due to fears of losing land, forests, and livelihoods

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Telangana has declared heatwaves, sunstrokes, and sunburns as a ‘State-Specific Disaster’ due to rising global temperatures and frequent severe heat events. Financial relief to families of heatwave victims has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹4 lakh per deceased person under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Previously, relief was given under the Apathbandhu scheme; now a Government Order (G.O.) issued by Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar formalised the new policy. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported at least 15 heatwave days in Telangana in 2024, with some districts facing over 30 days. Heatwave deaths must meet IMD’s definition: temperature ≥ 40°C with 5-6°C rise from normal or ≥ 45°C.

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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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Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways called the breakthrough in the Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel a historic milestone. The tunnel is a 531-kilometre long, two-lane bi-directional tunnel with an escape passage. It is located on the Dharasu-Yamunotri section in Uttarakhand, connecting Silkyara and Barkot. The tunnel is part of National Highway-134 (NH-134), earlier known as NH-94. It is being built under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.

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Telangana launched T-SHIELD (Telangana – Security Hub for Innovation in Enforcement and Lawful Digital Defense), the state’s first cybersecurity hardware lab. The lab is located at the Police Training College (PTC), Medchal. It was developed by Skillvedha Innovations Private Limited to provide real-time cyber defense training, hardware forensics, and digital crime simulations. T-SHIELD is one of the few labs in India focusing on hardware-level cybersecurity for law enforcement. The lab will offer Faculty Development Programs (FDPs), workshops, hackathons, and advanced training. It aims to promote innovation and readiness in tackling cybercrime through proactive, tech-driven policing.

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Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to approve a dedicated and independent Shipbuilding, Ship Repair and Ship Recycling Policy. The goal is to make Maharashtra a leading hub for shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship recycling. The state targets an investment of ₹6,600 crore and 40,000 jobs by 2030. By 2047, the aim is to attract ₹18,000 crore in investments and create 3.3 lakh jobs. The policy supports research and development (R&D), modern technology, and skilled workforce. It aims to contribute one-third of India’s total shipbuilding output by 2030.