India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Recently, all political parties in Punjab united and firmly opposed releasing any extra water to Haryana from the Bhakra Dam, showing strong regional consensus. The Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam built across the Sutlej River, located near the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. It stands near Bhakra village in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is the world’s highest straight gravity dam with a height of 207.26 meters. It is Asia’s second tallest dam after the 261-meter-high Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand. The dam is 518.25 meters long and about 9.1 meters wide at its crest.

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The Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021 report released by the Registrar General of India (RGI) on May 7 shows that India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR), the average number of children per woman, stayed constant at 2.0 in both 2020 and 2021. Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 3.0, while Delhi and West Bengal had the lowest at 1.4. The share of children aged 0-14 dropped from 41.2% in 1971 to 24.8% in 2021. The working-age population (15-59 years) increased from 53.4% to 66.2% in the same period. The elderly population aged 65+ rose from 5.3% to 5.9%, and those aged 60+ increased from 6% to 9%. Kerala had the highest elderly population at 14.4%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 12.9% and Himachal Pradesh at 12.3%. Bihar, Assam, and Delhi had the lowest elderly population with 6.9%, 7%, and 7.1% respectively. The average age at effective marriage for women has increased from 19.3 years in 1990 to 22.5 years in 2021.

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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, on May 22, 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the Yashoda AI initiative at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly. Yashoda AI Abhiyan aims to expand women’s access to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Digital Safety training. The campaign, titled “Your AI SAKHI,” focuses on improving women’s digital literacy and awareness in a tech-driven world. NCW launched this initiative in collaboration with Future Shift Labs (FSL). It targets women, especially from rural and semi-urban areas, empowering them to lead in India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). The program covers AI-driven crimes, digital privacy, and safety strategies through community participation. Students, educators, and women in the police force actively engage to ensure women lead digital change.

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PKM1 is a variety of Moringa oleifera that has gained global recognition, especially in African countries like Senegal, Rwanda, and Madagascar. Moringa oleifera is native to India, mainly found in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is now widely grown in South Asia, Africa, and tropical parts of Central and South America. The plant prefers deep sandy loam soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0 and grows best in temperatures between 25–30°C. It is drought-resistant, fast-growing, and can be harvested several times a year. In Ayurveda, it is used to treat over 300 conditions. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic properties. Its seeds can purify water because of their natural coagulating ability.

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Kumbakonam betel leaf, also known as “Kumbakonam Vettrilai was recently granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Government of India. It is mainly grown in the fertile Cauvery river basin of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, which gives it a special taste and aroma. The leaves are dark to light green, heart-shaped, and have a pungent flavor. It is widely cultivated in Kumbakonam and nearby villages like Ayyampettai, Swamimalai, and Rajagiri. This betel leaf is a daily staple in South Asian homes and is used to make paan, a popular post-meal chew. The Kumbakonam betel leaf is also exported to other countries, adding to its cultural and economic value.

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The Ministry of Ayush launched the AyushSuraksha Portal to boost consumer protection and regulation in traditional medicine. Union Minister of State Shri Prataprao Jadhav unveiled it at Ayush Bhawan, New Delhi, highlighting its role in ensuring transparency and safety. The portal allows citizens and professionals to report misleading advertisements and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in real time. Developed with support from the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), it aligns with the National Pharmacovigilance Program. It connects State Licensing Authorities, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B), Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

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Furnace and iron slag were recently found at Daojali Hading, showing early metallurgical practices during the Neolithic Age. Daojali Hading is a Neolithic site in Assam’s Dima Hasao district near the Brahmaputra valley. It gave India its first evidence of an Eastern Asiatic Neolithic complex, including double-shouldered celts and cord-marked pottery.

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Assam and Meghalaya governments have agreed to build a 55 Megawatt (MW) hydropower project on the Kulsi River, which is home to the endangered Gangetic Dolphin. The Kulsi River flows through Meghalaya and Assam. Kulsi River originates in Meghalaya and flows around 60 km through West Khasi Hills into Kamrup district of Assam before joining the Brahmaputra River. It is a small, shallow river around 70–80 meters wide and known for its rich biodiversity.

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The Department of Posts has launched Gyan Post, a special postal service for delivering educational, cultural, social, and religious books. It supports the goals of the New Education Policy (NEP) by making printed learning material affordable and accessible, especially in rural and remote areas. A tracking facility is available to ensure transparency and timely delivery. This initiative helps bridge the educational gap and promote inclusive learning across India.