India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Birhor tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Jharkhand, has joined a movement against child marriage in Giridih for the first time. Traditionally nomadic, they primarily reside in Jharkhand but are also found in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. The term “Birhor” means “jungle people,” and their language belongs to the Munda group of the Austroasiatic family, related to Santali, Mundari, and Ho. They practice a mix of animism and Hinduism, with beliefs tracing their descent from the Sun. Economically, they engage in hunting, rope-making, and agriculture, with groups divided into nomadic Uthlus and settled Janghis.

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The National Institute of Siddha (NIS) achieved a Guinness World Record by providing Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously. Varmam therapy is a traditional healing practice within the Siddha system of medicine. It originated as a South Indian martial art targeting nerves, veins, joints, and organs, later evolving into a therapeutic practice. The therapy involves manipulating specific Varmam points, called Varma Adi, where pranic energy is concentrated. It is non-invasive, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological. Varmam therapy is highly effective in treating neurological and musculoskeletal diseases.

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Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh lead in rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The scheme was launched on February 15, 2024 by PM Narendra Modi. The scheme aims to install 10 million rooftop solar units by March 2027. More than Over 679,000 installations are completed as of December 9, 2024, benefiting 538,000 residential units and 141,000 homes in welfare associations. Gujarat leads with 302,000 installations, followed by Maharashtra (139,000) and Uttar Pradesh (56,000). Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan also contribute significantly. This initiative is set to become the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar program, providing free electricity.

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Uttar Pradesh recorded 476.1 million tourists between January and September 2024, nearing its 2023 total of 480 million visitors. Ayodhya became the most visited destination in the state, surpassing Agra’s Taj Mahal. Ayodhya attracted 135.5 million domestic tourists and 3,153 international visitors, driven by the Ram temple’s inauguration. Agra received 125.1 million visitors, including 115.9 million domestic and 924,000 international tourists. Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted the state’s impressive performance. Experts credit the rise in religious tourism, with Ayodhya emerging as the epicenter, showing a 70% spike in spiritual tour bookings.

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India’s first bio-bitumen highway on NH-44, Nagpur-Mansar Bypass, was inaugurated on 21st December 2024. The eco-friendly bio-bitumen, made from crop residues like lignin, reduces costs, prevents stubble burning pollution, and creates jobs. Bio-bitumen roads are 40% stronger than asphalt; a 1-km stretch was built using 15% bio-bitumen. Developed jointly by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and Praj Industries. Farmers encouraged to produce bio-CNG from agricultural waste and bamboo, especially in Vidarbha’s Bhandara-Gondia region.

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The Prime Minister inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh on 25 December, 2024. This project aims to reduce carbon emissions, supporting India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. It also conserves water by reducing evaporation. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Ken-Betwa river linking project, India’s first interlinking of rivers under the National Perspective Plan. This project will provide irrigation facilities to districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

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The Territorial Army has formed a new task force to rejuvenate and protect the Gomti River. Gomti River is a tributary of the Ganga, flowing entirely through Uttar Pradesh. It originates from Gomat Taal (Fulhaar Jheel) in Pilibhit district. The river flows through Lucknow, Barabanki, Sultanpur, Faizabad, and Jaunpur before joining the Ganga. It stretches about 900 km and drains a basin of approximately 18,750 square km. The Gomti is a perennial river, providing continuous water flow throughout the year.

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Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University and Punjab’s Prison Department launched the “Sikhya Daat” program to provide higher education to jail inmates. The program aims to enhance inmates’ mental development and enable future economic self-reliance. Punjab Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar distributed appointment letters to 15 newly recruited teachers, marking the first regular hiring in 30 years. These teachers will educate prisoners and their children, aiding their reintegration into society.

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is using the Open Data Kit (ODK) platform to enhance transparency and accountability in public spending. ODK is a secure digital platform for designing, collecting, and managing data. It is integrated with CAG’s Operating System (OIOS) and provides end-to-end encryption. The platform helps identify problem areas and launch multilingual surveys. Beneficiary surveys support audit planning and evidence collection. ODK was used to assess patient satisfaction and audit the performance of AIIMS Mangalagiri and AIIMS Bibinagar.

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Telangana government engaged IIT-Hyderabad experts to study the Polavaram project’s impact on the Godavari River. The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It aims to address water scarcity, boost agriculture, and generate power. The dam spans 1.2 km, with 48 radial gates and a spillway designed to withstand massive floods. The project aims to develop 4.36 lakh ha of irrigation, generate 960 MW of power, supply water to 28.5 lakh people, and divert 80 TMC water to the Krishna basin.