India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of rising suicides in Kerala’s Peringammala Panchayat, where 23 suicides occurred in 2024, following 138 suicides between 2011 and 2022. The NHRC is an independent statutory body established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It safeguards rights related to life, liberty, equality, and dignity, as per the Constitution and international covenants.

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The Rajasthan government recently dissolved nine districts and three divisions created in 2023. Rajasthan now has 41 districts and seven divisions. The divisions of Pali, Sikar, and Banswara were annulled. Eight districts, including Dudu, Kekri, Shahpura, and others, were abolished due to administrative necessity. Retained districts include Balotra, Beawar, Didwana-Kuchaman, and others. A High-Level Committee report deemed the new districts unviable, and a Cabinet Sub-Committee was formed to review their status.

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The artesian condition was recently observed in Taranagar village, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The term “artesian” refers to water confined under pressure below layers of impermeable rock. This water is located deeper beneath the earth’s surface, surrounded by poorly permeable rocks, creating high underground pressure. Artesian conditions occur when groundwater moves from a recharge area to a discharge point at a lower elevation. Unlike normal tube wells, artesian water can naturally sprout from underground without any external assistance.

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Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launched the Swami Vivekanand Yuva Shakti Mission in Bhopal on National Youth Day. National Youth Day has been celebrated to honor Swami Vivekanand’s birth anniversary. Chief Minister inaugurated the world’s largest 3-D rangoli depicting Swami Vivekananda at Shaurya Smarak, Bhopal. The mission aligns with PM Modi’s GYAN principle, focusing on the poor, youth, farmers, and women. The Chief Minister also launched the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission Portal and theme song.

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The Indian Railways organized a “Paint My City” campaign in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh to beautify the city’s railway stations for the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela. The campaign aimed to showcase the city’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage to pilgrims and tourists. The campaign transformed Prayagraj railway station into art and culture centers. The campaign featured murals depicting Hindu mythology, Indian traditions, and women’s empowerment.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app on January 17, 2025, to report fraudulent communications directly from call logs. The app builds on the Sanchar Saathi portal, launched in May 2023, aimed at combating fraud calls and improving mobile security. Users can check and manage mobile connections, disconnect unauthorized ones, and verify device authenticity. The app supports the government’s broader goal of enhancing mobile network accessibility and security for Indian users.

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PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025’ on January 28 in Bhubaneswar. The event was attended by Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers, and business leaders. It is Odisha’s largest business event to date, aimed at promoting investment and industrial growth. The conclave highlighted Odisha’s potential as a key economic hub in Eastern India.

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CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated India’s first paragliding school at Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh, on January 25. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department built the Rs 8 crore facility three years ago, but operations were delayed due to missing regulations. Paragliding regulations are now finalized, allowing training to begin. Funded by the Ministry of Tourism in 2015 under CM Virbhadra Singh, the school will train over 100 youths annually. Instructors are being appointed to ensure high-quality training. The initiative aims to boost tourism and safety, as 30 pilots and tourists lost their lives in accidents over the past decade.

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Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Satellite Township, covering 8,032 acres between Bidadi and Harohalli. The project aims to decongest Bengaluru and will span 10 villages in Ramanagara district. Satellite towns, including Devanahalli and Magadi, will be developed with improved road and rail connectivity. The vision includes reducing urban congestion, creating jobs, and building sustainable infrastructure. A committee will oversee implementation, with a global tender for designing the township based on the “work-live-play” concept. The Greater Bangalore Development Authority will manage all development activities in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region.

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Barmer District launched the ‘MY NREGA App’ to improve the MNREGA process, allowing workers to apply for jobs digitally from home. The app eliminates the need for workers to visit Gram Panchayats, streamlining employment requests and reducing delays. The app allows family members to apply on behalf of others and provides real-time tracking of applications. MNREGA workers, especially women, actively participated in the app’s launch. It is being tested in five Gram Panchayats before a district-wide rollout. The app promotes digitization, efficiency, and transparency in rural welfare programs.