India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme was launched on June 29, 2020. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The scheme helps micro food processing enterprises upgrade technology and get formal recognition. It supports farmer producer organizations, self-help groups, and cooperatives to improve food processing businesses. Financial, technical, and capacity-building support is given under the scheme. Bihar secured the first position in implementing the PMFME scheme in 2024–25, as announced recently by the Industries Minister. This shows Bihar’s success in boosting small food processing businesses.

Notes:
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched ‘Sagar Mein Samman’ (SMS) to promote women’s participation in the maritime sector. It was unveiled by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during the first International Day for Women in Maritime celebrations in Mumbai. The policy aims to create a gender-equitable maritime workforce through training, safety, leadership, and skill development. It aligns with the government’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) goals and Maritime India Vision 2030. The government targets 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030. The event theme, “Women in Maritime: Leading Transformation and Sustainability,” supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative aims to make women a strong pillar of ‘Nari Shakti’ in India’s maritime future.

Notes:
Recently, Project Alankar by the Government of Uttar Pradesh was praised in a high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in New Delhi. Project Alankar was launched on 1st October 2021 as an educational reform initiative to improve government secondary schools. The project targets 100% compliance with 35 infrastructure and facility benchmarks in 2,441 schools. It focuses on creating a modern, inclusive, and student-friendly learning environment across the state.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department has launched the ‘Buffer Mein Safar Yojana’ to boost sustainable tourism and protect wildlife. The scheme focuses on turning buffer zones of tiger reserves into eco-friendly tourist spots while helping local communities. It will be implemented in regions like Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sohagibarwa, and Kartaniya Ghat, all known for rich biodiversity. Semrai Lake, a key site for migratory birds, is being developed as a birdwatching destination under the eco circuit. Local villagers are being trained as guides, cooks, and safari staff to create sustainable jobs and support conservation.

Notes:
The Chhattisgarh government has approved the ‘Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy 2025-30’ to promote tourism in rural and tribal areas. This policy focuses on Bastar and Sarguja, which are tribal-dominated regions rich in natural beauty and biodiversity. It was launched during ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the Maoist-affected Bastar region. The policy promotes tribal culture through homestays and handicrafts. It will generate income for locals and supports the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative to boost rural tourism

Notes:
Recently, Mizoram and Goa declared themselves “fully literate” under the ULLAS adult literacy programme, with literacy rates of 98.2% and 99.72%, respectively. ULLAS stands for Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society and is officially known as Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP). It is a centrally sponsored scheme aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Notes:
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recently given its “in-principle” approval to the Etalin Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project is located in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, which is part of the Eastern Himalaya Global Biodiversity Hotspot, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. The Etalin project will involve construction of two gravity dams – one on the Dri River and the other on the Talo (also known as Tangon) River. The total power generation capacity of the project is 3,097 Megawatts (MW).

Notes:
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government banned the entry of Totapuri mangoes from other states into Chittoor district, leading to a dispute with Karnataka. Totapuri mangoes are mainly grown in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This mango is known for its long shape and parrot beak-like tip, which gives it the name “Totapuri.” It is also called Ginimoothi, Sandersha, or Banglora and is native to South India.

Notes:
Recently, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal praised Uttar Pradesh for its outstanding use of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal in public procurement. In financial year 2024–25 alone, Uttar Pradesh completed over 72 lakh procurement orders worth ₹5.43 lakh crore. From financial year 2020–21 to 2024–25, the total procurement value by the state on GeM was ₹65,227.68 crore. Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is an online portal for buying goods and services by central and state government bodies to ensure transparency and competitiveness.

Notes:
Despite orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), illegal salt pans and creek encroachments still threaten the Kharai camels of Kachchh. The Kharai camel is native to Gujarat and gets its name from “Khara,” meaning saline, showing its ability to survive in desert and coastal areas. It is unique for swimming over 3 kilometers in deep sea to graze on mangroves. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as endangered.