India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) homes bring joy to women of the Tharu tribe in Kheri district near the Indo-Nepal border. The Tharu tribe is an indigenous group living in the Terai plain on the Indo-Nepal border, found in both India and Nepal. In India, they are primarily in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, and were recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 1967. They speak Tharu or Tharuhati, an Indo-Aryan language. Their economy is based on agriculture, cattle-raising, hunting, fishing, and forest products. Tharu homes are made from bamboo and mud.

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The SFIO recorded the statement of the Kerala Chief Minister’s daughter, raising political controversy. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is a corporate fraud investigation agency established on July 21, 2015. It was given statutory status under Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013. SFIO operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs with experts in various fields. It investigates complex fraud cases with public interest. SFIO can take cases based on government reports or public interest. Once assigned, no other agency can investigate that case. The SFIO is led by a Director and headquartered in New Delhi.

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The Centre’s air pollution control panel directed Delhi-NCR states to implement the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). GRAP is a framework to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR, triggered when AQI reaches “poor” levels.
It is crucial during winter when air quality worsens. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) oversees GRAP’s implementation with support from the Ministry of Environment.

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On Valmiki Jayanti, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that all Scheduled Tribe residential schools and Raichur University will be named after Maharishi Valmiki. Siddaramaiah praised Maharshi Valmiki’s journey from being a hunter to becoming a scholar and authoring the Ramayana. He highlighted Valmiki’s emphasis on equality, justice, and equal opportunities for all.

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The “Griha Arogya: Healthcare at Your Doorstep” initiative aims to offer free health check-ups and treatments, especially targeting underprivileged communities. Launched by Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the program addresses the financial barriers that deter people from seeking essential health screenings. The initiative emphasizes the importance of early detection of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension to improve treatment outcomes and promote healthier lifestyles among citizens.

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Aandhi, a village near Jaipur, is adopting a zero-waste model through innovative green technologies. Initiatives include an Organic Waste Bio-Methanation Plant, Vermifiltration Technology, and Constructed Wetlands, which convert waste into resources, support renewable energy, and improve water management. These efforts align with India’s sustainability goals, showcasing how rural communities can leverage technology for environmental stewardship and community upliftment, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

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PM Modi launched India’s first helicopter ambulance service at Rishikesh AIIMS to improve emergency healthcare access.
The service aims to transport critical patients quickly within the ‘golden hour’ for better trauma care. It is part of a larger healthcare upgrade project worth over Rs 12,850 crore. A toll-free number will link all district disaster management centers to facilitate this service. Drones will aid in delivering blood samples and medicines to remote regions. The initiative extends to Uttarakhand and some border areas of Uttar Pradesh, transforming healthcare access in tough terrains.

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India’s first Constitution Museum was inaugurated on November 23, 2024, at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in Sonipat, Haryana. The museum was launched by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the National Convention on the Constitution of India. It celebrates the 75-year journey of the Indian Constitution and pays tribute to its architects. The museum features sections dedicated to the Constitution’s parts, their significance, and the historical debates behind its creation. The initiative aims to enhance public understanding of the Constitution and serve as a key educational destination.

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The Konda Reddi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, resides along the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. They speak Telugu with a unique accent and practice folk Hinduism, worshiping local deities. Families are patriarchal and patrilocal, with monogamy being common, though polygamy exists; marriages occur through various accepted customs. Their self-governance is maintained through a hereditary headman, ‘Pedda Kapu,’ who also serves as the village priest. They practice shifting cultivation (Podu) and grow jowar as their staple crop, along with commercial crops like cashew, cotton, and chilli. Their traditional circular mud houses with thatched roofs resemble Gujarat’s Bhunga architecture.

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The Ministry of Ayush launched a film series, “Ayush for All: Holistic Health Care through National Ayush Mission (NAM),” showcasing the transformative impact of NAM. NAM aims to strengthen Ayush healthcare services, integrate them into mainstream public health, and promote preventive care via Ayushman Arogya Mandir. NAM established 3883 Yoga Wellness Centres, 1055 Ayush Grams, and 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. The film series highlights NAM’s success in reducing healthcare costs and improving access, especially for rural and underserved populations.