India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Rangacherra village in Tripura has become the first green village of the state due to the state government’s efforts. The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) implemented the green village project with a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore. A solar power plant and solar water purifier systems were installed in the village under Mohanpur subdivision. TREDA also provided solar home lighting systems to village households. The solar plant is connected to the grid of Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited and supplies excess power to the state grid. Villagers, many of whom migrated from Jharkhand and Bihar, now get clean drinking water from a solar water purification system.

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The Indian government has fast-tracked approval for the electricity transmission line of the 1,000 Megawatt (MW) Pakal Dul Hydropower Project in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakal Dul project is a 1 Gigawatt (GW) run-of-the-river Hydroelectric Project (HEP) being built on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab River. It includes a 167-metre high concrete-face rockfill dam, an underground powerhouse with four 250 MW Francis turbines, and a transformer cabin. It is expected to generate about 3,330 million units of electricity annually. The project is being constructed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL), a joint venture of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC Limited), Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC), and PTC India.

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The Dongria Kondh tribe of Odisha was recently highlighted for showcasing their vibrant identity and cultural resilience during a festival near the Niyamgiri Hills. They are an indigenous community classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The Dongria Kondh are known for their environmental stewardship and strong resistance against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills. They live in scattered hamlets within the Niyamgiri hill range, located across Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in southwestern Odisha. These hills are ecologically rich and hold spiritual significance, being the home of their revered deity, Niyam Raja.

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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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On May 14, 2025, Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced a first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence (AI) anchor named Ankita to promote digital transformation and citizen engagement. The AI anchor presented key decisions from the Assam Cabinet meeting, including renaming Dibrugarh Airport after cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika and a one-time grant for tea garden workers. Ankita delivered updates in fluent Assamese with realistic voice modulation and expressions, making the communication more relatable and interactive. This digital initiative aims to make governance more accessible for the digital generation and reflects Assam’s push toward AI-led good governance. Earlier, Assam had introduced ‘Iris’, the first AI teacher at Royal Global School in Guwahati, dressed in traditional Mekhela-Chador.

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A protest has erupted in Goa after the release of a scientific paper titled “The water budget of the Mahadayi river and its implications for the inter-State dispute.” The Mahadayi River, also called Mhadei, starts from Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and flows west to the Arabian Sea at Panaji, Goa. It is vital for Goa’s water needs, especially in North Goa, and has tributaries like Rogaro, Kushavati, Nanorem, Nanuz, Valvota, and Mapusa. The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary lies on Chorao Island in the Mandovi River. A long-standing dispute exists between Goa and Karnataka over water diversion by Karnataka from Kalasa and Bhandura tributaries.

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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.

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India’s largest Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant was recently inaugurated in Lucknow by the Union Defence Minister and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. It is operated by Aeroalloy Technologies Limited, a subsidiary of PTC Industries Limited. The plant covers 50 acres and has an annual capacity of 6,000 tonnes, making it the world’s largest single-site titanium remelting facility. It uses advanced technologies like Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR), Electron Beam (EB), Plasma Arc Melting (PAM), and Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) to produce aerospace-grade materials. The project is part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which supports self-reliant defence manufacturing in India.

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The Tamil Nadu Cabinet recently approved a Space Industrial Policy to boost the space sector and attract investments. Tamil Nadu became the third Indian state after Karnataka and Gujarat to promote the space ecosystem. It already hosts key Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facilities like the ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli, which tests cryogenic and liquid engines. A second Indian spaceport is being built by ISRO at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi to increase satellite launch capacity. The state also has several startups working on reusable launch vehicles, in-space manufacturing, in-orbit refuelling, and satellite data analytics. IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) is an autonomous agency under the Department of Space to promote private participation.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched the Honorary Rank Promotion Scheme for retiring personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. This scheme, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, grants a one-rank honorary promotion from Constable up to Sub-Inspector. It is given on the retirement day to boost morale, pride, and self-respect of the personnel. The promotion is symbolic and does not involve any financial or pension benefits. It applies only if the higher rank exists within the service’s structure. The promotion does not affect the seniority of personnel. This move recognises dedicated service and aims to honour commitment with dignity.