India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Byadgi chilli prices have dropped due to excess stock, strict export tests, and high production costs. It is a famous chilli variety from Karnataka, named after Byadgi in Haveri district. The chilli is bright red, 12-15 cm long, with wrinkled pods and a strong fragrance. It is widely used in pickles, masalas, chilli powder, and oleoresin extraction. Byadgi chilli has received Karnataka Geographical Indication status.

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The Telangana government launched a scheme to distribute fine rice for free to the poor through ration shops. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy formally launched the scheme in Huzurnagar, Suryapet district, on Ugadi festival. 6 kilograms of fine rice per person per month will be given free of cost through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The scheme will benefit over three crore people, covering 85% of the state’s population. The government aims to ensure food security with dignity and prevent the misuse of coarse rice, which was earlier rejected by beneficiaries.

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Jharkhand, are organizing a national event under “Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat” on 4th April 2025 in New Delhi. It celebrates the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, honoring tribal heritage nationwide. More than 560 tribal representatives from Jharkhand will share views on grassroots governance, cultural legacy, and traditional knowledge. Cultural programs like Santhali dance and Munda storytelling will be featured. The initiative launched on 26th January 2025, aims to preserve tribal traditions across 20,300 villages, aligned with the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act).

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Virudhunagar Samba Vathal (Chilli) from Tamil Nadu has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, applied by the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board and Virudhunagar Chillies Merchants’ Association. This chilli is grown in Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Thoothukudi districts, known for its moderate heat, smoky aroma, and vibrant red colour. It is widely used in traditional spice blends, pickles, and seasonings due to its wrinkled texture, medium size, and unique flavour.

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Gujarat Police launched the GP-DRASTI program, which stands for Drone Response and Aerial Surveillance Tactical Interventions. The program uses quadcopters for real-time surveillance, quick response to crimes, and evidence collection. It covers 33 police stations across Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara. The drones are equipped with high-definition (HD) cameras, night vision, and a 1-kilometre zoom. They can track suspects, provide live video, and help in facial recognition during criminal events. Each drone operates within a 4-kilometre range, flies up to 120 meters high, and can stay airborne for 45 minutes. Sixteen police personnel have been trained to operate the drones. The initiative boosts security in areas prone to violence and improves police effectiveness.

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In Financial Year 2024-25, India recorded 4,515 child adoptions, the highest in nearly ten years, showing a positive change in public mindset. Out of these, 4,155 were domestic adoptions, highlighting growing acceptance of adoption within Indian families. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is the nodal agency responsible for adoption of orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children in India. CARA was established in 1990 and became a statutory body under Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. It functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

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The Indian Security Forces have launched Operation Shiva to secure the Amarnath Yatra amid the Pahalgam terror attack and rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Shri Amarnath Ji is located in the Anantnag district at an altitude of 13,000 feet. The Amarnath Cave houses an ice lingam, symbolizing Lord Shiva, along with two smaller ice stalagmites representing Parvati, his wife, and Ganesha, his son. The pilgrimage takes place during the Shravan month, when the lingam reaches its full size. The origin of the pilgrimage is mentioned in the Sanskrit text “Bringesha Samhita.”

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India reportedly opened multiple gates at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on the Chenab River in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, amid rising water levels. The Chenab River, meaning “Moon River,” is a major tributary of the Indus River. It originates from the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga streams at Tandi in the Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh. In its upper stretches, it is also known as Chandrabhaga. It flows through Jammu and Kashmir, passing between the Siwalik Range and Lesser Himalayas. It then turns southwest into Pakistan, joining the Jhelum River near Trimmu and later merging with the Sutlej River.

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The Ministry of Culture has launched a new campaign called Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan, which means One Nation, One Heartbeat. This campaign aims to honour the bravehearts of India and promote national unity and pride in the Indian flag, the Tiranga. The slogan is being widely used across digital platforms to spread patriotic feelings among citizens. In the last 48 hours, all 43 institutions under the Ministry of Culture have actively taken part in the campaign. Famous cultural institutions and heritage sites have been lit in the colours of the Indian flag. Over 60 monuments across India have been illuminated under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) supervision.

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The Prime Minister will soon meet the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to review the Polavaram project. The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation initiative built on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It is located near Polavaram village in West Godavari district, close to the borders of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The project was proposed in 1980 based on the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) recommendations. It has been given national project status by the central government. The dam will help control floodwaters and improve agricultural productivity in the region. This high-level meeting highlights the importance of inter-state cooperation for completing the project efficiently.