India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Indian Army inaugurated a state-of-the-art skin bank at Army Hospital (Research & Referral) on June 18. This facility, a first within Armed Forces Medical Services, focuses on treating severe burn injuries for armed forces personnel and families. It addresses injuries from fire accidents, electrical incidents, and high-altitude kerosene warmers. The skin bank centralizes collection, processing, storage, and distribution of skin grafts, enhancing medical capabilities nationwide for military hospitals.

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Kozhikode in Kerala has been declared India’s first UNESCO City of Literature, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Established in 2004, UCCN promotes urban development through creativity, encompassing nearly 300 cities globally in fields such as literature, crafts, and music. Other Indian cities in UCCN include Srinagar and Jaipur (crafts and folk arts), Mumbai (film), Chennai, Gwalior, and Varanasi (music), and Hyderabad (gastronomy).

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The Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched the Sangyaan App, developed by the RPF Tech Team. It educates RPF Personnel on new criminal laws like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023. This mobile tool aims to enhance legal knowledge and operational relevance, offering comprehensive insights into legal provisions for effective RPF operations.

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Haryana and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, in Panchkula. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Manohar Lal, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh attended. This collaboration aims to enhance Haryana’s criminal justice system by leveraging NFSU’s expertise. Forensic teams will visit for serious offences, increasing the demand for forensic experts.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed draft rules to implement the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), aiming to enhance telecom connectivity in rural areas. The DBN will replace the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was created to provide affordable telecom services in remote regions using a 5% Universal Service Levy on telecom operators’ revenue. Established under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the DBN seeks to expand networks in underserved areas where private companies may not invest.

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The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has approved a bill mandating local reservation in the private sector. The legislation requires 50% of management and 75% of non-management positions to be filled by Kannadigas. The bill aims to ensure 100% Kannadiga recruitment for lower-grade positions in private industries.

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Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled the theme for India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, “The Future is Now,” highlighting India’s leadership in 6G technology and telecommunications. The event will showcase innovative solutions, host over 500 meetings with 1,000+ investors, and include MoUs to enhance cybersecurity. The theme emphasizes immediate advancements and future potential in the tech sector, reflecting a forward-looking approach.

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The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, on July 3, 2024, to establish the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor.’ This initiative aims to foster collaboration between BIS and IISc, promoting activities in Standardization and Conformity Assessment. It seeks to integrate Indian standards into academic curricula and strengthen the partnership between academic and research institutions.

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Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre announced the formation of a task force to remove illegal resorts and encroachments from the Western Ghats, covering 10 districts. Led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, this team will start clearing operations immediately. The Minister has also directed the removal of encroachments from 2015 onward and requested a report on the actions taken within a month.

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The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOPPW) introduced a centralized pension processing software called ‘Bhavishya’ for all central government Ministries/Departments. ‘Bhavishya’ is an online Pension Sanction & Payment Tracking System to address delays, clerical errors, and financial loss in pension processing. The software starts the pension process 15 months before retirement and uses a single form for the pensioner. It also integrates with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for seamless electronic pension payments.