India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways introduced the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, to boost coastal trade and prioritize Indian-flagged vessels for national security and commercial needs. Coastal shipping, covering India’s 7,517 km coastline, is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reduces pressure on road and rail networks. Outdated laws like the Coasting Vessel Act, 1838, and Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, lacked uniformity in regulating the sector. Key changes include removing the general trading license for Indian vessels, creating a National Coastal Shipping Database, and mandating a strategic growth plan. The Bill ensures compliance with environmental standards, encourages inland vessel participation, and emphasizes job creation and national security.

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Cyclone Fengal caused record rainfall in Tamil Nadu’s Pennaiyar river basin, leading to heavy inflows into Sathanur Dam, which was already at 95% capacity. Sathanur Dam, built on the Pennaiyar River near Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. It was constructed in 1958. It is the third-largest dam in Tamil Nadu after Mettur and Bhavanisagar. The dam supports irrigation, drinking water supply, and electricity generation. It is also a tourist spot featuring a crocodile farm and a fish grotto.

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The “Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore” campaign, part of Good Governance Week, runs from December 19-24, 2024, across all districts, states, and union territories in India. The campaign focuses on addressing public grievances and improving service delivery, bringing governance closer to rural people. More than 700 districts organizes workshops on good governance practices and service delivery. A dedicated portal for the campaign was launched on December 10, 2024.

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The E-Shram Portal, launched on August 26, 2021, by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, supports India’s unorganized workforce. It creates a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), verified with Aadhaar, to enable targeted welfare delivery. Registration is free and can be done online or at Common Services Centres (CSCs) and State Seva Kendras (SSKs). As of December 19, 2024, over 30.48 crore workers are registered. It ensures access to social security, job opportunities, skill development, and financial inclusion, promoting resilience and equity in the labor market. ₹704.01 crore was allocated for NDUW (FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25).

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Jharkhand received the National Award for ‘Best Performing State’ for excellence in elections. CEO K. Ravi Kumar was honored by President Droupadi Murmu on National Voters’ Day in New Delhi. Key innovations during the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections included an error-free, inclusive voters’ list with booth level officials (BLOs) verifying voters multiple times. Special campaigns were launched for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) and accessible polling facilities like electricity, water, ramps, and wheelchairs were ensured. Polling stations were set up in remote villages, and vehicles were arranged for stations over 2 km away. Voting in Maoist-affected areas was peaceful for the first time.

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Barmer District launched the ‘MY NREGA App’ to improve the MNREGA process, allowing workers to apply for jobs digitally from home. The app eliminates the need for workers to visit Gram Panchayats, streamlining employment requests and reducing delays. The app allows family members to apply on behalf of others and provides real-time tracking of applications. MNREGA workers, especially women, actively participated in the app’s launch. It is being tested in five Gram Panchayats before a district-wide rollout. The app promotes digitization, efficiency, and transparency in rural welfare programs.

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Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched G-SAFAL (Gujarat Scheme for Antyodaya Families for Augmenting Livelihoods) initiative to support underprivileged Antyodaya families by promoting livelihoods and women’s empowerment. The scheme targets 50,000 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholder families across 25 talukas in 10 districts over five years. Implemented by Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Ltd., it provides financial aid, skill training, and social development support.

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Farmers at Punjab and Haryana borders observed February 23 as Pagri Sambhal Diwas to honor Ajit Singh, uncle of Bhagat Singh. The Pagri Sambhal Jatta movement was launched by Ajit Singh in 1907 to oppose British agricultural laws. The slogan “Pagri Sambhal Jatta” was coined by poet Banke Dayal, symbolizing self-respect and resistance. The movement protested three British laws: Punjab Land Alienation Act (1900), Punjab Land Colonisation Act (1906), and Doab Bari Act (1907). These laws restricted farmers’ rights, increased debt, and transferred land ownership to the British. Ajit Singh and Kishan Singh formed the Bharat Mata Society to support farmers, with Lala Lajpat Rai also backing the movement.

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The Union Minister of Science and Technology laid the foundation stone for the North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) permanent campus in Mawdiangdiang, Shillong. NECTAR is an autonomous society under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya. It focuses on using advanced technologies for biodiversity, watershed management, telemedicine, horticulture, infrastructure, planning, tele-schooling via MESHNET, and employment generation through local resources and skill development.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Assam. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and other dignitaries attended the event. The academy is named after Lachit Barphukan, the Assamese warrior who defeated the Mughals. It aims to become India’s top police training academy in five years. The total project cost is ₹1,050 crore, with ₹167 crore spent on the first phase.