India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Vijaya Rahatkar has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW). The appointment was notified by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Rahatkar previously served as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women and Mayor of Aurangabad. She also held roles as BJP National Secretary and President of the party’s women wing. Dr. Archana Majumdar has been appointed as a member of the NCW.

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The Delhi Government has adopted the PM-SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme. This centrally sponsored initiative aims to establish over 14,500 schools managed by various government bodies like KVS and NVS. It aligns with the National Education Policy (2020) and is part of the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The initiative focuses on creating safe learning environments with quality infrastructure and diverse educational experiences. It aims to nurture engaged citizens and promote inclusivity, benefiting over 20 lakh students directly. Implementation is planned from 2022-23 to 2026-27, with lessons for scaling up in other schools.

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Meluri, home to the Pochury Naga tribe, is now the 17th district of Nagaland. The state government has elevated Meluri Sub-Division from Phek District to a full district, effective immediately. Chief Secretary Dr. J. Alam issued the official notification on November 2. The new district will include the area previously known as Meluri Sub-Division. This decision aims to enhance governance and development in the region, following Cabinet approval on November 1.

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The Himachal Pradesh government is working to reclaim the 110 MW Shanan Hydropower Project from Punjab, asserting its rightful ownership. The project, commissioned in 1932, was India’s first megawatt-capacity hydroelectric project. It is located in Joginder Nagar, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. It is built on the Uhl River. It was leased to Punjab in 1925 for 99 years, with the lease expiring in March 2024. Himachal Pradesh now seeks ownership, claiming the land originally belonged to it. The project is currently under Punjab’s control, and Himachal is seeking central government support for the transfer.

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Himachal Pradesh government is launching the ‘Come and Install Solar Power Projects’ initiative to promote solar energy. The initiative aims to fast-track approvals and simplify procedures for setting up solar projects. It encourages youth and entrepreneurs to invest in solar energy projects, providing necessary assistance. Solar projects will help transform Himachal Pradesh into a green energy state, boosting economic growth and creating employment. 300 MW of solar projects have been allocated to the private sector, with 62 MW operational and 32 MW in the government sector.

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Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, inaugurated the Geological Survey of India (GSI) Geoscience Museum in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The museum has two galleries: “Planet Earth: Its Uniqueness in Diversity” and “Evolution of Life on Earth.” Gallery I showcases Earth’s phenomena like volcanoes, meteorites, and fossils with interactive models and rare specimens. Gallery II explores life’s evolution, ancient ecosystems, and mass extinction events with fossils and immersive exhibits. The museum promotes geoscience knowledge and sustainable development.

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Uttarakhand, known as “Devbhoomi,” will be the first Indian state to adopt a dedicated Yoga Policy. The policy aims to establish the state as a global hub for yoga, leveraging Rishikesh’s title as the “Yoga Capital of the World.” Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami envisions integrating yoga, Ayurveda, and wellness to boost tourism, health, and employment. The policy includes wellness tourism promotion, standardized yoga centers, and incentives for new wellness institutions. It provides for yoga center registration, subsidies, and Yoga Certification Board-approved course standards.

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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 Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the “Udaan Yatri Cafe” at Kolkata airport to provide affordable food and beverages for travellers. The cafe offers basic items like water, tea, coffee, and snacks, focusing on quality and affordability. The initiative aims to enhance passenger experience and reduce financial strain from high-priced airport food. The first outlet is at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata as a pilot project. If successful, the initiative will expand to other airports across India.

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Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin inaugurated India’s first-ever glass bridge at Kanyakumari. The bridge connects the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue. It is part of a Rs 37-crore initiative by the Tamil Nadu government. The bridge enhances the region’s tourism infrastructure.