India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Supreme Court of India recently directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to assess the impact of nearby glass industries on the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) is a premier research body under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Initially, it focused on water supply, sewage disposal, communicable and occupational diseases, and industrial pollution. Its core aim is to support pollution control, environmental management, and sustainable development. NEERI operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Its headquarters is located in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

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The Prime Minister of India will officially inaugurate the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, marking a major milestone in global maritime connectivity for the state. Vizhinjam Port is located in Vizhinjam, a coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. It is India’s first dedicated transshipment port and also the country’s first semi-automated port. The port is built at a cost of about ₹8,900 crore under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and is operated by the Adani Group, while the Kerala government holds the majority stake. It has the deepest breakwater in India, nearly three kilometres long, with a natural draft of about 20 metres. The port features India’s first home-built, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Vessel Traffic Management System, developed with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

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All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal has ranked second nationwide for its paperless and queue-less Outpatient Department (OPD) registration under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The ranking was announced by the National Health Authority (NHA), Government of India. AIIMS Bhopal generated over 1.45 million OPD tokens using the ‘Scan and Share’ service. AIIMS New Delhi holds the first position in the ranking. The ‘Scan and Share’ system allows patients to scan a QR code with their smartphones to get OPD tokens instantly.

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The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has recently drilled Northeast India’s first geothermal production well at Dirang in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. This marks a major step towards using clean and renewable energy sources in the Himalayan region. Geothermal energy is the heat from within the Earth, used to produce electricity or direct heating. CESHS achieved this breakthrough after two years of detailed geochemical and structural surveys in hot spring sites of western Arunachal Pradesh. CESHS geosciences division head Rupankar Rajkhowa confirmed the success of the drilling project. This initiative can reduce dependency on fossil fuels and support green development in remote regions.

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Indore has become India’s first beggar-free city as of May 2025, marking a major success in social welfare. The campaign was launched in February 2024 under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as a pilot project in 10 cities. Around 5,000 beggars, including 500 children, were identified on city streets before the campaign began. Beggars were rehabilitated by offering jobs, and children were enrolled in schools for education. Awareness campaigns were run in the first phase, followed by rehabilitation efforts. Giving money to beggars or buying from them is now banned, with three First Information Reports (FIRs) filed. Citizens are rewarded ₹1,000 for reporting instances of begging, which has boosted public participation. The initiative has been recognised by the Union Ministry and a World Bank team as a national model.

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The Delhi Legislative Assembly is set to become the first legislative assembly in India to run entirely on solar energy. On 12 May 2025, Speaker Vijendra Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for a 500 kilowatt solar power plant. This step adds to Delhi’s achievements in solar power generation. Recently, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) installed India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant at Okhla Vihar Metro Station. The existing 200 kilowatt rooftop solar plant at the assembly will be replaced with a new one.

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Recently in Patna, the Union Minister urged youth to actively join the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) portal to support nation-building efforts. Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It was launched on October 31, 2023, marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It aims to promote youth-led change and prepare young citizens for Amrit Kaal and Viksit Bharat by 2047. The platform offers equal access to volunteering, learning, and mentorship opportunities. It helps youth build digital profiles to match their skills and interests with projects. Through experiential learning, youth work on real projects with NGOs, local bodies, and businesses.

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India’s first Mahouts Village was recently inaugurated at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu. A total of 44 houses have been built for mahouts and their families, who care for and manage elephants. This is the first such dedicated settlement in India aimed at improving the lives of mahouts. The project has been developed at a cost of ₹5.6 crore. It provides permanent and well-equipped housing for mahouts and cavadis (assistants), recognizing their traditional skills and contribution to elephant care. The initiative highlights Tamil Nadu’s efforts to ensure welfare of both elephants and their caretakers.

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Recently, the Union Government launched the Clean Plant Programme for grapes, oranges, and pomegranates in Maharashtra. Clean Plant Programme is a government initiative to provide disease-free and high-quality planting materials for horticultural crops like fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It aims to improve crop productivity and reduce losses by giving farmers access to certified, healthy plants. The programme includes setting up nine Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) for disease diagnosis, treatment, and quarantine of planting materials.

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The Union Education Minister launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign by planting a sapling in New Delhi to promote environmental awareness on World Environment Day. A special module and website were also launched, along with a web portal to monitor eco club activities under Mission Lifestyle for Environment (Mission LiFE). The importance of trees in sustaining life was emphasized, linking the campaign to environmental and health benefits. The campaign called for reducing plastic use and adopting sustainable development practices to protect the environment.