India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Uttar Pradesh has ranked first in India for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Processing Enterprises Upgradation Scheme (PMFME). The average loan approval time in Uttar Pradesh is 101 days, compared to 110 days in Bihar and 190 days in Telangana. Uttar Pradesh has achieved a 14% growth in loan disbursement under the scheme. The state spent Rs 250 crore more than in 2024. For the year 2025–26, the budget for Uttar Pradesh increased by 56%, with an additional Rs 300 crore allocated. The PMFME scheme was launched in 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Abhiyaan to support micro food enterprises.

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Recently, Karnataka became the first Indian state to complete a detailed antiquities survey at the village level. The Department of Archaeology is surveying 119 taluks to document antiquities like inscriptions, sculptures, and monuments. Geo-tagging is used to digitally mark and track the exact locations of these heritage items. A proposal is being prepared to add 110 new monuments to the protected list, aiming to safeguard 1,000 more in future. Karnataka faces challenges like lack of resources and coordination in preserving over 25,000 monuments. The ‘Adopt a Monument’ scheme uses Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support heritage upkeep.

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The Dhubri-Phulbari Brahmaputra Bridge, a 19.28 km project, has 59% of its work completed, according to reports. It is a 4-lane bridge being built over the Brahmaputra River, connecting Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya on National Highway 127 B. The bridge will be 19.3 km long, making it the longest river bridge in India. It will have a navigation bridge of 12.625 kilometers, with approach viaducts of 3.5 km on the Dhubri side and 2.2 km on the Phulbari side. The structure will be supported by 199 pillars. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is handling the civil construction for the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL), with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project is estimated to cost ₹3,165.99 crore.

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India Post has launched ‘Gyan Post’ to improve access to education by delivering books and study materials across the country. It allows affordable postal delivery of only non-commercial, educational content to bridge learning gaps. Real-time tracking is provided to ensure transparency and timely delivery. Materials with advertisements or business purposes are not allowed under this scheme. Each book must clearly mention the name of the printer or publisher as per the official guidelines. The pricing is concessional, with ₹20 for parcels up to 300 grams and ₹100 for packages up to 5 kilograms.

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The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has reported major damage to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) barrages after the 2023 floods. NDSA is India’s national safety regulator for large dams and was established under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021. KLIP is a multi-purpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Telangana. The Godavari River, also called Dakshin Ganga, is the largest river in Peninsular India and originates from the Western Ghats in Nasik, Maharashtra. KLIP is set to become the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, using pumps to lift water to high points for irrigation.

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A wild banana species called Musa indandamanensis from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently set a world record with the longest banana infructescence measuring 4.2 metres. An infructescence is the full fruiting part of a plant. This wild species is endemic to the Nicobar group, especially found in Campbell Bay. The tree grows about 11 metres tall with a stem girth of around 110 centimetres. Earlier, the longest known banana infructescence was only 3 metres. The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and botanical centres like A.J.C. Bose Indian Botanic Garden. It holds potential for future disease-resistant and high-yield banana varieties.

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Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government announced property tax exemption for houses of Indian Defence Forces personnel within Gram Panchayat limits. This benefit now includes all active personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Paramilitary, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), not just retirees or those posted at borders. The exemption applies to one house that the personnel or their spouse own or reside in. This move was recommended by the Director of Sainik Welfare. It honours the sacrifices of soldiers like Agniveer Murali Naik, who died during Operation Sindoor at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Recently, on May 22, 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the Yashoda AI initiative at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly. Yashoda AI Abhiyan aims to expand women’s access to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Digital Safety training. The campaign, titled “Your AI SAKHI,” focuses on improving women’s digital literacy and awareness in a tech-driven world. NCW launched this initiative in collaboration with Future Shift Labs (FSL). It targets women, especially from rural and semi-urban areas, empowering them to lead in India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). The program covers AI-driven crimes, digital privacy, and safety strategies through community participation. Students, educators, and women in the police force actively engage to ensure women lead digital change.

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The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has launched the ‘Bodhi Yatra’ from 2 to 7 June 2025 to promote Buddhist heritage tourism. This yatra will take tourists to sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha. The Bodhi Yatra has been specially organised for delegates from Mekong-Ganga Cooperation member countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Vietnam, and Myanmar. The initiative strengthens cultural ties and spiritual tourism between India and Southeast Asian nations. Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh officially announced the schedule of the Bodhi Yatra.

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India’s first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) has started commercial operations at Tehri in Uttarakhand. It includes a 250 megawatt (MW) unit as part of a larger 1,000 MW hydropower project. The plant stores energy by using surplus electricity to pump water to an upper reservoir, and later releases it to generate power during high demand. This project was executed by THDC India Limited (THDCIL), a public sector company under the Ministry of Power. It is located in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.