India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Geologists and forest officials discovered a rare petrified fossil at Rajmahal Hills near Barmasia village, Pakur district, Jharkhand. Petrification happens when organic matter is replaced by minerals, turning it into stone. The process fills tissue pores with minerals, replacing organic material while keeping the original structure intact. It can preserve both hard and soft tissues over long periods. Petrification usually occurs under sediment with exposure to mineral-rich water. Petrified wood is a common example of this fossilization process.

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Assam announced the launch of its own satellite, ASSAMSAT, in the 2025-26 state budget to boost socio-economic initiatives and border security. Assam becomes the first Indian state to launch its own satellite. ASSAMSAT will support agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure development, and security operations. The satellite will be developed in collaboration with IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). This initiative strengthens Assam’s technological capabilities and enhances governance through satellite-based surveillance and monitoring systems.

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Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge launched India’s first industry-led digital detox initiative, “Beyond Screens”, on Tuesday. The initiative promotes responsible gaming and digital consumption in collaboration with the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology. It aims to combat digital addiction by encouraging balanced technology use. The initiative was announced at GAFX 2025 (Games, Animation and Visual Effects) and includes a dedicated digital detox centre and website.

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The Ministry of Ayush launched the first batch of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme to create a more accountable and citizen-centric workforce. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry, inaugurated the program under the Capacity Building Commission initiative. The program promotes “Seva Bhav” (service) and helps public servants upskill and broaden their perspectives. It focuses on service, self-improvement, stress reduction, and efficient service delivery.

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). The project will receive ₹3,652.56 crore in central support and aims for completion by March 2029 at a total cost of ₹6,282.32 crore. It will divert surplus water from Kosi River to irrigate the Mahananda basin in Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts. The project will provide 2,10,516 hectares of additional irrigation in the Kharif season and restore irrigation to 1.57 lakh hectares under the Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC). The Kosi Mechi project is the tenth project under AIBP since 2021-22.

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released draft guidelines to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses. The Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to blend traditional Indian knowledge with modern education. The initiative promotes interdisciplinary research, preservation, and dissemination of IKS for research and societal use. It covers diverse fields like Arts, Literature, Agriculture, Basic Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Management, and Economics.

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched the first-ever Himalayan High-Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Centre in Nathatop, Chenani, Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir. This new centre will provide accurate climate and weather forecasts for the Himalayan region. It will also focus on research and study of the region’s unique high-altitude weather conditions. The project is supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India. It aims to improve climate monitoring and disaster preparedness in the Himalayan belt.

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Virudhunagar Samba Vathal (Chilli) from Tamil Nadu has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, applied by the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board and Virudhunagar Chillies Merchants’ Association. This chilli is grown in Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Thoothukudi districts, known for its moderate heat, smoky aroma, and vibrant red colour. It is widely used in traditional spice blends, pickles, and seasonings due to its wrinkled texture, medium size, and unique flavour.

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Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda launched the Inter-All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Referral Portal to improve patient referral systems across India. The portal was developed by AIIMS New Delhi using advanced technology like facial recognition and automated workflows. It aims to reduce waiting time, cut manual errors, and make healthcare more patient-friendly and transparent. The project will begin as a pilot between AIIMS New Delhi and AIIMS Bilaspur to test and refine the system. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s goal of providing inclusive, efficient, and tech-driven healthcare for all.

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Dharmadam constituency in Kannur, represented by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has become the state’s first extreme poverty-free constituency as of April 2025. This is part of Kerala’s larger mission to eradicate extreme poverty by 1 November 2025, promoting inclusive growth. Extreme poverty means a household lacks access to food, healthcare, basic income, and adequate housing—the four key indicators used in Kerala’s grassroots-level survey. As per the United Nations (UN), extreme poverty is defined as living on less than USD 1.90 a day, highlighting the urgency to ensure basic human needs are met.