India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) set up the Earth System Sciences Council (ESSC) to improve coordination across its institutes. ESSC integrates five autonomous institutes under one governance framework. It is chaired by the Union Minister for Earth Sciences for a whole-of-government approach. Institutes keep their original mandates but follow shared committees, a unified annual report and common administrative oversight. ESSC strengthens climate services, disaster preparedness, ocean research, atmospheric studies and public outreach.

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Poshan Tracker was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in 2021. It monitors Take-Home Ration (THR) delivery under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). The system uses e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) and Facial Recognition System (FRS) for beneficiary verification. It is part of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, supporting POSHAN Abhiyaan. Poshan Tracker is one of the world’s largest government-funded nutrition monitoring systems. Recent debates arose due to misconceptions about e-KYC and FRS, highlighting the need for better awareness and usability.

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The Indian Army inaugurated Radio Dirang, 88.4 FM – Apni Mitti, Apni Kahani, marking it as the first Community Radio Station (CRS) in the Eastern Theatre, aimed at enhancing communication in border areas. The station was established by the Gajraj Corps under Operation Sadbhavna, reflecting the Army’s commitment to community engagement and socio-economic development in Arunachal Pradesh. Radio Dirang is designed to promote and preserve local culture, traditions, and social development initiatives, acting as a bridge between the administration and the community. It serves as a vital channel for local administration, enabling the timely dissemination of important information to residents in remote and border areas.

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The Union Government launched a ₹476.03 crore Central Sector Scheme for holistic development of the makhana sector during the first meeting of the National Makhana Board. National Makhana Board was established as announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, aiming to modernize and strengthen India’s makhana industry. The Board is headquartered in Purnea, Bihar, a major hub for makhana cultivation. The initiative focuses on improving production, processing, marketing, and export potential of makhana, supporting farmers and the agri-based economy.

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The Chief Minister of Sikkim has declared Cho La and Dok La passes, located in the border areas of Sikkim, open for tourists. This has been done under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Tourism. The initiative aims to promote border tourism, improve infrastructure, and support livelihoods in remote border villages. It focuses on boosting connectivity, tourism, and socio-economic development in border regions. The initiative offers virtual tours, historical stories, and interactive content on key battlefields.

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On New Year, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) launched Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi), also called Wi-Fi Calling, across all telecom circles in India. VoWiFi allows voice calls and messages over a Wi-Fi network using the same mobile number and dialer. It works well in weak mobile signal areas like homes, basements, offices, and remote regions. The service is Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based, supporting smooth Wi-Fi to mobile handover. VoWiFi is free of cost, reduces network congestion, and supports rural connectivity with broadband access.

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In 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved more than 92% conviction rate and key operational successes. The NIA arrested several terrorists and associates linked to the Pahalgam and Delhi attacks and filed charge sheets against seven accused, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF). Across 55 cases, 276 arrests were made: 67 jihadi, 74 Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), 37 Northeast insurgency, 28 pro-Khalistan, 11 gangster-related, 59 others.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was established in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks to combat terrorism. The agency operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, with its headquarters in New Delhi, led by the Director-General.

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The President of India graced a special programme under Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) Programme. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The programme aims to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning into school education and training systems. It prepares students and teachers for a fast-changing digital world and AI-based careers. The government has allocated ₹500 crore to set up a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education.

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On January 5, 2026, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) commissioned the world’s first and largest Liquid Conversion–Maximum (LC-Max) Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at Visakhapatnam Refinery in Andhra Pradesh. It was developed under the Visakh Refinery Modernization Project (VRMP) with an investment of ₹31,407 crore. Refinery capacity increased from 8.33 to 15 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA). The residue hydrocracking unit of 3.55 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) converts about 93% low-value residue into high-value fuels.

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The National Dam Safety Authority issued a show-cause notice to the Narmada Valley Development Authority over safety issues at Bargi Dam. Bargi Dam is a major multipurpose project used for irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. It is built on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh. Among about 30 major dam projects on the Narmada River, it is one of the earliest completed dams. The dam was developed under the Narmada Valley Development Project to support regional water and energy needs.