India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the ‘Vidya Shakti’ programme on a pilot basis to assist underperforming students in government schools and colleges. It uses technology and innovative methods to provide extra coaching in Mathematics, Science, and English after school hours. Currently, it is running in 4,424 Zilla Parishad, Government, and Municipal schools, and 576 KGBVs, Residential, and Model Schools. The main goals are to improve learning outcomes, reduce dropout rates, and increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).

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Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the Adi Karmyogi programme at the “Adi Anveshan” National Conference to bridge gaps between tribal welfare policies and real implementation. The programme aims to build capacity among about 20 lakh field-level stakeholders by training State, district, and block-level trainers. It targets creating 180 State-level trainers, over 3,000 district-level trainers, and more than 15,000 block-level trainers.

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Recently, India rejected a “supplemental award” issued by a Court of Arbitration on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects, calling it illegal and against the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960. The Court of Arbitration is an ad-hoc international dispute resolution body under Annexure G of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, used when bilateral talks fail. The Ratle Hydroelectric Project is run-of-the-river project located on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. India maintains its stand that the award violates treaty principles and cannot be accepted under the current agreement.

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A new Agritech Innovation Hub and Startup Technology Showcase was recently inaugurated at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut. The hub aims to promote precision farming and sustainable agriculture in Uttar Pradesh and northern India. The university developed a modern curriculum aligned with advanced agricultural practices to benefit farmers across the country. The hub is supported by the Centre for Excellence on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture under Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar.

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Recently, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) announced the rollout of the “Saheli Smart Card” to replace the current “pink ticket” system for free bus travel. The card will provide free travel to women and transgender persons, but only for verified residents of Delhi. The move aims to increase accountability and stop revenue leakages in the subsidy system. Unlike the earlier system where pink tickets were given without verification, the Saheli Smart Card uses a targeted digital subsidy model. The initiative is part of Delhi’s broader plan to modernise its Automated Fare Collection (AFC) infrastructure.

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Goa government recently launched India’s first Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ferry service on the Mandovi River. The ferry connects Chorao Island to Panaji, the capital city of Goa. It aims to boost inland waterway transport and reduce dependence on road traffic. The service will significantly cut down travel time for daily commuters. It offers easier and faster connectivity for locals and tourists visiting the island.

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Recently, India campus of University of Southampton was inaugurated in Gurugram, Haryana by the Union Education Minister and Haryana Chief Minister. University of Southampton is a QS Top 100 global university and a founding member of the United Kingdom’s Russell Group. It is the first foreign university to start a campus in India under the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s 2023 Regulations for foreign higher educational institutions. This marks a historic milestone in India’s higher education reforms. It aligns with the vision of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to globalize Indian education. It also strengthens India–United Kingdom education ties under the India-UK Roadmap 2030.

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Anganwadi workers are facing difficulties in registering beneficiaries on the Poshan Tracker app due to technical glitches and poor internet connectivity. Poshan Tracker app was launched on 1st March 2021 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. It was developed by the National eGovernance Division. It is a mobile-based digital platform for Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and enrolled beneficiaries. It supports the Poshan Abhiyaan mission to improve nutrition services and fight malnutrition.

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Kerala’s KITE (Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education) initiative was recently recognised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as a global best practice in responsible Educational Technology (EdTech). It has gained both national and international attention for ethically integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school education. KITE is the official technology arm of the General Education Department of the Government of Kerala. It was launched to promote ethical, inclusive, and open-source-based AI integration in public schools.

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The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has issued new directions to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) to institutionalise structured counselling across all stages of the adoption process. These directions are issued under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (amended in 2021) and align with the Adoption Regulations, 2022. CARA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development and acts as the central agency for adoption in India and abroad. The goal is to strengthen psychosocial support for prospective adoptive parents, adopted children, and biological parents.