India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways called the breakthrough in the Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel a historic milestone. The tunnel is a 531-kilometre long, two-lane bi-directional tunnel with an escape passage. It is located on the Dharasu-Yamunotri section in Uttarakhand, connecting Silkyara and Barkot. The tunnel is part of National Highway-134 (NH-134), earlier known as NH-94. It is being built under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.

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As of March 2025, over 2.18 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India have become service-ready under the BharatNet project. BharatNet was launched by the Government of India in October 2011 under the Ministry of Communications. The project aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet access to every Gram Panchayat across the country. BharatNet is the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity initiative. The initiative is crucial for bridging the digital divide and enhancing access to online services in rural areas.

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In a major counter-infiltration move after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army recovered arms from Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was called Operation TIKKA and was led by the Chinar Corps. The army seized two AK-series rifles, five magazines, one pistol, ten kilograms of RCIED (Remote-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device), and other war-related items. This action followed intelligence reports of Pakistani terrorists trying to cross the Line of Control (LOC) in the Uri sector.

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Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in India to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based real-time forest alert system for active forest management. This pilot system uses satellite images, mobile feedback, and machine learning to detect forest land encroachment, land use change, and degradation. It is currently being tested in five forest divisions – Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur, and Khandwa – known for encroachment and tree felling. Alerts include detailed features like GPS-tagged images, voice notes, and comments, enriched with vegetation and radar indexes such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index), EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index), and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar).

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Bodofa Upendranath Brahma was a respected leader of the Bodo community who championed non-violent struggle for tribal identity, rights and cultural preservation. On May 1, 2025, the Government of India (GoI) unveiled his 9-feet-high statue in New Delhi, marking his 35th death anniversary. Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah presided over the unveiling and announced the naming of a major road and rotary after him. This tribute underscores the Government of India’s commitment to tribal empowerment and peacebuilding in India’s North East.

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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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Recently, Maharashtra approved a new policy on May 13, 2025, making the use of artificial sand, or manufactured sand (m-sand), mandatory in all government and semi-government construction projects. The policy aims to stop illegal river sand mining and reduce environmental damage. It supports sustainable construction by encouraging the use of eco-friendly materials like m-sand. The state plans to set up 1,500 crusher units across districts and will provide state land for these units. M-sand producers will get Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) status and benefit from reduced royalty rates. This policy protects natural resources and promotes local industry and jobs.

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The Jharkhand High Court recently directed the state government to strictly enforce an old ban on meat, alcohol, and intoxicants on Parasnath Hill. Parasnath Hill, the highest peak in Jharkhand at 4,478 feet, is located in the Giridih district. It holds sacred value for both the Jain and Santal Adivasi communities. For Jains, it is a holy pilgrimage site where 20 out of 24 Tirthankaras are believed to have attained moksha, or liberation. The hill has over 40 Jain temples and dhams, attracting both Shwetambar and Digambar sects. Santals call it Marang Buru or “Great Mountain,” their most sacred spiritual site. It houses Jug Jaher Than, similar in importance to Mecca for Santals. It is also where Lo Bir Baisi, the Santal tribal council, meets to resolve key disputes.

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Recently, the Vice-President of India unveiled statues of Charaka and Sushruta at Raj Bhavan in Goa, honouring their contribution to ancient Indian medicine. Charaka, a court physician during the Kushan period, is known as the Father of Medicine in India. He compiled the Charaka Samhita, a key text of Ayurveda, which focuses on diagnosis, prevention, physiology, and internal medicine. Charaka promoted medical ethics, dietary rules, and preventive care, and his work was translated into Arabic and Latin, influencing global medicine. Sushruta, from the 7th century BCE, is known as the Father of Surgery and possibly the first documented surgeon. He authored the Sushruta Samhita, which describes 300 surgical procedures and 120 instruments. These two legends laid the foundation for Ayurveda and surgery, and their legacy continues to inspire medical science globally.

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Union Agriculture Minister launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2025) at the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar. The campaign aims to empower over 1.5 crore farmers by accelerating agricultural transformation in India. It is led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and coordinated by ICAR-CIFA. The goal is to spread advanced technologies in agriculture and fisheries to rural areas. It promotes self-reliance, sustainability, and resilience in farming and aquaculture. The campaign supports the vision of Viksit Bharat, meaning Developed India. It targets over 5 crore farmers across all districts through training, demos, and farmer-scientist interactions. It highlights fisheries as an essential part of rural development and livelihood security.