India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the formation of the first all-woman CISF battalion, with over 1,000 personnel. This unit will be led by a senior commandant and includes 1,025 personnel from within CISF’s existing sanctioned strength. CISF currently has 12 reserve battalions, with women making up more than 7% of the force. This Mahila battalion aims to inspire more women to join CISF and boost female representation in the force. Established in 1969, CISF provides counter-terrorism security to nuclear, aerospace, and private sector facilities, including Infosys and Reliance refinery sites.

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Karnataka is the first state in India to launch a dedicated GCC (Global Capability Centers) policy. The policy aims to establish 500 new GCCs by 2029, creating 3.5 lakh jobs and $50 billion in economic output. The ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative promotes GCC growth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad. India’s GCC market is valued at $64.6 billion, with Bengaluru hosting over 875 GCCs contributing $22.2 billion.

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Gorakhpur will establish India’s first Integrated Waste Management City-cum-Learning Centre by September 2025. The 40-acre project in Suthni village aims to make the city garbage-free and promote sustainable waste management through a circular economy model. The centre will process various waste types, generating charcoal and Bio-CNG. The initiative will create jobs, boost revenue, and serve as a learning hub for technical expertise. It has been presented in Vishakhapatnam and Delhi and will be showcased at the National Chief Secretaries’ Conference in December 2024.

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‘Pravasi Rajasthani Divas’ will be celebrated annually on December 10, announced by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. A separate department will be created for migrant Rajasthanis to address their needs. The department will have a ‘single point contact’ in each district to resolve issues faced by migrant families. The state will also confer the ‘Pravasi Rajasthani Samman’ to notable personalities from Rajasthan living abroad.

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The Nagaland Tourism Department issued an apology to the Khiamniungan Union Kohima for omitting the Khiamniungan Tribe from the Heritage Guide Map during the Hornbill Festival 2024. The Khiamniungan tribe is a major Naga tribe, residing in Eastern Nagaland (India) and North-Western Myanmar. The name Khiamniungan means “source of great water or river”. As per the 2011 census, the tribe’s population in India is 61,983.

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Uttar Pradesh recorded 476.1 million tourists between January and September 2024, nearing its 2023 total of 480 million visitors. Ayodhya became the most visited destination in the state, surpassing Agra’s Taj Mahal. Ayodhya attracted 135.5 million domestic tourists and 3,153 international visitors, driven by the Ram temple’s inauguration. Agra received 125.1 million visitors, including 115.9 million domestic and 924,000 international tourists. Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted the state’s impressive performance. Experts credit the rise in religious tourism, with Ayodhya emerging as the epicenter, showing a 70% spike in spiritual tour bookings.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a 100% conviction rate for 2024, convicting 68 individuals in 25 high-profile cases. The NIA arrested 210 individuals across 80 cases, with 28 involving Left Wing Extremism and 18 related to North East insurgency. 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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SJVN Ltd, formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, signed an MoU with the Bihar Government to develop the 1000 MW Hathidah Durgawati Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in Kaimur district, Bihar. The project will generate 2,308.65 million units annually and cost ₹5,663 crore. It will create around 5,000 jobs and boost Bihar’s renewable energy and storage capabilities. SJVN plans to invest ₹10,000 crore for PSP development in Bihar. Four PSPs were allocated to SJVN, with Hathidah Durgawati prioritized for its viability. SJVN is also developing 12,000 MW of PSPs across other states to support India’s renewable energy goals.

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The United States opened its fifth consulate in India in Bengaluru, joining Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The consulate aims to strengthen US-India ties, especially with Karnataka’s thriving IT and business ecosystem. The consulate will reduce dependency on Chennai for visa services, benefiting Karnataka residents and businesses.

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Raman Rajamannan, the tribal king of the Mannan community in Kerala, will participate in the Republic Day parade in Delhi. The Mannan community is a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in Kerala and the only tribal dynasty with a kingship in South India. Their language is a Tamil dialect without a script, reflecting strong Tamil cultural ties. They follow a matrilineal descent system, elect their king, and practice Hinduism. Main occupations include agriculture, and festivals include Kalavoot, Meenoot, and Mutthiamman. Mannankoothu is their unique ritual art form performed during worship, harvest, and weddings.