India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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A drift and oil spill advisory was recently issued by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) after a fire broke out on a container ship off the Kerala coast. INCOIS also activated its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) to monitor the possible drift of containers and debris. SARAT was developed by Earth System Science Organization (ESSO)-INCOIS under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It was created as part of the Make in India program to support quick search and rescue of people or vessels in distress at sea.

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Recently, the President of India inaugurated the Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The university was described as a modern centre preserving India’s ancient health traditions and values. It is expected to become a milestone for health services in Uttar Pradesh and the entire country. The President highlighted India’s age-old yoga and health traditions and stressed carrying them forward for development by 2047.

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Recently, the Maharashtra government declared ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav’ as the official state festival. The announcement was made by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar in the Legislative Assembly. Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav was started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 to promote social unity and nationalism. The festival symbolizes freedom, self-respect, pride in language, and cultural identity. It continues to be a powerful expression of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage. The government aims to preserve, promote, and celebrate Ganeshotsav across the state and the nation.

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Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a technical brief titled “Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine”. The brief recognised India’s leadership in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in traditional medicine, especially Ayush systems. India became the first country to launch the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). TKDL is a digital database of traditional medicinal knowledge, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. It prevents bio-piracy by documenting traditional practices in patent-compatible formats.

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The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new travel allowance scheme from the academic session 2025–26 to support students living in remote areas. Eligible students will receive ₹6000 annually to help them travel to school and remove distance-related barriers in education. The scheme aims to connect students from rural, tribal, and backward areas to mainstream education. It is applicable to students of Class 9 to 12 whose home is at least 5 km away from the nearest government secondary school.

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The Punjab government has launched Operation Jeevan jyot 2 to rescue street children and enroll them in schools. This new phase was launched in July 2025 with a stronger and more stringent strategy. In the last 9 months, 367 children were rescued from streets, religious places, and intersections across Punjab. The campaign began in September 2024 and has conducted 753 rescue operations so far.

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Recently, India achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 target. This success is part of the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme (EBP Programme). The EBP Programme was launched in January 2003 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG). It aims to promote environment-friendly alternative fuels and reduce crude oil import dependency.

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Recently, in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the traditional craftsmanship of Paithani sarees. Paithani sarees are known as the ‘Mahavastra’ (great garment) of Maharashtra and represent the state’s cultural pride. They are woven by hand using pure silk and gold zari, showcasing vibrant colors and intricate craftsmanship. These sarees originate from the medieval town of Paithan, located on the banks of the River Godavari in Maharashtra. They received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2010, highlighting their authenticity and cultural value.

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Recently, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025 in New Delhi. It was organized to commemorate 5 years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025 brought together academicians, educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and government officials. The event focused on reviewing the progress achieved under NEP 2020 in transforming the education system. It also aimed at discussing future strategies to further implement the policy across all levels of education. The Samagam highlighted innovation, inclusivity, and skill development as core themes of NEP 2020.

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Recently, in the Rajya Sabha, Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared updates on the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Service) programme. As of now, 9,261 Pro Bono Advocates are registered on the platform. Pro Bono Advocate Panels have been formed in 23 High Courts. Till 30 June 2025, around 14,888 women have sought legal help on the app for issues like domestic violence, property, workplace harassment, etc. Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Service) is an initiative of the Department of Justice, Government of India. It aims to provide free legal aid to marginalized sections of society by connecting them with volunteer lawyers through a mobile application. It falls under the “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice” (DISHA) scheme