India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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From this year, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) will give negative scores to institutions for research papers retracted in the last three years and their citations. This step aims to enhance accountability and research integrity. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It was launched in 2015 to assess and rank higher education institutions.

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Haryana’s first Climate Change Learning Lab (CCLL) was recently inaugurated at Thapli Nature and Ecotourism Centre in Panchkula by the Chief Minister. The project is supported by German International Cooperation (GIZ) under the Climate Adaptation, Resilience, and Climate Finance in Rural India (CAFRI II) project. It is also backed by Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI). The lab is managed by the Forest Department of Haryana. CCLL aims to offer hands-on and science-based learning to raise awareness about climate change impacts and solutions.

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Madhya Pradesh (MP) is leading in implementing the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) is effectively implemented in 88 tribal blocks across 20 districts. This initiative empowers tribal communities to resolve disputes locally through traditional Chaupals, reducing reliance on police stations. In 2025, MP received national recognition from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, featured in a special success stories booklet. More than 8,000 local disputes, including family and land issues, have been resolved through community-led justice.

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Recently, the “Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa” was inaugurated on 29 July at Vaishaligarh in Vaishali district, Bihar. It was inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in presence of Buddhist monks from 15 countries. Built on 72 acres at a cost of over ₹550 crore, it aims to become a major spiritual and tourist landmark. It is India’s first modern stupa built entirely with stone, without cement or bricks. It is earthquake-resistant and built to last thousands of years.

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The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched the ‘Apna Ghar’ initiative to support truck drivers during long journeys. A total of 368 ‘Apna Ghar’ units with 4,611 beds have been set up by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) at highway fuel stations. These units provide dormitory beds, restaurants or dhabas, clean toilets, bathing facilities, cooking spaces, and purified drinking water. The initiative aims to ensure safe, hygienic, and comfortable resting spaces for truckers across national and state highways.

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India has revived the 1,856-MW Sawalkote Hydroelectric Power Project on the Chenab River after keeping the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance since April. The project, first conceived in the 1960s, was delayed due to Indus Water Treaty restrictions and Pakistan’s objections. It is a 2,185 megawatt (MW) run-of-the-river hydroelectric project in Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir. It will be the largest hydropower project in the Union Territory and one of the biggest in North India. It is being developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC).

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Recently, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) issued guidelines to tackle illnesses caused by water contamination. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It was established as a national centre of excellence for controlling communicable diseases.

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The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) became India’s first railway zone to shift to compostable bio-plastic on trains. As a pilot initiative, NFR introduced biodegradable linen bags on 15 August 2025, India’s 79th Independence Day. 40,000 bioplastic bags are being distributed across 25 trains from terminals in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal. The initiative supports NFR’s green mission with projects like electrification, solar energy, AI-based elephant protection, rainwater harvesting, bio-toilets, solid waste composting, afforestation, and green transformation of wastelands.

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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation inaugurated a two-day workshop on Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) in New Delhi. Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme running from 2022-23 to 2025-26. It targets 2,967 villages in 46 blocks across 19 districts along India’s northern border in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Union Territory of Ladakh. It aims to stop outmigration, strengthen border security, and encourage people to stay in native villages. Vibrant Villages Programme is implemented by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

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All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi launched the AI-based mental health and wellness program “Never Alone.” It was launched on World Suicide Prevention Day to address student suicides and mental health challenges. The program provides 24/7 virtual and offline consultations with mental health experts via a web-based app accessible on WhatsApp. It offers personalised and secure mental health screening at a cost of 70 paise per student per day for institutions with 5,000 students. It aims to reduce stigma around suicide and spread awareness among students. As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 data, over 1.7 lakh suicides occurred in India, with 35% among 18–30-year-olds.