India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Climate change threatens the Blue Economy, affecting fishermen and coastal communities. The government will develop 100 Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The initiative includes fish drying yards, processing centers, fishing jetties, cold storage, and emergency rescue operations.

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Uttar Pradesh became the first state in India to adopt an Agrivoltaic project. Agrivoltaic systems, also known as solar farming, allow farmers to generate electricity while growing crops. In this system, solar panels are installed on agricultural land using Photovoltaic (PV) technology.

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The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir launched the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). This initiative allows women to travel free of cost on Smart City electric buses and Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses across the Union Territory. It also includes free travel for schoolgirls, ensuring safer and easier commutes for young students. The move is part of a larger set of pro-women and pro-poor policies focused on improving social and economic empowerment. The initiative promotes gender-inclusive mobility and supports access to education and opportunities.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched the ‘Mahila Samvad Rath’ campaign to promote women empowerment in the state. The campaign involves 600 specially designed promotional vehicles called “raths” or chariots. These raths will travel to more than 70,000 locations across Bihar. The aim is to empower over two crore women by spreading awareness and supporting their social and economic development. This initiative reflects the government’s strong focus on inclusive growth and gender equality.

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The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has been ranked as the best university in India in the Times Higher Education’s Asia University Rankings 2025. IISc Bengaluru secured the 38th position in Asia with a score of 65.2, though its rank dropped from 32 in 2024. Tsinghua University of China topped the list in Asia with a score of 93 and held the same top spot last year. The Asia University Rankings 2025 assessed 853 universities from 35 countries and regions. Rankings were based on 18 indicators, including Research Quality, Industry, Research Environment, Teaching, and International Outlook.

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The Prime Minister of India will officially inaugurate the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, marking a major milestone in global maritime connectivity for the state. Vizhinjam Port is located in Vizhinjam, a coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. It is India’s first dedicated transshipment port and also the country’s first semi-automated port. The port is built at a cost of about ₹8,900 crore under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and is operated by the Adani Group, while the Kerala government holds the majority stake. It has the deepest breakwater in India, nearly three kilometres long, with a natural draft of about 20 metres. The port features India’s first home-built, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Vessel Traffic Management System, developed with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

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The Indian Security Forces have launched Operation Shiva to secure the Amarnath Yatra amid the Pahalgam terror attack and rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Shri Amarnath Ji is located in the Anantnag district at an altitude of 13,000 feet. The Amarnath Cave houses an ice lingam, symbolizing Lord Shiva, along with two smaller ice stalagmites representing Parvati, his wife, and Ganesha, his son. The pilgrimage takes place during the Shravan month, when the lingam reaches its full size. The origin of the pilgrimage is mentioned in the Sanskrit text “Bringesha Samhita.”

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Kozhikode city has recently been honoured with membership in the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) of the World Health Organization (WHO). GNAFCC was established in 2010 to help cities become better places for older people to live in. It has over 1300 members from 51 countries, promoting global cooperation on age-friendly policies. The aim is to connect cities, communities, and organizations to create supportive environments for ageing populations. It works to inspire change, share knowledge, and help cities find smart, practical solutions. This membership shows Kozhikode’s commitment to healthy ageing and inclusive urban development.

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The Punjab government banned hybrid paddy and the Pusa-44 variety to tackle groundwater depletion and environmental harm. These varieties consume more water and take longer to mature, worsening Punjab’s groundwater crisis. The ban is based on research by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Out of 150 blocks, groundwater is overexploited in 114, with only 17 stable. Hybrid paddy is prone to diseases like bacterial blight and smut, which affect yields and nearby crops. Hybrid seeds are costly for small farmers, requiring more pesticides and fertilizers. Taller hybrid plants cause more stubble burning, worsening air pollution. The ban faces legal challenge in Punjab and Haryana High Court on May 19, 2025. Farmers and seed companies oppose the ban, citing uncertainty ahead of sowing season.

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The Narayanpatna goat, recently highlighted for its disease resistance and climate resilience, is facing threats due to unscientific crossbreeding and lack of official breed recognition. It is a non-descriptive native goat breed reared by tribal communities in Koraput district of southern Odisha. The breed is known for its hardiness, good reproductive ability, and ability to survive in tough agro-climatic conditions. It is mainly found in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks of Koraput, within the Eastern Ghats. These goats are reared under low-input systems in hilly and forested areas with a tropical monsoon climate.