India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Russia recently honoured Biju Patnaik by unveiling a memorial plaque at its embassy in New Delhi for his heroic role during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. Biju Patnaik, born in Cuttack in 1916, was a brave freedom fighter, expert pilot, and prominent politician. He joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1936 and flew dangerous missions during World War II. During the Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43), he risked his life flying through German defences to supply arms to the Soviet Red Army. This battle was a turning point in World War II, stopping the German advance. Patnaik also played a vital role in India’s Quit India Movement by secretly flying nationalist leaders.

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The Telangana government recently sanctioned 10,000 Indiramma houses for Chenchu tribal families to improve their living conditions. The Chenchus are a food-gathering tribe mainly living in the Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the government due to their isolated lifestyle and low development indicators. Chenchus are also found in Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha. Their language, also called Chenchu, belongs to the Dravidian language family, and many speak Telugu as well. A Chenchu village is called a “Penta”, with huts spaced based on family closeness. They live in small families, with men and women having equal social roles.

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Gujarat recently launched two new digital portals to improve governance and law enforcement under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The Cyber Crime Refund Portal, named “Tera Tujhko Arpan,” helps cybercrime victims get faster refunds, making financial recovery quicker. The i-PRAGATI (Integrated Portal for Reporting and Grievance Analysis Through Technology Initiatives) portal provides real-time Short Message Service (SMS) updates to complainants on key actions like First Information Report (FIR) filings and arrests. These portals make police services more transparent and efficient. They show Gujarat’s strong focus on using technology for public safety and better citizen services.

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The National Commission for Women (NCW) recently launched the ‘Campus Calling’ programme to promote gender sensitivity and student safety. It aims to prevent sexual harassment and raise awareness about cybercrimes affecting students in colleges and universities. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with ‘Yuvamanthan’, a youth development platform. It plans to reach over 1,000 higher education institutions, making it one of NCW’s largest youth-focused initiatives. Each college will have two male and two female campus ambassadors to lead gender awareness efforts. These ambassadors will promote safety, equality, and respect, and drive youth participation in creating secure campuses.

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The Prime Minister will soon meet the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to review the Polavaram project. The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation initiative built on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It is located near Polavaram village in West Godavari district, close to the borders of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The project was proposed in 1980 based on the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) recommendations. It has been given national project status by the central government. The dam will help control floodwaters and improve agricultural productivity in the region. This high-level meeting highlights the importance of inter-state cooperation for completing the project efficiently.

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Rajasthan has begun classifying sacred ‘Oran’ lands as forests following a Supreme Court order. Orans are community-managed sacred groves in Rajasthan, linked to local deities and traditions. They support grazing, forest produce collection, and water needs, helping rural livelihoods and livestock. Rajasthan has around 25,000 Orans spread over 6 lakh hectares, with some spanning hundreds of hectares. Bhadariya Mata Oran in Jaisalmer covers 17,821 hectares and includes ancient petrographs near water bodies. Orans are habitats for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), Rajasthan’s State bird and a critically endangered species. Earlier, the 2023 forest policy termed Orans as community land, which lacked protection. On December 18, 2024, the Supreme Court declared Orans as forests under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

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On May 28, 2025, the Andhra Pradesh government proposed converting Kondakarla Aava, a key freshwater lake, into a Conservation Reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This decision aims to balance environmental protection with local economic needs through coordinated planning. The irrigation department was directed to conduct a boundary survey and strengthen bunds to avoid overflow and ecological damage. Kondakarla Ava lake is located in Anakapalli District, Andhra Pradesh.

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister recently inaugurated the ‘Ahilya Smriti Marathon – Ek Virasat, Ek Sankalp’ and the ‘Pratham Gaja Ghantakarna Mahotsav-2025’ to highlight the state’s cultural richness. The Ahilya Smriti Marathon took place in Dehradun as part of a heritage-themed event. The theme of the marathon, “Ek Virasat – Ek Sankalp” (One Heritage, One Resolution), promotes unity and pride in Uttarakhand’s traditions. The event aimed to raise awareness about health, social harmony, and cultural identity. These initiatives connect the state’s cultural heritage with ongoing development efforts and public participation.

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Union Jal Shakti Minister recently launched Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2025, India’s largest rural sanitation survey. It will cover 21,000 villages across 761 districts in 34 States and Union Territories (UTs). The survey is part of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Phase-II to assess sustainability of Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus outcomes. It is conducted by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. An independent agency will ensure transparent field verification. The aim is to track sanitation progress, boost public involvement, and reward high-performing areas.

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Telangana Formation Day, also called Telangana Statehood Day, is celebrated every year on June 2. It was formed by dividing the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The day is marked by cultural programs, official ceremonies, and public celebrations across Telangana.