India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to begin repair work on the damaged mihrab structure around the old water tank at Safa Masjid in Ponda, Goa. Safa Masjid, also called Safa Shahouri Masjid, is a historic mosque built in 1560 by Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur. It is one of the few Islamic monuments in Goa that survived the Portuguese colonial period, during which many religious sites were destroyed. The mosque is known for its architectural and cultural value and is declared a national monument under the protection of ASI. The recent decision by ASI follows months of delay and brings hope for the preservation of this heritage site.

Notes:
The Indian government has fast-tracked approval for the electricity transmission line of the 1,000 Megawatt (MW) Pakal Dul Hydropower Project in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakal Dul project is a 1 Gigawatt (GW) run-of-the-river Hydroelectric Project (HEP) being built on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab River. It includes a 167-metre high concrete-face rockfill dam, an underground powerhouse with four 250 MW Francis turbines, and a transformer cabin. It is expected to generate about 3,330 million units of electricity annually. The project is being constructed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL), a joint venture of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC Limited), Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC), and PTC India.

Notes:
Neeraj Chopra has been given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, effective from April 16, as per The Gazette of India. He made history by winning India’s first Olympic gold in athletics at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and followed it with a silver at the 2024 Paris Games. With two Olympic medals, he is now India’s most successful individual Olympian. He joined the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar in 2016 and was promoted to Subedar in 2021 after his Tokyo win.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Recently, the Maharashtra government notified its long-awaited Aggregator Policy for app-based cab services like Ola and Uber. The policy aims to ensure fair practices and better experiences for both riders and drivers. It includes rules for fare regulation, driver training, electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and penalties for unjustified cancellations. If a driver cancels a ride without a valid reason, a penalty of 10% of the fare or ₹100—whichever is less—will be charged. If a passenger cancels without reason, 5% of the fare or ₹50 will be awarded to the driver. These penalties will be deducted automatically through the app. The policy also limits peak-hour fares to a maximum of 1.5 times the base fare, as fixed by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department has launched the ‘Buffer Mein Safar Yojana’ to boost sustainable tourism and protect wildlife. The scheme focuses on turning buffer zones of tiger reserves into eco-friendly tourist spots while helping local communities. It will be implemented in regions like Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sohagibarwa, and Kartaniya Ghat, all known for rich biodiversity. Semrai Lake, a key site for migratory birds, is being developed as a birdwatching destination under the eco circuit. Local villagers are being trained as guides, cooks, and safari staff to create sustainable jobs and support conservation.

Notes:
Hyderabad teenager Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti recently became the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. The Seven Summits Challenge involves climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. It was first proposed and completed by Richard Bass in 1985. The peaks include Mount Everest in Asia, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and either Kosciuszko in Australia or Puncak Jaya in Oceania.

Notes:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new digital reform to report voter turnout in real-time using the ECINET app. ECINET is an integrated mobile application that combines over 40 internal apps used by ECI. Presiding officers can now update voter turnout every two hours directly from polling stations using this app. The new system removes the need for manual data relay through sector or returning officers. It allows automatic and accurate aggregation of constituency-level data. It improves electoral transparency, digital governance, and public trust in the Election Commission of India.

Notes:
India’s first underwater museum and artificial coral reef will be created around the decommissioned warship Indian Naval Ship (INS) Guldar near Nivati Rocks in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. The project was virtually inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra with strong support from the central government. It aims to promote marine conservation and tourism, offering activities like scuba diving and submarine tours in the future. INS Guldar, a 1,120-ton ship decommissioned in January 2024, has been handed over to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh government launched the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan on March 30, 2025, for water conservation. Under this, the Ghoda Pachhad River, a tributary of the Narmada, has been revived in Khandwa district with citizen support. Uncontrolled groundwater use had dried up rivers, harming farming. Using the ‘Ridge to Valley’ method, water harvesting structures were built along a 33 km stretch. This method helps slow water flow and store every drop from ridge to valley. Now, rivers in the region show potential for year-round flow.