India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj recently signed an agreement with Bhashini under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to remove language barriers and promote inclusion across Indian states. BHASHINI stands for BHASHa INterface for India. It is an artificial intelligence-powered language translation platform developed under the National Language Translation Mission by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It builds a National Public Digital Platform for language-based services using artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

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After restoring Vaan island, the Tamil Nadu government has started restoring Kariyachalli island, which is located in Tamil Nadu within the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, under the Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resource (TNSHORE) initiative. Kariyachalli island near Thoothukudi has shrunk from 20.85 hectares in 1969 to about 3 hectares in 2025 due to erosion and loss of sediment. The ₹50 crore project is funded by the state government and the World Bank.

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Recently, the Union Environment Ministry extended the validity of infrastructure projects approved under the 2011 Islands Protection Zone (IPZ) notification. IPZ was notified in 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to protect island ecosystems. It aims to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands. IPZ is similar to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which applies to mainland coastal areas. It includes Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) for major islands like North, Middle, South, and Little Andaman.

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Recently, Gujarat launched India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to study genetic diseases among tribal communities. Genome sequencing of 2,000 individuals from various tribal groups across 17 districts will be conducted. The main goal is to detect the burden of hereditary diseases like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. The project will bridge traditional knowledge and modern science for tribal health welfare. It will be implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Center (GBRC).

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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes 2.0 (NSCSTI 2.0) in Delhi at Civil Services Officers Institute. It was developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) to create a future-ready civil service. NSCSTI 2.0 aligns with the Modi government’s vision of using best public-private practices. It reduces evaluation criteria from 59 to 43 for more focused outcomes. Framework is based on input from 160+ Civil Service Training Institutes (CSTIs) and experts.

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In July 2025, polyandry came into focus when two Hatti tribe brothers from Shillai, Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, married the same woman. Polyandry is an age-old tribal tradition in Himachal Pradesh, mainly in Kinnaur and Sirmaur districts, used to keep landholdings undivided and families intact. It is locally called “Jodidara” and is recognised under Himachal Pradesh revenue laws and sections 494 and 495 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Hatti tribe primarily resides in Himachal-Uttarakhand border in the Giri and Tons river basins.

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India’s first fully indigenous 50-kilowatt (kW) geothermal power plant will soon be set up in Arunachal Pradesh. The plant will come up in Tawang district to benefit over 5,000 people. It will operate at a record low temperature of just 68°C using bipolar process technology. The ₹10 crore project is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and will be completed in three years. The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) and Shriram Institute for Industrial Research (SIIR) signed an MoU for it.

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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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Recently, Sikkim became the first Indian state to launch a formal Sabbatical Leave scheme for its government employees. The scheme was introduced in August 2023 for regular employees with at least five years of continuous service. Eligible employees can take leave from 365 days up to 1,080 days with 50% of their basic pay during leave. Their seniority and continuity of service are protected during the leave period. The government can recall an employee anytime with a one-month notice.

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M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) hosted the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference from 7–9 August 2025 in New Delhi. The event marks the birth centenary of Professor M.S. Swaminathan, known as the father of India’s Green Revolution. The conference is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). The theme of the conference is “Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Bio happiness”, promoting sustainable, equitable, and hunger-free development.