India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog launched AI-Preneurs of India, a coffee table book on 45 Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups. It was unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This is the 7th edition of AIM’s Innovations For You series. Startups featured work in healthcare, education, sustainability, mobility, deep tech, and social impact. The book highlights purpose-driven, inclusive, and ethical AI innovation. It reflects support from Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) across India. The initiative positions India as a global contributor in responsible AI development.

Notes:
Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare directed fast action to achieve revised target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029. A Lakhpati Didi is a Self-Help Group member earning annual household income of Rs. 1,00,000 or more. Income must be sustained for at least four agricultural seasons or business cycles, with average monthly income above Rs. 10,000. It was launched under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The nodal Ministry is Ministry of Rural Development.

Notes:
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry facilitated export of 0.5 metric tonne of Geographical Indication tagged Salem Sago from Tamil Nadu to Canada. This was the first direct export by Geographical Indication Authorised User SAGOSERVE after receiving Geographical Indication tag in March 2023. Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of tapioca sago, also called sabudhana, and Salem is the hub of sago and starch industry.

Notes:
India achieved a major milestone in organ donation through the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization. It works under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi. It was established under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Act, 2011. It has two divisions: National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network, and National Biomaterial Centre. It is the apex body for coordination, organ allocation, and national registry. It frames policy guidelines and protocols. It compiles and publishes national transplant data.

Notes:
The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is working to make the state a ‘green state’ through large scale sapling plantations. The ‘Green Choupal’ initiative engages public participation in more than 15,000 villages through monthly Gram Sabha meetings led by Gram Pradhans. It was launched by Uttar Pradesh government. Over the past nine years, more than 242 crore saplings have been planted, increasing forest cover by 559.19 sq km according to India State of Forest Report 2023.

Notes:
The Kerala Health Department has launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to help citizens access information about nearby government healthcare facilities. The app enables users to locate government hospitals within a 10-kilometre radius, making it easier for patients to identify accessible medical services. Through the platform, users can view detailed information about hospitals. A key feature of the app is the facility to book doctor appointments online, allowing patients to schedule consultations in advance. MeHEALTH app aims to improve accessibility, transparency, and convenience in public healthcare services in Kerala.

Notes:
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated seven years of its SWAYATT initiative – Startups, Women and Youth Advantage through e-Transactions. SWAYATT initiative was launched on 19 February 2019 by Government e-Marketplace (GeM). SWAYATT aims to make public procurement more inclusive for startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and last-mile sellers. The initiative addresses three key challenges: access to markets, access to finance, and access to value addition. It enables enterprises to connect directly with government buyers through GeM’s digital procurement platform.

Notes:
The MPLADS–eSAKSHI web portal was launched on 1 April 2023 to manage the revised fund‑flow procedure under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). The Central Nodal Agency for the portal is the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The portal makes MPs’ annual entitlement available online at the start of each financial year or tenure. MPs use the portal to recommend developmental works and earmark funds; District Authorities sanction works and assign Implementing Agencies. Recent improvements include a revamped public dashboard showing works recommended, sanctioned, completed, and expenditure with drill‑down tabs.

Notes:
The Government of India is promoting semiconductor talent development through the Chips to Startups (C2S) programme under the India Semiconductor Mission. The programme aims to train about 85,000 engineers in semiconductor design within 10 years to strengthen India’s chip ecosystem. The Chips to Startups (C2S) Programme is an umbrella capacity-building initiative launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Notes:
The Assam Chief Minister announced a transfer of ₹9,000 to about 40 lakh beneficiary families under the Orunodoi scheme via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Orunodoi (Arunodoi) Scheme, launched in 2020, aims at women empowerment, poverty alleviation, and socio-economic inclusion of financially vulnerable women in Assam. The scheme provides financial support of ₹1,250 per month to women from low-income families through DBT. The monthly amount covers essential expenses: ₹400 for medicines, ₹200 for pulses subsidy, ₹80 for sugar subsidy, ₹150 for fruits & vegetables, ₹150 for other essentials, ₹170 for COVID-19 expenses, and ₹250 for 50 units of electricity.