India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Varanasi entered the Guinness World Records by planting 2,51,446 saplings in one hour at Sujabad Domari, surpassing China’s 2018 record of 1,53,981 saplings. The record was verified by Guinness World Records adjudicator Rishinath using drone surveillance and a digital counting system. Certificate presented to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal. Plantation covered nearly 350 bighas, developed as an urban forest with coordination among the Municipal Corporation, government departments, institutions, and social organisations.

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The High Court of Karnataka issued a notice to the Centre and State government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging approvals for Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP). Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP) is proposed on Sharavathi River in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. The project aims to generate 2,000 Megawatts (MW), making it the largest PSHP in India. It is developed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL).

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A young farmer from Punjab has drawn attention for cultivating Purple potatoes using seed tubers imported from Bolivia. Purple potatoes were originally cultivated in the Andean region of South America, particularly in Peru and Bolivia. They are naturally pigmented potato varieties with deep purple skin and flesh, unlike conventional potatoes. The purple colour is due to a high concentration of Anthocyanins, which are natural antioxidants responsible for the pigmentation.

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Government of India launched Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) to fast-track removal of legacy waste dumpsites in urban areas. It is a year-long targeted programme to clear garbage mountains and reclaim land for parks, community facilities, and waste-management infrastructure. The programme was launched in November 2025 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It is implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0). It aims to achieve 100% dumpsite clearance within one year, process legacy waste, and prevent creation of new dumpsites. It supports the Lakshya Zero Dumpsites target to eliminate dumpsites by September 2026.

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) funding to the Cotton Corporation of India for the cotton season 2023–24. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) was established on 31 July 1970 and functions as a Public Sector Undertaking under the Companies Act, 1956. It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

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The Government of India has approved RELIEF – Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to support exporters affected by disruptions in the Gulf and wider West Asia maritime corridor. The intervention was prompted by heightened security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, which led to vessel diversions, longer routes, congestion at transshipment hubs, and emergency conflict-linked surcharges, increasing logistics costs and operational uncertainty for exporters.

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Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced a Banana Cluster project in Jalgaon, Maharashtra to improve production, storage and processing facilities. The project will develop planting material, pre-cooling units, cold chains and food processing, and promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), mechanisation and biocontrol. Financial support will be provided under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). Jalgaon is known as the “Banana City of India”, contributing ~16% of national production, supported by black cotton soil, tropical climate and drip irrigation.

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Atomic Energy Regulatory Board approved excavation for Units 1 & 2 of Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Nuclear Power Project. It is located in Banswara, Rajasthan, near Mahi Dam on Mahi River. It is developed by Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited, a joint venture of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. It is part of India’s “fleet mode” initiative—standardized construction of 10 identical 700 megawatt reactors for efficiency.

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The Centre for Southeast Asian Studies has been inaugurated at Nalanda University to strengthen India’s engagement with Southeast Asia. The initiative was announced by Narendra Modi during the ASEAN-India Summit 2025. It focuses on interdisciplinary research areas like climate, maritime studies, trade, public health, migration, and digital cooperation. The Centre will support the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Plan of Action (2026–2030). It aims to act as a bridge by enhancing academic collaboration, policy engagement, and cultural ties between India and Southeast Asia.

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The Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (MH-EWDSS) marks a major advancement in India’s disaster risk reduction and weather forecasting framework. It is developed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) using open-source technology and in-house expertise. It is part of Mission Mausam, a digital transformation initiative, and was launched in 2024. It uses Geographic Information System (GIS) maps for real-time data collection, analysis, and dissemination.