India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Recently, the Narcotics Control Bureau busted a huge international drug racket through the darknet under Operation MELON. Operation MELON led to the recovery of LSD blots, Ketamine, and cryptocurrency. LSD stands for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, and Ketamine are highly potent hallucinogenic drugs. Hallucinogens are psychedelic substances that change how people see, hear, taste, smell, or feel, and can also affect mood and thoughts. Ketamine is not an opioid but acts as a N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist in the brain. Officials also found TAILS Operating System, a system designed for accessing darknet markets.

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Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, highlighting concerns around electoral inclusion for migrant populations. The focus is on balancing electoral roll integrity and inclusive democratic participation. Under Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950, only an ‘ordinarily resident’ can be enrolled in a constituency’s electoral roll. Section 20 of the RPA clarifies that just owning a house does not make one an ordinarily resident. A person temporarily away for work or travel is still considered ordinarily resident at their regular home.

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Goa government recently launched India’s first Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ferry service on the Mandovi River. The ferry connects Chorao Island to Panaji, the capital city of Goa. It aims to boost inland waterway transport and reduce dependence on road traffic. The service will significantly cut down travel time for daily commuters. It offers easier and faster connectivity for locals and tourists visiting the island.

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Assam Rifles and Indian Air Force (IAF) jointly launched a relief mission called Operation Sahyog in Manipur. The mission targeted 18 remote villages in Henglep sub-division of Churachandpur district, Manipur. These villages were inaccessible since July 17 due to landslides along National Highway-2 (NH-2). More than 6 tons of rations including rice, pulses, and essentials were delivered. Supplies reached over 1,500 stranded villagers via designated drop zones. Assam Rifles ensured fair and fast ground distribution of aid. Operation shows strong commitment to humanitarian support in tough terrain.

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Shayok village in eastern Ladakh is converting 10 hectares of barren land into a botanical garden. It will be the first-ever botanical garden in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The garden will conserve fruits, medicinal plants, flora, and fauna of the region. Leh Hill Council is supporting the project through the Command Area Development department. The site lies on the Galwan Valley route, under consideration for Battlefield Tourism. It is part of the “Go Green Go Organic” initiative by Drikung Kyabsgon Chetsang Rinpoche. Garden will showcase apricots, apples, mountain trees, medicinal plants, and Ladakh’s rock varieties. Project is expected to be completed by 2029.

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Indian Railways (IR) is working towards its net-zero emission goal by adopting solar energy. Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has become the first city in India to have portable solar panels installed between railway tracks. The initiative is part of Indian Railways strategy for a greener and more sustainable transport network. Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, has commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system on railway tracks.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Aunta–Simaria six-lane bridge over the Ganga River on National Highway (NH)-31 in Bihar. The bridge links Aunta Ghat in Mokama with Simaria in Begusarai and spans 1.86 kilometres with a width of 34 metres. It is the widest extradosed cable-stayed bridge in India and among the most modern in Asia. It improves connectivity between North Bihar (Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, Purnea, Araria) and South Bihar (Patna, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Lakhisarai). The project boosts trade and industry, helping farmers, especially makhana growers, access markets and reducing logistics costs for industries like Barauni.

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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched the ‘Swachh Kurukshetra – Mera Kurukshetra, Mera Abhimaan’ cleanliness mission at Gita Gyan Sansthanam, Kurukshetra. The mission is scheduled for 11 weeks, from August 24 to November 7, 2025, aiming to make Kurukshetra the cleanest and most beautiful city in India. The mission is part of Haryana Shehr Swachhta Abhiyan – 2025 and involves mass mobilization to clean every street and corner.

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Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025 report by the Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago, shows air pollution is India’s top health threat. Dirty air cuts 3.5 years from average life expectancy, higher than malnutrition (1.6 years), tobacco use (1.5 years), and unsafe water (8.4 months). All 1.4 billion Indians live in areas exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safe PM2.5 limit of 5 µg/m³. Northern India is the world’s most polluted region. Delhi-NCR residents face the highest loss with 8.2 years of life expectancy cut due to air pollution. Bihar residents lose 5.6 years of life expectancy. Haryana residents lose 5.3 years of life expectancy. The report urges urgent emission control to prevent loss of healthy years due to toxic air.

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Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) launched the Annapoorna Scheme in Bengaluru. The scheme provides Rs 1,500 per month to 700 sanitation workers via smart cards powered by a private bank. Smart card holders can use the funds at food outlets of their choice for daily breakfast. Bengaluru becomes the first city in India to provide direct financial assistance for breakfast to sanitation workers. The initiative combines technology with compassion and is termed a “Smart City with a Humane Touch” by BWSSB. The scheme aims to ensure dignity, health, nutrition, and freedom of choice for beneficiaries.