India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, launched the Sujalam Bharat App, a digital platform aimed at transforming rural drinking water governance under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The app was developed with support from Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), enabling geo-referencing, monitoring, and management of rural water supply infrastructure. The initiative ensures real-time, comprehensive data access for both citizens and institutions, enhancing transparency and community ownership of water supply systems. The Sujalam Bharat Database integrates water sources, asset inventories, scheme designs, operational records, water quality, supply metrics, and community feedback into a unified platform.

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President Droupadi Murmu will attend a special programme under SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness on January 1 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness is an initiative of the Skill India Mission. The programme is organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to enhance India’s workforce preparedness for an AI-driven future. The programme includes a special “AI for Beginners” session led by a globally renowned AI expert in collaboration with Google, the ministry’s principal AI skilling partner.

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Assam became the first Indian state to constitute its 8th State Pay Commission before the 7th Pay Commission ends on 1 January 2026. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Former Chief Secretary Subhas Das has been appointed as the head of the new Pay Commission. The move comes even before the Union Government’s 8th Central Pay Commission has started work. The 8th Pay Commission will revise salaries, allowances, and pensions of state government employees. Early constitution shows Assam’s intent to speed up the pay revision process. State employees and pensioners may get quicker clarity on future pay and pension benefits.

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Sanskaar Shaala, a value-based programme for children aged 4–14 years, was inaugurated in Guwahati by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. Sanskaar Shaala is a value-based programme aimed at developing ethical, social, and cultural awareness among children. The programme is implemented across Assam under the guidance of the Governor’s office with support from educational institutions. It uses interactive learning methods such as hands-on sessions, workshops, and skill-development activities. The initiative promotes holistic growth, social responsibility, and a deep understanding of Indian cultural and ethical values from an early age.

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The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in collaboration with the Keyi Panyor district administration, is developing India’s first “Bio-Happy District” in Arunachal Pradesh. It will focus on resident livelihoods, agro-biodiversity, and other ecological aspects within the district. Biohappiness, a concept coined by late agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, refers to well-being arising from biodiversity conservation and its use to improve human health, nutrition, and livelihoods. The concept emphasizes creating harmony between people and nature.

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Recently, European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were invited as Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations. They will visit India from 25–27 January and co-chair the 16th India–European Union (EU) Summit on 27 January. Both leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An India–EU Business Forum will be held alongside the summit. India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004. The last summit was held virtually in July 2020.

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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh directed upscaling of Kaladi, a Geographical Indication (GI) tagged dairy product of Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. Kaladi will be promoted under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative for national and global markets. Focus is on value addition and shelf-life enhancement without changing taste, texture, or nutrition Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, and CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, will jointly work on the project. Kaladi is traditionally made from raw full-fat milk and is known as the “mozzarella of Jammu”.

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The Ministry of Power will present tableau titled Prakash Ganga: Powering an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat at the Republic Day Parade, showcasing India’s power sector transformation. The theme symbolises the continuous flow of electricity across the interconnected national grid and India’s journey to clean energy leadership. A robotic Smart Meter, wind turbines, and rooftop solar highlight digitalisation, smart power management, and prosumer households. The tableau reaffirms commitment to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.

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The central government has announced India’s first tailings policy to guide recovery of critical minerals from both primary sources and secondary sources like mine dumps and tailings. Tailings are leftover materials produced after processing mined ore. They contain finely ground rock, unrecoverable or uneconomic metals, chemicals, organic matter, and liquid waste from extraction processes. Tailings usually exist as a liquid slurry formed during crushing, grinding, and processing of ore.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched Operation Sahyadri Checkmate based on developed intelligence. A clandestine mobile mephedrone manufacturing laboratory was dismantled in the Sahyadri ranges, disguised as a poultry farm. The lab frequently shifted locations to evade detection and was fully operational for producing Mephedrone (a narcotic under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act). The operation highlights DRI’s role in disrupting organized drug trafficking and protecting public health, law and order, and economic stability.