India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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System for Pension Administration – Raksha (SPARSH) resolved 5.60 lakh out of 6.43 lakh legacy defence pension cases (87%). Average grievance disposal time reduced from 56 days in April 2025 to 20 days now. 31.54 lakh defence pensioners in India and Nepal are onboarded on SPARSH. System for Pension Administration – Raksha (SPARSH) is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India. It is administered by the Defence Accounts Department (DAD). SPARSH is world’s largest defence pension system with 202 DAD offices, 4.63 lakh Common Service Centers, 5,200+ bank branches as service centers.

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Arunachal Pradesh has launched its first commercial coal mine at the Namchik-Namphuk coal block in Changlang district. It marks the state’s entry into commercial coal production under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The mine lies in the Upper Assam coal belt region of southeastern Arunachal Pradesh. It has an estimated 1.5 crore tonnes of coal reserves, ensuring long-term production. The project is expected to generate ₹100 crore annual revenue for the state. It will create local employment and reduce illegal mining.

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Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the revamped Sugamya Bharat App at the Purple Fest in Goa. The app was launched under the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). It aims to enhance accessibility for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) and elderly citizens across India. It serves as a citizen-led platform to make public spaces more inclusive and accessible. The app includes an Accessibility Mapping Function to rate public places based on accessibility. It has a Consolidated Directory for schemes, scholarships, benefits, and jobs for Divyangjan. It provides curated job and education listings from both government and private sectors.

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The 624-megawatt (MW) Kiru Hydroelectric Project in Jammu and Kashmir recently achieved a major milestone by completing 10 lakh cubic meters of dam concreting out of a total 12 lakh cubic meters. It is a run-of-river project built on the Chenab River near Patharnakki and Kiru villages in Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir. The dam is a 135-meter-high concrete gravity structure with an underground powerhouse on the left bank. The powerhouse will have four Francis turbines of 156 MW each. It will boost power supply in northern India. The project is developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) — a joint venture of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC, 49%), Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC, 49%), and Power Trading Corporation (PTC, 2%).

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted Operation Fire Trail to stop illegal smuggling of Chinese firecrackers into India. Officers intercepted a 40-foot container at Nhava Sheva Port, declared as carrying “leggings.”
Import of firecrackers is ‘Restricted’ under the ITC (HS) Code of the Foreign Trade Policy. Such imports need license from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) and PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization). Smuggling these hazardous goods threatens public safety, national security, and port infrastructure. The DRI continues efforts to protect trade integrity and prevent organized smuggling.

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Project Arunank of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recently celebrated its 18th Raising Day. It has been implemented since 2008 in Arunachal Pradesh. The project’s name is derived from the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The objective is to provide vital connectivity to remote valleys and forward areas while meeting Armed Forces operational requirements. It uses innovative technologies like Steel Slag, Cut-and-Cover Tunnels, Geo Cells, Plastic Sheets, and Gabion Walls for durable and sustainable roads. It supports socio-economic growth and strategic communication in remote regions of Kurung Kumey district.

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The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) has launched a new feature on the ASTraM (Automated System for Traffic Management) app in collaboration with the Aarohan Foundation’s Police Marshals programme. It allows college students to report traffic violations around campuses. ASTraM app is a digital traffic enforcement platform developed by Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) for real-time monitoring and citizen participation. It enables users to upload photos or videos of offences like wrong parking or signal jumping. The app categorises violations and auto-records details like location and time. The initiative promotes accountability, awareness, and road discipline.

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Union Minister George Kurian launched the Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 and VyAS–BHARAT and VyAS–SUTRA apps in Kochi. The Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 marks India’s first fully digital and geo-referenced fisheries census, replacing paper-based surveys. It will cover 1.2 million fisher households across 5,000 coastal villages in 13 States and Union Territories, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The census will collect granular socio-economic data, including income, housing, loans, insurance, and COVID-19 impact. It will map Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen the fisheries value chain.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted “Operation Bullion Blaze” to crack down on a major gold-smuggling syndicate in Mumbai. The syndicate smuggled gold into India, melted it in covert furnaces, and sold the refined bullion in the grey market. DRI aims to dismantle organised smuggling networks, safeguard economic and fiscal stability, and ensure a transparent trading environment.

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The Chennai Port Authority recently started procuring its first green tug under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) to cut pollution from port operations. The new tug will run on a battery-electric propulsion system with scope for future upgrades to cleaner technologies. A tugboat is a small but powerful vessel used to push or pull large ships. A fully electric e-tug cuts 100% nitrogen and carbon emissions, while hybrid tugs reduce emissions by 25%–35%. Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), aims to replace diesel tugs with green, non-fossil-fuel vessels.