India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) unveiled a new logo and mascot to modernise its identity and improve public outreach. The initiative reinforces the role of official statistics in policy formulation, nation-building, and data-driven governance. The logo reflects the theme “Data for Development”, with the Ashoka Chakra symbolising truth, transparency, and good governance. The Rupee symbol (₹) highlights statistics’ role in economic planning and policymaking. The mascot “सांख्यिकी” makes statistics accessible, relatable, and citizen-centric, used across surveys, campaigns, education, digital platforms, and public events.

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The Public Investment Board (PIB) approved the ₹26,070-crore, 1,720 Megawatt (MW) Kamala Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project is planned on the Kamala River, a major tributary of the Subansiri River, in Kamle district. It is a storage-based hydroelectric scheme with an important flood moderation component. A 216-metre-high concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse will be constructed. The project will generate 6,869.92 Million Units (MU) of green energy every year. It will also help reduce floods in the Brahmaputra valley.

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In Punjab, ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ (Lohri of Daughters) was celebrated in a Jalandhar village, honouring 5,100 newborn girls. Similar celebrations are being organized in various villages across the state. The celebrations aim to strengthen the national ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ movement. Celebrating the birth of daughters as a festival reflects progressive social change and promotes saving, educating, and empowering the girl child in society.

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Recently, Jharkhand implemented rules under the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) after 25 years of statehood. PESA is intended to give tribal communities greater control over governance in Fifth Schedule Areas. The law empowers Gram Sabhas to manage local resources, resolve disputes, and preserve customary practices. The implementation covers 13 districts fully, with partial application in three more. Tribal leaders welcome the law but caution that administrative control may dilute true autonomy. The success of PESA will depend on effective and respectful implementation at the village level.

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Recently, Maharashtra launched the ‘Arunodaya’ Mission for statewide sickle cell screening in 21 high-prevalence districts. The drive runs from 15 January to 7 February, covering tribal and high-risk populations. It is implemented by the Maharashtra Public Health and Family Welfare Department under Chief Minister guidance. It provides free screening, diagnostics, medicines, blood transfusions, and telemedicine services. Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary haemoglobin disorder causing sickle-shaped red blood cells, chronic anaemia, pain crises, infections, and organ damage.

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Punjab Police launched ‘Operation Parhar’ to dismantle the gangster network and make the state gangster-free. 2,000 teams with 12,000 police officials have started raids across Punjab. Police are mapping 60 major gangsters and 1,200 associates involved in criminal activities. The operation targets the complete ecosystem, including financing, logistics, safe houses, weapons, and communication chains. An Anti-Gangster Helpline (93946-93946) has been launched for citizens to report gangster activities. Caller identities will be kept confidential to ensure public participation and safety.

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Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary felicitated winners at the Veer Gatha 5.0 awards ceremony in New Delhi. Veer Gatha 5.0 is a joint initiative of the Ministries of Defence and Education, celebrating the courage of Gallantry awardees. This year, 100 winners were selected from 91 schools across 18 countries under three categories. Each winner received a cash prize of ₹10,000 and an opportunity to witness the Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path as special guests. Veer Gatha was launched in 2021 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

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The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the e-Shram portal (eshram.gov.in) on 26 August 2021 to create a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) including platform and migrant workers. The portal registers unorganised workers and issues a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis. NITI Aayog estimated 7.7 million workers in 2020-21, rising to 23.5 million by 2029-30. Budget 2025-26 includes identity cards and Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) healthcare coverage. This information was provided by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha

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The Union Finance Minister announced the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative in the Union Budget 2026–27 initiative to strengthen India’s biopharmaceutical sector. Biopharma SHAKTI stands for Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation. It aims to make India a global hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The initiative will support domestic production of biologics and biosimilars. It will build a biopharma-focused network with three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).

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The Department of Science and Technology (DST) strengthened India–Netherlands cooperation by launching the India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme and enabling an academic partnership in green energy. The fellowship is a national capacity-building initiative open to Indian doctoral, postdoctoral, and faculty researchers. It focuses on hydrogen system integration, safety, techno-economic analysis, life-cycle assessment, and indigenisation. DST also hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Groningen and 19 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).