India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Coal Ministry launched the RECLAIM framework on 4th July 2025. RECLAIM means “Revitalizing Ecosystems and Communities through Local Actions for Inclusive Mine-closure”. It is a community engagement and development plan for mine closures. It is developed by the Coal Controller Organisation under the Ministry of Coal with the Heartfulness Institute. It addresses the impact of mine closures on landscapes and local livelihoods.

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Recently, the foundation stone for India’s first national cooperative university was laid in Anand, Gujarat. The university will be called Tribhuvan Sahkari University. It aims to fulfill the vision of strengthening India’s cooperative sector. The Union Minister of Cooperation and Home Affairs stressed adding cooperative education at the secondary school level. The university will teach technical skills, accounting, scientific methods, marketing, and cooperative values. It will fill a big gap in education, training, and innovation for the cooperative movement.

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Recently, nearly 600 students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across 12 states cleared top entrance exams for engineering and medicine. This achievement was reported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs through its performance assessment. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. It provides quality residential education from Class 6 to 12 for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas.

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Recently, the Maharashtra government declared ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav’ as the official state festival. The announcement was made by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar in the Legislative Assembly. Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav was started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893 to promote social unity and nationalism. The festival symbolizes freedom, self-respect, pride in language, and cultural identity. It continues to be a powerful expression of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage. The government aims to preserve, promote, and celebrate Ganeshotsav across the state and the nation.

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In July 2025, the Gorbea Solar Power Project was inaugurated in Bikaner, Rajasthan by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. It is a 435 Megawatt (MW) plant built in just eight months, supplying clean power to 1.28 lakh households. It will cut 7.05 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions annually, supporting India’s climate goals and energy security. Rajasthan now generates 70% of its power from renewables, with a total installed renewable capacity of 35.4 Gigawatts (GW).

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Recently, Indian Railways successfully tested India’s first hydrogen-powered coach at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. This marks a major step in India’s shift towards clean and green transportation. The tested coach is a 1,200 Horse Power (HP) hydrogen train under development. It is part of the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative to run 35 hydrogen-powered trains on heritage and hill routes. Each train will cost ₹80 crore, with ₹70 crore for supporting ground infrastructure per route. Hydrogen fuel offers zero carbon emissions, supporting India’s clean energy transition.

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Recently, Sikkim became the first Indian state to launch a formal Sabbatical Leave scheme for its government employees. The scheme was introduced in August 2023 for regular employees with at least five years of continuous service. Eligible employees can take leave from 365 days up to 1,080 days with 50% of their basic pay during leave. Their seniority and continuity of service are protected during the leave period. The government can recall an employee anytime with a one-month notice.

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On August 5, 2025, the Ministry of Textiles launched the “Haat on Wheels” during the 11th National Handloom Day celebrations in New Delhi. It is a mobile handloom retail platform aimed at promoting authentic Indian handloom products in urban areas. The initiative is implemented in partnership with the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC). It promotes the theme “My Handloom, My Pride; My Product, My Pride”. The mobile vans travel across Delhi NCR, covering markets, residential areas, and cultural spots. It showcases 116 traditional weaves from various regions of India.

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M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) hosted the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference from 7–9 August 2025 in New Delhi. The event marks the birth centenary of Professor M.S. Swaminathan, known as the father of India’s Green Revolution. The conference is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). The theme of the conference is “Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Bio happiness”, promoting sustainable, equitable, and hunger-free development.

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Recently, a rare convention of the Muthuvan community was held to protect their language and culture as part of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The Muthuvans, also called Mudugars, live in the border hill forests of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are divided into Malayalam Muthuvan and Pandi Muthuvan, each with a slightly different dialect. They coexist with wildlife, possess rich traditional medicinal knowledge, and preserve it across generations. Their society has six clans (Koottams) with sub-clans, following community endogamy and clan exogamy.