India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Russia recently honoured Biju Patnaik by unveiling a memorial plaque at its embassy in New Delhi for his heroic role during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. Biju Patnaik, born in Cuttack in 1916, was a brave freedom fighter, expert pilot, and prominent politician. He joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1936 and flew dangerous missions during World War II. During the Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43), he risked his life flying through German defences to supply arms to the Soviet Red Army. This battle was a turning point in World War II, stopping the German advance. Patnaik also played a vital role in India’s Quit India Movement by secretly flying nationalist leaders.

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Recently, the Maharashtra government notified its long-awaited Aggregator Policy for app-based cab services like Ola and Uber. The policy aims to ensure fair practices and better experiences for both riders and drivers. It includes rules for fare regulation, driver training, electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and penalties for unjustified cancellations. If a driver cancels a ride without a valid reason, a penalty of 10% of the fare or ₹100—whichever is less—will be charged. If a passenger cancels without reason, 5% of the fare or ₹50 will be awarded to the driver. These penalties will be deducted automatically through the app. The policy also limits peak-hour fares to a maximum of 1.5 times the base fare, as fixed by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

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Nagshankar Temple in Biswanath district of Assam has recently been designated as a model temple for turtle conservation. It is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River. The temple was originally built by King Narasankar of Nagakha in the 4th century AD and later renovated by Ahom king Su-sen-pha in 1480. The temple has a large pond that is home to around 250–300 turtles, including rare species like black softshell, Indian softshell, and Malayan softshell turtles. Some turtles in the pond are believed to be hundreds of years old. The temple campus also houses peacocks, deer, and pythons, adding to its biodiversity significance.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched the Honorary Rank Promotion Scheme for retiring personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. This scheme, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, grants a one-rank honorary promotion from Constable up to Sub-Inspector. It is given on the retirement day to boost morale, pride, and self-respect of the personnel. The promotion is symbolic and does not involve any financial or pension benefits. It applies only if the higher rank exists within the service’s structure. The promotion does not affect the seniority of personnel. This move recognises dedicated service and aims to honour commitment with dignity.

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Recently, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-II. The Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project is located in Aurangabad, Bihar. This new project will have a capacity of 2,400 megawatts (MW), with three units of 800 MW each. It will be built at a cost of over ₹29,930 crore to improve energy security in Bihar and eastern India. The project aims to provide affordable electricity to the region and support economic growth. It is being developed by NTPC, which stands for National Thermal Power Corporation, India’s largest power utility. NTPC already runs the existing 1,980-MW Nabinagar Stage-I project.

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The Ministry of Ayush launched the AyushSuraksha Portal to boost consumer protection and regulation in traditional medicine. Union Minister of State Shri Prataprao Jadhav unveiled it at Ayush Bhawan, New Delhi, highlighting its role in ensuring transparency and safety. The portal allows citizens and professionals to report misleading advertisements and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in real time. Developed with support from the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), it aligns with the National Pharmacovigilance Program. It connects State Licensing Authorities, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B), Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

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Telangana government has launched a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) using data from a caste survey covering over 3.5 crore people. Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) is developed by an expert panel using 42 indicators across nine categories to measure caste-wise backwardness scientifically. This approach moves away from older methods like the Mandal Commission, which used population size and just 11 indicators for identifying backwardness. It marks a global first in using detailed data to assess social and economic backwardness more accurately.

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The Centre will launch the UMEED Portal on 6 June 2025 to digitize and simplify the registration of Waqf properties in line with the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. UMEED stands for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development. It is a centralized digital platform created to register, monitor, and regulate Waqf properties across India. The Ministry of Minority Affairs will manage it in coordination with State Waqf Boards and judicial authorities.

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The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) was inaugurated for the Puducherry Legislative Assembly on June 9 by the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting & Parliamentary Affairs. NeVA is a digital platform by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (MoPA) to make legislative work paperless and efficient. It follows the ‘One Nation – One Application’ vision to connect all 37 State and Union Territory (UT) Legislatures. The platform allows Members of the Legislative Assembly to access house business, questions, and replies on their phones and tablets.

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Delhi is set to host India’s first E-Waste Recycling Eco Park in Holambi Kalan, located in North Delhi. The E-Waste Eco Park is a dedicated facility for scientific recycling, dismantling, and recovery of electronic waste in an environmentally safe manner. It aims to be a model project for sustainable e-waste management in the country. The project was announced by Delhi’s Environment Minister.