India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Amid rising tensions along the western front due to escalations from Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) has stood firm as India’s first and sharpest line of defence. The Border Security Force (BSF) is India’s main border-guarding force, known as the First Line of Defence of Indian Territories. BSF is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CSPFs) and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was formed on 1 December 1965 after the 1965 War to secure India’s borders. BSF protects land borders during peacetime and stops transnational crimes like smuggling and infiltration. In wartime, it supports the Indian Army using its deep knowledge of local people and terrain. BSF is currently deployed along the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders, the Line of Control (LoC), and in Anti-Naxal Operations.

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The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) recently installed India’s longest rail flyover girder at Kalamboli, Maharashtra under the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). The WDFC is a 1,500-kilometre project to modernise India’s freight transport system. It was installed 34 metres across live railway tracks without disrupting Indian Railways operations, using advanced heavy-lifting machines. This first-of-its-kind feat shows India’s growing technical strength in railway infrastructure. The flyover will boost cargo flow between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Maharashtra’s industrial hubs. It will reduce transit time, improve logistics efficiency, and shift cargo from road to rail, which is cleaner and energy-efficient.

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The Prime Minister will soon meet the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to review the Polavaram project. The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation initiative built on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It is located near Polavaram village in West Godavari district, close to the borders of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The project was proposed in 1980 based on the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) recommendations. It has been given national project status by the central government. The dam will help control floodwaters and improve agricultural productivity in the region. This high-level meeting highlights the importance of inter-state cooperation for completing the project efficiently.

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The Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiya Bagad Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand has received in-principle approval from the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). The FAC works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). This approval allows the diversion of 29.997 hectares of forest land for the project. The project is located on the Gori Ganga River in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It is planned to generate 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity. This project highlights the government’s push for clean energy while balancing forest conservation. The recent approval marks a key step toward project execution.

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Recently, Diu became the first district in India to meet its entire power demand using solar energy, achieving a capacity of 11.88 megawatts (MW). Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Pralhad Joshi praised Diu as a national model for adopting clean energy. Diu now meets all its daytime electricity needs through solar power, showing strong progress in renewable energy use.

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Union Jal Shakti Minister recently launched Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2025, India’s largest rural sanitation survey. It will cover 21,000 villages across 761 districts in 34 States and Union Territories (UTs). The survey is part of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Phase-II to assess sustainability of Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus outcomes. It is conducted by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. An independent agency will ensure transparent field verification. The aim is to track sanitation progress, boost public involvement, and reward high-performing areas.

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Odisha government launched ANKUR – Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanisation and Reforms – to drive smart and citizen-friendly urban growth. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with six key organisations to support this initiative. ANKUR aims to build resilient, livable, and future-ready cities as Odisha’s urban population is expected to triple by 2036. It supports four pillars – capacity building, knowledge and research, implementation support, and innovation – and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

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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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Recently, the Karnataka government notified the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), Karnataka Amendment Act, 2024, to reduce tobacco use across the state. The amendment received presidential assent on May 23 and was published in the state gazette on May 30. The legal age to buy tobacco products has been raised from 18 to 21 years. Sale of tobacco within 100 metres of educational institutions and sale of loose cigarettes is now banned. The amendment strengthens public health protections, especially for youth, under Article 47 of the Constitution of India.

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Karnataka was awarded first place for adding the highest wind power capacity of 1,331.48 Megawatts (MW) in financial year 2024-25. The award was received by State Energy Minister K J George from Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, during Global Wind Day 2025 in Bengaluru. Global Wind Day 2025 was themed ‘Pawan-Urja: Powering the Future of India’. Tamil Nadu and Gujarat ranked second and third with 1,136.37 MW and 954.76 MW additions respectively. Karnataka’s wind capacity now surpasses that of countries like South Africa, Portugal, and New Zealand, and is close to Sweden and Australia.