India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Arunachal Pradesh ‘dao’, a traditional handcrafted blade, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, officially recognising its cultural and economic value. The dao is hand-forged by master artisans using techniques passed down through generations. Each dao reflects functional utility, courage, tribal identity, and cultural endurance. GI certification will improve market access, safeguard authentic production, and open new avenues for artisans.

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Recently, the Mahi River gained attention because it uniquely crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice due to a U-shaped loop in Rajasthan. Mahi is a major west-flowing interstate river of India, also called Mahisagar for its vastness. It flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. It originates on the northern slope of the Vindhya Mountain Range in Madhya Pradesh at about 500 metres above mean sea level. It flows south in Madhya Pradesh, enters the Vagad region of Rajasthan, forms a U-shaped loop and then enters Gujarat.

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Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi paid homage for the first time to soldiers of Operation Pawan (1987–1990) at the National War Memorial. Earlier, only families and veterans marked the anniversary. Lt. General Pushpendra Singh, who served in the operation, accompanied him. Operation Pawan was the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) mission in Sri Lanka, causing hundreds of deaths and over a thousand injuries.

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The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, launched SIDDHI 2.0 in Vijayawada. SIDDHI means Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare and Integration. The two day national conclave was organised by Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The event promotes research based product development and industry partnerships in Ayurveda. The platform supports start ups, shared Intellectual Property Rights and global quality standards.

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Uttarakhand inaugurated its first Grey Smart Toilet in Prem Nagar, Dehradun, designed for senior citizens and people with disabilities. The facility features sensor-based automated functions, wheelchair-friendly ramps, supportive grab bars, anti-skid flooring, and low-height fixtures for safety and comfort. It includes IoT-based monitoring, automatic flushing, water-level sensors, and an app-linked dashboard for maintenance alerts, reducing manual supervision. The initiative promotes dignified, accessible sanitation and will be replicated across pilgrim and tourist circuits like Char Dham routes.

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ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute launched a stock enhancement programme for short-neck clam (Paphia malabarica) in Ashtamudi Lake showing early signs of recovery. Short-neck clam is a valuable bivalve mollusk and India’s first Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified species. It is the major fishery resource of brackish water Ashtamudi Lake.

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The Prime Minister (PM) of India recently mentioned the Khiamniungan tribe in his Mann Ki Baat radio programme. They are a major Naga tribe living in eastern Nagaland (India) and north-western Myanmar. The word Khiamniungan means “source of great river or water.” Their society traditionally follows a clan-based social system. They speak the Khiamniugan language, which belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family. They celebrate Tsokum Sumai for good harvest and Khaotzao Sey Hok-ah Sumai at the end of farming season.

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Members of the Bonda tribe in Malkangiri, Odisha, will shift from thatched huts to permanent pucca houses under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). Bondas live mainly in Khairaput block, Odisha and are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They are among the oldest tribes of India with Austroasiatic origin. They are divided into Upper Bondas (hilly areas) and Lower Bondas (border regions).

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The Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Programme has identified 6,38,365 villages for cultural mapping across India, and data of 6,23,449 villages has been uploaded on the MGMD Portal. The programme was launched by the Ministry of Culture (MoC) under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) to digitally document the cultural heritage of all Indian villages. It creates authentic village-level cultural profiles and strengthens rural identity. The programme promotes community participation through crowd-sourced validation. The data supports cultural cluster development, heritage tourism, traditional skills promotion, and rural economic development. This information was shared by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Rajya Sabha.

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Assam Government launched the “Sainik Tujhe Salaam” initiative on Armed Forces Flag Day to honour veterans above 90 years, Veer Naris and Veer Mothers. The programme was attended by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhavan. Tributes were paid to martyrs and serving soldiers across the country. The initiative includes annual home visits by district administration and Zila Sainik Welfare Offices to honour families. Assam supports 41,968 ex-servicemen and 10,361 Veer Naris through veteran welfare offices.