India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the Ministry of Defence, celebrated its 66th anniversary on May 7, 2025. It was established in 1960 with just two projects—Project Tusker (now Vartak) in the East and Project Beacon in the North. BRO now runs 18 projects across 11 States and 3 Union Territories, building roads in high-altitude and snow-bound areas. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) functions under the Ministry of Defence.

Notes:
The Dongria Kondh tribe of Odisha was recently highlighted for showcasing their vibrant identity and cultural resilience during a festival near the Niyamgiri Hills. They are an indigenous community classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The Dongria Kondh are known for their environmental stewardship and strong resistance against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills. They live in scattered hamlets within the Niyamgiri hill range, located across Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in southwestern Odisha. These hills are ecologically rich and hold spiritual significance, being the home of their revered deity, Niyam Raja.

Notes:
Recently, flamingos have arrived in large numbers at the Chhaya pond in Porbandar town of Gujarat, creating a stunning natural spectacle. Flamingos are tall birds known for their pink feathers, long legs, and curved necks, though they hatch with grey feathers. They are social birds and live in large colonies, often gathering in thousands. Their habitats include salty water bodies like lagoons, estuaries, lakes, and mudflats. Greater Flamingos migrate to India from Israel, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and are the State Bird of Gujarat. Lesser Flamingos migrate from Siberia to Mumbai through the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.

Notes:
The world’s largest container ship, MSC Irina, is making its maiden call at Vizhinjam Port in Kerala, marking its first entry into a South Asian port. MSC Irina is a part of the Irina-class ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) and was built in 2023. It sails under the Liberian flag and is operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), based in Switzerland. It uses green technologies like air lubrication, energy-efficient propellers, and an advanced hull to reduce carbon emissions.

Notes:
The Union Education Minister launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign by planting a sapling in New Delhi to promote environmental awareness on World Environment Day. A special module and website were also launched, along with a web portal to monitor eco club activities under Mission Lifestyle for Environment (Mission LiFE). The importance of trees in sustaining life was emphasized, linking the campaign to environmental and health benefits. The campaign called for reducing plastic use and adopting sustainable development practices to protect the environment.

Notes:
Bihar has become the first state in India to introduce an Android-based e-voting system, starting with municipal and urban body elections on 28th June 2025. The e-voting initiative will be implemented through two mobile apps—“e-Voting SECBHR” developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and another by the Bihar State Election Commission (SEC). So far, 10,000 voters have registered, and 50,000 will be able to vote without visiting polling booths.

Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the City Accelerator Program during the National Conference on Skill Development for Renewable Energy Workforce held at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi. The program is implemented in collaboration with Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF). It is a major part of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), which is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar (RTS) scheme. The program aims to speed up the adoption of rooftop solar systems in Indian cities.

Notes:
Recently, an encounter broke out on 26 June between terrorists and security forces in Bihali area of Basantgarh, Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, during a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. This incident occurred just ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, scheduled from 3 July to 8 August 2025, which draws thousands of pilgrims via Pahalgam and Baltal routes. The joint operation, named ‘Operation Bihali’, was launched based on specific intelligence, and contact was established with terrorists, according to the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps.

Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the Adi Karmyogi programme at the “Adi Anveshan” National Conference to bridge gaps between tribal welfare policies and real implementation. The programme aims to build capacity among about 20 lakh field-level stakeholders by training State, district, and block-level trainers. It targets creating 180 State-level trainers, over 3,000 district-level trainers, and more than 15,000 block-level trainers.

Notes:
Recently, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi fulfilled a 40-year-old demand of turmeric farmers, especially in Telangana, by creating the National Turmeric Board. The National Turmeric Board will help Nizamabad’s turmeric reach many countries in 3-4 years. It will remove middlemen and build a full chain for turmeric packaging, branding, marketing, and export. Turmeric is called a wonder drug for its anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory qualities.