India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Appemidi mango is facing threats from climate change, with experts emphasizing the need for in-situ conservation in the Aghanashini valley. It is a unique variety found exclusively in Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka. The mango is small, tender, and highly valued, often regarded as the “king among raw mango varieties.” It is widely used in the South Asian pickle industry due to its pulpy texture, distinctive aroma, and long shelf life. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2009, recognizing its cultural and culinary significance.

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An application before the National Green Tribunal has raised concerns regarding environmental law violations and riverbank regulations due to construction along the Balason River in Darjeeling. It is located in West Bengal. The river originates from Lepchajagat on the Ghum-Simana ridge below Tiger Hill in Darjeeling at an altitude of about 2,361 m. The name is derived from the Lepcha language (“Balasun”), reflecting indigenous cultural heritage. It flows approximately 51.92 km from north to southeast and joins the Mahananda River at Naukaghat (Siliguri), making it a right-bank tributary.

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Telangana has been declared Naxal-free after the surrender of 42 cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). The announcement was made by Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy, stating that the Telangana State Committee has been dismantled. Among those who surrendered was PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) commander Sodi Malla. Surrendered cadres handed over 36 firearms, including AK-47 rifles, Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), grenades, and large quantities of ammunition. Additional recoveries include 1,007 live rounds of ammunition and 800 grams of gold.

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Project Him Sarovar is a water security initiative launched in April 2026 by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, aimed at mitigating water scarcity in the region through the scientific harvesting of snow and glacial melt. The project focuses on creating 50 artificial, small-scale storage ponds (water bodies) across Leh and Kargil districts to store water that usually goes to waste, providing a sustainable, year-round water supply for irrigation and agriculture. The initiative uses scientific methods, such as percolation tanks, to capture snowmelt and glacial runoff, with plans to use solar lift mechanisms.

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Recently, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra State Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy 2026 under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. The policy allocates ₹500 crore for FY 2026–27 to promote waste-to-energy initiatives. It aims to convert organic, agricultural, and municipal waste into compressed biogas (CBG), reducing landfill dependency. Projects will be implemented through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). It targets waste processing from 423 urban local bodies, creating a circular economy (waste-to-wealth) system. The policy mandates source segregation of waste to reduce methane emissions and environmental pollution.

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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released guidelines for Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was launched in 2013 under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to improve child health and provide comprehensive care. It targets children from birth to 18 years for screening of four Ds: Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Developmental delays. The programme covers 32 health conditions for early detection and provides free treatment, including surgeries at tertiary care level.

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Indian Institute of Millets Research, Nutrihub, and Millet Marvels launched the national campaign “One Meal a Day with Millets” to promote millet consumption. The campaign encourages people to include at least one millet-based meal daily and spread awareness about the nutritional benefits of millets. The initiative promotes millets as nutritious and sustainable “superfoods” rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats. The campaign also aims to improve public health, support sustainable agriculture, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods. The National Institute of Nutrition recommended that millets should constitute one-third of cereal consumption in daily diets.

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NITI Aayog recently launched the Central Prabhari Officer (CPO) Portal to strengthen real-time governance and improve coordination among stakeholders. The portal supports the Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme by accelerating last-mile delivery. Central Prabhari Officers can submit field observations and recommendations in real time through a mobile-enabled platform. District administrations can view suggestions, take action, and upload responses through the portal.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched a statewide deep-tech skilling initiative in collaboration with IBM SkillsBuild, Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education (APSCHE), Andhra State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), and Amaravati Quantum Valley. The programme aims to train 2 lakh learners in 2026–27 and expand to 10 lakh learners over five years through digital learning, industry-linked training, and globally recognised certifications. The initiative focuses on Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship.

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Maize has emerged as India’s largest ethanol feedstock, encouraging farmers in Uttar Pradesh to diversify towards maize cultivation due to its lower water requirement. According to a report by the All India Distillers’ Association, maize-based ethanol production reached 182 crore litres between November 2025 and April 2026. This exceeded ethanol production from surplus food grain, damaged food grain, and sugarcane-based sources. Uttar Pradesh has become one of India’s top five maize-producing states, cultivating around 8 lakh hectares and producing nearly 28–30 lakh metric tonnes annually.