India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
The Union Home Minister addressed the first Foundation Day of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in New Delhi, launching new initiatives to combat cybercrime. The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) was established to coordinate with banks, financial intermediaries, and law enforcement for immediate action on online financial crimes. The Samanvaya Platform is a web-based system for cybercrime data sharing, mapping, and coordination among law enforcement agencies. The ‘Cyber Commandos’ Program will create a special team of trained cyber experts to support state and central agencies in digital security. The Suspect Registry will enhance fraud risk management by maintaining a database of identifiers linked to cybercrime reports.

Notes:
India’s first Vande Metro train was renamed as ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail.’ The train was launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gujarat. It was equipped with modern facilities and advanced safety systems like KAVACH to prevent collisions. The train also had an automatic smoke/fire detection mechanism and a seating capacity of 1,150 passengers. Additional features included cushioned sofas, Divyangjan-friendly toilets, and meal services. The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail distinguished itself from the Vande Bharat Express with its advanced amenities and comfort provisions for passengers.

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will expand the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) to 20 more airports in India. It is an initiative of Ministry of Home Affairs. It aims to speed up immigration clearance for Indian Nationals and Foreign Nationals with OCI cards. The program, first launched at Delhi’s IGI Airport, facilitates faster and secure international travel. Similar to the U.S. Global Entry Program, it offers quick clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The FTI-TTP is managed through an online portal by the Bureau of Immigration, the nodal agency for implementation.

Notes:
The Maharashtra government approved renaming Pune airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Pune International Airport.
Sant Tukaram Maharaj was a 17th-century Marathi poet and Hindu saint. He is widely known as Tuka, Tukobaraya, or Tukoba in Maharashtra.

Notes:
The Kasturirangan Committee Report, published in 2014, aimed to protect ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats from environmental degradation. The recent rejection of its recommendations by the Karnataka government has sparked opposition from local legislators, who argue that implementation would adversely affect village communities in this biodiverse region. The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is crucial for biodiversity and water resources in India.

Notes:
The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, launched in 2021, targets the remediation of all legacy landfills in India by 2025-2026. As of now, 474 out of 2,421 legacy landfills have been cleared, reclaiming over 2,617 acres of land for alternate uses such as parks and integrated waste management projects. Cities like Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Pune, and Lucknow are transforming these sites, showcasing the mission’s impact on urban development and environmental sustainability.

Notes:
The Meghalaya government signed an MoU with The/Nudge Institute to support 50,000 vulnerable households, focusing on single mothers. The partnership aims at social inclusion, financial inclusion, livelihood promotion, and social protection. They will provide livelihood coaching and support through a dedicated community cadre for the poorest households. The initiative will use technology-based tools for efficient implementation and create social protection frameworks. The partnership was announced during the North-East Conclave in Shillong, which highlighted collaborative efforts to address the needs of vulnerable communities, with presentations from other states.

Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved a Rs 100 crore project to build a memorial and garden for Gond queen Rani Durgavati.
Rani Durgavati (1524–2024) was a queen of the Gond kingdom of Garha-Katanga and a descendant of the Chandela dynasty of Mahoba. She was born on October 5, 1524, in Kalinjar (Banda, U.P.), part of the Chandela dynasty.

Notes:
Gujarat has announced to establish a Caracal Breeding and Conservation Center in Kutch’s Chadva Rakhal region with a ₹10 crore budget. The center aims to protect and breed the critically endangered Caracal, found in Kutch. The announcement was made by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during Wildlife Week celebrations. Although listed as ‘least concern’ globally by the IUCN, Caracals are critically endangered in India. A study confirmed 19 Caracal sightings in Gujarat, all in Kutch, with 9 authenticated by photos. Caracals in India face habitat loss and are protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act.

Notes:
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare observed World Mental Health Day and celebrated two years of Tele MANAS. This year’s theme is “It is time to prioritize Mental Health at Workplace.” Tele MANAS aims to provide universal access to affordable mental health care through 24/7 tele-mental health services across India.