India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme. It aims to boost the financial independence of Panchayats by improving their ability to generate Own Source Revenue (OSR). The programme is being run under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) with support from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.

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Recently, India rejected a “supplemental award” issued by a Court of Arbitration on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects, calling it illegal and against the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960. The Court of Arbitration is an ad-hoc international dispute resolution body under Annexure G of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, used when bilateral talks fail. The Ratle Hydroelectric Project is run-of-the-river project located on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. India maintains its stand that the award violates treaty principles and cannot be accepted under the current agreement.

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Recently, the Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS) was launched by Andhra Pradesh government to control mosquito-borne diseases using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) tools. It was initiated by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department. The first phase begins this month, covering 66 locations in six major municipal corporations across Andhra Pradesh. These include 16 in Greater Visakhapatnam, 28 in Vijayawada, 7 in Nellore, 6 in Kurnool, 5 in Rajamahendravaram, and 4 in Kakinada.

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Recently, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) announced the rollout of the “Saheli Smart Card” to replace the current “pink ticket” system for free bus travel. The card will provide free travel to women and transgender persons, but only for verified residents of Delhi. The move aims to increase accountability and stop revenue leakages in the subsidy system. Unlike the earlier system where pink tickets were given without verification, the Saheli Smart Card uses a targeted digital subsidy model. The initiative is part of Delhi’s broader plan to modernise its Automated Fare Collection (AFC) infrastructure.

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Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, highlighting concerns around electoral inclusion for migrant populations. The focus is on balancing electoral roll integrity and inclusive democratic participation. Under Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950, only an ‘ordinarily resident’ can be enrolled in a constituency’s electoral roll. Section 20 of the RPA clarifies that just owning a house does not make one an ordinarily resident. A person temporarily away for work or travel is still considered ordinarily resident at their regular home.

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Recently, Gujarat launched India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to study genetic diseases among tribal communities. Genome sequencing of 2,000 individuals from various tribal groups across 17 districts will be conducted. The main goal is to detect the burden of hereditary diseases like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. The project will bridge traditional knowledge and modern science for tribal health welfare. It will be implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Center (GBRC).

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Recently, India campus of University of Southampton was inaugurated in Gurugram, Haryana by the Union Education Minister and Haryana Chief Minister. University of Southampton is a QS Top 100 global university and a founding member of the United Kingdom’s Russell Group. It is the first foreign university to start a campus in India under the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s 2023 Regulations for foreign higher educational institutions. This marks a historic milestone in India’s higher education reforms. It aligns with the vision of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to globalize Indian education. It also strengthens India–United Kingdom education ties under the India-UK Roadmap 2030.

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Kaushal Mela 2025 was held in Lucknow on World Youth Skills Day at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. The event aimed to promote vocational training, skill development, and self-reliance among the youth of Uttar Pradesh. It showcased the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), a state initiative launched in Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) provides free, job-oriented training to youth aged 14 to 35 years.

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Uttar Pradesh has recently become the top state in India for Amrit Sarovar construction with 16,630 ponds built or rejuvenated. This is three times the original target of 5,550 set at the start of the programme in 2022. Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched on 24 April 2022 under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” to celebrate 75 years of Indian independence. The mission aims to build or rejuvenate at least 75 ponds in every district to address rural water scarcity. It plays a key role in promoting local water sustainability and groundwater recharge.

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Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami released the book ‘Sustainable Wellness of Students: A Collective Responsibility in Higher Education’ at the Chief Minister’s residence auditorium. The event was organized by the Chief Minister Office (CMO), Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister emphasized that higher education institutions must focus on student psychology to address modern life challenges. He highlighted that Uttarakhand was the first state to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NEP focuses on quality education, student welfare, and skill development.