India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

Notes:
Jharkhand approved the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2025 with Governor Santosh Gangwar’s assent. The Act provides a formal welfare and social security system for gig and platform workers. It covers delivery, transport and on-demand service workers. A Gig Workers’ Welfare Board will handle registration, identity cards and welfare schemes. The Act mandates minimum wages, medical insurance and social security benefits for workers. Aggregators violating provisions may face penalties up to ₹10 lakh. Jharkhand becomes one of the first states to regulate the gig economy through a dedicated law.

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A High-Level Committee chaired by Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah approved ₹507.37 crore for National Project for Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction (NPSDRR) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across 20 states. It is jointly implemented by Ministry of Panchayati Raj and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). It is linked to the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) launched in 2021; the initiative is now extended to Panchayat level. The focus is to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into governance using a bottom-up approach and build disaster-resilient communities.

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In December 2025, the Rajasthan government launched a digital platform called ‘e-Swasthya Samvad’ to enhance governance, transparency, and coordination in the medical education department. The platform serves as a digital interface connecting all stakeholders in medical education and health services for faster decision-making and effective implementation of programmes. ‘e-Swasthya Samvad’ will be conducted twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday, via video conferencing. The initiative aims to ensure accountability, reduce delays, and strengthen coordination across all levels of the medical education system.

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Oil India carried out seismic studies in blocks won under the ninth round to plan bidding for the tenth round. The Open Acreage Licensing Policy was introduced by the Government of India under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy. It replaced the New Exploration and Licensing Policy that operated for over eighteen years. Under this policy, companies can choose and explore oil and gas blocks on their own. Exploration can begin without waiting for government notifications. The policy also allows access to seismic data from the National Data Repository.

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Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed the Lok Sabha about a proposal from the Odisha government. The proposal seeks inclusion of the Jhodia community in the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list of Odisha as a synonym of Paroja at Serial Number 55. The proposal was not supported by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) and has been sent back to the State Government. The Jhodia community is an indigenous group mainly living in Rayagada and Koraput districts of Odisha. Inclusion of a community in the ST list requires a proposal from the State along with an ethnographic report.

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Tamil Nadu Government has decided to establish and maintain pet parks in Chennai and Coimbatore with private participation. The initiative aims to promote safe pet ownership and compassionate animal care. Private charitable organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and animal welfare groups with prior experience are invited to apply. Selected organisations will develop and maintain parks using their own funds. Facilities will include play equipment, green lawns, pet shops, training equipment and rule handbooks.

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Kerala became India’s first state to adopt a comprehensive Urban Policy for the next 25 years. The policy was announced in the 2023–24 State Budget and approved by the State Cabinet. Kerala Urban Policy Commission was formed in December 2023 and submitted its report in March 2025. A global conference in Kochi discussed the report and suggestions were included in the final policy. The Commission estimates 80 percent of Kerala will be urbanised by 2050. The policy promotes climate-smart cities, scientific planning, and decentralised governance. It focuses on reducing inequalities, ensuring social support, and improving urban amenities. It suggests Public Private People Partnership for future development.

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The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation has begun its 75th Foundation Year celebrations, marking 70 years of social security service to workers. ESIC is a statutory social security body functioning under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. It administers the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, which provides medical care and financial protection to employees. The scheme covers benefits related to sickness, maternity, disablement, and death due to employment injury. The legal basis of the scheme is the Employees’ State Insurance Act, enacted in 1948. The scheme was officially launched on 24 February 1952, which is observed every year as ESIC Foundation Day.

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In Jammu and Kashmir, Northern Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma visits Kishtwar and praises troops for successful Operation Trashi. Three terrorists, including Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Saifullah, are killed in an encounter in Kishtwar district. Operation Trashi is a high-intensity counter-terrorism operation initiated in Jammu and Kashmir. It is carried out in a remote area with swift and precise coordination by security forces.

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The Prime Minister’s office (PMO) recently reviewed proposed CAFE-3 carbon emission norms for passenger vehicles, scheduled for 2027, but no final decision was taken. CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency) norms were introduced by Bureau of Energy Efficiency in 2017 to regulate fuel consumption and carbon emissions from passenger vehicles. They were applicable to petrol, diesel, LPG, CNG, hybrid, and electric vehicles (EVs) under 3,500 kg. Norms tightened in 2022-23 with higher penalties for non-compliance. The objective is to reduce oil dependency, air pollution, and promote EVs, hybrids, and CNG vehicles.