India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) launched the “RuPay On-The-Go” National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-enabled smart card scheme on April 1, 2026, to modernize public transport. This initiative allows commuters to use digital, contactless cards for seamless travel on state-run buses. These Aadhaar-linked cards are designed for students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and women to easily avail travel concessions. The system supports offline, tap-and-pay transactions, enhancing convenience and digital efficiency.

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Centre for Development of Advanced Computing Hyderabad, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has partnered with Reliance Foundation to launch the e-SafeHER programme for cyber security awareness. The initiative aims to train one million rural women (Cyber Sakhis) to safely participate in the digital ecosystem and strengthen digital inclusion. It is anchored under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme, with C-DAC developing multilingual training content. The programme will begin in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha and scale nationwide by 2029.

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The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) conducted Operation WHITE STRIKE, uncovering a major transnational cocaine trafficking network. About 349 kilograms of high-grade cocaine worth ₹1,745 crore was seized from the Mumbai logistics corridor. The operation followed six months of intelligence gathering and surveillance. The operation reflects India’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics trafficking. Investigation continues to identify kingpins, financiers, and international links.

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Recently, an Indian sailor died and several others were injured after a wooden dhow caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz. A Dhow is a traditional wooden sailing vessel used mainly in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and East African and Middle Eastern coasts. Dhows have long, narrow hulls and are mainly propelled by sails. They are believed to have originated before 600 CE and played a major role in maritime trade and fishing. Countries such as Oman, Yemen, India, and East African coastal regions traditionally used dhows extensively.

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Odisha emerged as the top-performing state in house completion under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0. Odisha maintained the number one rank in house completion performance from March 2025 to March 2026. Under PMAY-U 2.0, the state sanctioned 24,625 houses and geo-tagged 23,464 sites. The scheme was launched nationwide in September 2024 to achieve the “Housing for All” vision.

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The foundation stone for the National Small Industries Corporation Technology cum Common Facility Centre (TCFC) was laid at Peenya Industrial Area, Bengaluru. The Centre is being established with support from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to strengthen the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. The facility will provide advanced testing laboratories, skilling infrastructure, innovation support, Industry 4.0 solutions, drone technology, and industrial automation services.

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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.

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Rajouri was identified for a 100-bed boys’ hostel under Samagra Shiksha for students from Line of Control and remote border areas. The reported project cost was ₹2.45 crore.

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India’s first Mega Greenfield Shipyard will be developed at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, under the India–Republic of Korea framework “VOYAGES” (Shared Vision for Operation of Yard Assisted Growth with Efficiency and Scale). The proposed shipyard will have an annual capacity of 2.5 million Gross Tonnage (GT) and is expected to generate around 15,000 direct jobs. The VOYAGES agreement, signed in April 2026, promotes cooperation between India and South Korea in shipbuilding, maritime logistics, technology transfer, green shipbuilding, and skill training. India currently holds less than 1% share in the global shipbuilding sector, behind China, South Korea, and Japan.

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The government banned sugar exports until September to control rising domestic prices. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade amended the export policy status of sugar from “Restricted” to “Prohibited.” It is an attached office under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is headed by the Director General of Foreign Trade. DGFT is responsible for formulating and implementing India’s Foreign Trade Policy and promoting exports and imports in the national interest. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi and it operates through 24 regional offices across India.