India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched Operation Fire Trail and seized Chinese firecrackers worth ₹35 crore. The illegal goods were found in seven containers at Nhava Sheva Port (Mumbai), Mundra Port, and Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) in Gujarat. The total weight of the seized firecrackers was 100 metric tonnes. They were illicitly imported using false declarations as mini decorative plants, artificial flowers, and plastic mats.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Shaktishree Programme in Bhubaneswar to ensure safety of girl students. The programme will cover 16 universities and 730 government and aided colleges under the Higher Education Department of Odisha. It includes 8 components such as self-defence training, legal awareness, and mental health support for undergraduate and postgraduate girls. Every institution will have a Shaktishree Empowerment Cell run by girl students (Shaktishree Saathi), guided by a woman faculty (Sanyojika), and mentored by 5 working women (Shakti Appa).

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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, the Central government documented cultural heritage of over 4.7 lakh villages under ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ (MGMD) initiative. Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar is a pan-India initiative of Ministry of Culture under National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM). It was launched on 27th July 2023 as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The aim is to digitally map 6.5 lakh villages across all States and Union Territories. The project promotes rural culture, economic growth, social harmony, and artistic development. It is implemented by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

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Recently, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Anganwadi in Waddhamna village, Nagpur district, Maharashtra. The center is a pilot project under Mission Bal Bharari and uses AI dashboards, Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, and interactive content. It offers immersive learning in poems, songs, and early education, making learning joyful and engaging for rural children. This AI Anganwadi brings tech-rich education to rural areas, bridging the digital divide between rural and urban children.

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NITI Aayog recently launched the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI). India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) is a first-of-its-kind tool to track and rank States and Union Territories (UTs) on electric mobility progress. It evaluates all States and UTs out of 100 across 16 indicators under 3 core themes. Transport Electrification Progress measures electric vehicle (EV) adoption on the demand side. Charging Infrastructure Readiness tracks EV charging network development. EV Research and Innovation Status evaluates supply-side research and development.

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Recently, a sudden landslide at the under-construction Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Helang, Chamoli, Uttarakhand injured 12 workers, with 4 critically hurt. It is located is on the Alaknanda River, a major tributary of the Ganga River, in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. It is a 444-megawatt run-of-river scheme expected to generate 1,665 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.

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Recently, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) issued guidelines to tackle illnesses caused by water contamination. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It was established as a national centre of excellence for controlling communicable diseases.

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On 14th August, the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj launched ‘SabhaSaar’, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered tool, in New Delhi, first rolled out in Tripura. ‘SabhaSaar’ creates structured minutes of gram sabha meetings from video and audio recordings, ensuring uniformity nationwide. Panchayat officials can upload recordings using e-GramSwaraj login credentials. It is built on Bhashini, an AI language translation platform. It transcribes, translates, and summarizes in major Indian languages and English. It supports panchayats, administrative bodies, and rural development projects with instant meeting insights.

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Uttarakhand government has strengthened Operation Kalnemi to act against fake sadhus deceiving people. Now imposters will face criminal charges and arrests, not just detention. Police will act under Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023, Information Technology Act, 2000, and Foreigners Act, 1946. Cases include fake identity cards, cyber fraud, and foreigners using fake documents. Operation Kalnemi, named after a demon in Hindu mythology, was launched before the Kanwar Yatra by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to protect Sanatan Dharma and social harmony.