India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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On January 5, 2026, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) commissioned the world’s first and largest Liquid Conversion–Maximum (LC-Max) Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at Visakhapatnam Refinery in Andhra Pradesh. It was developed under the Visakh Refinery Modernization Project (VRMP) with an investment of ₹31,407 crore. Refinery capacity increased from 8.33 to 15 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA). The residue hydrocracking unit of 3.55 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) converts about 93% low-value residue into high-value fuels.

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Tamil Nadu government signed an agreement with Sarvam AI to set up India’s first full-stack Sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI) Park. The project has an initial investment of ₹10,000 crore and is expected to create over 1,000 high-skilled jobs. The park will function as a dedicated AI district with high-performance computing, secure data systems, and AI research labs. It will keep data, models, and computing within the state’s trust boundary to ensure ethics, security, and regulation. Sarvam AI, an Indian generative AI company, will anchor the technology stack and support India-language models.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Udupi District Collector (DC) and Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) Chairman to submit an action plan to stop wastewater flow into the Souparnika River. The Souparnika, also called Sowparnika, is a west-flowing river in Karnataka. It flows through dense forests of the Western Ghats. The river originates from the Kodachadri Hills in the Western Ghats.

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Maharashtra will build its first Innovation City near Mumbai to attract global investors and innovation ecosystems. The proposal was presented at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos under the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation Ecosystem theme. The project location is finalised and implementation will begin within six to eight month. The aim is to create a plug-and-play global innovation hub in Mumbai.

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Operation Trashi-I entered its fourth day in January 2026 in the dense forests of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. It is a multi-day counter-terrorism and area-domination operation in the Chatroo forest region. The operation is jointly conducted by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police including Special Operations Group (SOG), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It aims to track and neutralise terrorists, destroy hideouts and logistics, and disrupt infiltration routes.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched Operation Sahyadri Checkmate based on developed intelligence. A clandestine mobile mephedrone manufacturing laboratory was dismantled in the Sahyadri ranges, disguised as a poultry farm. The lab frequently shifted locations to evade detection and was fully operational for producing Mephedrone (a narcotic under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act). The operation highlights DRI’s role in disrupting organized drug trafficking and protecting public health, law and order, and economic stability.

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India’s first flat rolled products (FRP) aluminium unit was inaugurated at Hindalco’s Aditya Aluminium plant in Lapanga, Sambalpur, Odisha. A Rs 834-crore specialised battery foil unit was also inaugurated, and foundation laid for a Rs 21,162-crore smelter plant expansion. The projects are expected to create over 5,000 jobs, boost downstream manufacturing, and generate new livelihood opportunities.

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In Financial Year 2024–25, PM-SURAJ portal disbursed ₹1,389.61 crore loans to 1.39 lakh entrepreneurs, exceeding its target. PM-SURAJ means Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan portal. It was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The objective is to provide credit support to entrepreneurs from disadvantaged sections. It is a centralized online platform to apply and track loan and credit schemes.

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Kerala approved India’s first comprehensive graphene policy to become a global hub for research, development, and production of graphene. The Union Cabinet approved Grefine Park as the first major step. The state offers a 50% subsidy on lease payments for manufacturing units in government parks. Plans include a graphene industrial park in Palakkad and a Digital Innovation Centre with ₹200 crore investment. The policy promotes collaboration with University of Oxford and University of Manchester.

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Delhi Government launched CM Shri Schools as India’s first Artificial Intelligence-driven comprehensive education model. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the first school at Sarojini Nagar and laid foundation for 75 schools. The initiative aligns with National Education Policy to provide technology-integrated and globally competitive education in government schools. Schools will function as Centres of Excellence with modern infrastructure and holistic development.