India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, will have India’s first night safari at Kukrail Night Safari Park and Wildlife Centre. The 900-acre park will offer both night and day safaris, promoting eco-tourism and wildlife conservation. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath targets project completion by June 2026 with a focus on sustainability and solar energy. The initiative aims to boost tourism and provide a unique wildlife experience for visitors. Kukrail will be the fifth night safari destination globally.

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The Konda Reddi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, resides along the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. They speak Telugu with a unique accent and practice folk Hinduism, worshiping local deities. Families are patriarchal and patrilocal, with monogamy being common, though polygamy exists; marriages occur through various accepted customs. Their self-governance is maintained through a hereditary headman, ‘Pedda Kapu,’ who also serves as the village priest. They practice shifting cultivation (Podu) and grow jowar as their staple crop, along with commercial crops like cashew, cotton, and chilli. Their traditional circular mud houses with thatched roofs resemble Gujarat’s Bhunga architecture.

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The ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative was launched on Good Governance Day by the Union Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It aims to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through innovative tools and capacity-building frameworks. Piloted in Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, it uses e-learning platforms, AI chatbots, and mobile apps to enhance governance and service delivery. The program promotes decentralized governance and participatory decision-making at the grassroots level. Part of the ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ campaign, it equips PRI officials for effective governance and sustainable rural development.

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Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) launched the ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative to empower women entrepreneurs in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra. It focuses on training women in traditional snack production to build sustainable ventures. MBMC collaborates with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under the ‘Award to Reward’ program. ‘Faral Sakhi’ set up a central kitchen, enabling SHG women to produce and sell snacks professionally, with municipal support for sales and advertising. The initiative aims to create sustainable employment and inspire societal transformation.

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The Himachal Pradesh government approved renaming the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) to Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration. This honors Dr. Singh’s contributions to national and state development. The Cabinet acknowledged his transformative role during his tenure as Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister.

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Odisha has launched a pension scheme providing ₹20,000 per month for individuals detained during the Emergency (1975–1977). The scheme also covers medical expenses for eligible recipients alive as of January 1, 2025. Similar pension schemes exist in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Assam. Those arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, Defence of India Rules, and related laws during the Emergency can apply. Over 300 people in Odisha are eligible, with an annual cost of ₹8 crore for the state government. Applications are required for pension and medical benefits.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app on January 17, 2025, to report fraudulent communications directly from call logs. The app builds on the Sanchar Saathi portal, launched in May 2023, aimed at combating fraud calls and improving mobile security. Users can check and manage mobile connections, disconnect unauthorized ones, and verify device authenticity. The app supports the government’s broader goal of enhancing mobile network accessibility and security for Indian users.

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Haryana minister Shruti Choudhry launched the ‘Samman Sanjeevani’ app on National Girl Child Day 2025. The app tracks benefits under the ‘Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana’. Sanitary napkins are distributed to BPL women and girls aged 10-45 years via Anganwadi centers and schools. The app ensures timely delivery, collects beneficiary data, and updates monthly benefits. The Women and Child Development Department celebrates 10 years of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’.

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The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member judicial committee to investigate the stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on 29 January 2025. The stampede, caused by a rush of millions for a holy dip, resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries. The committee is headed by Justice Harsh Kumar, with former DGP V K Gupta and retired IAS officer D K Singh as members. The committee will examine the causes and recommend preventive measures. It is required to submit its report to the government within a month.

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Kerala government allocated an additional Rs 300 crore for the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASAP) health scheme. The total allocation for the scheme in the current financial year is Rs 978.54 crore. KASAP covers over 64 lakh vulnerable people, providing Rs 5 lakh health cover per family annually. The scheme benefits 41.99 lakh poor families (bottom 40% of Kerala’s population). It is available at 197 state-run, 4 central, and 364 private hospitals. Rs 700 crore is earmarked for KASAP in the upcoming state budget.