India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Odisha government launched ANKUR – Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanisation and Reforms – to drive smart and citizen-friendly urban growth. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with six key organisations to support this initiative. ANKUR aims to build resilient, livable, and future-ready cities as Odisha’s urban population is expected to triple by 2036. It supports four pillars – capacity building, knowledge and research, implementation support, and innovation – and aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

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The Department of Posts has launched DHRUVA, which stands for Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address. It marks a major step toward building a nationwide Digital Address Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). DHRUVA provides a geo-coded, standard, and interoperable digital address system. It aims to make address-related services simple, secure, and consent-based across government and private sectors. The core idea is Address-as-a-Service (AaaS), which allows users to manage their address data efficiently and with control.

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The Union government has invited proposals to set up District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) in 291 gap districts across 30 States and Union Territories under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). NAPDDR is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at reducing drug abuse through education, de-addiction, and rehabilitation. It focuses on awareness creation, reducing stigma, and reintegrating affected individuals into society. It also aims to build human resource capacity and support research, training, and innovation.

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Recently, the Government of India launched the Ayush Nivesh Saarthi portal during the Ayush Stakeholder and Industry Interaction Meet at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi. It is a dedicated digital platform for investors developed by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in collaboration with Invest India. It aims to boost India’s traditional wellness systems as a strong economic sector. The portal combines policy details, incentive schemes, ready-to-invest projects, and real-time assistance in one interface.

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Himachal Pradesh has launched a Border Tourism initiative to promote sustainable tourism in tribal areas near the Indo-China border. The initiative will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during his visit to Shipki-La village in Kinnaur district. It is developed with the Union Government to support inclusive growth in remote border areas. Domestic tourists and locals can now access sites in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti like Shipki-La, Lepcha-La, Gue Monastery, and Chitkul.

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The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) recently reported the first flowering and seed set of asafoetida, also known as heeng, at Palampur in Himachal Pradesh. This confirms that asafoetida has successfully adapted and been domesticated in Indian soil for the first time. Asafoetida, scientifically called Ferula assa-foetida, is a perennial herb that takes about five years to flower. The plant grows well in cold and dry climates like those in Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, which are its native regions.

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Recently, Andhra Pradesh achieved global recognition for organising a unique “Floating Yoga” event on the Krishna River in Vijayawada as part of the YogAndhra 2025 campaign. The event was held on 11th June ahead of International Yoga Day and featured over a thousand yoga practitioners. Participants performed yoga asanas on 200 water crafts including kayaks, jet skis, punts, sand boats, and floating platforms. This innovative event showcased the state’s creative approach to promoting health, cultural pride, and community participation.

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After restoring Vaan island, the Tamil Nadu government has started restoring Kariyachalli island, which is located in Tamil Nadu within the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, under the Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resource (TNSHORE) initiative. Kariyachalli island near Thoothukudi has shrunk from 20.85 hectares in 1969 to about 3 hectares in 2025 due to erosion and loss of sediment. The ₹50 crore project is funded by the state government and the World Bank.

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With the monsoon season starting, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) launched the ‘Safai Apnao, Bimaari Bhagao’ (SABB) campaign from 1 to 31 July 2025. The campaign aims to reduce health risks from water-borne and vector-borne diseases by promoting hygiene and clean surroundings. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) will focus on drain cleaning, garbage hotspot reduction, and awareness drives. It partners with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and other ministries to strengthen public health.

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The Coal Ministry launched the RECLAIM framework on 4th July 2025. RECLAIM means “Revitalizing Ecosystems and Communities through Local Actions for Inclusive Mine-closure”. It is a community engagement and development plan for mine closures. It is developed by the Coal Controller Organisation under the Ministry of Coal with the Heartfulness Institute. It addresses the impact of mine closures on landscapes and local livelihoods.