India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It is Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest railway exhibition with 450 exhibitors from over 15 countries. The event showcases advanced railway and metro innovations, including Amrit Bharat and Tejas coaches, Vande Bharat, Kolkata Metro, and Namo Bharat trains. India is investing ₹2.56 lakh crore annually for railway modernisation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

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The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet decided to procure Kodo and Kutki millets from farmers for the first time under the Rani Durgavati Shree-Ann Protsahan Yojana. Procurement will focus on major production districts: Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Dindori, Chhindwara, Shahdol, Anuppur, Umaria, Rewa, Sidhi, and Singrauli, with expansion based on demand. Shri Ann Federation will procure approximately 30,000 metric tonnes for Kharif 2025, Kutki at ₹3,500/quintal and Kodo at ₹2,500/quintal, supported by an interest-free Rs 80 crore loan from the State Price Stabilization Fund. Farmers will receive ₹1,000/quintal incentive via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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The Intrusion Detection System (IDS) has been launched by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) under the Ministry of Railways. It has successfully completed trial works in four key railway sections. The system aims to protect wildlife, especially elephants, while maintaining operational efficiency in forested areas. The IDS runs parallel to railway tracks at a distance of 10 metres. It uses advanced optical fibre sensing technology to detect elephant movements near tracks. The system sends real-time alerts to train drivers and control rooms for preventive action. Elephant-generated vibrations are detected by sensor cables and transmitted to the control room.

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Laxman Jhula, the historic hanging bridge in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, was completed in 1929 and linked the villages of Tapovan and Jonk across the Ganges River. It is steeped in mythology, believed to be the spot where Lakshmana from the Ramayana crossed the river. The bridge was shut in 2019 for safety concerns and no longer allowed vehicles or pedestrians. The government decided to replace it with Bajrang Setu, a new 132.5-meter-long glass suspension bridge. Bajrang Setu features two-way lanes for light vehicles, pedestrian walkways with 3.5-inch thick toughened glass panels, and offers stunning views of the Ganges. The bridge design is inspired by Kedarnath Temple with intricate carvings on towers, reflecting local cultural heritage.

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Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took cognisance of a complaint about illegal muck dumping into the Sutlej River during blasting for the Sunni Dam Hydroelectric Project in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The Sunni Dam Hydroelectric Project (HEP) is a 382 Megawatt (MW) run-of-the-river project. It is being built on the Satluj River in the Shimla and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh. The project is owned by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), a joint venture of the Government of India and the Himachal Pradesh Government. It includes a concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse on the right bank.

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in 12 States and Union Territories, covering 51 crore voters. This is the first nationwide SIR since 2002–2005, aimed at removing duplicates, migrated, or ineligible entries and ensuring voter eligibility. The move is based on Article 326 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, ensuring free and fair elections. The process began with a pilot phase in Bihar, where Assembly elections are due. Bihar’s roll reduced by 6% after verification. The SIR will be conducted in A&N Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

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The Punjab Police Cyber Crime Division has launched a statewide awareness programme called ‘Cyber Jago’ to ensure children’s digital safety. The initiative aims to teach Internet Safety and promote safe online use among government school students across Punjab. It addresses rising cyber threats, exposure to inappropriate content, and other online dangers faced by children.

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Kerala has once again emerged as a Top Achiever in the national Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) ratings for 2024. The ratings were released under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Kerala topped the “Fast Movers” category with a 99.1% reform implementation score, up from 91% last year. The recognition was announced at Udyog Samagam 2025 in New Delhi.

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The Chennai Port Authority recently started procuring its first green tug under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) to cut pollution from port operations. The new tug will run on a battery-electric propulsion system with scope for future upgrades to cleaner technologies. A tugboat is a small but powerful vessel used to push or pull large ships. A fully electric e-tug cuts 100% nitrogen and carbon emissions, while hybrid tugs reduce emissions by 25%–35%. Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), aims to replace diesel tugs with green, non-fossil-fuel vessels.

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Punjab Assembly unanimously declared Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, and walled city of Amritsar as holy cities. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a world-class university in the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib. The university will focus on high-quality education, research, interfaith dialogue, and studies on human rights, peace, and sacrifice. The initiative aims to develop Anandpur Sahib as a spiritual and academic centre.