India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched Navachar Mantra, a national initiative to strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship and support innovators across India. It is implemented by National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer as the technical knowledge partner. The programme aims to identify, nurture, and support grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs, especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, aspirational districts, and underserved regions.

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According to NFHS-6 (National Family Health Survey-6), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have recorded India’s lowest Total Fertility Rate (TFR). The Union Territory’s TFR is 0.9, which is less than half the replacement level fertility rate of 2.1. It is the only State/UT in India with a TFR below 1.0. The share of children under five years declined from 5.3% (NFHS-5) to 3.7% (NFHS-6). The proportion of people aged 60 years and above increased from 11% to 12.6%, indicating an ageing population. Preschool attendance among children aged 2–4 years fell from 88.5% to 66.2%.

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Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan is a flagship water conservation initiative of Madhya Pradesh. The campaign has recently gained international recognition as a successful model of water conservation. During the Sadanira Samagam held in Bhopal, diplomats from several countries appreciated the campaign and expressed interest in adopting similar models. It focuses on the rejuvenation of rivers, ponds, and traditional water bodies. The initiative promotes sustainable water management and community participation.

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The Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently entered the Guinness World Records by creating the world’s tallest underwater human stack at Swaraj Dweep. The record was achieved on 3 May 2026, when a team of divers formed an underwater human tower measuring 22.3 metres (73.16 feet). The feat required exceptional coordination, balance, buoyancy control, and teamwork among the divers. Building and maintaining a human pyramid underwater is significantly more challenging than on land due to water currents and buoyancy effects. The achievement has brought international recognition to Swaraj Dweep.

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The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), recently launched ‘RISA – Timeless Tribal’, a premium brand for tribal textiles, embroideries, and handicrafts. The initiative aims to create a distinct brand identity for tribal products and enhance market access for tribal artisans. It seeks to strengthen market linkages, promote design development, encourage product diversification, and showcase tribal heritage in premium domestic and international markets. The first RISA Store was inaugurated at Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

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The Gujarat Police recently conducted ‘Operation Milap’, a month-long statewide drive to trace missing persons and reunite them with their families. The operation was launched on 7 May 2026 and focused on reviewing and investigating pending missing persons cases across the state. During the campaign, police successfully traced 1,470 missing persons, including women, men, and children. The initiative relied on technical and human intelligence, mobile phone analysis, social media tracking, interstate coordination, and field investigations.

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The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) recently introduced a QR code-based vendor registration and monitoring system for street food vendors. The initiative enables citizens to provide feedback and hygiene ratings on the cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety standards maintained by street vendors. More than 8,700 street food vendors have been registered under the system.

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Reports indicate that many transgender persons in Delhi are facing difficulties in obtaining Pink Saheli smart cards, despite being eligible beneficiaries. Pink Saheli is a smart-card-based free bus travel scheme launched by the Delhi government. The scheme provides free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses. It is designed for women and transgender persons to improve mobility, accessibility, and social inclusion. The initiative aims to make public transport affordable and accessible, enabling better participation in economic and social activities.

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Indian Railways has approved a ₹201 crore project for installation of Kavach in the Ambala Division of Northern Railway. The project will cover 811 route kilometres of Broad Gauge railway sections across Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. It was developed by Research Designs and Standards Organisation, the R&D wing of Indian Railways. Kavach helps prevent Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) and reduces the risk of train collisions. The system can automatically apply brakes during unsafe situations and regulate train speed under critical conditions.

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Recently, the names of six military personnel martyred during Operation Sindoor were inscribed on the Tyag Chakra of the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The National War Memorial (Rashtriya Samar Smarak) was inaugurated in 2019 in New Delhi. It commemorates the sacrifices of Indian Armed Forces personnel since Independence. Itncomprises four concentric chakras- Amar Chakra (eternal flame and obelisk), Veerta Chakra (battle murals), Tyag Chakra (names of fallen soldiers), and Rakshak Chakra (trees symbolising protectors).