India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute launched a stock enhancement programme for short-neck clam (Paphia malabarica) in Ashtamudi Lake showing early signs of recovery. Short-neck clam is a valuable bivalve mollusk and India’s first Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified species. It is the major fishery resource of brackish water Ashtamudi Lake.

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Five products from Tamil Nadu received the Geographical Indications (GI – legal tag for regional products) status, raising the State’s total to 74 GI products. The products are Woraiyur cotton sari, Kavindapadi naatu sakkarai (jaggery powder), Thooyamalli rice, Namakkal makkal pathirangal (soapstone cookware), and Ambasamudram choppu saman (wooden toys). Woraiyur saris are woven in Tiruchi using cotton from Coimbatore and natural dyes. Kavindapadi jaggery is made from local sugarcane using slow juice evaporation. Thooyamalli is a 135–140 day sambha rice variety, applied by the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) support. Namakkal soapstone cookware gained approval through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) support.

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More than 1,500 academics protested in Kolkata against the Central government’s plan to repeal the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Act, 1959. The Indian Statistical Institute, founded by Professor Prasanta Chandra (P.C.) Mahalanobis on 17 December 1931 in Kolkata, is India’s key centre for statistical research, education, and training. The Act applies to ISI, its governing body, staff, and students, and grants autonomy to support its national role. The Act declared ISI an institution of national importance under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

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The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has established 9 new Technology Centres under the Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP), in addition to the existing 18 centres. Funds of Rs. 200.00 Crore have been allocated for the establishment and operation of Technology Centres under TCSP for the financial year 2025–26. The new and existing Technology Centres trained over 3.28 Lakh trainees in 2024–25, including MSME entrepreneurs and employees. The Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP) is implemented by Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). Information was provided by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for MSME, in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

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Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) set a world record by installing 45,911 solar agricultural pumps in one month. The achievement was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records at Auric City ground. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that this milestone strengthens Maharashtra’s leadership in off-grid solar pump deployment under PM-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) and Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana (MTSKPY). The initiative ensures irrigation security, increases farmer productivity and incomes, and reduces dependence on conventional energy sources. Maharashtra is now No. 1 in India for solar agriculture pump deployment.

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India inaugurated the world’s highest war memorial in Ladakh to honor the 20 soldiers who died in the Galwan Valley clash with Chinese forces on 15 June 2020. It was built under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative. It is made of red and black granite symbolizing sacrifice and valor, and designed in the shape of a trishul and damru reflecting divine energy and the Himalayas.

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The Union Cabinet has approved the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana, signalling a major overhaul of the country’s flagship rural employment scheme. The government has proposed increasing the guaranteed employment under the scheme from 100 days to 125 days per rural household per year. It has also planned to revise the minimum daily wage under the scheme to ₹240, along with additional budgetary allocations to support the expanded scope.

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The Government of India recently launched the Bharat Taxi initiative, a first-of-its-kind national ride-hailing platform designed to be cooperative-driven and citizen-first. The initiative is government-supported and has been developed under the Union Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative taxi network, providing an innovative model where drivers can become shareholders and co-owners, empowering them with a stake in the platform.

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Gujarat Government led by Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel approved the Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (IAIRO) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar. Gujarat became the first state in India to establish a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) research institution under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. IAIRO will start operations on 1 January 2026 as a non-profit under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. It will follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model via State Government, Central Government and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).

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Kerala launched the International Spice Routes Heritage Network to promote cultural tourism and research. The initiative leverages Kerala’s historic role in maritime spice trade to drive economic and tourism growth. The platform supports collaborative research, heritage conservation, archaeology, documentation, and museum development. The project aims to reconnect ancient trade routes, revive historical memories, and foster cross-border partnerships. Muziris and Kochi’s historical ports are highlighted as centres of global exchange of spices, ideas, and culture.