India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Five persons were injured in a recent landslide at the Rattle Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is an 850 MW run-of-river hydroelectric power plant on the Chenab River. The project is developed by Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation (RHPCL), a joint venture of Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) holds 51% and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) holds 49% equity.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Makhana Board in Purnea, Bihar. A development package of about ₹475 crore has been approved for the makhana sector. Makhana, scientifically called Euryale ferox and also known as fox nut, is an aquatic crop grown in stagnant ponds and wetlands. Its edible seeds are small, round, and black to brown, earning it the name ‘Black Diamond.’ Bihar produces nearly 90% of India’s makhana, especially Mithilanchal and Seemanchal regions. It is also grown in Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha, and countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and Korea. In 2022, Mithila Makhana received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

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The Union Home Minister-led high-level committee approved Phase-2 of the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (UFRMP). The programme aims to help states mitigate urban flooding through structural and non-structural measures. Eleven cities are included: Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Guwahati, Jaipur, Kanpur, Patna, Raipur, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam, Indore, and Lucknow. Cities were selected based on population, flood-prone status, and physical, environmental, socio-economic, and hydro-meteorological factors. Funding follows the National Disaster Management Fund (NDMF) guidelines: 90% Centre, 10% state contribution.

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Rajasthan’s first ‘Namo Biodiversity Park’ was inaugurated at Pratap Bandh, Alwar with a symbolic tree plantation ceremony. The park is named ‘NAMO VAN’ and aims to serve as a green lung for the region. It will enhance local greenery, contribute to cleaner air, and promote environmental awareness among visitors. The park encourages citizens to adopt environment-friendly and sustainable lifestyles. It marks a milestone in Rajasthan’s green infrastructure development. The initiative supports India’s biodiversity conservation and climate action goals.

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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 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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Researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have recently revived the traditional black rice Adam Chini using mutagenesis, making it shorter, faster-maturing, and higher-yielding without losing its aroma. Adam Chini, also called Adamchini Chawal, is an aromatic black rice with sugar crystal–like grains and strong fragrance. It is traditionally grown in Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh in the Vindhya foothills. It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag on 22 February 2023, valid till November 2030.

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The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) set up the Earth System Sciences Council (ESSC) to improve coordination across its institutes. ESSC integrates five autonomous institutes under one governance framework. It is chaired by the Union Minister for Earth Sciences for a whole-of-government approach. Institutes keep their original mandates but follow shared committees, a unified annual report and common administrative oversight. ESSC strengthens climate services, disaster preparedness, ocean research, atmospheric studies and public outreach.

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The Jal Shakti Ministry reported receiving 17,036 complaints of financial irregularities and poor-quality works under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) over the last three years and the current year. Uttar Pradesh accounted for 14,264 complaints (84%), the highest among all States. Actions have been taken against 621 departmental officials, 969 contractors, and 153 Third-Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs) nationwide. Other States reporting complaints include Assam (1,236), Tripura (376), Rajasthan (183), Maharashtra (154), Karnataka (169), and West Bengal (173); some States reported none. States are responsible for inquiry and corrective action, with actions already reported in several cases. The JJM, launched in 2019, aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households.