India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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On New Year, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) launched Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi), also called Wi-Fi Calling, across all telecom circles in India. VoWiFi allows voice calls and messages over a Wi-Fi network using the same mobile number and dialer. It works well in weak mobile signal areas like homes, basements, offices, and remote regions. The service is Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based, supporting smooth Wi-Fi to mobile handover. VoWiFi is free of cost, reduces network congestion, and supports rural connectivity with broadband access.

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SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) is an online pension management system for Department of Telecommunications (DoT) pensioners. It provides a single platform for processing, sanctioning, and disbursing pensions directly to bank accounts. Important pension documents like Gratuity Payment Orders, Pension Certificates/ePPOs, Pension Commutation Payment Orders, and Form 16 are now available via DigiLocker. DigiLocker integration allows pensioners to securely access, store, and retrieve official documents anytime, supporting paperless governance and long-term digital preservation.

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Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant inaugurated India’s first fully paperless district judiciary in Kalpetta, Wayanad, Kerala, on 6 January. All courts in Kalpetta district now operate entirely digitally, with electronic filings, digital scrutiny, and instant access through the District Court Case Management System (DCMS) developed in-house by Kerala High Court. The system improves access to justice, reduces litigation costs, removes geographical barriers, and enhances transparency and trust. AI-based tools help judges generate summaries, retrieve case details, annotate documents, and mark statutory provisions.

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The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in collaboration with the Keyi Panyor district administration, is developing India’s first “Bio-Happy District” in Arunachal Pradesh. It will focus on resident livelihoods, agro-biodiversity, and other ecological aspects within the district. Biohappiness, a concept coined by late agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, refers to well-being arising from biodiversity conservation and its use to improve human health, nutrition, and livelihoods. The concept emphasizes creating harmony between people and nature.

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The Ministry of Textiles launched the District-Led Textiles Transformation initiative at the National Textile Ministers Conference in Guwahati. It is a strategic programme to promote inclusive and sustainable growth in India’s textile sector. The aim is to develop 100 high-potential districts as Global Export Champions and transform 100 Aspirational Districts into self-reliant textile hubs. Districts are classified based on export performance, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ecosystem, and workforce availability.

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In Punjab, ‘Dhiyan Di Lohri’ (Lohri of Daughters) was celebrated in a Jalandhar village, honouring 5,100 newborn girls. Similar celebrations are being organized in various villages across the state. The celebrations aim to strengthen the national ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ movement. Celebrating the birth of daughters as a festival reflects progressive social change and promotes saving, educating, and empowering the girl child in society.

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Delhi government launched a unified emergency helpline number, 112, replacing multiple emergency numbers. Dialling 112 will alert police, fire services, ambulance, and disaster management simultaneously. Assistance can be sought via phone, mobile app, emergency button, SMS, or online platforms, even if the caller cannot speak. Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0, a modern unified system, will handle all emergency alerts at a single Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The system detects the caller’s location automatically and dispatches the nearest police, ambulance, or fire vehicle.

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The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the e-Shram portal (eshram.gov.in) on 26 August 2021 to create a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) including platform and migrant workers. The portal registers unorganised workers and issues a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis. NITI Aayog estimated 7.7 million workers in 2020-21, rising to 23.5 million by 2029-30. Budget 2025-26 includes identity cards and Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) healthcare coverage. This information was provided by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha

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The Department of Science and Technology (DST) strengthened India–Netherlands cooperation by launching the India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme and enabling an academic partnership in green energy. The fellowship is a national capacity-building initiative open to Indian doctoral, postdoctoral, and faculty researchers. It focuses on hydrogen system integration, safety, techno-economic analysis, life-cycle assessment, and indigenisation. DST also hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Groningen and 19 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

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Punjab Police has launched the second phase of the 72-hour-long Operation Prahar 2.0 to intensify action against gangsters and wanted criminals. This phase follows the success of Phase One, in which over 3,000 people were arrested and 69 weapons were recovered within 72 hours. The operation focuses on cracking down on organised crime networks across Punjab. Citizens are encouraged to support the drive by anonymously sharing information on criminals through the Anti-Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.