India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Jammu & Kashmir inaugurated its first Gen Z Post Office at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Vijaypur, making it the first AIIMS in India to host such a facility. The initiative is part of the Department of Posts’ broader plan to modernise campus post offices into youth-centric, technology-enabled service hubs. The Gen Z Post Office is designed for Generation Z, featuring a modern ambience, digital payment facilities, simplified services, and integrated access to postal, banking, and insurance services. The facility aims to raise awareness about postal savings schemes, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) services.

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In Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, farmer-led natural farming is reducing crop loss, soil degradation and distress migration. The change is driven through the Joint Initiative for Village Advancement (JIVA) programme. JIVA was launched by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). It is implemented under NABARD’s existing watershed and wadi programmes. The programme promotes agroecology principles for long-term farming sustainability. It focuses on improving soil health, crop resilience and farm incomes. JIVA aims to strengthen existing social and natural capital in villages. It encourages farmers to shift gradually towards natural farming practices.

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Around 20,000 people in Palghar district protested against the Vadhavan Port project due to environmental concerns. Vadhavan Port is a proposed all-weather greenfield deep-draft major port in Palghar district, about 140 kilometres north of Mumbai, Maharashtra. The port has a natural depth of 20 metres, suitable for large container and bulk cargo ships. It is being developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Maharashtra Maritime Board. The total project cost is ₹76,220 crore and it is planned to be completed by 2034.

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The Government increased the Central Silk Board’s financial approval limit to ₹1 crore from ₹50 lakh by amending Rule 22 of the Central Silk Board Rules, 1955. The Central Silk Board is a statutory body established in 1948 by an Act of Parliament. It functions under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The headquarters of the Central Silk Board is located in Bengaluru. It advises the Central Government on development of the silk industry, including import and export of raw silk. It prepares reports on the silk sector as required by the Government.

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SAMPANN pension management system has been integrated with the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) platform. The initiative helps pensioners access Pension Payment Order (PPO) number and Life Certificate (LC) validity anytime. It is developed by the Office of the Controller General of Communication Accounts. The integration improves ease of access, transparency, and digital service delivery for pensioners. UMANG provides a single platform for Central, State, and Local Government services under Digital India. SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) was dedicated to the nation in 2018. It digitises the entire pension lifecycle, ensuring pensioner-centric governance and direct bank payments.

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Indian Railways introduced a humanoid robot named ASC ARJUN at Visakhapatnam Railway Station to enhance passenger safety, security, and service. This is the first deployment of its kind on the Indian Railways network, reflecting a focus on innovation and indigenous development. It assists RPF personnel with intrusion detection via Face Recognition System, AI-based crowd monitoring, and real-time alerts. The robot can make automated announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu, guide passengers, and improve safety awareness.

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Rajasthan launched Raj-UNNATI, an initiative inspired by PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation), an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based platform. It aims to resolve delays in key projects, government schemes, and public grievances. Projects of both Central and State governments are reviewed through videoconferencing. It was launched after the Prime Minister suggested states replicate the PRAGATI model. Rajasthan is the first state to adopt it, as praised by the Cabinet Secretary.

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Recently, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti inaugurated 25 JALAJ Livelihood Centres. JALAJ is a joint initiative of the Namami Gange Mission and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). It aims to link Ganga river conservation with sustainable livelihoods in the Ganga river basin. The initiative follows a circular economy model by training local people in eco-friendly livelihood practices. It promotes community ownership of conservation with special focus on women’s participation. JALAJ creates a symbiotic relationship between rivers and local communities.

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Indian Railways operationalised India’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)–Diesel dual-fuel Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad. The 1,400 horsepower (HP) DEMU driving power cars were converted to run on a dual-fuel system. LNG replaces about 40% of conventional diesel consumption in the modified train. The converted power cars successfully completed field trials covering over 2,000 kilometres. The train is now running in regular passenger service without operational issues. The initiative reduces carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions significantly.

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Oil India carried out seismic studies in blocks won under the ninth round to plan bidding for the tenth round. The Open Acreage Licensing Policy was introduced by the Government of India under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy. It replaced the New Exploration and Licensing Policy that operated for over eighteen years. Under this policy, companies can choose and explore oil and gas blocks on their own. Exploration can begin without waiting for government notifications. The policy also allows access to seismic data from the National Data Repository.