India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Recently, European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were invited as Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations. They will visit India from 25–27 January and co-chair the 16th India–European Union (EU) Summit on 27 January. Both leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An India–EU Business Forum will be held alongside the summit. India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004. The last summit was held virtually in July 2020.

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Recently, Maharashtra launched the ‘Arunodaya’ Mission for statewide sickle cell screening in 21 high-prevalence districts. The drive runs from 15 January to 7 February, covering tribal and high-risk populations. It is implemented by the Maharashtra Public Health and Family Welfare Department under Chief Minister guidance. It provides free screening, diagnostics, medicines, blood transfusions, and telemedicine services. Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary haemoglobin disorder causing sickle-shaped red blood cells, chronic anaemia, pain crises, infections, and organ damage.

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The Bembla Irrigation Project is located in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra in the drought-prone Vidarbha region. It is a multipurpose irrigation project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). The project involves a dam on the Bembla River, a tributary of the Wardha River, near Babhulgaon. It aims to create irrigation potential for about 52,543 hectares benefiting over 100 villages. By early 2026, more than 95% canal and distribution works were completed with micro-irrigation focus.

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is organizing a National Award Ceremony for Model Youth Gram Sabha winners. Model Youth Gram Sabha is a simulated Gram Sabha forum for school students inspired by the Model United Nations (UN). It aims to strengthen Janbhagidari (people’s participation) and participatory local governance among youth. Model Youth Gram Sabha is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

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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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To address malnutrition, Anganwadi Services, Poshan Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent Girls have been merged under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0). It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by States and Union Territories (UTs) for children under 6, pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls in Aspirational Districts and North-Eastern region. The mission focuses on reducing malnutrition, anaemia, stunting and wasting through community engagement and behavioural change. Supplementary Nutrition is provided as per National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 with revised balanced norms. Poshan Tracker monitors real-time data on nutrition indicators.

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All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi became the first in India to announce a face transplant programme. The Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery started a registry for patients with severe facial deformities and loss of functions like breathing and blinking. Face transplantation uses tissue from a deceased donor to restore facial function and appearance. Around 80 face transplants have been done worldwide, recently in Spain. Patients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection. The programme focuses on ethical screening, counselling and multidisciplinary support.

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India plans to stop surplus water of the Ravi River from flowing into Pakistan by completing the Shahpur Kandi Dam. The Shahpur Kandi Dam project is located on the Ravi River in Pathankot district of Punjab, near the Jammu and Kashmir–Punjab border. It is built downstream of the Ranjit Sagar Dam, which already stores river water. Water released from Ranjit Sagar Dam will be used in Shahpur Kandi Dam to generate electricity. The project was declared a National Project in 2008. Punjab government funds 80 percent of the cost, while the Central Government provides 20 percent.

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Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, launched NIGRANI App, Haj Wrist Band and Artificial Intelligence chatbots during Chintan Shivir at Nalanda University. The event was organised by Ministry of Minority Affairs to focus on infrastructure and socio economic empowerment of minorities. NIGRANI App was launched under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram to monitor infrastructure projects in minority concentrated areas. The app ensures transparency, real time monitoring and better implementation. Haj Wrist Band and Artificial Intelligence chatbots aim to improve Haj management and service delivery.