India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, launched SIDDHI 2.0 in Vijayawada. SIDDHI means Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare and Integration. The two day national conclave was organised by Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The event promotes research based product development and industry partnerships in Ayurveda. The platform supports start ups, shared Intellectual Property Rights and global quality standards.

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Israel approved a plan to bring all the remaining 5,800 Bnei Menashe people from India over the next five years. Bnei Menashe is an ethnic community from Mizoram and Manipur in North-East India. They claim descent from the biblical Tribe of Manasseh, one of the lost tribes of Israel. They were Christians who later adopted Judaism and follow Jewish customs and festivals. Historians believe they came to India around 300 to 500 years ago. After contact with Israel in the 1980s, they adopted modern Jewish education and practices. About half the community has already migrated and taken Israeli citizenship. Around 1,200 will move by 2026 and the remaining 4,600 by 2030, completing the migration.

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) asked all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to nominate teachers for the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM). National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) is a flagship scheme of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It connects Mentors (guides) with Mentees (teachers) to share skills and improve teaching quality. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) designed the mission and released the NMM Blue Book.

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Assam Government launched the “Sainik Tujhe Salaam” initiative on Armed Forces Flag Day to honour veterans above 90 years, Veer Naris and Veer Mothers. The programme was attended by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhavan. Tributes were paid to martyrs and serving soldiers across the country. The initiative includes annual home visits by district administration and Zila Sainik Welfare Offices to honour families. Assam supports 41,968 ex-servicemen and 10,361 Veer Naris through veteran welfare offices.

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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 National Sanskrit University recently organised a symposium, panel discussion, and exhibition highlighting the unique spiritual and cultural association of the Chenchu tribal community with the Ahobilam shrine and Lord Narasimha. The Chenchus are a food-gathering tribal community that primarily inhabits the Nallamalai forest region of Andhra Pradesh. The Chenchu community is officially classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Andhra Pradesh due to its socio-economic conditions. Besides Andhra Pradesh, Chenchu populations are also found in the states of Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha.

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The Maharashtra government has imposed a complete ban on physical and mental punishment in schools, reinforcing Section 17 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. A new government resolution makes it clear that teachers, headmasters, and temporary or contractual staff cannot punish students under any circumstances. The order also prohibits verbal abuse, taunting, offensive language, and any behaviour causing psychological distress or inferiority among students. Discrimination based on academic performance, caste, religion, gender, language, disability, or socio-economic background will be treated as a punishable offence. Teachers are barred from non-academic communication with students through personal messages or social media.

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The President of India graced a special programme under Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) Programme. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The programme aims to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning into school education and training systems. It prepares students and teachers for a fast-changing digital world and AI-based careers. The government has allocated ₹500 crore to set up a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education.

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India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for road construction. Bitumen is a black, viscous mixture of hydrocarbons from crude oil, used as a binder in roads. Bio-bitumen production will help reduce pollution from crop residue burning and supports the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The initiative aligns with Waste to Wealth mission and supports Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

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Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a cancer screening mobile unit called ‘Asha Van’ in Gandhinagar. The van is equipped with EVA-Pro diagnostics, a mammography unit, and expert teleconsultation facilities for early detection and diagnosis of cancer. It can screen for 10 types of cancer, including lung, oral, blood, cervical, pancreatic, liver, breast, and prostate cancers, using ultra-modern equipment at any location. The initiative supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Health and Wellness for All’, particularly benefiting rural areas.