India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, launched SPARK–4.0 (2025–26), the fourth edition of the Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK). The program aims to ignite scientific curiosity and research aptitude among undergraduate Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) students across India. 300 BAMS students from National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) recognized colleges will receive a studentship of ₹50,000 (₹25,000 per month for two months). SPARK provides short-term independent research projects under faculty mentorship, covering research methodology, experimental design, and data analysis. The program fosters a research-oriented generation of Ayurveda professionals and strengthens the Ayush research ecosystem.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the establishment of a new National Security Guard (NSG) hub at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh on October 14, 2025. This will join the six existing NSG hubs in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Jammu, where commandos are stationed 24×7. NSG commandos at Ayodhya will be ready to respond immediately to terrorist threats in their zone. The government will focus on continuous training, sharing best practices, and ensuring physical fitness of NSG and State anti-terror units. NSG has surveyed over 770 critical locations and created a data bank for counter-terror planning.

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Union Minister George Kurian launched the Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 and VyAS–BHARAT and VyAS–SUTRA apps in Kochi. The Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 marks India’s first fully digital and geo-referenced fisheries census, replacing paper-based surveys. It will cover 1.2 million fisher households across 5,000 coastal villages in 13 States and Union Territories, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The census will collect granular socio-economic data, including income, housing, loans, insurance, and COVID-19 impact. It will map Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen the fisheries value chain.

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The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched an awareness drive called the ‘Garbage Dumping Festival’ to discourage littering. In this campaign, civic marshals dump collected garbage in front of houses of residents caught throwing waste on streets. The initiative began in Banashankari and aims to shame habitual litterers and promote clean neighbourhoods. On the first day, garbage was dumped at 218 houses, and ₹2.8 lakh in fines was collected. The campaign targets residents who dump waste on roadsides, footpaths, and vacant plots, despite daily waste collection by auto-tippers. The dumped waste is later cleared by civic workers after the awareness act.

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Recently, Ambaji Marble received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its high-quality white stone. Ambaji Marble is named after Ambaji town in Gujarat, where it is mainly quarried. It is known for its milky white colour, natural beauty, and strong durability. It often shows subtle grey or beige veins formed naturally by minerals during its creation. Ambaji Marble is widely used in temples, memorials, religious structures, and iconic buildings, including the famous Ambaji Temple.

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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 Arunachal Pradesh ‘dao’, a traditional handcrafted blade, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, officially recognising its cultural and economic value. The dao is hand-forged by master artisans using techniques passed down through generations. Each dao reflects functional utility, courage, tribal identity, and cultural endurance. GI certification will improve market access, safeguard authentic production, and open new avenues for artisans.

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Recently, a large mock drill named “Vishanu Sankraman Pratirodh Abhyas” was held in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh under the National One Health Mission (NOHM) in November, 2025. The drill tested India’s pandemic preparedness and intersectoral coordination against zoonotic disease outbreaks. It simulated an outbreak of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever affecting both humans and animals to assess investigation, pathogen identification and containment in real time. The exercise was led by the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) with experts from human health, veterinary and wildlife sectors.

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Recently, a joint team of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Delhi Police busted a mega trans-national methamphetamine cartel under Operation “Crystal Fortress.” A record seizure of 328 kg of high-quality methamphetamine worth ₹262 crore was made from a house in Chhatarpur, Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the team and highlighted the government’s top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top strategy against drug networks for a drug-free India. NCB urged citizens to report drug-related information through MANAS – National Narcotics Helpline Toll-Free Number 1933.

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Punjab Assembly unanimously declared Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, and walled city of Amritsar as holy cities. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a world-class university in the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib. The university will focus on high-quality education, research, interfaith dialogue, and studies on human rights, peace, and sacrifice. The initiative aims to develop Anandpur Sahib as a spiritual and academic centre.