India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Chillai Kalan is a 40-day period of the harshest winter cold in Kashmir, starting 21 December and ending 30 January. The term Chillai Kalan comes from Persian, meaning “Major Cold.” It is followed by Chillai-Khurd (Small Cold) for 20 days from 31 January–19 February, and Chillai-Bacha (Baby Cold) for 10 days from 20 February–2 March. This period brings widespread snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and strong cold waves in Kashmir. Heavy snowfall during Chillai Kalan recharges water reservoirs, supporting rivers, lakes and streams in summer.

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In Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat laid the foundation stone of the Bhoramdev Corridor Development Project at Bhoramdev Dham, Kabirdham district. The project is part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 of the Central Government. The corridor will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹146 crore, modeled on the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi. Bhoramdev Temple, known as the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh, is famous for its ancient architecture and religious significance. The corridor will provide modern facilities for pilgrims and tourists.

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Government e-Marketplace (GeM) marked seven years of the Womaniya initiative, which promotes women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement. The Womaniya initiative was launched by the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). It was launched on 14 January 2019, Womaniya provides a direct, transparent, fully digital platform for women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). As of 14 January 2026, over two lakh women-led MSEs are registered on GeM. These enterprises have secured orders worth over ₹80,000 crore, accounting for 4.7% of total GeM procurement, exceeding the mandated 3%.

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Punjab has opened its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana as a pilot project. The initiative will be replicated across the state. The sanctuary aims to reduce dog bite cases in the city. It will operate according to Supreme Court guidelines.

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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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Researchers from IIT Guwahati have developed a predictive framework identifying 492 locations in the Eastern Himalayas where glacial lakes are likely to form. The study used high-resolution Google Earth images and digital elevation models to capture complex landscape features and estimate prediction uncertainties. The framework can guide early-warning systems for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and assist in planning safer sites for roads, hydropower projects, settlements, and long-term water-resource management.

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The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in collaboration with the Central Sanskrit University (CSU), successfully completed a 15-day transliteration capacity-building workshop on Ayurvedic manuscripts in Kerala. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) functions under the Ministry of Ayush. The programme was organised under a MoU between CCRAS and CSU as part of a national initiative to document, digitise, and promote research use of classical Ayurvedic manuscripts.

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The Uttarakhand Government has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, following approval by the Governor, and it has come into force with immediate effect. The ordinance was promulgated under Article 213 of the Constitution of India to introduce procedural, administrative, and penal reforms to the UCC Act, 2024 for smoother and more transparent implementation. The amendments aim to promote women’s empowerment, protect children’s rights, ensure equality in civil rights, and simplify legal procedures.

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India launched its first pilot for an Artificial Intelligence (AI)–enabled university at Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) partnered with Google Cloud and CCSU for this initiative. The project was announced at Google’s AI for Learning Forum in Delhi. Google Cloud’s Gemini platform will support teaching, learning, and university administration. Students will get personalised AI tutors, skill-gap analysis, and career-linked learning support.

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Bihar approved the first three grain ATM machines in Patna as a pilot project. Grain ATM, also called Annapurti, is an automated machine dispensing wheat or rice. The technology was developed by the World Food Programme in collaboration with the Food Corporation of India and state governments. Machines operate 24×7 and can be solar-powered. They use internet connectivity to access the Public Distribution System database and the profile of Below Poverty Line cardholders.