India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Seventeen families of the Paliyar Tribe in Dindigul district petitioned the District Collector to recognise their settlement as a formal village. The Paliyar Tribe is an indigenous community living mainly in the hilly regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are also known as Paliyans, Pazhaiyarares, and Panaiyars, based on region and history. Traditionally, they lived across Dindigul district and the Sirumalai and Palani hills near the Western Ghats. They speak a Tamil-related Dravidian dialect.

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India has become the world’s largest rice producer, surpassing China with a total output of 150.18 million tonnes. The announcement was made by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The achievement reflects improved farming practices and effective agricultural policies. Use of high-yielding and climate-resilient seed varieties has boosted production. Alongside this milestone, 184 new varieties of 25 different crops were released. These new varieties aim to increase crop productivity and farmer incomes. The initiative strengthens India’s competitiveness in global agricultural markets.

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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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Indore declared a waterborne disease outbreak as an epidemic after reported fatalities in Bhagirathpura, marking a serious public health emergency. The declaration prompted immediate emergency containment and response measures. Special teams from central and state agencies were deployed to identify the source of contamination. Experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) assisted in the investigation. Authorities are examining whether pipeline leaks caused single or multiple contamination points, emphasizing the need for infrastructure safety.

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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 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recently conducted a high-altitude rescue and road restoration operation under Project Sampark. The operation took place at Chatergala Pass. It is located at 10,500 ft in the Bhaderwah–Chatergala axis of Jammu region, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Chatergala Pass is a high mountain pass connecting Bani in Kathua district to Bhaderwah in Doda district. It lies in the Chamba-Doda ranges of the greater Himalayas.

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PANCHAM (Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot) is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It is a flagship digital tool launched to empower Panchayat Elected Representatives and Functionaries. It works as a digital companion providing guidance, simplified workflows, and easy access to governance information. It enables direct two-way digital communication between the Government of India and Panchayats.

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India’s first flat rolled products (FRP) aluminium unit was inaugurated at Hindalco’s Aditya Aluminium plant in Lapanga, Sambalpur, Odisha. A Rs 834-crore specialised battery foil unit was also inaugurated, and foundation laid for a Rs 21,162-crore smelter plant expansion. The projects are expected to create over 5,000 jobs, boost downstream manufacturing, and generate new livelihood opportunities.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Samikshya portal for real-time monitoring of development projects. It tracks works funded under the State Finance Commission (SFC) and Central Finance Commission (CFC) grants. Citizens, officials, and elected representatives can monitor projects like roads, drinking water, sanitation, street lights, parks, and public utilities. It emphasizes equity, regional balance, and the needs of rural and urban bodies. The portal aims to improve transparency, accountability, and timely execution of grassroots projects.

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The Union Finance Minister announced the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative in the Union Budget 2026–27 initiative to strengthen India’s biopharmaceutical sector. Biopharma SHAKTI stands for Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation. It aims to make India a global hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The initiative will support domestic production of biologics and biosimilars. It will build a biopharma-focused network with three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).