India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Recently, the Union Environment Ministry extended the validity of infrastructure projects approved under the 2011 Islands Protection Zone (IPZ) notification. IPZ was notified in 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to protect island ecosystems. It aims to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands. IPZ is similar to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which applies to mainland coastal areas. It includes Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) for major islands like North, Middle, South, and Little Andaman.

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The 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) is inaugurated at Government Medical College, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. It is launched by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) provides integrated services like assessment, counselling, distribution, and aftercare for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) and senior citizens. It is implemented through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

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Recently, Maharashtra became the first state in India to give agricultural status to livestock and poultry farming. The decision was approved by the Maharashtra Cabinet to support rural economy and animal husbandry. Livestock farmers will now get benefits like crop farmers, including subsidies, low tariffs, and credit access. This move bridges the policy gap between crop cultivators and livestock farmers. Farmers can now avail subsidies on electricity, solar pumps, and interest on loans.

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On July 21, 2025, Minister of State for Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, shared NCAP progress data in the Lok Sabha. Under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), only 25 out of 130 cities met the 40% PM10 reduction target by 2024-25. NCAP was launched in 2019 to cut PM2.5 and PM10 by 20%-30% by 2024 from 2017 levels. In 2022, the target was revised to a 40% reduction in PM10 by 2025-26. Cities in Uttar Pradesh showed the highest reduction in PM10 levels. Bareilly topped the list with 76% reduction, followed by Varanasi (74.3%) and Firozabad (59.5%). Dehradun (57.2%) in Uttarakhand also showed sharp improvement.

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Recently, Indian Railways successfully tested India’s first hydrogen-powered coach at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. This marks a major step in India’s shift towards clean and green transportation. The tested coach is a 1,200 Horse Power (HP) hydrogen train under development. It is part of the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative to run 35 hydrogen-powered trains on heritage and hill routes. Each train will cost ₹80 crore, with ₹70 crore for supporting ground infrastructure per route. Hydrogen fuel offers zero carbon emissions, supporting India’s clean energy transition.

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Many ex-servicemen recently reported that SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha) has made pension access difficult due to complex interface and unresolved corrections. SPARSH is a web-based pension system launched by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It aims to manage pension sanction and disbursement for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Civilians. The system is run by the Defence Accounts Department through the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj. It removes third-party intermediaries and directly deposits pensions into bank accounts. SPARSH covers the full pension cycle: initiation, sanction, disbursement, revision, and grievance redressal.

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Telangana has recorded the highest number of organ donations in India. The state was awarded by the Central Government on National Organ Donation Day in Delhi. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash (J.P.) Nadda gave the award to Telangana’s Jeevandan programme team. As per the Union Health Ministry, Telangana had 4.88 organ donations per 10 lakh population in 2024. The national average for organ donation stood at 0.8 per 10 lakh population. The award was given by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).

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The West Bengal government launched the Amader Para Amader Samadhan (Our Neighbourhood, Our Solution) programme on 2nd August 2025. It aims to deliver governance directly to people’s doorsteps. It is a flagship initiative to promote participatory governance and fast-track local problem-solving. The main goal is on-the-spot grievance resolution by connecting citizens with officials. The programme will run till 3rd November 2025.

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The Ministry of Law and Justice launched the Notary Portal to provide online services under the Notaries Act, 1952 and Notaries Rules, 1956. It connects Notaries appointed by the Central Government with the Government of India for various services. The portal ensures a faceless, paperless, transparent, and efficient system. Currently, modules for eligibility verification and issuance of digitally signed Certificates of Practice to new Notaries are live. As of 31 July 2025, over 34,900 such certificates have been issued across States and Union Territories. This information was shared by Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Rajya Sabha.

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Recently, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis launched the ‘Garud Drishti’ social media monitoring and cyber intelligence project in Nagpur to curb online hate, misinformation, and cybercrime. ₹10 crore recovered from cybercrime cases was distributed to victims during the event. The tool will help police detect hate posts, anti-India propaganda, caste-tension content, and online drug sales. It will be extended to other units to strengthen state-wide law and order.