India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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More than 1,500 academics protested in Kolkata against the Central government’s plan to repeal the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Act, 1959. The Indian Statistical Institute, founded by Professor Prasanta Chandra (P.C.) Mahalanobis on 17 December 1931 in Kolkata, is India’s key centre for statistical research, education, and training. The Act applies to ISI, its governing body, staff, and students, and grants autonomy to support its national role. The Act declared ISI an institution of national importance under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

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Tamil Nadu has launched a Community-based Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (CbMRV) system to create a people-led climate intelligence movement, strengthening grassroots participation in climate action and decision-making. The CbMRV system was introduced as a pilot in 2023 under the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme, with the aim of testing community-driven climate data mechanisms. The core concept of CbMRV is to empower local communities to actively collect, validate, and report climate and environmental data, rather than relying solely on top-down institutional assessments.

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The Government has launched the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) to create a comprehensive digital database of livestock and related services across India, as informed to Parliament. The mission aims to improve livestock productivity, breed improvement, disease surveillance, traceability of livestock products, and farmer-centric service delivery. So far, about 9.5 crore livestock owners have been registered and 35.96 crore animals have been issued Pashu Aadhaar. The digital backbone of NDLM is the Bharat Pashudhan platform, supported by mobile and web applications for field workers.

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India and the Netherlands signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is a flagship project of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to showcase India’s 4,500–5,000-year-old maritime legacy. It is located in Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It will be India’s first comprehensive national institution dedicated exclusively to maritime heritage.

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Gujarat’s Dahod district implements the UNICEF-supported Pa Pa Pagli initiative in Anganwadi centres for children aged 3–6 years. Pa Pa Pagli (First Steps of the Child) is a play-based pre-school education programme by the Gujarat Women and Child Development Department. It targets children in educationally backward districts to improve learning outcomes and confidence. It focuses on life-skills like social interaction, communication, hygiene, and routine habits. It transforms Anganwadis from nutrition and health centres to early cognitive development hubs. It uses digital and visual aids, with UNICEF India providing technical support.

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President Droupadi Murmu will attend a special programme under SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness on January 1 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness is an initiative of the Skill India Mission. The programme is organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to enhance India’s workforce preparedness for an AI-driven future. The programme includes a special “AI for Beginners” session led by a globally renowned AI expert in collaboration with Google, the ministry’s principal AI skilling partner.

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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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Uttar Pradesh Governor’s official residence has been renamed from Raj Bhavan to Jan Bhavan. The name change was announced by the state government and is now in effect. The decision follows guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The new name will be used for all official and statutory purposes. The move aims to standardise the names of Governors’ residences across India. It reflects a nationwide initiative to bring uniformity in official nomenclature.

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An air show by the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran aerobatic team was held over Gangapur Dam in Nashik district. Gangapur Dam is an earthfill dam built on the River Godavari near Nashik in Maharashtra. It is the longest earthen reservoir in Asia, stretching about 9.8 kilometers with a height of 36.6 meters. The dam has a curved structure with a centrally located spillway.

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Madhya Pradesh has declared 2026 as the “Year of Agriculture,” announced by Governor Mangu Bhai Patel. Agriculture budget increased from ₹600 crore in 2002-03 to over ₹27,000 crore in 2024-25. A multifaceted agricultural development model with 10 activities is being implemented, including technology transfer, income enhancement, natural farming, marketing, export, innovation, and digital transparency. e-Mandi scheme covers 259 markets with 40 lakh farmers registered. Animal husbandry and milk production are being promoted; cow shelter grants doubled and 1,200 new milk cooperatives formed.