India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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National Family Health Survey-6 was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2023–24 with International Institute for Population Sciences as the nodal agency, covering 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts. The survey recorded improvements in maternal and child healthcare, with institutional deliveries rising to 90.6%, antenatal care coverage improving, and greater use of iron-folic acid supplements during pregnancy. India’s Total Fertility Rate remained at 2.0. Child immunisation improved significantly, with full vaccination coverage rising to 87.1% and rotavirus vaccination increasing sharply.

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The latest Prison Statistics Report 2024 released by the National Crime Records Bureau showed that prison occupancy in India declined to 112.7% in 2024, the lowest in a decade, but overcrowding remains a major issue. India has about 1,333 prisons with a capacity of 4.53 lakh inmates, while the actual prison population exceeded 5.11 lakh in 2024. Overcrowding is mainly driven by the high proportion of undertrial prisoners, who constituted around 73% of the total inmate population in 2024. Delhi recorded the highest prison occupancy rate in the country at 194%, while Delhi and Bihar had the highest share of undertrial prisoners at over 87%.

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Visakhapatnam (Vizag) has been selected to host Andhra Pradesh’s first India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) project. The project is a ₹2,388 crore Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility. The facility will be developed by Advanced System in Package Technologies. It will be located at Tarluwada village, Anandapuram mandal, Visakhapatnam district. The OSAT unit will manufacture advanced System-in-Package (SiP) modules for mobile phones, automotive systems, and communication technologies.

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Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) are a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched in 1998. The scheme aims to provide quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from Classes 6 to 12 in remote tribal areas. The programme was revamped in 2018-19 to expand its reach and improve educational infrastructure. Recently, National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) signed an MoU with Learning Links Foundation to implement the Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) programme in EMRSs.

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Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan is a flagship water conservation initiative of Madhya Pradesh. The campaign has recently gained international recognition as a successful model of water conservation. During the Sadanira Samagam held in Bhopal, diplomats from several countries appreciated the campaign and expressed interest in adopting similar models. It focuses on the rejuvenation of rivers, ponds, and traditional water bodies. The initiative promotes sustainable water management and community participation.

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Bhakra Dam recently came into the news after the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) detected an outward tilt in its main wall and commissioned an emergency study. It is a concrete gravity dam built across the Sutlej River. The dam is located near Bhakra village in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, close to the Punjab-Himachal border. It is the highest straight gravity dam in the world with a height of about 207.26 metres. It is Asia’s second tallest dam, after the Tehri Dam.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently launched the Land Port Management System (LPMS) – ‘VINIMAY’ in New Delhi. The system has been developed by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) to modernize and strengthen border management. LPMS aims to facilitate secure and efficient movement of people and goods across India’s land borders while enhancing trade and connectivity. It is designed to meet the requirements of all stakeholders with a strong focus on security and seamless operations.

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National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for the development of the 3,097 MW Etalin Hydroelectric Project. The project is located in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, on the Dri and Talo rivers, which are tributaries of the Dibang River. It is among the largest hydropower projects in India in terms of installed capacity. The project will be developed as two run-of-the-river schemes with concrete gravity dams and an underground powerhouse. The area lies in a mega-biodiversity hotspot and is inhabited by the Idu-Mishmi tribe.

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The Kiru Hydroelectric Power Project in Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir, has entered its final phase, with over 83% of construction completed. It is a 624 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric project being developed on the Chenab River. The project is located between the Kirthai II project (upstream) and the Kwar project (downstream). It includes a 135-metre concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse with four 156 MW Francis turbines.

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The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2.0 portal and the Electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) Card were launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The initiatives aim to strengthen digital governance, simplify regulatory compliance, and improve citizen services. The FCRA 2.0 Portal digitises processes such as registration, renewal, annual return filing, and other services under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). It also incorporates the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, and supports future features like an AI chatbot and mobile access. The e-OCI Card enables the entire OCI application process to be completed online, including application submission, document upload, and digital card download.