India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre recently identified a sophisticated phishing campaign targeting Apple iPhone users whose devices were lost or stolen. I4C issued an advisory warning users about cyber fraud and phishing attempts. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It serves as the national nodal agency for combating cybercrime in India. I4C provides a coordinated framework for law enforcement agencies to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute cybercrimes.

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Department of Telecommunications introduced new citizen-friendly reforms under the PM-WANI framework to improve public Wi-Fi access across India. The reforms include QR-code-based authentication for laptops and secondary devices, flexible short-duration Wi-Fi plans, and standardised PMWANI hotspot names. PM-WANI was launched by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications.

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Kerala launched Project Zero, an anti-corruption campaign aimed at making the state corruption-free through a phased and systematic process. The government announced a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and urged citizens to report bribery and corruption directly to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB). The campaign seeks to ensure delivery of government services without bribery and promises confidentiality for whistleblowers and complainants. The motto of the initiative is “Together let’s build a corruption-free Kerala.”

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The Ministry of Defence has approved a 250 MW Solar Power Project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. The project will be developed on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land and is the first large-scale solar-plus-storage project on defence land in India. It aims to enhance energy security, promote renewable energy, and ensure optimum utilisation of vacant defence land. The project is expected to reduce dependence on conventional power sources and lower electricity procurement costs for defence establishments.

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The Government will establish 700 SHE-Marts (Self Help Entrepreneur Marts) and 1,000 district fulfilment centres to strengthen market access for women-led enterprises. This initiative aims to support the creation of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by increasing income opportunities for rural women. SHE-Marts have been launched under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The scheme focuses on enterprise promotion, financial inclusion, capacity building, and marketing support for Self-Help Group (SHG) members. SHE-MARTs will be established in high-potential commercial locations to provide sustainable market access for SHG products.

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Recently, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority increased the ceiling prices of two platinum-based cancer drugs by 50% due to rising raw material costs and shortages. NPPA is an independent drug pricing regulator that ensures the availability and affordability of medicines in India. It was established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

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The Qadian–Beas Railway Line Project in Punjab has been revived after remaining pending for nearly a century. The project involves the construction of a 39.68-km broad-gauge railway line connecting Qadian (Gurdaspur district) and Beas (Amritsar district). It will be developed by Northern Railway at an estimated cost of ₹1,400 crore. The corridor will pass through Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala, and Sathiala and include 2 crossing stations, 11 major bridges, 121 minor bridges, and 54 road under bridges. The line will be equipped with Kavach, India’s indigenous train collision avoidance system.

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The Periyar River was recently in news after the Kerala High Court emphasized the need for a unified authority to monitor its cleanliness. It is the longest river in Kerala and is popularly known as the “Lifeline of Kerala.” The river originates from the Sivagiri Hills near the Tamil Nadu border. It flows through Periyar National Park and into Periyar Lake, an artificial reservoir. The river ultimately drains into Vembanad Lake before entering the Arabian Sea near Kochi. It is a perennial river and an important source of irrigation, hydropower, and drinking water.

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The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare recently launched the Unified Health Interface (UHI). United Health Interface is an interoperable digital network under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). It serves as the service layer of ABDM, enabling seamless access to digital health services. It aims to improve accessibility, transparency, and wider choice of verified healthcare providers. UHI operates through open protocols on the ABDM Gateway, developed and maintained by the National Health Authority (NHA). It enables citizens to discover, book, and access health services through any UHI-enabled application.

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The Korku indigenous community of Madhya Pradesh has demanded the removal of illegal encroachments from forest lands. The community alleged that encroachments since 2020 have reduced forest cover, disturbed wildlife habitats, and affected access to minor forest produce. The Korku community is primarily found in Madhya Pradesh, mainly inhabiting the districts of Betul, Khandwa, Burhanpur, and Chhindwara. Smaller populations of the tribe are also found in the Melghat region of Maharashtra and parts of Chhattisgarh.