100 current affairs questions and answers
Stay updated with the latest current affairs for UPSC preparation. Explore key topics like Ayushman Bharat, PM Gati Shakti, National Health Mission, Digital India, Make in India, Startup India, Chandrayaan-3, INS Vikramaditya, Swachh Bharat Mission, National Monetization Pipeline, Jal Jeevan Mission, Operation Blue Star, National Security Act, FAME Scheme, Madhya Pradesh as Global Destination, and more. Get insights on government schemes, policies, national security, sustainable development, economic reforms, and international relations.
1. Q: What is the purpose of the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024 launched by India?
A: The National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024 aims to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure by improving cyber resilience, securing critical information infrastructure, and promoting public-private partnerships for cybersecurity innovation.
2. Q: What is India’s stance on the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) after its recent summit?
A: India has emphasized a multi-polar world order during the SCO summit and reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and connectivity projects within the framework of the SCO.
3. Q: What is the goal of the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Plan?
A: The Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Plan aims to enhance integrated infrastructure development in India, focusing on creating a multi-modal connectivity network to reduce logistics costs and boost economic growth.
4. Q: How has India responded to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act?
A: India has expressed concerns over the potential impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act on its renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors, specifically regarding subsidies for American companies that may disrupt India’s green energy growth.
5. Q: What are the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India?
A: The NEP 2020 aims to make education more inclusive, equitable, and accessible, with an emphasis on early childhood education, vocational training, multilingualism, and digital learning.
6. Q: What is the significance of Pusa Decomposer in agriculture?
A: The Pusa Decomposer is a bio-decomposer developed to decompose crop residue into compost. It aims to address the issue of stubble burning and reduce pollution in northern India, particularly in Punjab and Haryana.
7. Q: Which country recently surpassed China as the world’s largest electric vehicle market?
A: The United States has surpassed China as the world’s largest electric vehicle market, largely due to government subsidies and increased adoption of electric cars.
8. Q: What is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and India’s involvement?
A: The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is a U.S.-led initiative aimed at strengthening economic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. India is a key member, focusing on trade facilitation, supply chain resilience, and digital economy collaboration.
9. Q: How has India been enhancing its relationship with African Union?
A: India has strengthened its engagement with the African Union by focusing on trade, investment, and sustainable development initiatives, with particular emphasis on health, agriculture, and renewable energy.
10. Q: What was the outcome of the COP28 summit held in Dubai?
A: The COP28 summit in Dubai focused on accelerating global climate action, including transitioning to renewable energy, scaling up finance for developing nations, and addressing loss and damage from climate change.
11. Q: What is India’s plan to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025?
A: India aims to achieve a $5 trillion economy by focusing on manufacturing, digitalization, infrastructure development, and policies to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) and enhance the business environment.
12. Q: How is India addressing the issue of water scarcity in urban areas?
A: India is implementing solutions like rainwater harvesting, waste-water treatment, and increasing water-use efficiency in urban areas through policies such as Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
13. Q: What was the objective of Operation Ganga?
A: Operation Ganga was a diplomatic mission by India to evacuate Indian citizens from war-torn Ukraine, providing humanitarian assistance and airlifting thousands of nationals back to India.
14. Q: What is the role of NITI Aayog in India’s economic planning?
A: NITI Aayog serves as a policy think tank and advisory body for the Indian government, playing a key role in economic and developmental planning, particularly in promoting sustainable growth and inclusive policies.
15. Q: What are the recent changes in India’s Labour Laws?
A: India has recently overhauled its labour laws, consolidating 44 previous laws into four labour codes. These aim to improve ease of doing business, protect workers’ rights, and enhance social security benefits.
16. Q: How does the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana help citizens?
A: The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family annually, enabling access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services, particularly for economically vulnerable sections.
17. Q: What was the significance of Bharat Mandapam inaugurated in 2023?
A: Bharat Mandapam is a state-of-the-art exhibition and conference centre in Delhi, set to host major global events like the G20 summit. It represents India’s growing role in the global diplomatic and business arena.
18. Q: How has India’s Space Program evolved in 2024?
A: India’s space program has made significant advancements, particularly with the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon and the development of the PSLV-C60 rocket, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and satellite technology.
19. Q: What is the National Hydrogen Mission and its significance?
A: The National Hydrogen Mission aims to promote the production and use of green hydrogen in India, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and creating a sustainable energy future for the country.
20. Q: What is the objective of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
A: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) aims to provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in case of crop failure due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases.
21. Q: What is the significance of INS Vikrant in India’s naval capabilities?
A: INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, enhancing India’s naval power and maritime security capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.
22. Q: How does India’s Digital India initiative promote economic growth?
A: The Digital India initiative aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy by expanding internet connectivity, e-governance services, and digital literacy.
23. Q: What is India’s plan for green energy and reducing carbon emissions?
A: India aims to achieve 50% of its energy capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030, with a focus on solar, wind, and hydropower, in line with its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.
24. Q: What is the purpose of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)?
A: The NSDC works to promote skill development and entrepreneurship in India, offering training programs in various sectors to bridge the skill gap and enhance employability.
25. Q: What is PM CARES Fund and its objectives?
A: The PM CARES Fund (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund) is a public charitable trust set up to provide relief to citizens in emergencies and disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
26. Q: What is India’s stance on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?
A: India has expressed concerns over the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) due to its impact on sovereignty and transparency, particularly in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
27. Q: How has India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) evolved in recent years?
A: India has seen an increase in FDI inflows, particularly in sectors like digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and manufacturing, due to reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business.
28. Q: What is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana?
A: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is a financial inclusion initiative aimed at providing banking services to the unbanked population, promoting savings, and ensuring access to credit.
29. Q: What was the impact of India’s G20 Presidency in 2023-24?
A: India’s G20 Presidency provided a platform to address global challenges such as climate change, digital economy, and trade reforms. The presidency underscored India’s growing leadership role in global governance.
30. Q: How does Make in India contribute to the Indian economy?
A: Make in India aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub by promoting industrial growth, improving infrastructure, and encouraging foreign investment in key sectors like defense, electronics, and textiles.
31. Q: What is the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)?
A: AMRUT is a flagship scheme aimed at transforming urban India by providing basic infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, and drainage systems to improve the quality of life in cities.
32. Q: What is the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP)?
A: The National Monetization Pipeline is a roadmap for monetizing public assets to fund infrastructure projects. It aims to raise resources by leasing out government assets like roads, railways, and airports.
33. Q: What is the purpose of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?
A: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to create a digital health ecosystem that connects healthcare providers and patients through digital records, telemedicine, and e-health services.
34. Q: How has India’s Digital Rupee impacted the financial sector?
A: The introduction of the Digital Rupee is aimed at modernizing India’s payment system, reducing transaction costs, and promoting financial inclusion while offering an alternative to cryptocurrencies.
35. Q: What is Swachh Bharat Mission and its goals?
A: The Swachh Bharat Mission is a nationwide cleanliness drive launched to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management, and promote sanitation awareness.
36. Q: What is the focus of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?
A: The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana provides free LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, promoting clean cooking and reducing health risks from traditional fuel.
37. Q: What is the purpose of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme?
A: The FAME Scheme aims to promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in India through subsidies, incentives for electric vehicle manufacturing, and the development of charging infrastructure.
38. Q: How does the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) contribute to improving air quality?
A: The NCAP aims to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution across 102 non-attainment cities through multi-sectoral strategies, monitoring air quality, and setting target reductions.
39. Q: What are the objectives of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana?
A: The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana aims to address issues related to gender discrimination, promote girl child education, and reduce female foeticide in India.
40. Q: What is the role of NABARD in Indian agriculture?
A: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is responsible for providing financial support for rural development, promoting agricultural and rural welfare through credit and infrastructure development.
41. Q: What is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)?
A: PMAY is a housing initiative that aims to provide affordable housing to the urban and rural poor through financial assistance, credit-linked subsidy schemes, and new housing constructions.
42. Q: What is the significance of India’s Space Missions like Chandrayaan-3?
A: Chandrayaan-3 was India’s third lunar mission aimed at enhancing India’s space exploration capabilities, focusing on landing a rover on the Moon’s south pole to study its surface and environment.
43. Q: What is the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme?
A: The One Nation One Ration Card scheme allows beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains from any Fair Price Shop across the country, ensuring nationwide portability of the ration system.
44. Q: What is the National Health Policy 2017?
A: The National Health Policy 2017 focuses on achieving universal health coverage, improving healthcare access, and promoting affordable healthcare services for all citizens, particularly the underserved.
45. Q: What are the objectives of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)?
A: MGNREGA aims to provide employment to rural households, ensuring 100 days of wage employment annually, thus reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of rural communities.
46. Q: How does the PM-KISAN Scheme support farmers?
A: The PM-KISAN Scheme provides direct income support of ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers, helping them meet their agricultural needs and enhancing their economic resilience.
47. Q: What is the significance of INS Vikramaditya in India’s defense strategy?
A: INS Vikramaditya is an aircraft carrier that enhances India’s maritime capabilities, improving its ability to project power and secure interests in the Indian Ocean region.
48. Q: What is the goal of Namami Gange Programme?
A: The Namami Gange Programme is an integrated conservation mission to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga river through afforestation, waste management, and setting up sewage treatment plants.
49. Q: How has the Digital India initiative transformed government services?
A: The Digital India initiative has digitized government services, enabling e-governance, digital literacy, online services, and cashless transactions, making access to government services more efficient and transparent.
50. Q: What is the objective of National Mission on Clean Ganga (NMCG)?
A: The NMCG focuses on reducing pollution in the Ganga river and improving its water quality through waste management, riverfront development, and the creation of sewage treatment plants.
51. Q: What is the e-NAM platform?
A: e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is an online platform that facilitates the trading of agricultural commodities, providing better price discovery and transparency in the agricultural market.
52. Q: How does Jal Jeevan Mission aim to provide clean drinking water?
A: Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural households by 2024.
53. Q: What is the National Digital Health Mission?
A: The National Digital Health Mission is a health IT initiative aimed at creating a digital health ecosystem, allowing citizens to access healthcare services and maintain health records digitally.
54. Q: What is the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana?
A: The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana is a pension scheme that provides monthly pension benefits to unorganized workers above the age of 60.
55. Q: How has India strengthened ties with ASEAN countries?
A: India has strengthened ties with ASEAN through enhanced trade, defense cooperation, and joint initiatives on regional security, maritime trade, and connectivity projects.
56. Q: What is the role of SIDBI in Indian economy?
A: The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) promotes the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing financial assistance, technology support, and entrepreneurship development.
57. Q: What is the National Security Act (NSA)?
A: The National Security Act allows preventive detention of individuals without trial if their activities threaten national security or public order, granting authorities the power to take pre-emptive actions.
58. Q: What is the aim of Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
A: Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a water conservation campaign aimed at improving water use efficiency, rainwater harvesting, and rejuvenating water bodies, particularly in drought-prone areas.
59. Q: What is the National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC)?
A: The NAEC is responsible for formulating policies and overseeing the implementation of nuclear energy programs in India for peaceful purposes, including energy production and medical uses.
60. Q: What is Operation Twist and its economic impact?
A: Operation Twist is a monetary policy tool used by the Reserve Bank of India to manage liquidity and bond market yields by simultaneously buying and selling government bonds.
61. Q: What is the Ujjwala 2.0 scheme?
A: Ujjwala 2.0 is an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, providing free LPG connections to economically weaker families and promoting clean cooking methods.
62. Q: What is the National Defence Industrial Corridor?
A: The National Defence Industrial Corridor is a government initiative to boost defense manufacturing, research, and innovation by establishing industrial hubs in strategic locations.
63. Q: How has India’s approach to Afghanistan changed post-Taliban takeover?
A: Post-Taliban takeover, India has focused on humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, emphasizing the well-being of Afghan citizens, and promoting regional stability without direct political engagement with the Taliban.
64. Q: What is the significance of Ladakh for India’s strategic security?
A: Ladakh holds strategic importance for India due to its proximity to the borders with China and Pakistan, playing a critical role in defense readiness and regional geopolitics.
65. Q: What is the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy (NIPR)?
A: The National IPR Policy aims to create a robust intellectual property system that promotes creativity, innovation, and the use of IP as a tool for economic growth and social development.
66. Q: What is the role of FSSAI in food safety?
A: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates and monitors food safety in India, ensuring that food products are safe for consumption and meet quality standards.
67. Q: What is the National Afforestation Programme?
A: The National Afforestation Programme aims to promote afforestation, forest regeneration, and ecosystem restoration across India to combat deforestation and enhance biodiversity.
68. Q: What is the Vande Bharat Express?
A: The Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high-speed train aimed at modernizing India’s railway network, providing enhanced passenger comfort, and reducing travel time on major routes.
69. Q: What is Operation Green and its objectives?
A: Operation Green is a scheme to support the production and export of fruits and vegetables, aimed at promoting agricultural exports, enhancing value chains, and reducing wastage.
70. Q: What is the role of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)?
A: The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a regional cooperation body focusing on enhancing economic and security cooperation among nations bordering the Indian Ocean, aiming for sustainable development in the region.
71. Q: How does the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative support the Indian economy?
A: The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aims to promote self-reliance in key sectors, such as manufacturing, defense, and digital technology, to reduce dependence on imports and boost domestic production.
72. Q: What is the National Logistics Policy?
A: The National Logistics Policy aims to streamline India’s logistics sector by reducing costs, improving efficiency, and enhancing infrastructure to boost trade and industrial growth.
73. Q: What is Startup India and its objectives?
A: Startup India is an initiative to promote entrepreneurship by providing tax exemptions, funding support, and an ecosystem for startups to foster innovation and create employment.
74. Q: What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how is India progressing?
A: The SDGs are global goals set by the UN to address challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and sustainable development. India has made significant progress, particularly in areas of clean energy, education, and sanitation.
75. Q: What is the PM Gati Shakti initiative?
A: PM Gati Shakti is a project aimed at improving multi-modal connectivity in India, reducing logistics costs, and ensuring integrated planning of infrastructure projects to support economic growth.
76. Q: What is the Maitri Setu between India and Bangladesh?
A: Maitri Setu is a bridge that connects India and Bangladesh, strengthening trade, transportation, and people-to-people connectivity between the two nations.
77. Q: What is the National Financial Literacy Mission?
A: The National Financial Literacy Mission aims to promote financial literacy and awareness among the public, encouraging better financial management, savings, and investment practices.
78. Q: What is Smart Cities Mission?
A: The Smart Cities Mission aims to transform Indian cities by implementing digital and sustainable solutions for urban mobility, housing, sanitation, and healthcare.
79. Q: What is the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)?
A: The National Mission for Clean Ganga aims to reduce pollution and restore the river’s ecosystem through waste management, afforestation, and the installation of sewage treatment plants.
80. Q: How does Swachh Bharat Mission address sanitation issues?
A: The Swachh Bharat Mission focuses on improving sanitation through the construction of toilets, promoting cleanliness, and encouraging community participation for better waste management practices.
81. Q: What is Uttarakhand’s Plastic Waste Management Policy?
A: Uttarakhand’s Plastic Waste Management Policy aims to reduce plastic waste by promoting recycling, banning single-use plastics, and encouraging sustainable packaging solutions.
82. Q: What is India’s Defence Procurement Policy?
A: The Defence Procurement Policy governs the acquisition of defense equipment and services in India, focusing on indigenization, ease of procurement, and promoting private sector involvement.
83. Q: What is Operation Blue Star?
A: Operation Blue Star was an Indian military operation to remove militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1984, leading to significant political and social repercussions.
84. Q: How does the Make in India initiative affect the manufacturing sector?
A: Make in India aims to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to India’s GDP by encouraging domestic production, fostering innovation, and attracting foreign investments.
85. Q: What is SAGY (Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana)?
A: SAGY is a scheme where Members of Parliament adopt villages for holistic development, focusing on infrastructure, education, sanitation, and healthcare to create model villages.
86. Q: What is the significance of INS Arihant in India’s defense capabilities?
A: INS Arihant is India’s first indigenously built nuclear-powered submarine, enhancing India’s strategic deterrence and defense capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.
87. Q: What are PMAY-U and its benefits?
A: PMAY-U (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban) aims to provide affordable housing for urban poor by offering financial assistance and promoting affordable housing construction.
88. Q: What is the goal of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana?
A: PMKSY focuses on providing irrigation facilities to every farm, enhancing water use efficiency, and improving productivity in agriculture.
89. Q: What are the goals of National Urban Transport Policy?
A: The National Urban Transport Policy aims to promote sustainable transport, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance public transport accessibility in urban centers.
90. Q: What is the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana?
A: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana aims to enhance agricultural productivity by improving food processing, storage, and cold chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.
91. Q: How is India addressing Skill Development?
A: India is enhancing skill development through initiatives like Skill India Mission, focusing on vocational training, industry collaboration, and building human capital for various sectors.
92. Q: What is Udhampur Railway Station?
A: The Udhampur Railway Station in Jammu and Kashmir is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, enhancing connectivity and promoting regional economic integration.
93. Q: What is PM CARES Fund and its objectives?
A: The PM CARES Fund was set up to support citizens in emergencies and crises such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, providing relief to affected individuals.
94. Q: What is the purpose of Bharatmala Pariyojana?
A: Bharatmala Pariyojana is a highway development program aimed at improving road infrastructure, ensuring better connectivity, and boosting logistics efficiency across India.
95. Q: What is the significance of Vande Bharat Express trains?
A: The Vande Bharat Express is a high-speed train that connects major cities, improving travel time, and enhancing the comfort and safety of passengers.
96. Q: What is the goal of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana?
A: PMJDY aims to increase financial inclusion by providing accessible banking services to all households, particularly in rural areas.
97. Q: What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
A: The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, governing the distribution of water from six rivers in the Indus River system.
98. Q: What is Operation Sadbhavana?
A: Operation Sadbhavana is a humanitarian initiative by the Indian Army to aid the people of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on education, health, and development projects.
99. Q: What is the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana?
A: The PMMY provides financial assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly those in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.
100. Q: What is the purpose of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement?
A: The India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement aims to enhance trade and economic ties between India and ASEAN countries by reducing trade barriers and promoting economic integration.