India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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The Health Ministry and IRDAI are launching the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX), a digital platform uniting insurance companies, healthcare providers, and government insurance administrators. NHCX aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in claims processing by facilitating data exchange among stakeholders. It supports the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s goals of simplifying health insurance claims and creating a unified digital healthcare platform, benefiting policyholders and patients.

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The Haryana Government has launched “Samadhan Prakoshth” within the Chief Secretary’s Office to address public grievances efficiently. This initiative includes ‘Samadhan Shivir’ sessions at district and sub-divisional headquarters daily, aiming to resolve issues promptly. Public grievances are categorized into policy matters and implementation hurdles, handled respectively at the state headquarters and district levels. Key officials convene daily at the Deputy Commissioner’s and SDO (Civil) offices to address these concerns.

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The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) and the Ministry of AYUSH are gearing up for International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2024, slated for June 21. Reviewing preparations, Secretary Sanjay Jaju (I&B) and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha (AYUSH) focused on media and outreach plans. Various media units under I&B, including Prasar Bharati and New Media Wing, will promote Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) benefits. Prasar Bharati will broadcast special programs via Doordarshan and All India Radio. AYUSH will share the ‘Yoga Geet’ across platforms. The initiative also includes the Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman to honor media contributions in spreading yoga awareness.

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Chief Minister Pema Khandu was sworn in for a third consecutive term on June 13, 2024, at the DK State Convention Centre in Itanagar. He announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election manifesto will guide Arunachal Pradesh’s new government for the next five years. Additionally, his Council of Ministers will meet to outline a development roadmap within the first 100 days of their tenure.

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the ‘PM Shri Tourism Air Service’ on June 13, 2024, marking his government’s six months in power. This intra-state air service, launched with JETSERVE Aviation, connects religious and tourist spots across eight cities, including Bhopal, Indore, and Khajuraho. Initially, flights connect Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa, and Singrauli, with Gwalior and Ujjain joining soon. The service operates with two six-passenger aircraft.

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President Murmu rejected the mercy petition of Pakistani national Mohammed Arif, sentenced to death for the 2000 Red Fort attack that killed three, including two Army jawans. The court reaffirmed the “rarest of rare” standard, while the 262nd Law Commission Report (2015) recommended abolishing the death penalty, except for terrorism-related offenses. Constitutional provisions, Articles 21, 72, and 161, outline the right to life and executive clemency powers. The “rarest of rare” doctrine, established in Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980), mandates the death penalty only when no other option is viable, considering aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

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The Punjab government is promoting the DSR (or ‘Tar-wattar’) technique, which is more suitable for heavy or medium-to-heavy-textured soils due to better water retention. Light-textured soils, which require frequent irrigation, negate DSR’s water-saving benefits. The Majha and Doaba regions of Punjab predominantly have suitable soil types for DSR, while Malwa has a mix of soil textures, including light-textured soils.

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In Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister College of Excellence will be inaugurated in all 55 districts on July 1. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced a new drone policy and emphasized enhancing teaching for aviation, agriculture, and AI job opportunities. Each college will also establish a Centre of Traditional Indian Knowledge. To promote environmental awareness, educational gardens will be developed in all government, non-government, and aided colleges.

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The Union Minister for Coal and Mines launched the NIRMAN Portal, part of Mission Karmayogi. Announced by Coal India Limited (CIL), the portal aims to support UPSC Preliminary exam qualifiers from SC, ST, female, or third gender candidates with an annual family income under Rs 8 lakh. Eligible candidates, permanent residents of CIL’s 39 operational districts, will receive Rs 1 lakh.

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Air India is establishing South Asia’s largest flight training school in Maharashtra’s Amravati district with an investment of over ₹200 crore. Opening in the next financial year’s first quarter, it will address the airline’s need for 500-700 pilots annually, following a large aircraft order. In partnership with Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), the 10-acre facility will train 180 commercial pilots yearly using 31 single-engine Piper aircraft and three twin-engine Diamond aircraft.