September 8, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 03, 2025

September 3, 2025
Consider the following statements about SCO:
1. It was established in 2001 as a successor to the “Shanghai Five”.
2. Iran and Belarus became full members of SCO in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
3. The SCO Secretariat is located in Beijing.
4. Afghanistan and Turkey are SCO observer states.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  • (A) 1 and 3 only
  • (B) 1, 2 and 3 only
  • (C) 2, 3 and 4 only
  • (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer

Answer: (b)

Current Context : At the 2025 SCO Summit, China announced major financial, technological, and educational initiatives to boost cooperation among member nations.

Relevant Data

Financial Support

  • RMB 2 billion (USD 274 million) in grants to SCO members by 2025
  • RMB 10 billion (USD 1.37 billion) in loans to SCO Interbank Consortium in 3 years

 

Livelihood Projects : 100 “Small and Beautiful” Projects in health, sanitation, education, and community welfare

Education and Human Resource

  • Doubling of SCO scholarships from 2026
  • Launch of SCO Innovative PhD Programme
  • 10 Luban Workshops in 5 years
  • 10,000 vocational training opportunities in advanced technology

 

Artificial Intelligence Cooperation

  • Tianjin Declaration on responsible AI use
  • Adoption of AI Development Cooperation Roadmap (Chengdu, 2025)
  • AI showcase: Humanoid Robot “Xiao” assisted delegates

 

About SCO

  • Established: 2001 (successor to “Shanghai Five”, 1996)
  • Founding Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
  • Expansion:
    • 2017 → India and Pakistan admitted as full members
    • 2023 → Iran became full member
    • 2024 → Belarus joined as full member
  • Observers: Afghanistan, Mongolia, Belarus (before full membership)
  • Dialogue Partners: Turkey, Egypt, Sri Lanka, UAE, etc.
  • Secretariat → Beijing

 

OBJECTIVES & SIGNIFICANCE

  • Promote regional cooperation in:
    • Security → countering terrorism, separatism, extremism (“Three Evils”)
    • Economy → trade, investment, energy, connectivity projects
    • Society → culture, science & technology, environmental protection
  • Guided by the “Shanghai Spirit”: mutual trust, equality, consultation, cultural respect, mutual benefit
  • Symbolises a multipolar world order, offering a platform for non-Western alignment.
Who has been appointed as the 29th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in 2025?
  • (A) Soma Roy Burman
  • (B) C.A. Kalyani
  • (C) Girish Chandra Murmu
  • (D) Sudha Krishnan
Show Answer

Answer: (b)

Current Context : Ms. T.C.A. Kalyani, a 1991-batch ICAS officer, has been appointed as the 29th Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

About T.C.A. Kalyani

  • Over 34 years of service in Indian Civil Accounts Service
  • Expertise: Public finance, digital governance, transparency

Role of CGA

  • Principal accounting advisor to the Government of India
  • Functions:
    • Maintain central govt. accounts
    • Prepare monthly and annual statements
    • Implement financial reforms
    • Monitor expenditure and receipts
    • Strengthen transparency and accountability

 

Which new initiatives were launched by NCERT on its 65th Foundation Day (September 2025)?
1. Bal Vatika TV for foundational literacy.
2. DIKSHA 2.0 – an AI-powered learning platform.
3. PRASHAST 2.0 for disability screening.
4. PM eVidya Mobile App.
Options :
  • (A) 1 and 2 only
  • (B) 2, 3 and 4 only
  • (C) 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • (D) 1 and 3 only
Show Answer

Answer: (c)

Current Context : On 1st September 2025, NCERT celebrated its 65th Foundation Day with new digital and inclusive education initiatives under NEP 2020.

Key Launches

Bal Vatika TV (PM eVidya Channel 35)

  • For children aged 3–6 years
  • Content on foundational literacy and numeracy
  • Support for teachers, Anganwadi workers, and parents

DIKSHA 2.0

  • AI-powered learning platform with 12-language support
  • Features: Adaptive assessments, Read Aloud, Closed Captions, Translation tools
  • Enables personalized learning

PRASHAST 2.0

  • Enhanced disability screening tool
  • Linked with UDISE+, APAAR ID, Swavlamban Card
  • Facilitates early identification of divyang children

Kitab Ek Padhe Anek

  • Inclusive textbooks for Classes 1–2
  • Based on Universal Design of Learning (UDL) principles

Additional Initiatives

  • VR Labs in NCERT demonstration schools
  • PM eVidya Mobile App for multi-format content
  • Primers Released: Hindi, Sanskrit, Ho-Hindi, Koya
  • Odisha Heritage Book: Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana
  • Vocational Education Handbook by PSSCIVE
The Niveshak Didi initiative launched by IEPFA focuses on:
  • (A) Women-led financial literacy in rural areas
  • (B) Urban financial technology adoption
  • (C) Micro-finance for SHGs in towns
  • (D) Startup support for rural entrepreneurs
Show Answer

Answer: (a) 

Current Context : The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched Phase II of Niveshak Didi at Patelguda Panchayat, Hyderabad.

  • Focus: Women-led financial literacy in rural India, through a community-driven, grassroots approach.

About Niveshak Didi

  • A “for women, by women”
  • Empowers rural women with financial knowledge to:
    • Make informed decisions
    • Protect savings from fraud
    • Use digital banking tools
    • Understand savings and safe investments

Strategic Impact & Goals

  • Promotes financial inclusion under Digital India & Women-led Development.
  • Builds confidence and self-reliance among rural women.
  • Outcomes expected:
    • Stronger household financial planning
    • Wider use of secure digital platforms
    • Growth of community-led financial resilience

About IEPFA

  • Statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
  • Mandate:
    • Promote investor awareness
    • Protect citizens from financial fraud
    • Foster a financially literate society
India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system will be implemented at which location?
  • (A) Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Delhi
  • (B) Lucknow-Agra Expressway, Uttar Pradesh
  • (C) Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Maharashtra
  • (D) Choryasi Fee Plaza, Gujarat
Show Answer

Answer: (d)

Current Context : Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by NHAI, signed an agreement with ICICI Bank.

  • India’s first comprehensive MLFF tolling system to be implemented at Choryasi Fee Plaza, Gujarat (NH-48).

About MLFF System

  • A barrier-less tolling technology.
  • Uses:
    • FASTag reading
    • Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) via RFID Readers & ANPR Cameras

About NHAI

  • Statutory body under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
  • Established: 1995 (under NHAI Act, 1988).
  • Composition:
    • Chairman + max. 5 full-time Members
    • 4 part-time Members (Secretaries of RT&H, Expenditure, Planning, and DG Roads).
  • Mandate: Develop, maintain, and manage National Highways.

 

Which region of India suffers the highest reduction in life expectancy due to air pollution as per AQLI 2025?
  • (A) Bihar – 5.6 years
  • (B) Delhi-NCR – 8.2 years
  • (C) Uttar Pradesh – 5 years
  • (D) Haryana – 5.3 years
Show Answer

Answer: (b)

Current Context : The Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), University of Chicago, released the AQLI 2025 Report.

  • Finding: Air pollution is India’s most severe health threat, cutting average life expectancy by 3.5 years.

About AQLI

  • Developed by Michael Greenstone & EPIC.
  • Measures particulate pollution (PM2.5) impact on life expectancy.
  • Combines global pollution data with long-term health impact research.

Relevant Data – India (2025 Report)

  • Average loss: 3.5 years of life expectancy.
  • Comparison:
    • Nearly 2× impact of malnutrition.
    • 5× impact of unsafe water and sanitation.
  • Population exposure:
    • 100% of Indians live in areas above WHO safe limit (5 µg/m³).
    • 46% Indians live in areas above India’s own standard (40 µg/m³).

Region-wise Findings

  • Delhi-NCR: 8.2 years lost (highest).
  • Bihar: 5.6 years lost.
  • Haryana: 5.3 years lost.
  • Uttar Pradesh: 5 years lost.

Global Context

  • South Asia is the most polluted region.
  • 5 levels rose by 2.8% in 2023 after a dip in 2022.
  • On average, air pollution cuts 3 years of life expectancy in South Asia.
Which of the following statements about Swarnamukhi River are correct?
1. It flows through Tirumala and Srikalahasti before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
2. It is a monsoon-fed, independent river not part of a major river system.
3. Its major tributary is the Kalyani River, with a dam built in 1977.
4. It flows into the Krishna River basin.
Options :
  • (A) 1, 2 and 3 only
  • (B) 1 and 2 only
  • (C) 2, 3 and 4 only
  • (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer

Answer: (a)

Current Context : Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) launched Operation Swarna to remove encroachments, revive flow, and rejuvenate the Swarnamukhi River in Andhra Pradesh.

About Swarnamukhi River

  • Location: Andhra Pradesh (Rayalaseema region).
  • Origin: Eastern Ghats near Pakala village, Chittoor district (elevation ~300 m).
  • Length: ~130 km.
  • Basin Area: ~3,225 sq. km.
  • Course: Flows northeast through Tirumala, Tirupati, and Srikalahasti, then drains into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Religious Significance: Passes by Tirumala and Srikalahasti temples.
  • Tributary: Kalyani River (Kalyani Dam – 1977).
  • Rainfall Dependence: Monsoon-fed, independent river (not part of a major river system).

 About Operation Swarna

  • Launched by: Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA).
  • Aim:
    • Clear encroachments.
    • Rejuvenate river ecology.
    • Ensure sustainable water flow and religious access points.

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