Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 06, 2025

September 6, 2025

With reference to the proposed Centre of Excellence (CoE) announced by UPSC, consider the following statements:
1. It will serve as a knowledge hub of best practices for UPSC and State PSCs.
2. It aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and fairness in examinations.
3. It will directly conduct recruitment examinations for State PSCs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Current Context : UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) as a knowledge hub of best practices for UPSC and State PSCs.

OBJECTIVES

Collect and share best practices, SOPs, and innovations in recruitment.
Strengthen transparency, efficiency, and fairness in exams.
Support State PSCs for improved recruitment systems.

SIGNIFICANCE

Will create a uniform and transparent recruitment process across the country.
Encourages modern tools and innovation in examinations.

The ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling is part of which mission?

(A) Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
(B) Make in India 2.0
(C) National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)
(D) National Mineral Policy 2025

Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context : The Union Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme for recycling critical minerals from secondary sources. It is a part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).

ABOUT THE SCHEME

Tenure: FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31.
Outlay: ₹1,500 crore.
Feedstock: e-waste, Lithium-Ion Battery scrap, and other industrial scrap.
Incentives:
- 20% capital subsidy on plant and machinery.
- Operational subsidy (40% in 2nd year, 60% in 5th year).
- Limit: ₹50 crore for large entities, ₹25 crore for small entities.

EXPECTED IMPACT

Capacity creation: 270 kilotons of annual recycling.
Critical mineral output: 40 kilotons annually.
Investment: ~₹8,000 crore.
Jobs: ~70,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Which of the following is/are natural causes of land subsidence?
1. Earthquakes
2. Excess groundwater withdrawal
3. Volcanic activity
4. Collapse of underground cavities
Options :

(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 1, 3 and 4 only
(C) 2, 3 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context : In Chamoli’s Nanda Nagar (Uttarakhand), people are witnessing land subsidence, adding to the state’s natural calamities like landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts.

About Land Subsidence

Meaning: Gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth’s surface.
Causes:
- Natural: Earthquakes, volcanic activity, collapse of cavities, compaction of soil.
- Human-induced: Excess groundwater withdrawal, mining, and energy extraction.

Impacts

Damage to infrastructure (roads, buildings, pipelines).
Increases flood risk and reduces aquifer storage capacity.
Causes saltwater intrusion and changes in river/stream flow.
High maintenance costs for public infrastructure.

Global Context

Estimated 12 million sq. km of land worldwide is vulnerable.
Reported in USA, China, Iran, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico, Egypt, Japan, Italy, and now India.

With reference to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), consider the following statements:
1. They are a sub-category of Scheduled Tribes identified by the Dhebar Commission.
2. They are characterized by declining population, geographical isolation, and low literacy.
3. There are 75 such groups spread across 18 States and Union Territories.
4. The PM Janman Scheme (2023) was launched exclusively for their welfare.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 2, 3 and 4 only
(C) 1, 3 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Answer: D

Current Context : The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has asked the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) to consider separately enumerating PVTGs in the upcoming Census.

ABOUT PVTGs

Category: Sub-group of Scheduled Tribes (STs)
Identified By: Dhebar Commission (1960–61) under U. N. Dhebar
Criteria for Identification:
- Declining or stagnant population
- Geographical isolation
- Pre-agrarian level of technology (hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation)
- Economic backwardness and low literacy

Distribution

Total Groups: 75
Spread Across: 18 States + Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Population:5 lakh (as per recent survey)
Largest Population: Madhya Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra (6.7 lakh) and Andhra Pradesh

Livelihoods : Depend on forest produce, hunting, livestock rearing, shifting cultivation, artisan works.

Welfare Measures

PM JANMAN Scheme (2023):
- Outlay: ₹24,104 crore
- Aim: Improve socio-economic status, health, education, livelihoods, and amenities of PVTGs in 200+ districts.

Consider the following statements about Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary:
1. It is located in Bargarh district of Odisha.
2. It is situated near the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River.
3. It was declared a sanctuary in 1985.
4. It was used as a base by freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1, 2 and 3 only
(C) 2, 3 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Answer: D

Current Context : Odisha’s Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is set to be declared as India’s newest tiger reserve.

ABOUT DEBRIGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Location: Bargarh district, Odisha
Established As Sanctuary: 1985
Nearby Landmark: Hirakud Dam on Mahanadi River (world’s longest earthen dam)
Historical Link: Freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai used it as his base during the revolt against British rule.

India recently joined the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN). Consider the following statements:
1. It is headquartered in Geneva.
2. It is an intergovernmental body under the World Health Organization.
3. It provides members with access to a global repository of AI-registered health solutions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Current Context : India has joined the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN), alongside the UK and Singapore, to share safety protocols and monitor AI use in healthcare.

ABOUT HEALTHAI GRN

Headquarters: Geneva
Nature: Independent non-profit promoting equitable access to AI in healthcare
Collaborations: Works with governments, international bodies, and health experts
Special Access: Members can use a Global Public Repository of AI-registered health solutions

Role of AI in Healthcare

Transforming Delivery: Data-driven, efficient, patient-centered care
Targeted Therapeutics: Supports drug discovery, clinical trials, personalized treatment
Connected Care: Enables chatbots, remote monitoring, virtual assistants for patient engagement

Which Supreme Court judgment made it mandatory for candidates to disclose their criminal records?

(A) Lily Thomas v Union of India (2013)
(B) Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala (1973)
(C) Union of India v ADR (2002)
(D) Public Interest Foundation v Union of India (2018)

Show Answer

Answer: C

Current Context : The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) released a report analyzing the criminal background of ministers across India.

KEY FINDINGS

Ministers Analyzed: 643 (27 States + 3 UTs + Union Council)
Criminal Cases: 47% declared criminal cases
Serious Criminal Cases: 27% declared cases like murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women

CAUSES OF CRIMINALIZATION

Muscle Power: Criminal nexus used to influence elections (noted in Dharam Vira Commission, 1977)
Money Power: High election spending, corruption, illegal funding
Identity Politics: Caste/religion overshadowing criminal records
Weak Laws & Delays: Slow judicial process, poor enforcement

IMPACTS

Weakening of democracy and rule of law
Justice delayed, erosion of accountability
Risk of a “government of criminals, by criminals, for criminals”

MEASURES TAKEN

Legislative: Section 8(3), Representation of People Act, 1951 – disqualification after conviction (2+ years sentence).
Judicial Pronouncements:
- Union of India v ADR (2002): Mandatory disclosure of criminal records.
- Public Interest Foundation v Union of India (2018): Parties must publish candidates’ criminal records.
- Lily Thomas v Union of India (2013): Immediate disqualification of convicted legislators.