Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 26, 2025

September 26, 2025

World Environmental Health Day is observed annually on:

(A) 24 September
(B) 25 September
(C) 26 September
(D) 27 September

Show Answer

Answer: c

It is observed globally on 26 September.

Aim : to raise awareness about the link between environmental conditions and human health.
Established by: International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH).
Theme 2025: “Clean Air, Healthy People”

With reference to the India–Australia Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products, consider the following statements:
1. It eliminates duplicate inspections by allowing mutual acceptance of organic certification standards.
2. It covers unprocessed plant products, processed plant-based foods, and wine.
3. It is implemented by APEDA (India) and DAFF (Australia).
Which of the above statements 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: d

Current Context: India and Australia have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi.

ABOUT THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT (MRA)

Purpose: Allows mutual acceptance of organic certification standards, eliminating duplicate inspections.
Coverage:
- Unprocessed plant products (excluding greenhouse crops and aquatic plants)
- Processed plant-based foods (including third-country certified ingredients processed in India or Australia)
- Wine
Implementing Agencies:
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australia

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution is applicable to:

(A) Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram
(B) Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram
(C) Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur
(D) Sikkim, Assam, Mizoram, and Nagaland

Show Answer

Answer: b

Current Context: Recently, Ladakh witnessed violent protests demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

ABOUT THE SIXTH SCHEDULE

Origin: Based on the recommendations of the Bordoloi Committee; came into effect in 1950.
Constitutional Basis: Articles 244(2) and 275(1).
Applicability: Special provisions for tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Governance System: Provides elected Autonomous District and Regional Councils with legislative, judicial, and financial powers.
Key Provisions:
- Autonomous Districts & Regions: Created by Governor for tribal administration.
- Councils: District Councils (up to 30 members) and Regional Councils with law-making powers on land, forests (except reserved), inheritance, and customary laws.
- Judicial Powers: Councils establish Village and District Council Courts (excluding serious crimes).
- Financial Powers: Councils can levy taxes, regulate mineral extraction, and collect land revenue.
- Local Administration: Councils manage schools, dispensaries, roads, fisheries, and markets.
- Governor’s Powers: Can reorganise districts and review administration.

Which of the following are true regarding the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)?
1. It was established under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
2. Its President must be a Supreme Court judge only.
3. Its powers are equivalent to a Civil Court.
Options :

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

Show Answer

Answer: c

Current Context: The Union Minister for Finance launched the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) in New Delhi.

ABOUT GSTAT

Established Under: Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
Function: Hears appeals under CGST and State/UT GST Acts.
Composition:
- President (Supreme Court judge or former High Court Chief Justice)
- Judicial Members
- Technical Members (Centre & State)
Eligibility: Requires long judicial or revenue service experience (25 years in Group A for technical members).
Tenure: 4 years or until 70 years (President) and 67 years (other members).
Powers: Equivalent to a Civil Court – can hear cases, pass orders, impose penalties, revoke or cancel registrations.

Consider the following statements about Varkala Cliff:
1. It is located in Tamil Nadu and exposes the Warkalli Formation.
2. It has been placed on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.
3. It is the first geological monument in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Show Answer

Answer: b

Current Context: Recently, UNESCO has placed the Varkala Cliff in Kerala on its tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

ABOUT VARKALA CLIFF

Location: Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.
Geological Significance: Exposes the Warkalli Formation of Mio-Pliocene age (13 lakh–2.5 crore years).
Local Name: Sivagiri Thuruthu.
Features: Laterite and sedimentary layers with fossils and traces of ancient climate.
Environmental Importance:
- Acts as a natural aquifer and water harvesting system.
- Supports biodiversity and underwater reefs vital for fishing communities.
Status: 27th national geological monument in India and 2nd in Kerala (after Angadipuram Laterite).

Which of the following natural features are correctly matched with Venezuela?
1. Lake Maracaibo – Largest lake in South America
2. Orinoco River – Major river flowing through Venezuela
3. Angel Falls – World’s highest waterfall located in Venezuela

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

Show Answer

Answer: d

Current Context: A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Venezuela, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

ABOUT VENEZUELA

Location: Northern coast of South America.
Boundaries: Guyana (east), Brazil (south), Colombia (southwest/west), Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean (north).
Terrain: Andes Mountains, Maracaibo Lowlands, central plains (llanos), Guiana Highlands.
Rivers: Orinoco and Rio Negro.
Lakes: Lake Maracaibo (largest in South America), Lake Guri.
Natural Resources: World’s largest oil reserves, coal, iron ore, bauxite, gold.
Special Features: Angel Falls (world’s highest waterfall) in Guiana Highlands.
Capital:

The Central Water Commission (CWC) functions under:

(A) Ministry of Jal Shakti
(B) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(C) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
(D) Ministry of Power

Show Answer

Answer: a

Current Context: The Central Water Commission organised a virtual workshop on “Technology for Efficient Water Management” under the Sujalam Bharat Summit (2025).

ABOUT CWC

Organisation: Premier technical body under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Functions: Flood control, irrigation, hydropower, drinking water, navigation, project planning, and implementation.

ABOUT SUJALAM BHARAT SUMMIT (2025)

Led by: Ministry of Jal Shakti, coordinated by NITI Aayog.
Objective: Promote water management, sanitation, and sustainable practices.
Features: Grassroots feedback for national water policy, six departmental summits planned.

The Forum for India–Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC) was launched in 2014 under which policy of India?

(A) Act West Policy
(B) Act East Policy
(C) Neighbourhood First Policy
(D) SAGAR Initiative

Show Answer

Answer: b

Current Context: India hosted a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Forum for India–Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC).

ABOUT FIPIC

Founded: 2014, under India’s Act East Policy.
Members: 14 Pacific Island nations – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Island Groups: Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia.
Objective: Strengthen cooperation between India and Pacific Island countries in trade, climate resilience, development, and connectivity.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) is composed of:

(A) Prime Minister and Home Minister
(B) Prime Minister and Finance Minister
(C) Prime Minister and Defence Minister
(D) Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Finance Minister

Show Answer

Answer: a

Current Context: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of tenure of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) till May 2026.

ABOUT ACC

Type: One of the eight Cabinet Committees within the Union Executive.
Composition: Prime Minister (Chairperson), Minister of Home Affairs (Member)
Functions:
- Decides senior-level government appointments including Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Joint Secretaries.
- Handles appointments in Public Sector Units (PSUs), banks, insurance companies, and autonomous bodies.