UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | September 14 to September 20, 2025

QUESTION 1

With reference to the Sarnath: Buddhist site, consider the following statements:

1. It is the place where the Mogaliputta Tissa is said to have delivered his third sermon.

2. Buddhist texts refer to this location as Mrigadava or Rishipatana.

3. Ashoka constructed a lion pillar at Sarnath which acts as the emblem of the Republic of India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Ahead of a UNESCO team’s proposed visit to Sarnath, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will install what it is calling a “corrected” plaque that will credit a local ruler, and not the British, for preserving the holy Buddhist site.

— Sarnath, roughly 10 km to the northeast of Varanasi, is where the Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon in c. 528 BCE, and the place at which the Buddhist sangha (community) is said to have formed. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— While ancient Buddhist texts refer to this location as Mrigadava or Rishipatana, and do not provide an exact or even approximate location for it, oral tradition and the actions of Emperor Ashoka (c. 268-232 BCE) have been key to making this association. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Ashoka famously constructed a lion pillar at Sarnath that today acts as the emblem of the Republic of India. “…the very act of erecting the lion pillar probably was intended to mark the place as the location of the Buddha’s first sermon,” historian Frederick Asher wrote in his book Sarnath: A Critical History of the Place Where Buddhism Began (2020). Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Sarnath was also patronised by Kushana (1st-4th century CE) and Gupta (3th-6th century CE) rulers, who refurbished Ashokan-era structures and built new ones. A thriving monastery survived at the location till about the 12th century CE.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Manki-Munda system, consider the following statements:

1. The system was purely an internal, self-governing mechanism, with no sovereign authority outside or the concept of paying taxes.

2. The Manki and Munda had responsibilities for revenue or land-related issues.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Recently, adivasis from the Ho tribe staged a protest in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district against the Deputy Commissioner (DC), accusing him of interfering with their traditional self-governance system by removing village heads, known as Mundas.

— This conflict threatens a century-old balance between the indigenous governance system, the so-called Manki-Munda system, and the state administration in Ho areas of Jharkhand’s Kolhan region.

— For centuries before the arrival of the British, the Ho tribe of Jharkhand’s Kolhan region lived under their traditional, decentralised system of governance which revolved around the social and political responsibilities of various stakeholders.

— The Munda, or the head of the village, was responsible for resolving socio-political disputes at the village level. Each village had one Munda, appointed hereditarily. The Manki headed the pir, which generally consists of 8 to 15 villages. If cases were not resolved by the Munda, they moved upwards to the Manki.

— The Manki and Munda had no responsibilities for revenue or land-related issues. The system was purely an internal, self-governing mechanism, with no sovereign authority outside or the concept of paying taxes. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Pamba River, consider the following statements:

1. It originates from the Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau of the Western Ghats.

2. It is the longest river in Kerala.

3. It empties into the Bay of Bengal through various channels.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— In 2018, centuries-old terracotta pieces, parts of male and female figures and Naga images, were unearthed in Aranmula across the Pamba River in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. The first-of-its-kind discovery from the banks of the Pampa triggered intrigue, but researchers are yet to establish if those findings represent a major, widespread civilisation or were the remains of a more localised, ancient tribe.

— Pamba is the third-longest river in Kerala, originating from the Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau of the Western Ghats. It flows through the districts of Idukki, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha before emptying into the Arabian Sea through various channels. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statements 2 and 3 are not correct.

— Pamba is now referred to as ‘Dakshina Ganga’ due to its connection with Sabarimala. However, its links to Hinduism date back long before Sabarimala rose to prominence.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

What is the correct order of these states in terms (high to low) of the debt-to-GSDP ratio according to a first-of-its-kind report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)?

1. Punjab

2. Nagaland

3. Maharashtra

4. Gujarat

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1—2—3—4

(b) 2—1—3—4

(c) 4—1—2—3

(d) 3—1—2—4

Explanation

— The public debt of all 28 states combined trebled in 10 years — from Rs 17.57 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 59.60 lakh crore in 2022-23 — according to a first-of-its-kind report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) that provides a decadal analysis on fiscal health of states.

— According to the report, the total public debt (internal debt and loans and advances from the Centre) of the 28 states was Rs 59,60,428 crore at the end of FY 2022-23 — or 22.96 per cent of their combined Gross State Domestic Product of Rs 2,59,57,705 crore. GSDP is the value of all finished goods and services produced within a state’s geographical boundaries.

— According to the report, at the end of 2022-23, the highest debt-to-GSDP ratio of 40.35 per cent was recorded in Punjab, followed by Nagaland (37.15 per cent) and West Bengal (33.70 per cent). The lowest ratio was recorded in Odisha (8.45 per cent), Maharashtra (14.64 per cent) and Gujarat (16.37 per cent).

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Assam Rifles, consider the following statements:

1. It was established in 1835 as a paramilitary force.

2. It addresses regional challenges such as insurgency and cross-border smuggling.

3. Its principal responsibilities include guarding the Indo-Bangladesh border.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and another five were injured in an ambush by “unidentified terrorists” in Manipur’s Bishnupur district.

— The Assam Rifles, established in 1835 as a paramilitary force, holds a storied legacy of service and resilience in India’s northeastern region. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs and led by officers from the Indian Army, the Assam Rifles plays a pivotal role in addressing regional challenges such as insurgency and cross-border smuggling while also engaging in humanitarian efforts during natural disasters. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Its principal responsibilities include guarding the Indo-Myanmar border. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 6

With reference to the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure project, consider the following statements:

1. It was conceived by NITI Aayog and launched in 2024.

2. The project involves the construction of an international container transhipment terminal, a township and area development.

3. The project aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2030.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

— Recently, the counsel for the appellant challenging clearances of the Rs 81,000 crore Great Nicobar Islands development and infrastructure project told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that No-go fragile coastal areas in Galathea Bay of the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) must be excluded from the proposed project as the law does not allow activities there.

— The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure project was conceived by NITI Aayog and launched in 2021. The project involves construction of an international container transshipment terminal, a township and area development, a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant, and a dual use civilian and military airport. The project will be spread over 166 sq km. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.

— The project is being implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO). It aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and is one of the key projects under the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Several issues have been raised with respect to the project, which include violation of the ICRZ and displacement of two particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs)- Nicobarese and Shompen.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 7

Operation Polo was the military operation launched by India to annex:

(a) Goa

(b) Sikkim

(c) Hyderabad

(d) Junagarh

Explanation

— September 13 marks the 77th anniversary of Operation Polo, the military operation launched by newly independent India to annex the state of Hyderabad. Led by the General J N Chaudhri, Operation Polo lasted less than four days and brought to heels the Nizam who had been resolute in his decision to not accede to India.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 8

With reference to the H-1B visas, consider the following statements:

1. It is valid for three years.

2. It is non-renewable.

3. There is no capping in H-1B visas.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Trump administration said it would require companies to pay $100,000 a year for each H-1B worker visa — a change that could weigh heavily on the technology sector, which depends on skilled workers from India and China, Reuters reported.

— H-1B visas, valid for three years and renewable once, are capped at 65,000 annually, with another 20,000 reserved for advanced degree holders from US universities. Demand is so high that applications often outstrip supply, forcing the government to run a lottery. Government data shows India accounted for 71% of approvals last year, with China second at 11.7%. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statements 2 and 3 are not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 9

The Gyan Bharatam Mission is related to:

(a) Manuscript

(b) Space exploration and satellite navigation

(c) Promotion of organic farming practices

(d) Renewable energy transition and green hydrogen production

Explanation

— Recently, the Gyan Bharatam International Conference was organised by the Ministry of Culture in New Delhi. The three-day event was attended by around 1,100 participants, including conservation experts, scholars, historians, academics and custodians of manuscripts.

— The first-ever international manuscript heritage conference—‘Reclaiming India’s knowledge legacy through manuscript heritage’—coincided with the 132nd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Chicago in 1893.

— It was in the Union Budget 2025-26 that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a special mission for the survey, documentation, and conservation of India’s manuscript heritage.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 10

With reference to the layers of the Earth, consider the following statements:

1. The mantle is the uppermost layer where all forms of life and relief features are located.

2. The asthenosphere is part of the crust.

3. The core extends to the Earth’s centre and is composed of iron and nickel.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Earth’s surface is a mosaic of tectonic plates of various sizes. These rigid masses (plates) are in continuous motion as they are floating over a semi-liquid surface below, known as the asthenosphere. These dynamic plates interact with each other through convergence, divergence or by sliding past each other.

— The outer surface of the Earth looks solid and stable, but its interior consists of three concentric layers – crust, mantle and core – each having its own structure, composition, and behaviour.

— The crust (5–70 km thick): The uppermost layer where all forms of life and relief features are located. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The mantle (extends to ~2,900 km depth): It is divided into the upper mantle (~700 km) and lower mantle (700-2,900 km). The upper mantle has been further subdivided into lithosphere (rigid, up to ~100 km) and the asthenosphere (below lithosphere up to ~700 km depth). The asthenosphere is a ductile, semi-molten zone where convection currents move plates. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The core (~2,900-6,371 km): It extends to the Earth’s centre and is composed of iron and nickel. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Weekly Quiz

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