Current Affairs Quiz — 03 September 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is the outlay of the critical mineral recycling incentive scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on 3 September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,500 crore
The Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to develop critical mineral recycling capacity.
The critical mineral recycling incentive scheme approved in September 2025 is part of which mission?
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Correct answer: C — National Critical Mineral Mission
The scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), aimed at domestic capacity and supply chain resilience in critical minerals.
What share of the critical mineral recycling scheme's outlay is earmarked for small and new recyclers, including start-ups?
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Correct answer: D — One-third
One-third of the scheme outlay has been earmarked for small, new recyclers including start-ups.
Consider the following statements about the critical mineral recycling incentive scheme approved in September 2025: 1. Units engaged only in black mass production are eligible for incentives. 2. The total incentive per large entity is capped at ₹50 crore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The scheme covers only the value chain involved in actual extraction of critical minerals, not black mass production alone, so statement 1 is wrong. Total incentive is capped at ₹50 crore for large entities and ₹25 crore for small ones.
Under the two-rate GST structure approved by the 56th GST Council, what are the standard rate and the merit rate?
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Correct answer: B — 18% and 5%
The Council rationalised the four-tier structure into a two-rate 'Simple Tax' with a standard rate of 18% and a merit rate of 5%.
What special de-merit rate did the 56th GST Council approve for a select few goods and services?
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Correct answer: D — 40%
Alongside the 18% and 5% rates, the Council approved a special de-merit rate of 40% for a select few goods and services.
From which date did the GST rate changes on services recommended by the 56th GST Council take effect?
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Correct answer: A — 22 September 2025
The changes in GST rates on services, and on all goods except pan masala, gutkha, cigarettes and other tobacco products, were to be implemented from 22 September 2025.
Consider the following statements about the decisions of the 56th GST Council: 1. All individual life and health insurance policies were exempted from GST. 2. GST on small cars and motorcycles of up to 350cc was reduced from 28% to 18%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Council exempted all individual life insurance (term, ULIP, endowment) and individual health insurance policies, and cut GST on small cars and motorcycles up to 350cc from 28% to 18%.
To correct the inverted duty structure in the manmade textile sector, the 56th GST Council reduced GST on manmade fibre from 18% to:
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Correct answer: B — 5%
The Council corrected the long-pending inverted duty structure by reducing GST on manmade fibre from 18% to 5% and on manmade yarn from 12% to 5%.
Which German minister met PM Modi on 3 September 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Johann Wadephul
PM Modi met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on 3 September 2025.
In 2025, India and Germany are celebrating how many years of their Strategic Partnership?
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Correct answer: D — 25 years
PM Modi said India and Germany are celebrating 25 years of Strategic Partnership.
On which date was the Union Public Service Commission established, according to the UPSC centenary announcement of September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 1 October 1926
UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar recalled that UPSC was established on 1 October 1926.
UPSC's 'Pratibha Setu' portal is meant for:
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Correct answer: B — Candidates who reached the interview stage but did not make the final list
Through Pratibha Setu, candidates who reached the interview stage but could not make the final list get recruitment opportunities in other organisations.
Consider the following statements about UPSC's centenary plans announced in September 2025: 1. The centenary year runs from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. 2. The proposed Centre of Excellence will be a repository of best practices of UPSC only, excluding State PSCs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The centenary year runs from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. The proposed CoE will be a repository of best practices of both UPSC and the State PSCs, so statement 2 is wrong.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, reviewed by the Navy Chief in September 2025, is being developed by which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
The NMHC is being developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with support from the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Navy.
Consider the following statements: 1. The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is spread over 400 acres. 2. Phase 1A of the complex is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The PIB release says the NMHC is spread over 400 acres, and that Phase 1A is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, not 2027. So only statement 1 is correct.
The Quarterly Bulletin of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (QBUSE), first released in September 2025, is the quarterly edition of which survey?
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Correct answer: C — Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises
QBUSE is the quarterly edition of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE).
According to the first QBUSE, employment in the unincorporated sector in January–March 2025 was:
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Correct answer: D — 13.13 crore
Employment crossed 13 crore for the first time in January–March 2025, reaching 13.13 crore.
Consider the following statements based on the first QBUSE released in September 2025: 1. The number of unincorporated establishments was higher in April–June 2025 than in January–March 2025. 2. Female workers accounted for over 28% of total employment in both quarters. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Establishments rose from 7.85 crore (January–March) to 7.94 crore (April–June 2025), and women made up over 28% of employment in both quarters. Both statements are correct.
China's military parade in Beijing on 3 September 2025 marked which anniversary?
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Correct answer: B — 80th anniversary of the end of World War II
The parade marked 80 years since Japan's defeat and the end of World War II.
Which two leaders flanked Xi Jinping at the Beijing military parade of 3 September 2025, in the first such gathering of the three countries' leaders?
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Correct answer: A — Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un
Reuters reported that Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un flanked Xi in the first such gathering of the three countries' leaders.
At the Beijing parade of 3 September 2025, Xi Jinping said the world faced a choice between:
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Correct answer: D — Peace and war
Reuters reported that Xi warned the world was facing a choice between peace or war in his keynote speech.
Which institute led the study, reported in September 2025, providing the strongest observational evidence of interstellar dust grains aligning with the Galaxy's magnetic field?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
The team was led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of DST.
The IIA-led dust alignment study used the POL-2 polarimeter on which telescope?
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Correct answer: A — James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, Hawaii
The researchers used the POL-2 polarimeter on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii to map the cloud G34.43+0.24.
The 'Guidelines for Co-location of Anganwadi Centres with Schools' launched on 3 September 2025 were jointly released by the Ministry of Education and which ministry?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Women & Child Development
Dharmendra Pradhan (Education) and Annapurna Devi (Women & Child Development) jointly launched the guidelines.
Under NEP 2020, three years of pre-school education are integrated into which curricular structure?
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Correct answer: B — 5+3+3+4
NEP 2020 recognises ECCE as the foundation of learning by integrating three years of pre-school into the 5+3+3+4 structure.
Karma Puja, on which PM Modi greeted the nation on 3 September 2025, is a festival particularly associated with which community?
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Correct answer: A — Tribal community
PM Modi extended wishes to all citizens, especially the tribal community, on Karma Puja, a festival in which worship of nature holds special significance.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 10th convocation of the Central University of Tamil Nadu on 3 September 2025. Where is the university located?
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Correct answer: A — Thiruvarur
The 10th convocation of the Central University of Tamil Nadu was held at Thiruvarur.