Daily Current Affairs Quiz
23 September, 2025
National Affairs
1. Supreme Court Reaffirms Secularism as a Basic Structure of Indian Constitution
Source: TH
Context:
The Supreme Court of India recently reaffirmed that secularism is a fundamental principle and an inseparable part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India. This reiteration came during a case involving the participation of Kannada writer and International Booker Prize-winner Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim, in the inauguration of the Mysuru Dasara festival at the Chamundeshwari Temple.
Secularism in India
Secularism is the principle that the state treats all religions equally, neither favoring nor discriminating against any religion. It ensures freedom of religion for individuals while maintaining a separation between religion and government.
Key Features of Indian Secularism:
- Equal Treatment of All Religions: The government cannot give preferential treatment to any religion.
- Freedom of Religion: Citizens have the right to practice, profess, and propagate any religion under Articles 25–28 of the Constitution.
- State Neutrality: The state remains neutral in religious matters but can regulate practices to maintain public order, morality, and health.
- Protection of Minority Rights: Secularism also involves safeguarding the rights of religious minorities.
Basic Structure of the Constitution
The basic structure doctrine, established by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), states that certain fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be amended or destroyed by Parliament.
Key Features Included in the Basic Structure:
- Supremacy of the Constitution
- Rule of Law
- Separation of Powers
- Fundamental Rights
- Judicial Review
- Democracy
- Secularism
Basic Structure and the Constitution
- The Basic Structure is not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the Indian Constitution.
- It is a judicial doctrine developed by the Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973).
- It represents the essential features of the Constitution that cannot be amended or destroyed, even by Parliament under Article 368.
2. World Food India (WFI) 2025
Source: PIB
Context:
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries reflects on World Food India (WFI) 2025, highlighting its evolution into a strategic platform aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as a global food basket. WFI serves as a convergence point for government, industry, farmers, FPOs, SHGs, and global investors, enabling innovation to translate into investment and growth.
Strategic Objectives
The agenda rests on five core pillars:
- Sustainability & Net-Zero Food Processing
- India as a Global Food Processing Hub
- Frontiers in Food Processing, Products & Packaging Technologies
- Processed Food for Nutrition & Health
- Livestock & Marine Products for Rural Economy
Each pillar is mapped to curated sessions, B2B meetings, and adoption pathways, ensuring actionable outcomes from discussions.
Key Highlights:
- CEO Roundtable: Strategic dialogue among industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to foster collaboration and address sectoral challenges.
- Micro-Entrepreneurs & SHGs:
- Free stalls enable direct engagement with domestic and global buyers.
- Trade orders worth crores generated; lasting partnerships established.
- North-East Pavilion: Showcases organic and sustainable products such as Assam teas and Meghalaya turmeric, highlighting the region as a launchpad for Indian organic brands.
- Comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement: Includes HoReCa, Alcobev sectors, and technology innovators.
3. CPCB Report 2023
Context:
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its 2023 assessment of river water quality, focusing on Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as a key indicator. Rivers with BOD > 3 mg/litre are deemed unfit for bathing.
Key Highlights:
Overall Status
- Unfit River Locations:
- 2023 → 807 locations
- 2022 → 815 locations
- Polluted River Stretches (PRS):
- 2023 → 296 PRS across 271 rivers
- 2022 → 311 PRS across 279 rivers
State-wise PRS (2023)
- Maharashtra – 54 (highest in India)
- Kerala – 31
- Madhya Pradesh – 18
- Manipur – 18
- Karnataka – 14
‘Priority 1’ Stretches (Most Polluted, BOD > 30 mg/litre)
- 2023: 37 stretches
- 2022: 45 stretches
- Top States (2023): Tamil Nadu (5), Uttar Pradesh (5), Uttarakhand (5)
- Top States (2022): Gujarat (6), Uttar Pradesh (6)
CPCB Monitoring Network
- Total monitoring stations: 4,736 locations
- Coverage: Rivers, lakes, creeks, drains, canals
4. National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025
Source: PIB
Context:
In a historic initiative recognizing grassroots-level digital governance, Gram Panchayats were conferred with the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025 under a newly instituted category dedicated to digital service delivery at the Panchayat level.
Award Winners
| Award | Gram Panchayat | District/State | Sarpanch | Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Rohini | Dhule, Maharashtra | Dr. Anandrao Pawara | ₹10 lakh |
| Silver | West Majlishpur | West Tripura, Tripura | Smt. Anita Deb Das | ₹5 lakh |
| Jury Award | Palsana | Surat, Gujarat | Shri Pravinbhai Parshottambhai Ahir | — |
| Jury Award | Suakati | Kendujhar, Odisha | Smt. Kautuka Naik | — |
Financial incentives are to be reinvested in enhancing citizen-centric digital initiatives.
Notable Achievements of Award-Winning Panchayats
Rohini Gram Panchayat, Maharashtra (Gold)
- First Panchayat in Maharashtra with a fully paperless e-Office system
- Offers 1,027 online services and ensures 100% household digital literacy
- Real-time grievance redressal and bulk SMS outreach
West Majlishpur Gram Panchayat, Tripura (Silver)
- Citizen Charter–driven governance model
- Online delivery of birth/death/marriage certificates, trade licenses, property records, MGNREGS job cards
- Ensures accountability, timeliness, and transparency
Palsana Gram Panchayat, Gujarat (Jury Award)
- Integration with Digital Gujarat and Gram Suvidha portals
- QR/UPI-based property tax payments and online grievance redressal
- 10,000+ citizens access online services annually
Suakati Gram Panchayat, Odisha (Jury Award)
- Digitized services through OdishaOne and Seva Odisha platforms
- Provides 24/7 citizen access with real-time tracking
- Promotes women’s leadership and inclusive service delivery
Banking/Finance
1. SEBI Proposes Changes to Technical Glitch Framework for Stockbrokers
Source: ET
Context:
Currently, any malfunction in a stockbroker’s electronic trading system is classified as a “technical glitch.” This framework applies to all brokers, regardless of size or client base.
Key Proposed Changes
- Redefinition of Technical Glitch
- Excludes malfunctions after trading hours and issues beyond the control of stockbrokers.
- Applicability Threshold
- Applies only to brokers:
- Providing internet-based trading platforms
- Having more than 10,000 clients as of March 31 of the previous financial year
- Result: 457 small stockbrokers will now be excluded, reducing compliance burden.
- Applies only to brokers:
- Financial Disincentive Adjustments
- Brokers will not face penalties for glitches that do not materially affect client services
- Example: Minor operational issues with negligible impact
- Disclosure and Transparency
- Stock exchanges should rationalise financial disincentives
- Instances of technical glitches should be disclosed on their websites
- Capacity Planning Requirements
- Stockbrokers must ensure adequate infrastructure to handle increased investor load
- Requires monitoring of peak load across trading applications, servers, and networks
2. RBI Clarifies Regulations on NBFC-Peer to Peer (P2P) Lending Platforms
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued clarifications on the regulatory framework for Non-Banking Financial Company – Peer to Peer (NBFC-P2P) lending platforms, aiming to enhance transparency, protect customer funds, and ensure operational stability.
Key Highlights:
- Definition:
- A P2P lending platform is an online marketplace connecting borrowers (individuals/businesses) directly with investors/lenders, bypassing traditional banks.
- Leverage and Capital Requirements:
- Leverage ratio: Outside liabilities ÷ owned funds (excluding customer funds).
- Investible funds: Capital infused by promoters and business surplus; excludes lender/borrower funds.
- Minimum ₹2 crore capital required before issuance of Certificate of Registration (CoR).
- Operational Guidelines:
- Customer funds cannot be used by the platform.
- All loan disbursals and repayments must go through bank accounts of registered lenders and borrowers via escrow accounts.
- ‘T+1’ settlement refers to one bank working day.
- Eligibility:
- Existing NBFCs are not allowed to operate as NBFC-P2P entities.
Significance:
- Strengthens the integrity and transparency of P2P lending in India.
- Protects lenders’ and borrowers’ funds, ensuring financial discipline.
- Encourages regulated growth of alternative lending platforms in India.
3. Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund Announces Debt Fund Merger
Source: ET
Context:
Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund has announced the merger of its Banking & PSU Bond Fund (merging scheme) into its Short Duration Fund (surviving scheme), effective 17th October 2025.
Key Highlights:
- Regulatory Framework:
- The merger is classified as a change in fundamental attributes under Regulation 18(15A) of SEBI Mutual Fund Regulations, 1996.
- SEBI has provided a no-objection for the merger.
- Unitholder Options:
- Investors have a 30-day notice period (17th September to 16th October 2025) to exit without any exit load.
- Post-Merger Scenario:
- No new scheme will be launched.
- Only the Short Duration Fund will continue post-merger.
Significance:
- Consolidates the debt fund offerings of the AMC.
- Simplifies fund management while providing unitholders a choice to exit during the transition period.
Agriculture
1. NABARD Rural Sentiment Survey September 2025
Source: BS
Context:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has released the findings of its 7th bi-monthly rural economic conditions and sentiment survey (September 2025). The report shows weakening confidence among rural households, largely due to the impact of steep US tariffs on Indian exports imposed by President Donald Trump.
Rural Income Sentiment Weakens
- In July 2025, nearly 75% of rural households expected their incomes to rise in the next year.
- By September 2025, this figure fell to 72.8%.
- Short-term optimism also declined: 51.6% expect income improvement in the next quarter, compared to 56.4% in July.
Key Factor: US Tariffs
- Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian goods—covering 55% of India’s shipments to the US—is among the steepest globally.
- Sectors with strong rural linkages such as seafood exports are directly hit, dampening rural confidence.
Borrowing Behaviour and Credit Trends
- 54.5% of rural households now borrow exclusively from formal sources (highest since survey inception).
- 20% rely solely on informal credit, with over half borrowing from friends and relatives.
- Interest rates on informal loans remain high:
- Average: 17–18%
- Median: 12%
- One-third pay above 20%, while ~30% pay no interest (family/friend lending).
Income and Inflation Perceptions
- Among households reporting higher income over the past year, average earnings rose 12.8%, up from earlier rounds.
- Inflation expectations eased further:
- Average perceived inflation: 4.09% (down ~150 basis points since Nov 2024).
- Median inflation perception: 3%.
Rural Development Priorities
- Road infrastructure topped rural development satisfaction rankings: 45.3% households highlighted improvement.
- Followed by:
- Education (12%)
- Electricity (8.7%)
2. Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0)
Source: PIB
Context”
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the second edition of the Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) in New Delhi. The programme brings together innovators, startups, and institutions from both countries to foster collaboration in agri-food innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.
Strengthening India–Brazil Agricultural Ties
- Dr. Jat highlighted the 77-year-long partnership between India and Brazil, including collaboration on BRICS and G20 platforms.
- He recalled historical agricultural linkages and emphasized innovation-driven growth.
- Emphasis on commercialization as delivering public-funded innovations to end-users, not just generating revenue.
- Maitri 2.0 is envisioned as a two-way learning platform for co-creation between Indian and Brazilian innovators.
Objectives
- Strengthen incubator linkages between India and Brazil
- Exchange best practices in agritech innovation
- Promote co-incubation of startups and technologies
- Explore opportunities in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, and value-chain development
- Build resilient food systems and empower farmers
Facts To Remember
1. India beats Pakistan in SAFF under-17
The India under-17 men’s team beat Pakistan 3-2 at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Monday to go to the top of Group-B in the SAFF under-17 Championship 2025.
2. India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility inaugurated in Berrechid, Morocco
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Abdelatif Loudyi today jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco.
3. Ministry of Culture Hosts Three-Day Nadi Utsav Highlighting Rivers
Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, under the Ministry of Culture, will hold the sixth edition of Nadi Utsav from the 25th of this month in New Delhi. Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil will inaugurate the three-day event, which will highlight rivers as vital lifelines and cultural reservoirs.
4. World Food India 2025 Scheduled in New Delhi from September 25–28
World Food India 2025 will be organised from 25th to 28th of September at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The 4th edition of World Food India aims to promote investments in the diverse food processing sector, as well as introduce India’s rich food culture to the World.
5. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today launched Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 in New Delhi. The initiative aims to nurture creativity, problem-solving, and self-reliance among youth.
6. Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest govt-funded health assurance scheme, completes 7 years today
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana completes seven years today. Launched in September 2018 from Ranchi, it is the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme. The scheme has transformed healthcare in India, reaching over 55 crore beneficiaries.
7. National Ayurveda Day 2025
The All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa, celebrated the 10th National Ayurveda Day at its Dhargal campus today.
