1. CP Radhakrishnan to become India’s 15th Vice President
What happened & Why it matters:
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy (CP) Radhakrishnan is set to take oath as India’s 15th Vice President on 12 September 2025. The Vice‐President is also the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, so this role is important in terms of legislative business and presiding over sessions. Given India’s current political landscape, changes in such high offices affect parliamentary procedure, political equations, and sometimes even succession dynamics. The election also reflects prevailing party alliances, support, and regional representation. For UPSC: relevant under Polity (Constitutional offices, election, role & powers of Vice‐President), also under Current Affairs.
MCQs:
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The Vice President of India is the ex‐officio Chairperson of which house of Parliament?
A) Lok Sabha
B) Rajya Sabha
C) Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
D) Neither -
If the Vice President of India becomes vacant, who exercises the duties of the Vice President until a new one is elected?
A) Chief Justice of India
B) President of India
C) Lok Sabha Speaker
D) Prime Minister -
Which of the following statements about the Vice President of India are correct?
- Elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament.
- Serves a term of five years.
- Can be removed by a simple majority in Parliament.
Select the correct answer:
A) 1 & 2 only
B) 2 & 3 only
C) 1, 2 & 3
D) 1 only
2. Global Meet on India’s Manuscript Heritage under “Gyan Bharatam”
What happened & Why it matters:
An international conference titled “Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage” began at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. It is part of the “Gyan Bharatam” initiative announced in the 2025-26 budget to preserve and promote India’s vast manuscript heritage. The aim is to bring together institutions and private custodians of manuscripts from across India to form an alliance or network. The conference and the initiative have importance for cultural preservation, historical knowledge, academic research, identity, and soft power. For UPSC: relevant under Culture (preservation of heritage), Indian History, Budget & Policies.
MCQs:
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The “Gyan Bharatam” project is associated with which of the following sectors?
A) Renewable energy
B) Manuscript/Heritage preservation
C) Health infrastructure
D) Digital finance -
Manuscripts in the Indian context are important for which of these reasons?
- They help reconstruct local histories and lost literary traditions.
- They provide material for study in linguistics, palaeography, and codicology.
- They are a source for developing new technologies in AI without external data.
Select correct answer:
A) 1 & 2 only
B) 2 & 3 only
C) 1 & 3 only
D) 1, 2 & 3
-
Under the “Gyan Bharatam” initiative, which of the following are likely to be primary stakeholders?
A) Government-funded institutions (e.g. national libraries)
B) Private custodians of manuscripts (families, trusts, individuals)
C) Foreign museums holding Indian manuscripts
D) Digital archiving platformsChoose the most appropriate option(s):
A) A & B only
B) B & C only
C) A, B & C
D) All A, B, C & D
3. Proposed Raising of Almatti Dam Height (Upper Krishna Project Phase III), Karnataka
What happened & Why it matters:
The Karnataka government is considering raising the height of Almatti Dam (part of the Upper Krishna Project Phase III) from 517 metres to 524.2 metres. This would increase water storage by about 100 tmcft and enable irrigation of an additional ~6 lakh hectares. However, it has implications: submergence of 20 villages and portions of Bagalkot town, acquisition of about 1.3 lakh acres of land. Cost escalations (from ₹55,148 crore in 2018 to ~₹87,818 crore) largely due to land costs. It’s relevant for topics like water resources, inter-state river management, environmental & social impact of large infrastructure, resettlement & rehabilitation, cost overruns.
MCQs:
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The Almatti Dam is built on which river?
A) Krishna
B) Godavari
C) Cauvery
D) Tungabhadra -
What are some typical challenges in raising the height of a dam?
- Increased submergence leading to displacement of communities.
- Need for additional land acquisition at possibly higher costs.
- Improved ecological balance due to more water storage.
Which of the above are true?
A) 1 & 2 only
B) 2 & 3 only
C) 1 & 3 only
D) All three
-
In the context of Indian federalism, who has primary responsibility over dams & inter‐state river projects?
A) Central Government only
B) State Governments only
C) Shared between Central & State Governments under Union, State and Concurrent lists
D) International bodies
4. PM’s Visit to Manipur: Projects Worth ₹8,500 Crore
What happened & Why it matters:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manipur on 13 September 2025, during which various development projects worth about ₹8,500 crore will be inaugurated or that the foundation will be laid. The move highlights focus on infrastructure development, connectivity, possibly healthcare / education etc in the northeastern state. Also shows how central government uses high profile visits to fast-track regional development, reduce regional disparities, insurgency concerns, integration. For UPSC: themes like Northeast policy, federal schemes, regional development, infrastructure in sensitive border states.
MCQs:
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Which of the following best describes a reason for special focus on infrastructure in northeastern states of India?
A) To exploit natural resources
B) To improve connectivity and bridge developmental disparities
C) To increase tourism only
D) To reduce population in other parts of India -
An investment of ₹8,500 crore in a state like Manipur is likely to impact which sectors? (Typical)
- Road & transport infrastructure
- Healthcare facilities
- Educational institutions
- Defence installations only
Choose the correct combination:
A) 1, 2 & 3 only
B) 1 & 4 only
C) 2 & 3 only
D) All of the above
-
Which of the following Constitutional provisions empower the Centre to aid states in infrastructure development?
A) Article 262 – Adjudication of river disputes
B) Article 280 – Finance Commission
C) Article 275 – Grants from the Centre to States in need
D) Article 74 – Council of Ministers to aid the President
5. EU Political & Security Committee’s Maiden Visit to India
What happened & Why it matters:
A delegation from the European Union’s Political & Security Committee (PSC), led by Ambassador Delphine Pronk, and including ambassadors of the 27 EU member states, is visiting India from 10 to 14 September 2025. This is the first official visit of the PSC to India, and the agenda includes defence, security, and foreign policy cooperation. In a world of changing strategic alignments (Indo‐Pacific focus, Russia-Ukraine war, China), such diplomatic engagements strengthen ties, help in joint responses to regional threats, counterterrorism, technology, etc. Relevant for UPSC under International Relations, External Affairs, Strategic Studies.
MCQs:
-
The European Union Political & Security Committee (PSC) is responsible for which of the following?
A) Political dialogue and consultations in foreign affairs among member states
B) Planning and conducting military operations of EU countries
C) Alone negotiating trade agreements with non-EU countries
D) Determining EU monetary policy -
Why is a maiden visit of the EU‐PSC to India significant?
- Symbolic of deepening EU-India strategic partnership.
- Provides a platform to discuss joint responses to global/regional security threats.
- Obligates India to follow EU foreign policy.
Which of the above are true?
A) 1 & 2 only
B) 2 & 3 only
C) 1 & 3 only
D) All three
-
Which treaty/institution governs security & defence policy among EU member states?
A) NATO
B) EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
C) ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting - Plus
D) Eurasian Economic Union
