Current Affairs Questions with Answers and Explanations
The quantum mechanical counterpart of a classical bit is called a qubit, or quantum bit. Information is represented in bits in classical computing, and each bit may be either zero or one. Qubits are used to encode information in quantum computing. Qubits can be either 0 or 1, or they can be a linear combination of both states, which is not the case with a classical bit. This phenomenon is known as superposition.
A popular nickname for the Gandikota Canyon is the "Grand Canyon of India" because of its breathtaking scenery, which features rocky outcrops and the historic Gandikota fort that overlooks the canyon. (Gemini)
Question 5: Where did the "National Conclave: Sangathan Swasthya Samriddhi" recently get its start?
Question 8: Which Indian city hosted the 12th Regional Circular Economy Conference in 2025?
Question 9: In what year was the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) launched?
Question 10: Who took home the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025?
Q11: Who promised to fight till independence against Russia?
GDP (worldmeters.info/gdp)
The top ten fastest-growing GDPs in the world
China's Economic Stalldown
• Structural barriers include a shrinking working-age population, dwindling investment returns, and slow productivity development.
• Addressing the social and environmental effects of the previous economic trajectory and identifying new growth drivers is challenging.
• State role needs to shift to a stable business environment, robust regulatory framework, and fair public service access.
• An expanding economy is essential for addressing global environmental challenges and carbon neutrality by 2060.
• Growth predicted to decline to 4.8% in 2024, requiring structural changes for balanced, high-quality growth. (World Bank report)
• Influenced by key industries like automotive, machinery, chemical, pharmaceutical, and IT sectors.
• GDP per capita and total GDP provide different economic health insights.
• Fluctuating GDP trends over the past five years due to global and domestic factors.
• Resilience until the 2020 downturn due to COVID-19.
• Recovery underway with fiscal stimulus and shift towards renewable energy.
• GDP growth rate varies, influenced by global economic conditions, internal policies, and geopolitical events.
• Higher GDP correlates with better job opportunities, income, and living standards.
• Slowing GDP can lead to reduced consumer spending and investor caution. (World Bank)
• The economy advanced 1.0% annually, surpassing market expectations of 0.4%.
• Accelerated from 0.6% in Q1 2025.
• Fifth consecutive quarter of annual growth.
• Private consumption boosted by government measures to ease inflation.
• Capital spending accelerated due to monetary tightening, labor-saving technologies, digitalization, and supply chain diversification.
• Net trade boosted by rebound in exports due to accelerated shipments to the U.S.
• Economists warn tariffs may intensify in the coming quarters. (tradingeconomics.com)
UPSC previous year GS questions
Q1. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. (Answer in 150 words)
The architecture focused more on utility than decoration, with large-scale public baths, granaries, warehouses, dockyards, and assembly halls forming civic centres. Streets intersected at right angles, supported by elaborate drainage and water supply systems that showcased hydro-engineering skills.
Overall, Harappan architecture reflected a highly organized and egalitarian urban ethos, combining functionality with durability, and set early foundations for city planning in the Indian subcontinent.
2. Examine the main aspects of Akbar's religious syncretism. (Answer in 150 words)
Answer2.
In an attempt to foster unity among the many religious sects inside his empire, Akbar's religious policy was a deliberate attempt at religious syncretism. "Sulh-i-Kul" or universal peace was a fundamental tenet of this strategy. This kind of thinking encouraged religious tolerance and harmonious cohabitation.
At Fatehpur Sikri, he founded the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship), where theologians from many faiths, including Christianity, Jainism, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism, would converse. His knowledge and admiration of many religious viewpoints were enhanced by this exposure to various faiths.
An important step was the removal of the discriminatory pilgrimage tax and the jizya levy on non-Muslims. Akbar proclaimed "Din-i-Ilahi," or "the divine faith," in 1582; this was not so much a new religion as it was a set of moral principles. It included aspects of other faiths and emphasized values like as benevolence, prudence, and piety. It represented his idea of a tolerant and cohesive empire, even if it wasn't widely accepted.
3. "The sculptors filled the Chandella art form with resilient vigor and breadth of life." Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans3.
Resilient Vigor and Breadth of Life in Chandella Sculptures
The Chandella dynasty (9th–13th century CE), renowned for the Khajuraho temples (UNESCO World Heritage Site), enriched Indian art with sculptures marked by vitality and thematic range.
Resilient Vigor:
Chandella sculptures emphasize movement and dynamism through tribhanga and graceful poses. Figures appear alive, with expressive faces, rhythmic gestures, and balanced proportions. Apsaras, celestial beings, warriors, and guardians from the Lakshmana and Kandariya Mahadev temples demonstrate vitality, strength, and resilience.
Breadth of Life:
The sculptures portray the entire spectrum of existence—divine deities, erotic mithuna figures symbolizing fertility, as well as daily life scenes of dancers, musicians, and householders. Animals, mythical beings, and celestial forms further reflect a holistic worldview where sacred and secular coexist.
Conclusion:
Chandella sculptures embody both resilient vigor and breadth of life, celebrating spirituality alongside worldly joy, making them timeless expressions of medieval Indian aesthetic vision.
Q4 .How are climate change and sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans4.
Island nations are more vulnerable to the loss of coastal arable land due to salinization and degradation as sea levels rise. It becomes extremely challenging to grow subsistence crops like breadfruit on these islands if the scarce soil becomes salinized.
Land Loss and Inundation: As a result of coastal erosion and ongoing flooding brought on by rising sea levels, there is less livable land available.
Contamination of Freshwater:
Drinking water supplies are at risk when freshwater sources are contaminated by saltwater intrusion.
Water intrusion contaminating its scarce freshwater, the Maldives and Tuvalu face existential risks from rising waves, and Fiji has already started to relocate settlements as a result of coastal erosion.
Habitat Destruction: As a result of ocean warming and acidification, coral reefs deteriorate, affecting fisheries, coastal protection, and marine ecosystems.
Q5. What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans5.
These resource-based pursuits, which do not include farming, include fishing, forestry, raising animals, mining, quarrying, gathering, and salt production. Their distribution and nature are greatly impacted by the physiographic diversity of India.
Physiographic Features and Their Relation
Sea fishing in Kerala, Gujarat, and the Bay of Bengal; pearl and oyster cultivation in the Gulf of Mannar are examples of coastal and island regions.
River Valleys & Wetlands:
Inland fishing at Chilika, Pulicat Lakes, and the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains.
Timber, bamboo, and medicinal plants are found in the Himalayas and Western Ghats; pastoralism includes raising sheep and goats, yaks in Ladakh, and transhumance, according to Gaddis.
Plateaus:
Iron ore-rich Karnataka-Goa belt, coal-, iron-, and bauxite-rich Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Arid and semi-arid regions:
The Rann of Kachchh produces salt; Rajasthan raises sheep and camels.
Q6: Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans6:
Solar Energy's Economic Benefits in India
Cost Savings for Consumers
• Solar panels can significantly reduce electricity bills for households and businesses.
• Consumers can generate their own power, reducing dependence on grid electricity.
• Net metering policies allow consumers to sell excess solar power back to the grid.
Reduction in Energy Imports
• Solar energy can reduce India's reliance on imported fossil fuels, promoting energy security and economic stability.
• The money saved from reduced energy imports can be redirected towards infrastructure and healthcare.
Job Creation and Economic Growth
• The solar industry creates jobs across various sectors, stimulating economic growth, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Boost to Local Manufacturing
• The Indian government promotes the development of a domestic solar manufacturing industry to reduce dependence on imported components.
Rural Electrification and Economic Development
• Solar energy can drive economic development in rural India by providing access to reliable and affordable electricity.
• Solar-powered microgrids and off-grid systems can stimulate economic activities, improve education and healthcare, and enhance rural communities' well-being.
Q7: What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans7.
A tsunami is a sequence of waves in a body of water, usually an ocean or lake, that are brought on by the displacement of a significant amount of water. Unlike typical ocean waves or tides, it is produced by the displacement of water from a major event. Tsunamis are made up of waves that arrive in a wave train and have durations varying from minutes to hours. Large events can produce waves as high as tens of meters. Coastal regions are the only places where tsunamis can occur, although entire ocean basins can be devastated by them. The goal of the current study is to comprehend how tsunami waves interact with shorelines and why some major earthquakes do not produce tsunamis.
Large-scale flooding, fatalities, infrastructure destruction, and agricultural land salinization are all consequences of tsunamis. Over 2.3 lakh people were killed in 14 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Consequences:
In a similar vein, the Fukushima nuclear accident was brought on by the 2011 tsunami in Japan. Despite their rarity, tsunamis are among the most deadly natural disasters; hence, strong early-warning systems are
Q8: How does the smart city initiative in India address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice? (Answer in 150 words)
Answer8:
Smart Cities put an emphasis on urgent needs and chances to enhance people's lives using digital technology, best practices for urban planning, public-private collaborations, and legislative changes. 'Smart' solutions, clean and sustainable ecosystems, a good standard of living, and basic infrastructure are the goals of the Smart Cities Mission. Pan-city projects, three area-based development models, and essential infrastructure components like a sufficient supply of water, electricity, and sanitation, as well as effective urban mobility, reasonably priced housing, strong IT connectivity, sound governance, a sustainable environment, safety, and security, are all part of the strategy.
Launched in 2015, India's Smart City Mission aims to reduce urban poverty by promoting fair growth in addition to modern infrastructure. Reducing Urban Poverty with Smart City Solutions
1. Affordable Housing: According to MoHUA (2024), PMAY-U approved around 1.2 crore homes, including Delhi's Swabhiman residences for slum dwellers.
2. Obtaining Credit --> PM SVANIDHI PLAN
3. Livelihoods & Skills: 10 lakh impoverished people benefited from NULM + Skill India's training of urban youth in Bhubaneswar (MoHUA, 2023).
4. Digital Inclusion: creating accounts for the Pradhan Mantri Jandhan Yojana.
5. Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme (Rajasthan) is one state government initiative.
Q9: The ethos of civil service in India stands for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness. Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans9:
Often referred to as the "steel frame of India," the Indian Civil Services is a blend of professionalism and patriotism, with roots in the liberation struggle and the constitutional ideals of equality, justice, and welfare. While patriotic consciousness concentrates on serving the country with a dedication to unity, inclusivity, and welfare, professionalism in the civil service entails technical competence, integrity, and unbiased decision-making. In order to ensure nation-building through effective reforms, equity-oriented governance, crisis resilience, and inclusive, sustainable growth, the true spirit of civil services is their integration. This special combination guarantees that governance is a mission-driven service that fosters social cohesion, builds democracy, and propels inclusive national development rather than a mechanized application of the law.
Q10: Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans10:
In addition to fostering an aggressive consumer culture through multinational corporations and advertising, globalization encourages ecological movements, cultural interaction, and hybridization. This complex influence promotes local resistance, innovation, and the acceptance of new cultural practices in addition to promoting globalized goods. Globalization has a variety of effects, including promoting waste and fast fashion, exposing people to aspirational global lifestyles, standardizing global services, and fostering predatory behavior. However, it also promotes glocalization, innovation, economic expansion, sustainability movements, and cultural resilience. Globalization also increases access to knowledge and education, which helps students everywhere. All things considered, the interdependence of globalization leads to a dynamic interplay of local and global forces, challenges dominant consumer standards, and promotes a range of cultural adaptations.
Q10: Mahatma Jotirao Phule's writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)
Ans10: In 1827, Jyotirao Phule was born into a Mali (Gardner) family in Poona. He attended a Marathi school for his education, taking a three-year hiatus to attend a Poona mission school. Phule started a school for girls from low and untouchable castes in 1848, marking the beginning of his work as a social reformer who was interested in the education of low caste boys and girls.
Phule promoted education for women, who were among the most downtrodden. He and his wife, Savitribai Phule, established Pune's first girls' school in 1848. In defiance of patriarchal conventions that oppressed women, he strongly opposed child marriage and advocated widow remarriage.
His opposition to the caste system and the Brahminical order's domination was his most potent cause. His groundbreaking book Gulamgiri (Slavery) revealed how exploitative caste systems are. To secure equal rights for the Shudras and Ati-Shudras, the so-called lower castes, he established the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) in 1873. By encouraging logical thinking and opposing ceremonial domination, the Samaj sought to free them from social and religious servitude. Phule also spoke to the suffering of the working class and peasantry. He described how landlords and the colonial bureaucracy exploited farmers in his novel Shetkaryacha Asud (The Cultivator's Whipcord). Phule's reform movement gave the subaltern masses of his day a genuinely comprehensive and potent voice by tying together the struggles of women, lower castes, and peasants.
Ans11:
• Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III, a Muslim nawab, ruled Junagarh, a Hindu state in western India.
• Junagarh declared membership in Pakistan in 1947, despite the Hindus' desire.
• A plebiscite in February 1948 supported India's participation.
• Pakistan challenged Kashmir, leading to a referendum and eventual admission.
• Hyderabad, India's largest state, joined the Indian Union in November 1948.
• The second phase involved internal constitutional amendments and state incorporation.
• Sardar Patel's greatest achievement was India's swift political unification post-independence.
Building human capital for nation-building was the main goal of education. Institutions of national significance, like as the IITs, were developed to promote scientific and technical skills, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) was created to regulate higher education.
It established the foundation for contemporary concepts of the rule of law, universal suffrage, and citizenship.
Its principles of justice, equality, and secularism served as a source of inspiration for leaders and reformers.
For instance:
"Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" are expressly included in the Indian Constitution's Preamble.
Revolutionary egalitarianism is echoed by social reform movements such as the universal adult franchise, women's empowerment, and the abolition of untouchability.
Fraternity was also emphasized by intellectuals like as Ambedkar, who rooted it in Indian customs as well as revolutionary aspirations.
Examples of the ongoing significance of mass mobilization for rights include the Arab Spring, pro-democracy demonstrations in Myanmar, and international climate justice initiatives.
Lessons of Caution
We are reminded of the perils of extremism by the radical phase and the Reign of Terror.
Lesson: For a democracy to last, liberty and order must be balanced.
Q13:Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of offshore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the onshore occurrences of oil reserves? (Answer in 250 words)
Depositional Environment: Nearly all offshore oil comes from marine sources. Some onshore reserves can form in terrestrial conditions, such as big lakes, which can affect the quality of the oil, even if many of them also come from historic inland seas, like the Middle East.
The main distinction between extraction and economics is this. Offshore drilling is only practical for large deposits since it requires extremely costly and sophisticated equipment, including as deep-water rigs and subsea infrastructure. On-shore drilling is technologically simpler and far less costly.
Environmental danger: Compared to relatively confined onshore occurrences, spills from offshore operations pose a much greater danger to the environment since they can have catastrophic and far-reaching effects on marine ecosystems.
In order to map terrain, vegetation, water bodies, and land usage, RS uses satellites to gather the fundamental macro-level data. As a framework for managing, storing, overlaying, and analyzing these many spatial datasets, GIS serves as the brain of the system. By establishing a correlation between infrastructure availability and population density, for instance, it facilitates the identification of geographical patterns and relationships.
The enormous datasets from RS and GIS that are too complicated for human analysis are processed by AI, which functions as the brain. Predictive modeling, such as predicting patterns of urban growth, identifying regions at high risk for natural disasters like floods, or determining the best placement for a new facility by examining dozens of variables at once, can be carried out by machine learning algorithms. Additionally, AI streamlines time-consuming processes like feature extraction, such as automatically counting buildings or identifying land-use changes over time in satellite photos. Instead of satellites, drones act as the "eyes on the ground," providing hyper-local, high-resolution, and on-demand data. In-depth site surveys, accurate 3D terrain modeling, real-time construction progress tracking, and crop health evaluation at the plant level are all applications for them. The GIS and AI models are then updated with this fine-grained data to confirm and improve their accuracy.
Planners may transition from static analysis to dynamic, predictive, and highly optimal spatial planning for cities, agriculture, and disaster management with the help of this integrated system.
Q15: Discuss how the changes in shape and size of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses. (Answer in 250 words)
Q16: Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil, and water resources. (Answer in 250 words).
Q17.How do you account for the growing fast food industry, given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience. (Answer in 250 words)
Quick bites are in high demand due to hectic schedules and urbanization. (For instance, the increasing use of food courts in shopping centers and online ordering services like Swiggy and Zomato.)
Growing Affordability: As salaries rise, more people can afford to eat out.
Cultural Appeal: International businesses provide dishes like hot pizzas and veggie burgers in response to regional preferences. McDonald's aloo tikki burger and Domino's paneer pizza are two examples.
Digital Convenience: Ordering food is made simple via apps. (For instance, contactless delivery during the epidemic offered by Zomato and Swiggy.)
Youth Culture: Fast food is in high demand as a social activity among India's youthful population. According to the data, 65 percent of Indians are under 35.
Contrasting Health Concerns
WHO (2022): Fast food consumption is a significant contributing factor to India's 135 million obese citizens.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and childhood obesity are among the lifestyle disorders that are becoming more common (NFHS-5 indicates that the prevalence of obesity is 24% among urban women and 22% among urban males).
Junk food is associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and is heavy in trans fat, sugar, and salt.
To minimize pupils' sugar intake, CBSE established sugar boards. FSSAI (2016): Guidelines to reduce salt, sugar, and fat in processed foods.
The Eat Right Movement (2018) is a public awareness campaign that advocates for a healthy diet.
State government initiatives: The Karnataka government's Ksheera Bhagya Scheme offers milk as part of the midday meal.
Q19:Does tribal development in India center around two axes, those of displacement and rehabilitation? Give your opinion. (Answer in 250 words)
Preservation of tribal cultures, customs, and identities—which are frequently endangered by displacement and assimilation into the mainstream economy—must be given top priority in development initiatives in order to address this problem. Tribal communities should be empowered through sustainable economic opportunities, healthcare, and education that honors their customs and abilities as part of an all-encompassing strategy. Legislation such as the PESA Act of 1996 guarantees that participatory governance is necessary for true development. Models that are both culturally aware and rights-based are required, supporting a participatory, rights-based strategy that takes into account the unique requirements of tribal communities. Sustainable and inclusive development without sacrificing tribal identity, survival, or dignity should be the ultimate objective.
Punjab
flood
In August 2025, Punjab had its worst floods
since 1988. Several villages in the state have been damaged by water rushing
from the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers. At the same time, severe rainstorms
that hit areas of Pakistan and India-controlled Kashmir killed at least 34
people. The village of Dharali in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district vanished in
early August when a landslide caused by a flood occurred. (The Hindu)
US
Tariff on Indian Exports: A Warning and Recommendations
• Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha
Nageswaran warns of the impact of the additional 25% tariff imposed by US
President Donald Trump on Indian exports.
• The tariff will make business
conditions challenging and impact economic growth, especially in the second and
third quarters of the current financial year.
• Nageswaran expresses confidence
that the tariff measure will be short-lived and that there will be
"certain recalibration happening from the other side."
• He suggests that the US has
recognized that a higher tariff on India is not yielding desired results and is
becoming counterproductive.
• Nageswaran emphasizes that India
has been focusing on positive aspects of its relationship with the US, such as
increased purchases of fuel and defense products from the US and overseas
direct investment.
• An intervention program could be
designed to support sectors affected by higher tariffs, providing more time in
terms of working capital, cash flows, financial payment forbearance, and
emergency credit relief.
India's Petroleum Exports to Europe Amid EU
Sanctions
• India's petroleum exports to Europe are expected to remain strong due to the
anticipated EU sanctions on products refined from Russian crude in January
2026.
• The EU banned petroleum product imports from Russia in February 2023 as part
of its actions to penalize Russia for the war in Ukraine.
• India's diesel exports to Europe jumped to an 11-month high in August as the
EU prepares to ban petroleum products refined from Russian crude from January
2026.
• India's diesel exports to Europe jumped to around 260,000 barrels per day
(bpd) in August, up nearly 63% over July and 103% over August of last year.
• The surge in diesel exports to Europe is attributed to the advancing
maintenance shutdown of Shell’s Pernis refinery in the Netherlands from 2026.
• The EU ban on import of fuels made from Russian crude and coming from third
countries could severely hit India’s fuel exports to Europe.
• The likely impact of the EU ban on import of fuel made from Russian crude is
not clear yet, and details of how they will be enforced and monitored are yet
to be determined. ( the Times of India)
Punjab
Gets Relief from Water Level Dips at Bhakra Dam
• The water level at the Bhakra Dam somewhat decreased on Friday, offering some
respite to flood-affected Punjab after a week of rising water levels. The level
fell by 0.43 feet to 1,678.62 feet in the past day, and the dam's maximum
storage capacity is 1,680 feet.
• Since there was no rain forecast for the day, the level is anticipated to
drop by almost half a foot by the evening. After a spike earlier in the week
that saw the dam's level rise by 3.63 feet in just over three days, the fall
has occurred.
• On Thursday, the dam's inflow decreased from 95,435 cusecs to 76,318 cusecs,
and its outflow decreased slightly from 85,000 to 80,792 cusecs.
Bengaluru’s elderly have a new game
to keep dementia at bay: How the spelling bee is keeping them more active than ever
Retired
mathematics teacher Rama Narayanaswamy is poring over her online dictionary to
make sure that the contestants of the spelling bee competition are playing fair
and square. Each participant has a fiercely competitive spirit, determined to
score and remember the words they had learnt in the many classrooms of their
lives, letter by letter. Some wrinkle their nose, grimace, and throw up their arms
in despair when they miss scoring by putting an extra vowel. Others try the
phonetic approach to guess the letters in a particularly long word. As a
moderator of the contest, Narayanaswamy can hardly resist spelling out a tough
word or two herself. In the end, everybody is declared a winner.
This
spelling bee is unique as it’s happening at the Athashri retirement community
in the Whitefield area of Bengaluru. While Narayanaswamy, the president of the
residents’ group, is 75, the students are anywhere between 75 and 96, a
92-year-old being particularly agile. (T O I)
New Laws passed by the Modi Government
NEPAL in NEWS
• A Gen Z-led social media movement against the lavish lifestyles of "Nepo Kids" led to the ousting of a prime minister and the deadliest social unrest Nepal has seen in years.
. Thousands of protesters expressed their rage, burning the Supreme Court and parliament, and fighting with government forces over the two nights of disorder that followed.
• The unrest sparked widespread outrage, with several government ministers resigning in the wake of the violence.
• On Tuesday, protests ballooned as people defied curfews and came out into the streets to protest the government's crackdown.
• The unrest started in early September when a group of young Nepalis organized a peaceful protest against politicians' children posting about their designer handbags and luxury travel.
• A government ban on over two dozen social media platforms added fuel to the fire.
• The unrest escalated, with windows smashed, local businesses looted, and government buildings set on fire.
• The country's main international airport reopened after being shut for 24 hours due to the violence.
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