Daily Current Affairs – 23 September 2025 | Top News

Daily Current Affairs: Key highlights and Insights

SC Review on Governor’s Role in Assent of State Bills

The Supreme Court is examining a Presidential reference on whether timelines can be fixed for Governors and the President in giving assent to State Bills, amid debates over Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution.

Introduction –

• The Supreme Court of India is currently examining a crucial constitutional reference concerning the role of Governors in the legislative process of States.
• The issue revolves around whether fixed timelines should be mandated for Governors and the President in granting assent to Bills passed by State legislatures.
• This matter has significant implications for Centre-State relations and India’s federal framework, especially at a time when multiple States have accused Governors of deliberately delaying assent to Bills, thereby obstructing governance.

The Role of Governors in Assent to Bills –

• Under Article 200 of the Constitution, when a Bill is passed by a State legislature, it is presented to the Governor for assent. The Governor has the following options —
  • Grant assent to the
  • Withhold
  • Reserve the Bill for the consideration of the
  • Return the Bill (if not a Money Bill) with a message for
• If the Bill is again passed by the legislature, the Governor is constitutionally bound to give
• However, the Constitution does not prescribe any timeframe for the Governor’s decision, leading to controversies where Governors have sat on Bills indefinitely.
• Similarly, Article 201 governs the President’s assent when a Bill is reserved for consideration. Even here, no timeline exists for the President to act, which sometimes results in prolonged

Debate on Fixing Timelines –

• The absence of clear timelines has become a major flashpoint in Centre-State
• Several States, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, and Telangana, have complained of Governors withholding or delaying assent to Bills, thus stalling key reforms.
• The Supreme Court, while hearing the reference, is considering whether judicially enforceable timelines can be set to prevent such delays.
• Proponents argue that indefinite inaction by Governors violates the spirit of parliamentary democracy and undermines the functioning of elected governments.
• On the other hand, critics caution that imposing strict timelines may constrain the discretionary powers vested in Governors and the President, potentially upsetting the delicate constitutional

Background of the Case –

• The matter reached the Supreme Court through a Presidential Reference under Article 143, following disputes raised by multiple States.
• The Union government has argued that Governors act within their constitutional role and that delays may sometimes be due to the need for greater scrutiny or consultation with the
• However, the Supreme Court in earlier cases, such as Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974) and Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016), has emphasised that the Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, except in a few exceptional
• The present reference is an attempt to resolve whether Governors’ inaction can be constitutionally limited through prescribed timelines, ensuring accountability without undermining constitutional checks.

Summary of the Current Issue –

• According to the reports, the Supreme Court is deliberating on the question of fixing time- bound limits for Governors and the President in granting assent to Bills.
• The Court has acknowledged that prolonged delays effectively amount to a pocket veto, which was never envisaged in the Constitution.
• The bench is also exploring whether such timelines should be left to the legislature to define through constitutional amendment or whether the Court can lay down broad principles under its powers of interpretation.
• This debate holds far-reaching implications for India’s federal structure. While Governors are meant to be neutral constitutional authorities, their actions are often viewed through the prism of partisan politics, especially when different parties are in power at the Centre and in the
• By addressing this grey area, the Supreme Court’s eventual decision could significantly reshape the relationship between Governors and State legislatures.

Implications for Federalism –

• Strengthening Legislative Authority — Time-bound assent would reinforce the authority of elected State legislatures, reducing executive
• Preventing Political Deadlocks — It would minimise friction between Governors and State governments, ensuring smoother legislative functioning.
• Judicial Oversight on Federal Balance — The case marks an important judicial intervention in clarifying ambiguities of the Constitution that impact Centre-State
• Setting a Precedent — The ruling could also influence debates on other constitutional offices where delays in decision-making affect governance.

Low Inflation and Fiscal Challenges

Recent data showed CPI inflation at 2.07% and WPI inflation at 0.52% in August, offering relief to households. However, such low inflation complicates the government’s budget calculations and fiscal management, making revenue mobilisation harder even as consumers benefit from stable prices.

Understanding Inflation –

• Inflation refers to the general rise in prices across an economy, often triggered by increased supply of money.
• Rising input costs, such as oil or food, also push prices higher, reducing the value of
• The primary effect is erosion of purchasing power—the same amount of money buys fewer goods and services.
• While wages may adjust, most people end up spending more on essentials like food and

•     Benefits of Inflation —

• Moderate inflation can stimulate economic growth when resources are
• More spending fuels production and jobs. Keynes argued it prevents the Paradox of Thrift, where falling prices discourage spending.
• Inflation also eases debt burdens, as repayments are made with less valuable money, benefiting debtors and fixed-rate homeowners.

•     Who Benefits Most?

• Debtors and homeowners with fixed-rate
• Workers in secure jobs less vulnerable to
• Holders of foreign currencies, who gain from weaker domestic

•     When Inflation Becomes Harmful?

• High inflation reduces purchasing power, risks layoffs, and raises borrowing costs, making big purchases like homes unaffordable.
• Fixed-income workers and investors in long-term bonds also lose, as returns fail to keep up with rising costs and interest rates.

Low Inflation and Government Finances –

• While real GDP growth rose to 8% in April–June 2025, nominal GDP growth fell to 8.8%, below the government’s budget assumption of 10.1%.
• Nominal GDP, influenced by inflation, is key for revenue projections and fiscal

•     Budget Expectations vs Reality —

• The 2025–26 Budget assumed India’s nominal GDP would reach ₹357 lakh crore, with tax revenue expected to grow nearly 11%.
• However, persistently low inflation has weakened nominal GDP growth, straining revenue

•     Impact on Tax Collections —

• With WPI inflation averaging 1% and CPI inflation at 2.4% this fiscal, subdued price growth has slowed tax inflows.
• Between April–July, gross tax revenue rose just 1% year-on-year, while net tax revenue fell 5%.
• Although low inflation benefits consumers, it weakens the government’s balance sheet.
• Sluggish nominal GDP growth is already impacting finances, making it difficult to meet FY26 budget targets.

Challenges in Meeting Nominal GDP Growth Targets –

• Nominal GDP growth often diverges from Budget
• In the last 13 years, actual growth has fallen short nine times, though in three of the last four years, it exceeded expectations.

•     Revised Base and Budget Assumptions —

• The GDP for 2024–25 was revised upward by 2% to ₹331 lakh
• This reduces the required growth for 2025–26 to 8% to meet the Budget’s target of ₹357 lakh crore.

•     Fiscal Implications —

• Achieving the nominal GDP projection is critical for maintaining fiscal
• The fiscal deficit target of 4% and debt-to-GDP ratio of 56.1% hinge on meeting this number, provided the deficit stays within estimates.

•     Concerns for FY26 —

• Economists expect nominal GDP growth to fall below the Budget’s 1% estimate, with Morgan Stanley projecting just 8.3%.
• This implies continued slowdown after April–June’s 8% growth.
• Upcoming reductions in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates are expected to lower prices and inflation.
• While beneficial for consumers, this will likely further suppress nominal GDP

Low Inflation: Causes and Concerns –

• Low inflation is not inherently negative; its impact depends on the If driven by

oversupply, it signals healthy demand, but if due to weak demand, it is worrisome.

• An RBI study showed that in April–June, private companies’ sales grew 5%, while net profits surged 17.6%; in manufacturing, profits rose 27.7% against sales growth of just 5.3%, aided by lower global commodity prices.
• Despite strong margins and cash reserves, corporate investment (capex) remains
• Economists warn this indicates subdued demand rather than productivity-driven efficiency, raising concerns about India’s growth momentum.

SC Ruling on Anand Marriage Act

The Supreme Court has ordered 17 states and eight Union Territories to frame rules within four months for registering Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909. Until then, Anand Karaj marriages must be registered under existing marriage laws.

The ruling aims to ensure uniform legal recognition of Sikh marriages across India. However, critics argue that while the directive addresses procedural gaps, it does not fix deeper shortcomings in the Act itself, leaving broader issues unresolved.

The Anand Marriage Act and Its 2012 Amendment –

• Anand Karaj, meaning “blissful union,” is the Sikh marriage ceremony conducted before the Guru Granth Sahib.
• To solemnise the marriage, the couple walks around the Guru Granth Sahib four times, as hymns, known as laavan, are recited.
• The four chosen verses, composed by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, outline the spiritual journey of a married couple.
• To secure distinct legal recognition for this practice, the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 was enacted, validating all marriages solemnised through Anand Karaj and distinguishing them from Hindu rituals.
• However, the original Act lacked provisions for
• This gap was filled over a century later by the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2012, which inserted Section 6 mandating states to frame rules for registering such marriages.
• Once registered under this Act, couples no longer need to register under any other marriage

State Inaction and Supreme Court’s Intervention –

• Despite the 2012 Amendment mandating registration rules for Anand Karaj marriages, most states and Union Territories failed to act, denying Sikh couples legal certificates essential for residence, maintenance, inheritance, and succession.
• Highlighting this inaction, petitions were filed in the Supreme Court in 2022, arguing that uneven access to rights disenfranchised the community.
• As a result, the Court directed all states and UTs to frame rules within four months, stressing that in a secular framework, Anand Karaj marriages must be registered on par with
• It placed a positive duty on states to create workable registration systems and clarified that applications cannot be refused merely because rules have not been notified.

The Ongoing Debate on Sikh Marriage Rights –

• Despite legal recognition through the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 and its 2012 Amendment, most Sikh couples still register marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which also governs divorce and disputes.
• The Anand Act lacks provisions for divorce or matrimonial issues, forcing Sikhs to rely on Hindu law, undermining their distinct religious
• Community leaders and scholars argue that Sikhs need a comprehensive marriage law similar to those for Muslims and Christians.
• Critics highlight that the Anand Act, barely a page long, is symbolic rather than substantive, offering limited rights and failing to fully recognise Sikhs as a separate

Importance of Marriage Registration –

• The Supreme Court stressed that marriage registration is essential for equality, civil administration, and legal proof of status in matters such as residence, maintenance, inheritance, insurance, succession, and monogamy.
• It also safeguards the rights of women and
• Emphasising uniformity, the bench stated that in a secular framework, marriages solemnised by Anand Karaj must be recorded and certified on the same footing as other marriages to ensure both religious respect and civic equality.

Project Vijayak

Recently, the Project Vijayak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 15th Raising Day at Kargil, Ladakh.

About Project Vijayak –

• It was launched by the Border Roads Organisation in
• It drew its name from Operation Vijay, signifying the congruence between the Theatre of Battle and the Project Area of Responsibility.
• Objective — It was entrusted with the responsibility of providing road connectivity in the areas of Kargil and Zanskar, which previously were under Project Himank.
• This project has played a significant role in strengthening the security infrastructure along the LC and has also contributed positively in shaping the socio-economic landscape of the region.

•     Other Initiatives under Project —

• It has also placed strong focus on welfare of its Casual Paid
• Welfare initiatives such as insulated shelters, improved sanitation, enhanced protective gear, winter clothing, and regular health camps have been introduced to ensure safety and well-

Clean Plant Programme

The Clean Plant Programme (CPP) which was approved by the Union Cabinet is gaining momentum in its implementation.

About Clean Plant Programme –

• It was conceptualised by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank.
• It was as launched as a major initiative to provide farmers with access to high-quality, virus- free planting material of key fruit crops.
• It is implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in association with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

•     Components of Clean Plant Programme —

• Establishment of Nine Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) — These centres will offer disease diagnostics and treatments, develop mother plants for nurseries, and quarantine all domestic and imported planting materials intended for commercial propagation and
• Infrastructure Development — This includes setting up large-scale nurseries to efficiently multiply clean planting material. The mother plants produced by the CPCs will be propagated in these nurseries and then distributed to farmers.
• Regulatory and Certification Framework — A regulatory and certification process will be created to ensure complete accountability and traceability in the production and distribution of planting material.

National Archives of India

Recently, 50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA), was organised by the National Archives of India (NAI).

About National Archives of India (NAI) –

• It is the custodian of the records of enduring value of the Government of

•     History of National Archives of India —

• It was originally established as the Imperial Record Department on 11 March 1891 in Kolkata (Calcutta).

•     It was transferred to New Delhi in 1911.

• The NAI also serves as the nodal agency for implementing the Public Records Act, 1993, and the Public Record Rules, 1997.
• A significant portion of its oriental records is in Sanskrit, Persian, Odia, and other
• Access to the records in the NAI is governed by the provisions of the Public Records Rules,
• The NAI keeps and conserves records of the government of India and its organisations. It does not receive classified documents.

•     Headed by — Director General of Archives

• Ministry — Ministry of
• Location — New Delhi and has one regional office at Bhopal and three Records Centres at Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, and Puducherry.

Bagram Air Base

The Taliban government recently rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s bid to retake Bagram Air Base, four years after America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan left the sprawling military facility in the Taliban hands.

About Bagram Air Base –

• It is the largest air base in Afghanistan, located north of the capital,
• It has a strategic position at the crossroads of Iran, Pakistan, China’s Xinjiang province, and Central Asia.

•     It was built during the Cold War by the Soviet Union.

• The airbase served Soviet operations in the country for decades until they withdrew in the late 1980s.
• The S. revamped the facility following its own occupation of Afghanistan decades later.
• It had served as a crucial hub in the S. war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda since 2001.

•     Features —

•     It has runways longer than many international airports, and hardened shelters, hospitals, and fuel depots.

• The base also housed fast-food restaurants to cater to the US troops, along with shops selling everything from electronics to Afghan rugs.
• Bagram also had a massive prison

Baltic Sea

Germany’s air force recently sent two Eurofighters to track a Russian IL-20M military aircraft that had entered neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea before handing the escort over to NATO partners in Sweden.

About Baltic Sea –

• It is a semi-enclosed inland sea of the Atlantic Ocean, situated in Northern

•     It extends northward from southern Denmark to within a few degrees latitude of the Arctic Circle, separating the Scandinavian Peninsula from continental Europe.

• It comprises several branches and basins, which include, from northeast to southwest, the Gulf of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, and the Gulf of Riga; the central-southern area known as the Baltic Proper; and the Danish straits of Kattegat and Skagerrak, which connect to the North Sea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean.
• To the east, the White Sea-Baltic Canal, opened by Russia in 1993, allows traffic from the Baltic—via the Gulf of Finland and a chain of rivers and major lakes—to the White Sea, itself an arm of the Arctic Ocean.
• To the southwest, the Kiel Canal, opened in 1895, cuts through the Jutland peninsula to connect the Baltic with the North Sea.
• Surrounding Countries — It has a coastline of approximately 8,000 km, shared by several countries, including Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, and Russia.
• It is often cited as the world’s largest brackish inland water
• Islands — It is home to over 20 islands and Gotland, located off the coast of

Sweden, is the largest island in the Baltic Sea.

• Algal Harmful Blooms are also one of the issues that affect the Baltic

Indrayani River

State Level Technical Committee (SLTC) recently approved two Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) projects along the Indrayani River in Pimpri Chinchwad to curb water pollution.

About Indrayani River –

• It is located in Maharashtra.
• It is a tributary of the Bhima River (a tributary of the Krishna River).

•     Course —

• It is a rain-fed river that originates from the Western Ghats, near the hill station of

Lonavala, located along the Mumbai-Pune Highway.

• It flows through the Pune district before merging into the Bhima River at
• Ittravels a total length of 3 

• The river has great religious importance, and the two sacred towns, Alandi and Dehu, are

situated on its banks.

• Dehu is known to be a sacred place for being the hometown of the poet Saint Tukaram, who was a popular saint of Maharashtra, and Alandi holds the samadhi of the poet

• The Indrayani also passes through the industrial town of Pimpri-Chinchwad and plays a role in irrigation and local agriculture.
• Valvan Dam at Kamshet, situated on the Indrayani River, is a hydroelectric generating

Lactifluus khasianus

Researchers recently discovered a new species of edible mushroom, now formally named Lactifluus khasianus—but long known to Khasi tribal communities as “Tit iongnah.”

About Lactifluus khasianus –

• It is a new species of edible mushroom.
• It was discovered in Meghalaya’s East Khasi
• It is long known to Khasi tribal communities as “Tit ”
• Belonging to the Lactifluus Gerardii, the new species, stands out for its chocolate-brown cap, distinctive microscopic features, and genetic markers.
• It grows in association with Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya) at altitudes of around 1,600
• It is now the fifth confirmed species of this section in India—and notably, the first to be reported as edible.

Yuan Wang 5

China’s spy ship Yuan Wang 5 has returned to the maritime neighbourhood of India, three years after it had docked at Hambantota Port of Sri Lanka.

About Yuan Wang 5 –

• Launched in 2007, Yuan Wang 5 is part of a series of specialised tracking ships built by China

for strategic space and missile monitoring.

•     It is operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force.

•     It can provide near-real-time situational awareness to the PLA Rocket Force and Navy.

• It also plays a role in validating the performance of China’s new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons, providing telemetry data critical for weapons development and operational readiness.

•     Features —

• It displaces about 25,000 tons, has a length of over 222 metres, a beam of over 25 metres, and can accommodate 400 people.
• The ship is driven by diesel engines and can generate sufficient electricity to light up a small town of over 300,000 inhabitants.

•     With endurance measured in weeks, the ship can remain on station during key test windows or naval exercises.

•     Its suite of high-power phased-array radar systems is capable of detecting ballistic missile launches at distances exceeding 3,000 kilometres.

• These radars track the trajectory of missiles through various flight stages, from boost to reentry, while simultaneously collecting telemetry signals that reveal propulsion performance, warhead separation, and guidance accuracy.
• In addition to ballistic missile monitoring, Yuan Wang 5 is equipped with satellite-tracking antennas that can lock onto spacecraft in low-earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and deep- space trajectories.
• These antennas are estimated to operate in multiple frequency bands, giving the ship

flexibility to track both civilian and military launches.

• The vessel’s electronic support measures (ESM) suite further enables it to intercept radar emissions and communications from foreign warships and aircraft operating in the vicinity.

Mozambique

Recently, the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi concluded its four-day port visit to Maputo, Mozambique.

About Mozambique –

• Location — It is a country in Southern Africa and is located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres of the Earth.
• The island countries and territories of Madagascar, Comoros, and Mayotte are separated from Mozambique by the Mozambique Channel.
• Bordering countries — Zimbabwe (west), Eswatini and South Africa (south and southwest), Zambia, Malawi (north west), and Tanzania (North).
• Rivers — The River Zambezi being the largest and other rivers are Limpopo, Licungo, Lurio, Rovuma etc.
• Major Lakes — Lake Malawi (Nyasa) is the country’s major
• Highest Peak — Mount Binga
• Capital — Maputo is the country’s capital while the largest city is
• Natural Resources — The country’s principal natural resources are natural gas, coal, mineral, sand, hydropower, and most likely oil.

Chenab River

Recently, the stalled Sawalkote dam on the Chenab river is back at the centre of India’s strategy to tap the river’s hydropower potential.

About Chenab River –

• It is a tributary of the Indus
• Origin — It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, in the Lahaul and Spiti Districts of Himachal Pradesh.
• In its upper reaches, it is also known as Chandrabhaga.
• It flows through Jammu and Kashmir union territory, Himachal Pradesh and after receiving the Jhelum River near Trimmu, the Chenab empties into the Sutlej River.

•     Major Tributaries —

• LeftBank: Niru, Tawi, Neeru, and Liddrari
• Right Bank: Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai Marusudar and Miyar

• Major Dams on Chenab River — Salal (rockfill dam), Aalal (concrete dam), Baglihar, and
• The waters of the Chenab are shared by India and Pakistan as per the terms of the Indus Water

What is the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)?

• It was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank acting as a
• The treaty outlines water usage rights over six rivers of the Indus River System, categorising them into Eastern and Western rivers.
• The Eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—are allocated for India’s exclusive and unrestricted
• The Western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—are allocated primarily to

Daily Current Affairs – 23 September 2025 MCQs

1.  Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Article 200 of the Indian Constitution provides for the process for a state bill to be presented to the Governor for assent.
2. The Governor is not empowered to withhold assent to the bill without reconsideration for

Select the correct codes from below –

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – A

Explanation – Article 200 of the Indian Constitution includes the process for a state bill to be presented to the Governor for assent. It provides for four alternative courses of action for a Governor when a bill, after being passed by the legislature, is presented to him/her for assent.

• Give assent to the bill

•     Withhold assent

• Return the bill to the state legislature, requesting to reconsider some provisions of the bill or the bill itself

However, if the legislature again passes the bill with/without accepting any of the amendments suggested by the Governor, it is constitutionally bound to give assent to the Bill. Reserve the bill for the consideration of the President This reservation is mandatory when the bill passed by the State Legislature endangers the position of the State High Court.

2.  Consider the following statements regarding the Anand Marriage Act –

1. The original Anand Marriage Act of 1909 was enacted to provide a distinct legal identity to Sikh marriage ceremonies, separating them from Hindu rituals.
2. The Act, from its inception in 1909, included a comprehensive framework for the compulsory registration of marriages solemnised by Anand Karaj.
3. The Anand Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2012 made it mandatory for states to formulate rules for the registration of Anand Karaj marriages.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – B

 

Explanation – Anand Karaj, meaning “blissful union,” is the Sikh marriage ceremony conducted before the Guru Granth Sahib. To solemnise the marriage, the couple walks around the Guru Granth Sahib four times, as hymns, known as laavan, are recited. The four chosen verses, composed by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, outline the spiritual journey of a married couple. To secure distinct legal recognition for this practice, the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 was enacted, validating all marriages solemnised through Anand Karaj and distinguishing them from Hindu rituals. However, the original Act lacked provisions for registration. This gap was filled over a century later by the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2012, which inserted Section 6 mandating states to frame rules for registering such marriages. Once registered under this Act, couples no longer need to register under any other marriage law.

3.  Consider the following statements regarding ‘Project Vijayak’ –

1. It was launched by the Border Roads Organisation to provide road connectivity in the Kargil and Zanskar regions.
2. The project area was previously under the responsibility of Project
3. A key objective of the project is the welfare of Casual Paid Labourers through initiatives like insulated shelters and regular health camps.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – D

 

Explanation – About Project Vijayak – It was launched by the Border Roads Organisation in 1960. It drew its name from Operation Vijay, signifying the congruence between the Theatre of Battle and the Project Area of Responsibility. Objective — It was entrusted with the responsibility of providing road connectivity in the areas of Kargil and Zanskar, which previously were under Project Himank. This project has played a significant role in strengthening the security infrastructure along the LC and has also contributed positively in shaping the socio-economic landscape of the region. Other Initiatives under Project — It has also placed strong focus on welfare of its Casual Paid Labourers. Welfare initiatives such as insulated shelters, improved sanitation, enhanced protective gear, winter clothing, and regular health camps have been introduced to ensure safety and well-being.

4.  Consider the following statements regarding the Clean Plant Programme –

1. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank.
2. Its implementation is led by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
3. One of its key components is the establishment of Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) which will also quarantine imported planting materials.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – D

 

Explanation – About Clean Plant Programme – It was conceptualised by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank. It was as launched as a major initiative to provide farmers with access to high-quality, virus-free planting material of key fruit crops. It is implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in association with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Components of Clean Plant Programme — Establishment of Nine Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) — These centres will offer disease diagnostics and treatments, develop mother plants for nurseries, and quarantine all domestic and imported planting materials intended for commercial propagation and distribution. Infrastructure Development — This includes setting up large-scale nurseries to efficiently multiply clean planting material. The mother plants produced by the CPCs will be propagated in these nurseries and then distributed to farmers. Regulatory and Certification Framework — A regulatory and certification process will be created to ensure complete accountability and traceability in the production and distribution of planting material.

5.  Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the National Archives of India?

1. The National Archives of India was established in the year
2. Professor GW Forrest is regarded as instrumental in the setting up of National Archives of
3. National Archives of India comes under the aegis of Ministry of Information and

Select the correct codes from below –

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – B

 

Explanation – Imperial Records Department (IRD) was set up in the year 1891. In 1889 Professor

G.W. Forrest of Elphinstone College, Bombay entrusted the job of examining the records of the Foreign Department of the Government of India made a strong plea for transferring all records of the administration of East India Company to a Central Repository. At present National Archives of India is an attached office under the Ministry of Culture and has a Regional Office at Bhopal and three Records Centres at Jaipur, Puducherry and Bhubaneswar.

Source – The Hindu

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