Here are 20 current affairs quiz questions from 16 September 2025, each with an explanation. Good for UPSC / competitive exam style.
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1.
Q: What global environmental event is observed every year on 16 September, and what is its theme in 2025?
Answer: World Ozone Day; in 2025 it marks 40 years of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.
Explanation: World Ozone Day is meant to raise awareness of the importance of the ozone layer and the need to protect it. The Vienna Convention was adopted in 1985, and 2025 is its 40th anniversary.
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2.
Q: Which rating agency raised India’s growth forecast for FY 2025–26 to 6.9%, citing a strong second quarter?
Answer: Fitch Ratings.
Explanation: Fitch upgraded India’s growth projection after seeing better-than-expected economic performance, especially in the April-June quarter driven by strong consumption and services.
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3.
Q: What major trade issue is India addressing with the U.S. via talks being held in New Delhi as of 16 September 2025?
Answer: Steep U.S. tariffs imposed on Indian exports, especially related to India’s purchases of Russian oil.
Explanation: The U.S. had imposed additional tariffs (25%) on certain Indian goods; India is engaging in trade talks to address and possibly negotiate these tariffs.
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4.
Q: What decision was Karnataka’s cabinet set to make on 16 September about the Almatti Dam?
Answer: Whether to raise the height of the dam from 517m to 524.2m, increasing its water storage and enabling irrigation of additional land.
Explanation: The proposal would increase the dam storage by ~100 thousand million cubic feet and allow irrigation of about 6 lakh hectares. But it would also submerge villages, increase land acquisition costs, etc.
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5.
Q: What is “Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025” in India, and what were its key themes/mandate as of 16 September 2025?
Answer: It is a conference of senior military leadership; its key themes were Reforms, Transformation & Change and Operational Preparedness.
Explanation: PM Modi reviewed security situation and operational readiness, and the conference emphasised greater jointness among armed forces, modernisation, innovation, and becoming self-reliant (“Aatmanirbharta”).
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6.
Q: What new manual did Raksha Mantri approve related to procurement in the defence sector, and what is its purpose?
Answer: The Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025. Its purpose is to streamline, simplify, rationalise the revenue procurement process for the Ministry of Defence, improve jointness, speed decision making, and bring in private / MSME / startup participation.
Explanation: A part of defence reforms, the new manual aims to make procurement under ‘Revenue Head (Operations & Sustenance)’ more efficient, reduce delays, and leveraging domestic industry.
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7.
Q: Which northeastern Indian state became the location of discovery for a new freshwater fish species named Garra nambashiensis?
Answer: Manipur.
Explanation: The fish was discovered in Taretlok, tributary of Chindwin River near Nambashi Valley in Kamjong district. ‹Garra› is part of the labeonine group.
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8.
Q: What major international agreement focused on environmental sustainability entered into force after crossing the two-thirds ratification threshold, according to the affairs of 16 September 2025?
Answer: WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
Explanation: The agreement bans certain subsidies for illegal, unregulated, and overfished stocks, includes transparency mechanisms, implementation support, especially for developing countries.
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9.
Q: What is “AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap” launched by NITI Aayog, as per current affairs of 16 September 2025?
Answer: It is a national blueprint to harness Artificial Intelligence as a growth accelerator for India; along with a Frontier Tech Repository under the Frontier Tech Hub.
Explanation: The aim is to use AI for development, set standards, policy guidance, build infrastructure, and boost AI innovation & adoption.
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10.
Q: For what purpose is NABARD developing a Centralised Digital Credit Infrastructure (CDCI)?
Answer: To strengthen Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in their competitiveness against NBFCs and MFIs, by digitising and streamlining credit processing.
Explanation: It comes after the One State-One RRB policy, to reduce delays, improve access, efficiency in loan products.
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11.
Q: Which Indian state decided to close schools and colleges on 16 September 2025?
Answer: Manipur.
Explanation: All schools and colleges in the state remained closed; reasons often tied to safety, administrative or unrest/precipitation conditions though exact reason unclarified.
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12.
Q: What was the issue being addressed by authorities in Chandigarh related to an upcoming air show (scheduled September 26)?
Answer: Feeding of pigeons banned in a 10 km radius around the air force station to reduce bird hazards; strict waste management and closing unauthorized meat shops etc.
Explanation: Birds can pose danger to aircraft in takeoff/landing; preventive steps are being mandated via the district magistrate’s orders.
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13.
Q: What major infrastructural or traffic disruption was planned on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on 16 September 2025?
Answer: The expressway was to be shut from 2 PM to 3 PM due to MSEDCL work related to installation of a feeder/transmission line near Bhatan tunnel.
Explanation: This type of shutdown helps ensure safe execution of electrical infrastructure upgrade (feeder / transmission line) requiring closure for safety.
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14.
Q: Which cultural or student-centric event began in Tamil Nadu government colleges from 16 September 2025, and what is its scale?
Answer: An art festival among government arts & science colleges, government engineering colleges, and polytechnics — over 5 lakh students from 252 colleges; multiple competitions; fund allocated etc.
Explanation: The event includes dance, poetry, stand-up comedy, photography, fashion designing; each college gets funds; state level extension planned.
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15.
Q: What is the significance of “Kaushal Mahotsav” held in Lucknow on 16-17 September 2025?
Answer: A skill fair to facilitate jobs for youth; over 100 companies expected; more than 7,500 candidates projected to get job offers; salaries in a certain range; part of BJP’s Seva Pakhwada.
Explanation: It is under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, organized to connect youth with employment, part of larger political / development campaign.
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16.
Q: What decision did the BJP request with regard to the history curriculum pertaining to 17 September, and why?
Answer: BJP urged that the history of 17 September (Operation Polo — the integration of Hyderabad State into the Indian Union) be included in school syllabus.
Explanation: The event (1948) is seen by them as historically important; they argue it should be taught in educational institutions especially in Telangana.
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17.
Q: What issue triggered concern in Andhra Pradesh related to exports, as per the “School Assembly Headlines” of 16 September?
Answer: Shrimp export losses due to U.S. tariffs.
Explanation: Tariffs affect agricultural / marine exports; losses become a matter of concern for producers in Andhra Pradesh.
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18.
Q: What stance did UK take in response to airspace violations by Russia, as of 16 September 2025?
Answer: The UK summoned the Russian ambassador.
Explanation: The action was in response to recent Russian drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace; allied reaction in Europe to violations of airspace sovereignty.
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19.
Q: What is the expected move by the U.S. Federal Reserve in its September 2025 meeting, and what concerns are accompanying it?
Answer: A quarter-point (25 basis point) rate cut is widely anticipated; concerns exist about Fed’s independence due to political pressures.
Explanation: President Trump has demanded larger cuts; some structural concerns like recent confirmations on the Board, etc., have stirred debate about whether the Fed can act independently.
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20.
Q: What event is affecting Team India in the Asia Cup context, leading to their resumption of practice in Dubai on 16 September 2025?
Answer: After a “handshake drama” and threats from the Pakistan Cricket Board to withdraw, India is returning focus to cricket and resuming practice at ICC Academy in Dubai.
Explanation: Tensions after a controversial handshake post-match disrupted focus; as of 16 September, Team India is back to training and preparing for upcoming matches.
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