UPSC Daily Current Affairs Quiz : 16 December 2025

Question 1: With reference to the proposed Viksit Bharat–Guarantee For Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-GRAM Bill), consider the following statements:

1. It seeks to replace the demand-driven and rights-based framework of MGNREGA with a supply-driven employment model.
2. Under the proposed framework, the Union government will pre-determine State-wise allocations, limiting States’ flexibility to respond to local distress.
3. The Bill proposes to retain 100% Central funding of labour wages, similar to MGNREGA.
4. It allows suspension of employment work during peak agricultural seasons to facilitate labour availability for agriculture.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Question 2: With reference to the suggested way forward for reforming the proposed VB-GRAM Bill, consider the following statements:

1. Demand-responsive funding is recommended to enhance the scheme’s capacity to act as a shock absorber during periods of economic distress.

2. Balanced federalism under the scheme implies that States should have full financial autonomy without any normative role for the Centre.
3. Reassessment of the 60:40 Centre–State cost-sharing formula is suggested to address the fiscal constraints of weaker States.
4. Use of digital technologies under the scheme should be complemented by grievance-redress mechanisms and offline alternatives.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Question 3: With reference to the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, consider the following statements:

1. The Bill proposes to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC) with a single umbrella regulatory body for higher education.
2. It seeks to merge the regulatory functions of UGC, AICTE, and NCTE under one central commission.
3. Under the proposed framework, funding and regulation of higher education institutions will be handled by the same statutory authority.
4. The referral of the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is intended to enable wider consultation and address concerns related to federalism and centralisation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Question 4: With reference to India’s trade performance in November 2025, consider the following statements:

1. India’s trade deficit narrowed significantly due to a simultaneous rise in merchandise exports and a contraction in merchandise imports.
2. Merchandise exports to the United States increased despite the imposition of higher tariffs by the U.S. on Indian goods.
3. The sharp decline in gold imports was one of the key factors contributing to the reduction in the trade deficit.
4. A sustained fall in the trade deficit, driven primarily by import compression, necessarily indicates long-term improvement in export competitiveness.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Question 5: With reference to the Supreme Court’s recent rulings on the Governor’s power to grant assent to State Bills under Article 200 of the Constitution, consider the following statements:

1. In State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu (April 2025), the Supreme Court prescribed timelines for Governors and recognised the doctrine of deemed assent in cases of unexplained delay.
2. In response to a subsequent Presidential Reference, the Supreme Court held that judicially imposed timelines on Governors lack an explicit textual basis in the Constitution.
3. The Presidential Reference verdict allows Governors to reserve a Bill for the President even after it has been enacted by the State Legislature.
4. Article 361 was interpreted to permit full judicial review of the Governor’s discretionary decisions relating to assent.

Which of the statements given above are correct?