UPSC Daily Current Affairs Quiz : 16 October 2025

Question 1: With reference to the Supreme Court’s 2025 decision on green fireworks, consider the following statements:

1. The Court permitted the sale and use of NEERI- and PESO-approved green crackers for a limited period during Deepavali.
2. Online sale of green crackers through e-commerce platforms was permitted under strict regulation.
3. The Court directed CPCB and State Boards to monitor air and water quality and report daily AQI data.
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question 2: With reference to India’s trade performance in September 2025, consider the following statements:

1. India’s trade deficit widened by over 90% compared to the same month last year.
2. The widening deficit was primarily due to a fall in merchandise exports.
3. India’s services exports grew despite the global slowdown.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question 3: Consider the following statements regarding the Northeast Monsoon in India:

1. It primarily affects the southeastern coastal regions of India.
2. The winds blow from the southwest to the northeast during this season.
3. Tamil Nadu receives a major portion of its annual rainfall from this monsoon.
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question 4: With reference to Rare Earth Elements (REEs), consider the following statements:

1. They consist of 17 metallic elements, including lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium.
2. Despite being termed “rare,” these elements are not geologically scarce.
3. China accounts for over 90% of the world’s REE production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question 5 : Which of the following statements regarding youth unemployment in Bihar is/are correct?

1. According to PLFS 2021–22, the unemployment rate among Bihar youth (15–29 years) is above the national average.
2. Migration from Bihar occurs primarily due to a lack of educational opportunities.
3. Informal and subsistence-level employment is common among Bihar’s youth.

Options: