UPSC Prelims Current Affairs: 26 Dec 2025
0/5 Solved
Question 1Polity - Fiscal Federalism
With reference to the XV Finance Commission grants for Panchayati Raj Institutions, consider the following statements:
1.Untied Grants can be utilized for location-specific needs under the 29 subjects of the Eleventh Schedule, including salaries.
2.Tied Grants are specifically earmarked for sanitation (ODF maintenance) and drinking water supply.
3.The Ministry of Finance releases grants in 2 installments based on recommendations from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 2Economy - Regulatory Reform
Consider the following statements regarding the Colliery Control (Amendment) Rules, 2025:
1.The amendment removes the requirement of prior permission from Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) for opening coal mines.
2.Under the new rules, company Boards can approve mine opening without any requirement of statutory approvals.
3.Entities other than companies will continue to require CCO approval for mine opening.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 3Environment - Climate Change
With reference to the GCCA India–NCB Carbon Uptake Report, consider the following statements:
1.The cement industry contributes approximately 7% of total anthropogenic CO₂ emissions globally.
2.Carbonation process allows concrete to absorb CO₂ over its lifecycle, acting as a partial carbon sink.
3.The report may be submitted to MoEF&CC for inclusion as a carbon sink in India's National Communications (NATCOM) to UNFCCC.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 4Science & Tech - Astrophysics
Consider the following statements regarding the detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in stellar disks:
1.Indian Institute of Astrophysics detected PAHs in the circumstellar disk of T Chamaeleontis using data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
2.PAHs are biological molecules that indicate the presence of life in stellar disks.
3.The partial collapse of the inner wall of T Chamaeleontis disk in 2022 allowed UV light to illuminate PAHs in the outer disk.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 5Economy - Social Security
With reference to the recent EPFO reforms announced in December 2025, consider the following statements:
1.EPFO's fund corpus stands at ₹28 lakh crore with an annual interest rate of 8.25%.
2.Social security coverage in India has expanded from 19% (pre-2014) to 64% currently.
3.EPFO operates under the Social Security Code, 2020 which has been fully implemented.
Which of the statements given above are correct?