Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC : 12 August 2025

Consider the following statements regarding the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) in the context of the global plastic pollution treaty negotiations:

1. The HAC is co-chaired by Norway and Rwanda and seeks a legally binding global treaty to curb plastic pollution across its full life cycle.

2. India is a founding member of the HAC and supports mandatory caps on virgin plastic production.

3. The HAC’s approach contrasts with the Like Minded Countries (LMC) bloc, which primarily supports voluntary national action plans rather than global production limits.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the recent U.S. tariff order on Indian goods and the surrounding geopolitical trade context, consider the following statements:

1. The European Union has accounted for over one-fifth of Russia’s fossil fuel export revenue since the Ukraine war began.

2. India’s post-invasion increase in Russian oil imports was discouraged by the United States to reduce Moscow’s energy earnings.

3. The U.S. continues to import certain commodities from Russia, including fertilizers, despite a significant overall decline in imports since 2022.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in India, consider the following statements:

1. EPFO is administered under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, while ESIC functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

2. EPFO primarily deals with retirement savings, whereas ESIC provides social security in the form of health insurance and cash benefits during sickness, maternity, and employment injury.

3. Both EPFO and ESIC cover all establishments in India, irrespective of the number of employees.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the New Income Tax Bill, 2025, consider the following statements:

1. The Bill introduces a tapering rebate system that provides income tax relief of up to ₹60,000 for incomes up to ₹12 lakh, which gradually reduces for higher incomes.

2. Under the revised presumptive taxation scheme, the threshold has been increased to ₹2 crore for businesses and ₹1 crore for professionals.

3. The Section 80M deduction for inter-corporate dividends has been retained but with reduced applicability for MSMEs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?