Today in History (November 19th,1828)
Laxmibai was born as an example of braveryRani Lakshmibai, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, was born on November 19, 1828, in Varanasi, India.
Let’s Revise
1. In which year did the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act come into effect?
a) 1991
b) 1992
c) 1993
d) 1994
Answer: c)
Explanation: The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which provided a framework for democratic decentralization through Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), came into effect in 1993.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the 18 functions devolved to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under the 74th Amendment?
a) Burial grounds
b) Public amenities
c) Regulation of slaughterhouses
d) National defense
Answer: d)
Explanation: National defense is a central government function, not a responsibility of Urban Local Bodies under the 74th Constitutional Amendment.
3. What percentage of revenue for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) comes from their own sources?
a) 10%
b) 32%
c) 50%
d) 75%
Answer: b)
Explanation: According to the CAG report, only 32% of the total revenue of ULBs is generated from their own resources; the rest comes from grants from the central and state governments.
4. Which of the following concerns was highlighted in the CAG’s report on ULBs?
a) Excessive financial autonomy
b) Shortage of staff in ULBs
c) Overfunding by central government
d) Surplus funds and underutilization
Answer: b)
Explanation: The report highlights a shortage of staff in ULBs, despite the rapidly growing population in urban areas.
5. What is the minimum duration within which elections must be conducted if an Urban Local Body (ULb) is dissolved?
a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 12 months
d) 18 months
Answer: b)
Explanation: If an Urban Local Body is dissolved, elections must be conducted within 6 months, as per the constitutional requirements.
6. Which of the following is a recommended change mentioned in the CAG report for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)?
a) Holding municipal elections every 10 years
b) ULBs should not manage their own revenue collection
c) Conducting municipal elections every five years
d) Removing the need for state finance commissions
Answer: c)
Explanation: The CAG report recommends that municipal elections be held every five years to ensure timely governance.
7. What is the primary goal of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act?
a) To decentralize power to rural areas
b) To promote democratic decentralization in urban areas
c) To strengthen the central government’s control over urban governance
d) To establish direct election of mayors
Answer: b)
Explanation: The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act aimed to empower Urban Local Bodies and promote democratic decentralization at the grassroots level in urban areas.
8. Which amendment to the Indian Constitution created the framework for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)?
a) 73rd Amendment
b) 74th Amendment
c) 42nd Amendment
d) 44th Amendment
Answer: b)
Explanation: The 74th Constitutional Amendment created the framework for establishing Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as institutions of self-government in urban areas.
9. According to recent CAG report, what percentage gap between revenue resources and expenditure was reported for ULBs in the 18 states?
a) 10%
b) 25%
c) 42%
d) 50%
Answer: c)
Explanation: The CAG report found a 42% gap between the revenue resources and the expenditure of ULBs in the 18 states.
10. What does the “4B movement” primarily advocate for?
a) Increased marriage rates
b) Women’s rejection of traditional roles in heterosexual relationships
c) Patriarchy in marriage
d) Economic empowerment of men
Answer: b)
Explanation: The 4B movement advocates for rejecting traditional heterosexual relationships as a form of protest against patriarchal and misogynistic structures.
Summary of Today’s News
QS World University Rankings
• The QS World University Rankings for Asia (2025) have been released, showcasing the top universities across the continent.
Overview
• The QS World University Rankings: Asia (2025) evaluates 984 universities from 25 countries across Eastern, Southern, Southeast, and Central Asia.
• Compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a leading organization providing data and insights for global higher education, these rankings are based on several key indicators of institutional quality.
• Key metrics considered in the rankings include: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty-Student Ratio, and International Research Network, which reflect the universities’ quality and impact on a global scale.
• QS Quacquarelli Symonds is headquartered in London, UK.
India’s University Rankings
• India boasts 2 universities in the top 50 and 7 in the top 100.
• Top 50 Institutions: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) ranks 44th, followed by IIT Bombay at 48th.
o Other top 100 institutions include:
• IIT Madras (56th)
• IIT Kharagpur (60th)
• Indian Institute of Science (62nd)
• IIT Kanpur (67th)
• University of Delhi (81st)
• Noteworthy Achievements:
• IIT Delhi (44th) earned a remarkable 99% employer reputation score.
• IIT Bombay (48th) achieved a 99.5% employer reputation score and 96.6% in academic reputation.
• University of Delhi climbed from 94th to 81st, securing 96.4% in the International Research Network.
• Growth in Rankings: India has seen a significant rise in its representation, with a 318% increase in ranked institutions—from 11 in 2015 to 46 in 2025.
• Regional Leadership: India leads Southern Asia with seven universities ranked among the region’s top ten.
PM Modi’s Visit to Nigeria
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a State Visit to Nigeria.
Overview
• This marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Nigeria in 17 years.
• The Nigerian capital is Abuja, and the country’s official currency is the Naira.
• During his visit, PM Modi was awarded Nigeria’s second-highest national honor, the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger’ (GCON).
• He is only the second foreign leader to receive this distinction, the first being Queen Elizabeth II in 1969.
• Both leaders agreed to collaborate on advancing the development goals of the Global South.
• As part of the visit, India pledged to send 20 tons of humanitarian aid to support Nigeria’s flood relief efforts.
SpaceX to Launch India’s GSAT-20 Satellite
• SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket is scheduled to launch GSAT-20, one of India’s heaviest communication satellites, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
About GSAT-20
• Owned and operated by New Space India Ltd (the commercial arm of ISRO), GSAT-20 is also referred to as GSAT N-2.
• Weighing 4,700 kg, GSAT-20 is too heavy for India’s own LVM-3 rocket, known as ‘Bahubali’, which can carry payloads up to 4,000 kg to the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
• The satellite is designed for a mission life of 14 years and will provide crucial services across India, including internet connectivity for remote regions.
