Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 16th May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

The Supreme Court's recent ruling recognizing digital access as a fundamental right under Article 21 highlights the importance of digital inclusion in today's society. This decision emphasizes the significance of ensuring that all individuals, including persons with disabilities, have equal access to digital services and information, thereby promoting inclusivity and equality in the digital realm.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Supreme Court of India has indeed recognized digital access as a fundamental right under Article 21, which is part of the Right to Life and Personal Liberty. This decision emphasizes the significance of digital inclusion as a constitutional requirement.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Supreme Court's ruling highlights the need for greater compliance with accessibility standards, it does not specifically mandate that all KYC processes be immediately compliant with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Instead, it calls for revisions in the KYC norms to improve accessibility.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The Supreme Court's decision explicitly encourages the revision of KYC norms to enhance digital accessibility, focusing on improving access for persons with disabilities, among others.

Thus, only statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly captures the recent mandate by the Supreme Court recognizing digital access as a fundamental right under Article 21 and part of the Right to Life and Personal Liberty. This ruling is aimed at addressing digital exclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities, during processes like Know-Your-Customer (KYC).

Statement-II accurately reflects the Supreme Court's emphasis on accessibility as a constitutional imperative, especially for individuals with disabilities, citing previous judgments that uphold the right to dignity. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but provides additional context and support for the importance of digital accessibility. Hence, both statements are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. EOS-09 Satellite - Incorrectly matched. The EOS-09 satellite is equipped with C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), not X-band. This technology allows the satellite to capture high-resolution images under all-weather and day-night conditions, enhancing applications such as disaster monitoring and urban planning.

2. Chandrayaan-5 Mission - Incorrectly matched. While the Chandrayaan-5 mission involves significant international collaboration, it is primarily in partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), not directly with the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission aims to explore lunar volatile materials, focusing on lunar water ice near the south pole of the Moon.

3. Account Aggregator Framework - Correctly matched. The Account Aggregator Framework indeed facilitates consent-based financial data sharing. It is a multi-regulatory initiative involving entities like the RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI, aiming to empower users to manage their consents effectively for secure data sharing across sectors.

4. DPDP Act, 2023 - Correctly matched. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, does establish consent managers to assist individuals, referred to as Data Principals, in managing their personal data across diverse sectors. This aligns with the principles of explicit, informed, and revocable consent, supporting India's evolving data governance landscape.

Thus, only pairs 3 and 4 are correctly matched, making Option B: Only two pairs the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly highlights the key features of ISRO's PSLV-C61 mission launching the EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite with advanced C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology. Statement-II accurately describes the objectives of the Chandrayaan-5 mission, emphasizing the exploration of lunar volatile materials, specifically targeting lunar water ice in the Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) near the lunar south pole. The launch and mission details align with the recent developments by ISRO and its collaborations, making both statements factually correct and interconnected.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Chenchus are indeed classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Andhra Pradesh. PVTGs are identified based on their pre-agricultural level of technology, stagnant or declining population, extremely low literacy, and subsistence level of economy.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The native language of the Chenchus belongs to the Dravidian language family, not the Indo-Aryan language family. Many Chenchus also speak Telugu, which is a Dravidian language.

- Statement 3 is correct. The Chenchu tribe has a historical association with the Srisailam temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Devi Brahmaramba. This association is significant in understanding the religious and cultural practices of the Chenchu tribe.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

1. Chenchu Tribe - Located mainly in the Nallamalai forests of Karnataka: Incorrect. The Chenchu Tribe is primarily located in the Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh, not Karnataka.

2. Peddamanishi - Village elder in the Chenchu community: Correct. In the Chenchu community, the village elder is known as "Peddamanishi" and plays a crucial role in maintaining social harmony.

3. Shri Banke Bihari Temple - Dedicated to Lord Krishna: Correct. The Shri Banke Bihari Temple is indeed dedicated to Lord Krishna and is a prominent Hindu temple.

4. Swami Haridas - Established the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in the 19th century: Correct. Swami Haridas established the temple in the 19th century, and it holds significant cultural and historical importance.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a crucial role in ensuring that nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes. This includes monitoring, on-site inspections, and information analysis to prevent the diversion of nuclear energy for military purposes. By promoting safe and peaceful nuclear technology use, the IAEA contributes significantly to international peace and security.

1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - Monitors and inspects nuclear facilities to ensure peaceful use of nuclear technology: This pair is correctly matched. The IAEA plays a critical role in ensuring that nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes through comprehensive safeguards, including monitoring and inspections.

2. World Health Organization (WHO) - Conducts global financial audits and provides economic policy advice to member countries: This pair is incorrectly matched. The WHO focuses on international public health, not financial audits or economic policy advice.

3. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - Promotes international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms: This pair is correctly matched. UNESCO is known for fostering international cooperation in education, science, and culture.

4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Provides emergency food aid and humanitarian assistance in crises: This pair is incorrectly matched. The IMF provides financial stability and monetary cooperation, focusing on economic surveillance and assistance, not humanitarian aid or food assistance, which is typically handled by organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP).

Only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the establishment year and headquarters location of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with the correct number of member states. Statement-II accurately describes the IAEA's role in ensuring peaceful use of nuclear technology through various safeguards, which include monitoring, inspections, and analysis. Statement-II logically explains the purpose and functions of the IAEA as outlined in Statement-I, making both statements correct and interconnected.