Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 21st May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) - Provide preschool education and nutritional support: Correct. Anganwadi Workers are central to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, which includes providing preschool education and nutritional support to children and lactating mothers.

2. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) - Primarily involved with educational support through mid-day meals: Incorrect. ASHAs are primarily involved in public health outreach, including maternal care, child health, and vaccination drives, not specifically with educational support through mid-day meals.

3. Mid-Day Meal Workers (MDMWs) - Facilitate school enrollment and retention: Correct. Mid-Day Meal Workers are involved in the preparation and distribution of meals, which aids in enhancing school enrollment and retention by providing nutritional support.

4. Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) - Assist in maternal care and vaccination drives: Incorrect. Anganwadi Helpers support Anganwadi Workers in their duties, primarily relating to child care and nutritional support, rather than direct involvement in maternal care and vaccination drives, which is more aligned with the role of ASHAs.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

The Indian government's initiative to open a segment of the 6GHz spectrum for license-free WiFi use aims to boost the performance of advanced devices like PlayStation Pro and VR equipment. This decision supports high-speed internet access, particularly for real-time applications like gaming and streaming. By designating this spectrum for WiFi use, the government seeks to enhance connectivity and facilitate improved performance for cutting-edge devices, fostering a more robust tech ecosystem in the country.

Statement-I: Scheme-Based Workers (SBWs) work on government social welfare schemes and help deliver important services like health and education. However, they are usually hired temporarily and do not get formal recognition as permanent employees, so they lack job security and benefits.

Statement-II: Jarosite is a yellow-brown mineral made of potassium, iron, and sulfate. It typically forms in dry (arid) and salty (saline) environments where acidic and oxidizing conditions exist, such as some deserts or mining areas.

Both statements are factually correct.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Shirui Lily was indeed discovered in 1946 and was recognized at the Royal Horticultural Society show in 1948, highlighting its significance and uniqueness.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Shirui Lily is a rare flower that is endemic to the Shirui Hills in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, meaning it is not found in multiple regions across India but is unique to that specific area.

- Statement 3 is correct. The Shirui Lily Festival is celebrated to raise awareness of the ecological significance of the Shirui Lily, emphasizing the importance of conserving this rare and endangered flower.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C, as only statements 1 and 3 are accurate based on the information provided.

The Shirui Lily Festival in Manipur celebrates the endemic Shirui Lily, a rare flower unique to the Shirui Hills. This bluish-pink bell-shaped flower, known as Lilium mackliniae, was discovered in 1946 and later recognized at the Royal Horticultural Society show in 1948. It was designated as the State Flower of Manipur in 1989. The festival aims to raise awareness of the ecological significance of the Shirui Lily and promote conservation efforts to protect it, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation in the region.

1. Doctrine of Presumption of Constitutionality - Incorrect. The doctrine states that laws passed by Parliament or State Legislatures are presumed constitutional, not unconstitutional. The burden of proof lies with those challenging the law, not the other way around.

2. Operation Olivia - Correct. This is indeed an initiative by the Indian Coast Guard to protect Olive Ridley turtles through measures like aerial and surface patrols, focusing on safe nesting areas during the breeding season.

3. Environmental Notifications - Incorrect. The Supreme Court recently struck down notifications that allowed industries to bypass mandatory environmental clearances, meaning these notifications were not upheld.

4. Turtle Excluder Device (TED) - Correct. TEDs are devices used in fishing nets to enable turtles to escape, thereby protecting them from being caught inadvertently during fishing operations.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

Statement 1: Incorrect. The doctrine of presumption of constitutionality asserts that laws passed by Parliament or State Legislatures are presumed to be constitutional, and the burden of proof lies with those challenging the constitutionality of the law, not with the legislature. This means that it is up to the challengers to demonstrate that a law is unconstitutional, not for the legislature to prove its constitutionality.

Statement 2: Correct. The doctrine is indeed rooted in the respect for democratic processes and legislative authority. It reflects the principle that legislative bodies, being elected and representative institutions, are presumed to act within the confines of the Constitution.

Statement 3: Correct. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld that there must be clear violations of constitutional provisions for a law to be declared unconstitutional. This reinforces the doctrine, ensuring that laws remain effective until a substantial constitutional breach is demonstrated.

Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option D the right answer.

1. Potato Origin - Introduced to India by British traders: Incorrect. The potato was introduced to India by Portuguese traders in the 17th century, not by the British.

2. Top Producing State - Uttar Pradesh contributes ~30% of total output: Correct. Uttar Pradesh is indeed the top potato-producing state in India, contributing approximately 30% of the country's total output.

3. Ideal Growth Temperature - Potato grows best at 18°C: Incorrect. The ideal growth temperature for potatoes is around 24°C, with tuber formation occurring optimally at 20°C.

4. Operation Greens - Launched to stabilize supply and prices of cereals: Incorrect. Operation Greens was launched to stabilize the supply and prices of Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP) crops, not cereals.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Scheme-Based Workers (SBWs), such as Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and Mid-Day Meal workers, are not formally recognized as government employees. They are often classified as "volunteers" or "honorary workers," which denies them the formal employee status and the standard benefits that come with it. This lack of formal recognition is a central issue in their struggle for identity and rights.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. One of the primary challenges faced by SBWs is the absence of social security benefits. They do not have access to essential benefits like pensions, health insurance, and maternity benefits, which are typically available to formally recognized employees.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. Trade unions have been instrumental in mobilizing SBWs to demand better pay, recognition, and rights. They have supported strikes and negotiations that have sometimes led to improvements in compensation and working conditions for SBWs.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only, as statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.

The primary challenge faced by Scheme-Based Workers (SBWs) is the lack of recognition as formal government employees. This denial of formal recognition categorizes them as "volunteers" or "honorary workers," leading to issues such as low wages and absence of social security benefits. By granting them formal employee status, SBWs could potentially access fair wages and necessary social security benefits, thereby enhancing their identity and rights.