Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 6th January 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights the significance of the e-Shram portal as a major step towards registering unorganised workers, which was not entirely achieved by historical efforts. The historical initiatives mentioned, such as the Interstate Migrant Workmen Act (1979) and the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act (2008), had limitations in their implementation, resulting in many workers remaining unregistered. Therefore, Statement-II is incorrect as these previous efforts were not highly successful in registering migrant workers, contrasting with the success implied by Statement-II.

1. Chargesheet: Correctly matched. A chargesheet is indeed a document that initiates prosecution proceedings against an accused once it is submitted to the court. It is a crucial part of the criminal justice system, marking the start of a trial.

2. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC): Correctly matched. The GEAC is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It is responsible for overseeing the release of genetically engineered organisms and ensuring compliance with safety standards in India.

3. Avian Influenza (H5N1): Incorrectly matched. Avian Influenza (H5N1) primarily affects birds, causing severe respiratory illness. While it can infect humans, human cases are rare but often severe. Thus, it is not primarily known for causing illness in humans.

4. Indus Valley Script: Incorrectly matched. The Indus Valley Script remains undeciphered and is not used for known literary purposes. Current theories suggest it had practical applications, possibly related to trade and administration, but it has not been deciphered as a literary script.

Pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, so the correct answer is "Option B: Only two pairs."

Statement-I correctly reflects the recent revision in the Rules of the Right to Education Act, 2009, allowing schools to retain students in Classes 5 and 8 if they fail year-end exams. Statement-II accurately mentions the reasons for the rollback of the no-detention policy, including the learning gaps highlighted by surveys like ASER and the decline in academic performance as per National Achievement Surveys. However, while both statements are factually correct, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I but provides additional context related to the reasons behind the policy change. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Statement-I correctly describes a chargesheet as a formal document summarizing investigation findings, while Statement-II accurately characterizes the role of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) as a regulatory body overseeing genetically engineered organisms. However, these statements pertain to entirely different topics and do not have a direct explanatory relationship, hence option (b) is correct.

1. Rollback of No-Detention Policy in India: Incorrectly matched. The rollback of the no-detention policy actually allows for detention of students in Classes 5 and 8 if they do not meet the promotion criteria after year-end exams, addressing significant learning gaps.

2. Golden Jackal: Correctly matched. The golden jackal is indeed classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it currently does not face a significant risk of extinction in the wild.

3. LEADS 2024 Report: Correctly matched. The LEADS 2024 report does focus on reducing transaction costs and improving logistics efficiency, among other objectives such as promoting sustainable practices and enhancing logistics infrastructure.

4. Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE): Incorrectly matched. CCE was intended to be an effective assessment method, but its implementation has been ineffective in many schools, leading to automatic promotions without proper evaluation.

The correctly matched pairs are 2 and 3.

Statement-I correctly highlights the regenerative ability of zebrafish in repairing heart muscle damage efficiently within a specific timeframe of 60 days. This is in accordance with the information provided in the source material.
Statement-II accurately identifies the significance of the Hmga1 protein in activating genes crucial for the regeneration process in zebrafish. The statement correctly states the role of the Hmga1 protein in facilitating the regeneration of damaged heart tissue in zebrafish.
Therefore, both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II logically explains why zebrafish can regenerate heart muscle damage efficiently within the specified period, making option (a) the correct answer.

1. Zebrafish - Capable of regenerating damaged heart muscle: Correct. Zebrafish have a remarkable ability to regenerate damaged heart muscle within 60 days.

2. Hmga1 Protein - Inactive in zebrafish after birth: Incorrect. Hmga1 remains active in zebrafish during heart regeneration, unlike in mice and humans, where it becomes inactive after birth.

3. Atomic Clock - Uses cesium atoms for timekeeping: Correct. Atomic clocks measure time by referencing the vibrations of cesium atoms, making them extremely accurate timekeeping devices.

4. NH-44 - Longest national highway in India: Correct. NH-44 is indeed the longest national highway in India, stretching over 3,745 kilometers.

Pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, whereas pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Thus, there are three correctly matched pairs.

The essential protein identified in zebrafish for heart muscle regeneration is Hmga1. This protein is pivotal in activating dormant genes necessary for the regeneration process, offering insights into potential heart repair mechanisms in mammals. Unlike in mice and humans, where the Hmga1 gene becomes inactive after birth, it remains active in zebrafish during heart regeneration, facilitating the repair process.

The e-Shram portal, launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in India, primarily aims to address the distressing plight of migrant workers by creating a unified national database. This initiative is significant in documenting and registering unorganised workers, who face numerous socio-economic challenges and barriers to accessing their rights and essential services. The portal's objective is to provide a platform for better social protection and inclusion for India's vulnerable unorganised workforce.

Statement 1 is correct. The e-Shram portal was indeed launched following a directive from the Supreme Court of India, aiming to create a comprehensive database of unorganised workers, which includes migrant workers, in response to the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Interstate Migrant Workmen Act (1979) was enacted to regulate the employment of interstate migrant workers and to provide for their conditions of service. However, it did not effectively register all migrant workers in India. Historical efforts, including this Act, have largely failed to comprehensively document this workforce, as mentioned in the context provided.

Statement 3 is correct. Digital illiteracy indeed represents a significant challenge for unorganised workers trying to access the e-Shram portal. Many workers lack the necessary digital skills, as well as resources like smartphones and internet access, which are essential for navigating the portal independently.

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