Daily Current Affairs Quiz: May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

The International Day of Families is observed to:

(A) Celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(B) Promote digital inclusion among youth
(C) Highlight the role of families in achieving social development goals
(D) Raise awareness about poverty eradication programs

Show Answer

Answer: c

Observed annually on 15 May.

Theme : “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development”, focusing on the role of families in achieving social development goals.

About the Day:

Celebrated annually on 15 May, declared by the UN General Assembly in 1993.
Highlights the importance of family as the basic unit of society.
Aims to raise awareness about family-related issues and promote policies supporting families in areas such as health, education, gender equality, and children’s rights.

With reference to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), consider the following statements:
1. It is a constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Constitution.
2. Its members are appointed by the President of India.
3. The tenure of a UPSC member is 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) 3 only

Show Answer

Answer: b)

Current Context : The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) announced the appointment of Dr. Ajay Kumar, former Defence Secretary and 1985-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

He succeeds Preeti Sudan, whose tenure concluded on 29 April 2025.

About the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Constitutional Foundation:
- Established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution.
- Entrusted with conducting examinations for appointments to the services of the Union.
Composition:
- Comprises a Chairman and up to 10 members.
- Members are appointed by the President of India.
- Each member serves a term of 6 years or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Under the Information Technology Act, the “Safe Harbour” clause refers to:

(A) Legal immunity granted to cybersecurity experts
(B) Protection for intermediaries from liability for user content
(C) Right of government to intercept encrypted data
(D) Exclusive access of ISPs to user data

Show Answer

Answer: b

Current Context : The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) initiated a consultation paper seeking stakeholder feedback on amending “safe harbour” provisions in the Information Technology Act, 2000, to curb the spread of online misinformation.

About Safe Harbour

Definition: Shields intermediaries (social media platforms, hosting services) from liability for user-generated content if they follow due-diligence and takedown rules.
India’s Provision: Section 79 of the IT Act; read with IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Key Conditions:
1. Due Diligence: Must publish terms of service and appoint grievance/officer.
2. Knowledge Test: Liability arises only if the intermediary “has actual knowledge” of unlawful content and fails to act within 36 hours of a takedown notice.
3. Court/Government Orders: Content removal mandated only upon a valid order or notification.

With reference to Bhutan’s crypto tourism payment system, consider the following statements:
1. It is the world’s first national-level crypto payment system for tourists.
2. It supports over 100 cryptocurrencies and is integrated with the Binance app.
3. All transactions are settled in US dollars for stability.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: a

Current Context : Bhutan’s Ministry of Information & Communications and Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) officially launched the world’s first national-level cryptocurrency tourism payment system, in partnership with Binance Pay and Druk Punjab National Bank.

System Overview

Integration: Embedded in the Binance mobile app; supported by RMA-licensed Druk Punjab National Bank for on-ramp/off-ramp conversions.
Currencies: Accepts 100+ cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, BNB, USDC.
Mechanism: Tourists scan dynamic/static QR codes to pay; instant settlement in Ngultrum (BTN) at market rates.

The Adishakti Abhiyan initiative in Maharashtra primarily aims to:

(A) Promote organic farming through self-help groups
(B) Strengthen women’s empowerment and reduce child marriage
(C) Provide rural housing subsidies to women
(D) Train women in industrial entrepreneurship

Show Answer

Answer: b

Current Context : Maharashtra Cabinet approved the “Adishakti Abhiyan”, timed to commemorate Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th birth anniversary, to intensify delivery of women-and-child welfare schemes across the state.

About Adishakti Abhiyan

Objective:
- Eradicate malnutrition, reduce infant/maternal mortality, and combat child marriage and domestic violence.
- Strengthen women’s participation in Panchayati Raj
Structure:
- Committees at village, taluka, district, division, and state levels.
- Mandatory involvement of all Panchayat Samitis for grassroots outreach.
Adishakti Awards:
- Annual recognition (first week of March) for outstanding Gram Panchayats in women’s empowerment.
Budget: ₹10.50 crore (FY 2025–26), managed by the State Women & Child Development Department.

Implementation Partners

Anganwadi Workers and Taluka Protection Officers for community camps.
NGOs for training on gender rights, nutrition, and legal aid.

Bhuwan Ribhu, the recipient of the World Jurist Association’s Medal of Honour, is known for his contribution to:

(A) Environmental litigation
(B) Tribal land rights
(C) Child rights and justice
(D) Electoral reforms

Show Answer

Answer: c

Current Context: Indian lawyer and child rights activist Bhuwan Ribhu became the first Indian to receive the World Jurist Association’s Medal of Honour at the World Law Congress in the Dominican Republic.

About Bhuwan Ribhu:

A child rights advocate with over two decades of legal activism.
Co-founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC) – a global child justice legal platform.
Played a key role in having the term CSEAM (Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material) recognised in Indian legal discourse.

About the World Jurist Association:

An international organization promoting rule of law and democratic values.
Conducts the World Law Congress, which honours legal luminaries for outstanding contributions to justice and human rights.

Bandaru Dattatraya, the author of “Janta Ki Kahani – Meri Aatmakatha,” has served in which of the following roles?
1. Governor of Haryana
2. Union Minister for Labour & Employment
3. Member of the Planning Commission
Select the correct answer:

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: a

Current Context: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar released the autobiography of Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, titled “Janta Ki Kahani – Meri Aatmakatha”, on 9 May 2025 at Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi.

About the Autobiography:

Chronicles Dattatraya’s journey from grassroots activism to high constitutional office.
Reflects his personal, social, and political evolution in Indian public life.

About Bandaru Dattatraya:

He is serving as the current governor of the State of Haryana since 2021.
Former Union Minister of state for Labour & Employment .
Veteran BJP leader from Telangana, active in public service and political organization for over four decades.

Saach Pass, often in the news, is strategically important because it:

(A) Connects Himachal Pradesh with Ladak
(B) Links the remote Pangi Valley to Chamba district
(C) Provides access to the Indo-Tibetan border
(D) Serves as a pilgrimage route to Kedarnath

Show Answer

Answer: b

Current Context : The Himachal Pradesh PWD has set a 30 May 2025 deadline to reopen Saach Pass, reconnecting the tribal Pangi valley with Chamba amid intensive snow clearance operations.

About Saach Pass

Formerly “Sach Pass”: High-altitude (14,000 ft) alpine route in Chamba district.
Strategic Importance: Only overland link for Pangi’s remote communities, crucial for supplies, healthcare, and administration.
Challenges: Heavy snow and glacial blockages between December–April; narrow, landslide-prone stretches.