UPSC Editorials Quiz : 18 February 2026

Introducing QUED – Questions from Editorials (UPSC Editorials Quiz) , an innovative initiative from InsightsIAS. Considering the significant number of questions in previous UPSC Prelims from editorials, practicing MCQs from this perspective can provide an extra edge. While we cover important editorials separately in our Editorial Section and SECURE Initiative, adding QUED (UPSC Editorials Quiz) to your daily MCQ practice alongside Static Quiz, Current Affairs Quiz, and InstaDART can be crucial for better performance. We recommend utilizing this initiative to enhance your preparation, with 5 MCQs posted daily at 11 am from Monday to Saturday on our website under the QUIZ menu.

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following pairs regarding India’s Joint Military Exercises conducted in late 2025: Exercise Name Partner Nation/Group 1. Exercise Trishul Tri-Service (Domestic) 2. Desert Cyclone II UAE 3. Exercise MAITRI SCO Nations Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Solution: B Pair 1 is Correctly Matched: Exercise Trishul (2025) was a massive Tri-Service exercise (Army, Navy, Air Force) conducted by India in the Western Theatre (bordering Pakistan). It aimed to validate integrated theatre battle concepts, involving amphibious operations and high-intensity maneuvers in Rajasthan and the Arabian Sea. Pair 2 is Correctly Matched: Desert Cyclone II is the second edition of the joint army exercise between India and the UAE. It focuses on desert warfare and interoperability. Pair 3 is Incorrectly Matched: MAITRI (Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific) is a Quad initiative (India, US, Japan, Australia) aimed at maritime domain awareness. It is not an SCO exercise. Incorrect Solution: B Pair 1 is Correctly Matched: Exercise Trishul (2025) was a massive Tri-Service exercise (Army, Navy, Air Force) conducted by India in the Western Theatre (bordering Pakistan). It aimed to validate integrated theatre battle concepts, involving amphibious operations and high-intensity maneuvers in Rajasthan and the Arabian Sea. Pair 2 is Correctly Matched: Desert Cyclone II is the second edition of the joint army exercise between India and the UAE. It focuses on desert warfare and interoperability. Pair 3 is Incorrectly Matched: MAITRI (Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific) is a Quad initiative (India, US, Japan, Australia) aimed at maritime domain awareness. It is not an SCO exercise.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following pairs regarding India’s Joint Military Exercises conducted in late 2025:

| Exercise Name | Partner Nation/Group

1.| Exercise Trishul | Tri-Service (Domestic)
2.| Desert Cyclone II | UAE
3.| Exercise MAITRI | SCO Nations

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

• (a) 1 only

• (b) 1 and 2 only

• (c) 2 and 3 only

• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: B

• Pair 1 is Correctly Matched: Exercise Trishul (2025) was a massive Tri-Service exercise (Army, Navy, Air Force) conducted by India in the Western Theatre (bordering Pakistan). It aimed to validate integrated theatre battle concepts, involving amphibious operations and high-intensity maneuvers in Rajasthan and the Arabian Sea.

• Pair 2 is Correctly Matched: Desert Cyclone II is the second edition of the joint army exercise between India and the UAE. It focuses on desert warfare and interoperability.

• Pair 3 is Incorrectly Matched: MAITRI (Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific) is a Quad initiative (India, US, Japan, Australia) aimed at maritime domain awareness. It is not an SCO exercise.

Solution: B

• Pair 2 is Correctly Matched: Desert Cyclone II is the second edition of the joint army exercise between India and the UAE. It focuses on desert warfare and interoperability.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to the ‘UNEP FI Impact Centre’, consider the following statements: It is a dedicated center of expertise aimed at aligning financial portfolios with internationally recognized environmental and social standards. The center is a collaborative initiative between the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme. Which of the above statements are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: A The UNEP FI Impact Centre is a specialized body under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). Statement 1 is correct as its primary mandate is to advance impact management and align financial flows with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global environmental standards. Statement 2 is incorrect because it is an initiative strictly under the UNEP FI framework, not a joint venture with the World Bank. The center consolidates existing workstreams into a holistic methodology. The center explicitly builds on the leadership of UNEP FI, which defined positive impact finance back in 2017. The initiative focuses on interoperability between different sustainability frameworks and provides technical assistance to its members to embed these impacts into their core business strategies. Incorrect Solution: A The UNEP FI Impact Centre is a specialized body under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). Statement 1 is correct as its primary mandate is to advance impact management and align financial flows with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global environmental standards. Statement 2 is incorrect because it is an initiative strictly under the UNEP FI framework, not a joint venture with the World Bank. The center consolidates existing workstreams into a holistic methodology. The center explicitly builds on the leadership of UNEP FI, which defined positive impact finance back in 2017. The initiative focuses on interoperability between different sustainability frameworks and provides technical assistance to its members to embed these impacts into their core business strategies.

#### 2. Question

With reference to the ‘UNEP FI Impact Centre’, consider the following statements:

• It is a dedicated center of expertise aimed at aligning financial portfolios with internationally recognized environmental and social standards.

• The center is a collaborative initiative between the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Which of the above statements are correct?

• (a) 1 only

• (b) 2 only

• (c) Both 1 and 2

• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: A

• The UNEP FI Impact Centre is a specialized body under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).

• Statement 1 is correct as its primary mandate is to advance impact management and align financial flows with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global environmental standards.

Statement 2 is incorrect because it is an initiative strictly under the UNEP FI framework, not a joint venture with the World Bank. The center consolidates existing workstreams into a holistic methodology. The center explicitly builds on the leadership of UNEP FI, which defined positive impact finance back in 2017. The initiative focuses on interoperability between different sustainability frameworks and provides technical assistance to its members to embed these impacts into their core business strategies.

Solution: A

• The UNEP FI Impact Centre is a specialized body under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question With reference to the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) initiative, consider the following statements: It is a Central Sector Scheme funded entirely by the Central Government. The scheme is implemented by the National Book Trust (NBT) under the Ministry of Education. It aims to provide access to scholarly journals to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) managed by both Central and State Governments. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: B Statement 1 is Correct: ONOS is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning the funding comes 100% from the Central Government. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The implementing agency is the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, an autonomous Inter-University Centre of the UGC. It is not the National Book Trust (NBT). Statement 3 is Correct: The scheme is designed to be inclusive (“One Nation”). It covers HEIs and R&D laboratories managed by the Central Government as well as State Governments. This ensures that students in state universities also benefit from high-quality research access. Incorrect Solution: B Statement 1 is Correct: ONOS is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning the funding comes 100% from the Central Government. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The implementing agency is the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, an autonomous Inter-University Centre of the UGC. It is not the National Book Trust (NBT). Statement 3 is Correct: The scheme is designed to be inclusive (“One Nation”). It covers HEIs and R&D laboratories managed by the Central Government as well as State Governments. This ensures that students in state universities also benefit from high-quality research access.

#### 3. Question

With reference to the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) initiative, consider the following statements:

• It is a Central Sector Scheme funded entirely by the Central Government.

• The scheme is implemented by the National Book Trust (NBT) under the Ministry of Education.

• It aims to provide access to scholarly journals to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) managed by both Central and State Governments.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is Correct: ONOS is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning the funding comes 100% from the Central Government.

• Statement 2 is Incorrect: The implementing agency is the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, an autonomous Inter-University Centre of the UGC. It is not the National Book Trust (NBT).

• Statement 3 is Correct: The scheme is designed to be inclusive (“One Nation”). It covers HEIs and R&D laboratories managed by the Central Government as well as State Governments. This ensures that students in state universities also benefit from high-quality research access.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is Correct: ONOS is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning the funding comes 100% from the Central Government.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question The “Pax Silica” initiative, which India has recently moved toward joining, is a strategic framework focused on: (a) Enhancing global agricultural productivity (b) Securing the global AI and semiconductor supply chain (c) Regulating the extraction of silica from riverbeds (d) A regional maritime alliance for the Indian Ocean Correct Solution: B Pax Silica is a U.S.-led strategic initiative designed to build a secure and innovation-driven supply chain for semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and critical minerals among trusted global partners. India has actively engaged in the summit and is expected to be a key participant. Incorrect Solution: B Pax Silica is a U.S.-led strategic initiative designed to build a secure and innovation-driven supply chain for semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and critical minerals among trusted global partners. India has actively engaged in the summit and is expected to be a key participant.

#### 4. Question

The “Pax Silica” initiative, which India has recently moved toward joining, is a strategic framework focused on:

• (a) Enhancing global agricultural productivity

• (b) Securing the global AI and semiconductor supply chain

• (c) Regulating the extraction of silica from riverbeds

• (d) A regional maritime alliance for the Indian Ocean

Solution: B

Pax Silica is a U.S.-led strategic initiative designed to build a secure and innovation-driven supply chain for semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and critical minerals among trusted global partners. India has actively engaged in the summit and is expected to be a key participant.

Solution: B

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question With reference to the ‘Meerut Bugle’, consider the following statements: It is the first musical instrument specifically associated with the Indian Armed Forces to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It is typically crafted from ‘Bell Metal’, an alloy of copper and tin, which gives it a distinct high-pitched resonance. The demand for these instruments originated primarily from the need for battlefield signaling and regimental ceremonies. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Solution: C Statement 1 is Correct: The Meerut Bugle holds the distinction of being the first musical instrument with a direct lineage to the Indian military tradition (Army, Police, Paramilitary) to be awarded a GI tag. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Meerut Bugle is made of Brass, which is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. ‘Bell Metal’ (Copper and Tin) is used for bells and utensils, but bugles require the malleability and acoustic properties of brass. Statement 3 is Correct: The industry flourished because of the British Indian Army’s requirement for signaling instruments (Reveille, Retreat, Last Post) and ceremonial bands, establishing Meerut as the manufacturing hub. Incorrect Solution: C Statement 1 is Correct: The Meerut Bugle holds the distinction of being the first musical instrument with a direct lineage to the Indian military tradition (Army, Police, Paramilitary) to be awarded a GI tag. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Meerut Bugle is made of Brass, which is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. ‘Bell Metal’ (Copper and Tin) is used for bells and utensils, but bugles require the malleability and acoustic properties of brass. Statement 3 is Correct: The industry flourished because of the British Indian Army’s requirement for signaling instruments (Reveille, Retreat, Last Post) and ceremonial bands, establishing Meerut as the manufacturing hub.

#### 5. Question

With reference to the ‘Meerut Bugle’, consider the following statements:

• It is the first musical instrument specifically associated with the Indian Armed Forces to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

• It is typically crafted from ‘Bell Metal’, an alloy of copper and tin, which gives it a distinct high-pitched resonance.

• The demand for these instruments originated primarily from the need for battlefield signaling and regimental ceremonies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) 1 and 2 only

• (b) 2 and 3 only

• (c) 1 and 3 only

• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: C

• Statement 1 is Correct: The Meerut Bugle holds the distinction of being the first musical instrument with a direct lineage to the Indian military tradition (Army, Police, Paramilitary) to be awarded a GI tag.

• Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Meerut Bugle is made of Brass, which is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. ‘Bell Metal’ (Copper and Tin) is used for bells and utensils, but bugles require the malleability and acoustic properties of brass.

• Statement 3 is Correct: The industry flourished because of the British Indian Army’s requirement for signaling instruments (Reveille, Retreat, Last Post) and ceremonial bands, establishing Meerut as the manufacturing hub.

Solution: C

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