UPSC Editorials Quiz : 19 April 2025

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 statements regarding dust storms: Dust storms are capable of affecting the Indian Summer Monsoon onset. These storms increase surface albedo, contributing to regional cooling. Dust storms rarely cross-national borders due to their short-range nature. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: b) Statement 1 is correct. Dust storms can influence the Indian monsoon by affecting aerosol loading, cloud formation, and radiative forcing. Aerosols from dust storms can alter monsoon circulation patterns and delay or weaken monsoon onset in some regions. Statement 2 is also correct. Dust particles suspended in the atmosphere can increase the surface albedo, reflecting more sunlight and contributing to localized surface cooling, particularly during daytime. Statement 3 is incorrect. Dust storms are not confined within national boundaries. In fact, transboundary dust transport is well documented, especially from the Middle East and African deserts to India via the Arabian Sea. These long-range transport phenomena are significant in climatology and international air pollution monitoring. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 1 is correct. Dust storms can influence the Indian monsoon by affecting aerosol loading, cloud formation, and radiative forcing. Aerosols from dust storms can alter monsoon circulation patterns and delay or weaken monsoon onset in some regions. Statement 2 is also correct. Dust particles suspended in the atmosphere can increase the surface albedo, reflecting more sunlight and contributing to localized surface cooling, particularly during daytime. Statement 3 is incorrect. Dust storms are not confined within national boundaries. In fact, transboundary dust transport is well documented, especially from the Middle East and African deserts to India via the Arabian Sea. These long-range transport phenomena are significant in climatology and international air pollution monitoring.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements regarding dust storms:

• Dust storms are capable of affecting the Indian Summer Monsoon onset.

• These storms increase surface albedo, contributing to regional cooling.

• Dust storms rarely cross-national borders due to their short-range nature.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: b)

• Statement 1 is correct. Dust storms can influence the Indian monsoon by affecting aerosol loading, cloud formation, and radiative forcing. Aerosols from dust storms can alter monsoon circulation patterns and delay or weaken monsoon onset in some regions.

• Statement 2 is also correct. Dust particles suspended in the atmosphere can increase the surface albedo, reflecting more sunlight and contributing to localized surface cooling, particularly during daytime.

• Statement 3 is incorrect. Dust storms are not confined within national boundaries. In fact, transboundary dust transport is well documented, especially from the Middle East and African deserts to India via the Arabian Sea. These long-range transport phenomena are significant in climatology and international air pollution monitoring.

Solution: b)

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements regarding hybrid paddy cultivation: Hybrid paddy varieties typically mature earlier than traditional paddy. They result in higher stubble residues due to increased biomass. Hybrid paddy varieties are mainly grown for their superior aroma and export potential. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: a) Statement 1 is correct. Hybrid paddy is known for early maturity, typically within 125–130 days, unlike traditional varieties that may take 145+ days. This shorter growing period is particularly helpful in reducing water usage and preparing the field early for the Rabi season. Statement 2 is incorrect. Contrary to producing more stubble, many hybrid varieties are engineered to reduce stubble biomass, making them beneficial in minimizing post-harvest burning that causes air pollution in northern India. Statement 3 is also incorrect. Hybrid paddy varieties are not aromatic, and are mainly non-Basmati, developed for commercial yield maximization rather than for aroma or export appeal. Export-focused varieties like Basmati are typically not hybrids but are open-pollinated and grown for niche markets. Incorrect Solution: a) Statement 1 is correct. Hybrid paddy is known for early maturity, typically within 125–130 days, unlike traditional varieties that may take 145+ days. This shorter growing period is particularly helpful in reducing water usage and preparing the field early for the Rabi season. Statement 2 is incorrect. Contrary to producing more stubble, many hybrid varieties are engineered to reduce stubble biomass, making them beneficial in minimizing post-harvest burning that causes air pollution in northern India. Statement 3 is also incorrect. Hybrid paddy varieties are not aromatic, and are mainly non-Basmati, developed for commercial yield maximization rather than for aroma or export appeal. Export-focused varieties like Basmati are typically not hybrids but are open-pollinated and grown for niche markets.

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements regarding hybrid paddy cultivation:

• Hybrid paddy varieties typically mature earlier than traditional paddy.

• They result in higher stubble residues due to increased biomass.

• Hybrid paddy varieties are mainly grown for their superior aroma and export potential.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: a)

• Statement 1 is correct. Hybrid paddy is known for early maturity, typically within 125–130 days, unlike traditional varieties that may take 145+ days. This shorter growing period is particularly helpful in reducing water usage and preparing the field early for the Rabi season.

• Statement 2 is incorrect. Contrary to producing more stubble, many hybrid varieties are engineered to reduce stubble biomass, making them beneficial in minimizing post-harvest burning that causes air pollution in northern India.

• Statement 3 is also incorrect. Hybrid paddy varieties are not aromatic, and are mainly non-Basmati, developed for commercial yield maximization rather than for aroma or export appeal. Export-focused varieties like Basmati are typically not hybrids but are open-pollinated and grown for niche markets.

Solution: a)

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding Equatorial Plasma Bubbles. Statement-I: Equatorial Plasma Bubbles can cause errors in satellite navigation systems. Statement-II: These bubbles increase ionospheric plasma density, thereby enhancing signal reflection to satellites. Which one of the following is correct? a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct Correct Solution: c) Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) are large-scale depletions in ionospheric plasma density that occur after sunset in equatorial regions. These bubbles are caused by plasma instabilities in the F-region of the ionosphere, leading to irregularities that disrupt the smooth propagation of radio signals. Statement-I is correct: EPBs are known to affect satellite navigation systems like GPS by inducing signal scintillation—rapid fluctuations in signal amplitude and phase—leading to positioning errors, delays, and even complete signal loss. Statement-II is incorrect: EPBs reduce, not increase, plasma density. Instead of enhancing signal reflection, they scatter or refract radio signals, degrading their integrity. The depletion causes inhomogeneities in the ionosphere, making satellite communication and navigation less reliable, especially during geomagnetic disturbances. Incorrect Solution: c) Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) are large-scale depletions in ionospheric plasma density that occur after sunset in equatorial regions. These bubbles are caused by plasma instabilities in the F-region of the ionosphere, leading to irregularities that disrupt the smooth propagation of radio signals. Statement-I is correct: EPBs are known to affect satellite navigation systems like GPS by inducing signal scintillation—rapid fluctuations in signal amplitude and phase—leading to positioning errors, delays, and even complete signal loss. Statement-II is incorrect: EPBs reduce, not increase, plasma density. Instead of enhancing signal reflection, they scatter or refract radio signals, degrading their integrity. The depletion causes inhomogeneities in the ionosphere, making satellite communication and navigation less reliable, especially during geomagnetic disturbances.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Equatorial Plasma Bubbles.

Statement-I: Equatorial Plasma Bubbles can cause errors in satellite navigation systems. Statement-II: These bubbles increase ionospheric plasma density, thereby enhancing signal reflection to satellites.

Which one of the following is correct?

• a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

• b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

• c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

• d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Solution: c)

• Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) are large-scale depletions in ionospheric plasma density that occur after sunset in equatorial regions. These bubbles are caused by plasma instabilities in the F-region of the ionosphere, leading to irregularities that disrupt the smooth propagation of radio signals.

• Statement-I is correct: EPBs are known to affect satellite navigation systems like GPS by inducing signal scintillation—rapid fluctuations in signal amplitude and phase—leading to positioning errors, delays, and even complete signal loss.

• Statement-II is incorrect: EPBs reduce, not increase, plasma density. Instead of enhancing signal reflection, they scatter or refract radio signals, degrading their integrity. The depletion causes inhomogeneities in the ionosphere, making satellite communication and navigation less reliable, especially during geomagnetic disturbances.

Solution: c)

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Which of the following water bodies lies to the west of South Korea? a) East China Sea b) Sea of Japan c) Yellow Sea d) Pacific Ocean Correct Solution: c) South Korea is a peninsular nation in East Asia, surrounded by key strategic water bodies. The Yellow Sea lies to its west, separating it from China. To the east is the Sea of Japan (referred to by South Korea as the East Sea), while the East China Sea lies to the south, bordering Jeju Island. These seas have immense geostrategic importance due to naval routes, fishing zones, and military tensions, particularly involving China, Japan, and North Korea. Incorrect Solution: c) South Korea is a peninsular nation in East Asia, surrounded by key strategic water bodies. The Yellow Sea lies to its west, separating it from China. To the east is the Sea of Japan (referred to by South Korea as the East Sea), while the East China Sea lies to the south, bordering Jeju Island. These seas have immense geostrategic importance due to naval routes, fishing zones, and military tensions, particularly involving China, Japan, and North Korea.

#### 4. Question

Which of the following water bodies lies to the west of South Korea?

• a) East China Sea

• b) Sea of Japan

• c) Yellow Sea

• d) Pacific Ocean

Solution: c)

South Korea is a peninsular nation in East Asia, surrounded by key strategic water bodies. The Yellow Sea lies to its west, separating it from China. To the east is the Sea of Japan (referred to by South Korea as the East Sea), while the East China Sea lies to the south, bordering Jeju Island. These seas have immense geostrategic importance due to naval routes, fishing zones, and military tensions, particularly involving China, Japan, and North Korea.

Solution: c)

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Which of the following best explains the ecological significance of the Democratic Republic of the Congo? a) It contains the world’s largest mangrove swamp. b) It is home to the highest concentration of temperate grasslands in Africa. c) It is the driest region in Central Africa. d) It hosts the Congo Basin, the second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon. Correct Solution: d) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is globally significant for its Congo Basin, which is the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon. Spanning across several central African nations, over 60% of the Congo Basin lies within the DRC. It plays a critical role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation. The region is a carbon sink, essential for global climate goals. It also supports endangered species like the bonobo, forest elephant, and okapi. Incorrect Solution: d) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is globally significant for its Congo Basin, which is the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon. Spanning across several central African nations, over 60% of the Congo Basin lies within the DRC. It plays a critical role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation. The region is a carbon sink, essential for global climate goals. It also supports endangered species like the bonobo, forest elephant, and okapi.

#### 5. Question

Which of the following best explains the ecological significance of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

• a) It contains the world’s largest mangrove swamp.

• b) It is home to the highest concentration of temperate grasslands in Africa.

• c) It is the driest region in Central Africa.

• d) It hosts the Congo Basin, the second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon.

Solution: d)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is globally significant for its Congo Basin, which is the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon. Spanning across several central African nations, over 60% of the Congo Basin lies within the DRC. It plays a critical role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation. The region is a carbon sink, essential for global climate goals. It also supports endangered species like the bonobo, forest elephant, and okapi.

Solution: d)

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