UPSC Editorials Quiz : 20 January 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 about the role of governors in state universities: Governors act as chancellors of state universities in most Indian states. The governor’s powers in university governance are outlined in the Constitution. The UGC draft regulations aim to enhance the role of governors in university appointments. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: b) Statement 2 is incorrect. Governors serve as chancellors in many Indian states, a role that involves heading state universities and overseeing critical functions such as appointing vice-chancellors and approving academic and administrative decisions. This authority stems from the legislative framework of individual states, as education is a subject under the Concurrent List, allowing states to legislate on it. Hence, statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Constitution does not explicitly outline the governor’s powers concerning university governance. These powers are provided through state laws, not constitutional provisions. Regarding statement 3, the UGC draft regulations focus on maintaining the autonomy and efficiency of higher education governance. However, they do not aim to enhance the role of governors in university appointments. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 2 is incorrect. Governors serve as chancellors in many Indian states, a role that involves heading state universities and overseeing critical functions such as appointing vice-chancellors and approving academic and administrative decisions. This authority stems from the legislative framework of individual states, as education is a subject under the Concurrent List, allowing states to legislate on it. Hence, statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Constitution does not explicitly outline the governor’s powers concerning university governance. These powers are provided through state laws, not constitutional provisions. Regarding statement 3, the UGC draft regulations focus on maintaining the autonomy and efficiency of higher education governance. However, they do not aim to enhance the role of governors in university appointments.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements about the role of governors in state universities:

• Governors act as chancellors of state universities in most Indian states.

• The governor’s powers in university governance are outlined in the Constitution.

• The UGC draft regulations aim to enhance the role of governors in university appointments.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Governors serve as chancellors in many Indian states, a role that involves heading state universities and overseeing critical functions such as appointing vice-chancellors and approving academic and administrative decisions. This authority stems from the legislative framework of individual states, as education is a subject under the Concurrent List, allowing states to legislate on it. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2 is incorrect because the Constitution does not explicitly outline the governor’s powers concerning university governance. These powers are provided through state laws, not constitutional provisions.

Regarding statement 3, the UGC draft regulations focus on maintaining the autonomy and efficiency of higher education governance. However, they do not aim to enhance the role of governors in university appointments.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements about Energy Efficiency Norms for urea production: They apply retroactively to all existing urea plants. They aim to increase the use of neem-coated urea across all plants. They mandate the use of renewable energy sources for urea production. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: d) The Energy Efficiency Norms for urea production focus on promoting energy-efficient practices in newly established urea plants rather than applying retroactively to existing ones. This makes statement 1 incorrect. The goal of these norms is to encourage the adoption of advanced technologies to optimize energy consumption, thereby reducing production costs and environmental impact. Statement 2 is also incorrect because the norms do not address the use of neem-coated urea. Neem-coating is a separate policy initiative aimed at reducing urea misuse and improving agricultural efficiency. Additionally, statement 3 is incorrect as the norms do not mandate the use of renewable energy sources in urea production. While there is a general emphasis on sustainable practices, the norms focus primarily on energy efficiency through conventional methods. Incorrect Solution: d) The Energy Efficiency Norms for urea production focus on promoting energy-efficient practices in newly established urea plants rather than applying retroactively to existing ones. This makes statement 1 incorrect. The goal of these norms is to encourage the adoption of advanced technologies to optimize energy consumption, thereby reducing production costs and environmental impact. Statement 2 is also incorrect because the norms do not address the use of neem-coated urea. Neem-coating is a separate policy initiative aimed at reducing urea misuse and improving agricultural efficiency. Additionally, statement 3 is incorrect as the norms do not mandate the use of renewable energy sources in urea production. While there is a general emphasis on sustainable practices, the norms focus primarily on energy efficiency through conventional methods.

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements about Energy Efficiency Norms for urea production:

• They apply retroactively to all existing urea plants.

• They aim to increase the use of neem-coated urea across all plants.

• They mandate the use of renewable energy sources for urea production.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: d)

The Energy Efficiency Norms for urea production focus on promoting energy-efficient practices in newly established urea plants rather than applying retroactively to existing ones. This makes statement 1 incorrect. The goal of these norms is to encourage the adoption of advanced technologies to optimize energy consumption, thereby reducing production costs and environmental impact.

Statement 2 is also incorrect because the norms do not address the use of neem-coated urea. Neem-coating is a separate policy initiative aimed at reducing urea misuse and improving agricultural efficiency.

Additionally, statement 3 is incorrect as the norms do not mandate the use of renewable energy sources in urea production. While there is a general emphasis on sustainable practices, the norms focus primarily on energy efficiency through conventional methods.

Solution: d)

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question The India-Bangladesh border stretches across how many Indian states? a) Four b) Five c) Six d) Seven Correct Solution: b) The India-Bangladesh border is one of the longest international borders shared by India, stretching approximately 4,096 km. This border spans across five Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. West Bengal has the largest share of the border, playing a significant role in trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram also share varying lengths of the border, with critical economic and security implications for the region. Incorrect Solution: b) The India-Bangladesh border is one of the longest international borders shared by India, stretching approximately 4,096 km. This border spans across five Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. West Bengal has the largest share of the border, playing a significant role in trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram also share varying lengths of the border, with critical economic and security implications for the region.

#### 3. Question

The India-Bangladesh border stretches across how many Indian states?

Solution: b)

The India-Bangladesh border is one of the longest international borders shared by India, stretching approximately 4,096 km. This border spans across five Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.

West Bengal has the largest share of the border, playing a significant role in trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram also share varying lengths of the border, with critical economic and security implications for the region.

Solution: b)

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question What is the primary effect of decreased aerosol pollution on global temperatures in 2024? a) Increased albedo b) Enhanced greenhouse gas trapping c) Reduced cloud cover leading to more solar absorption d) Strengthening of the monsoon system Correct Solution: c) Aerosols play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate by reflecting sunlight and promoting cloud formation. This reflective effect, known as increased albedo, helps cool the Earth’s surface by reducing the amount of solar radiation absorbed. Additionally, aerosols act as cloud condensation nuclei, enhancing cloud formation, which further contributes to cooling by reflecting sunlight. When aerosol pollution decreases, these cooling effects are diminished. Reduced aerosols lead to less cloud cover, decreasing the reflection of sunlight back into space. As a result, more solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface, causing increased absorption and a rise in global temperatures. This phenomenon contributes significantly to global warming and can disrupt weather patterns. Incorrect Solution: c) Aerosols play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate by reflecting sunlight and promoting cloud formation. This reflective effect, known as increased albedo, helps cool the Earth’s surface by reducing the amount of solar radiation absorbed. Additionally, aerosols act as cloud condensation nuclei, enhancing cloud formation, which further contributes to cooling by reflecting sunlight. When aerosol pollution decreases, these cooling effects are diminished. Reduced aerosols lead to less cloud cover, decreasing the reflection of sunlight back into space. As a result, more solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface, causing increased absorption and a rise in global temperatures. This phenomenon contributes significantly to global warming and can disrupt weather patterns.

#### 4. Question

What is the primary effect of decreased aerosol pollution on global temperatures in 2024?

• a) Increased albedo

• b) Enhanced greenhouse gas trapping

• c) Reduced cloud cover leading to more solar absorption

• d) Strengthening of the monsoon system

Solution: c)

Aerosols play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate by reflecting sunlight and promoting cloud formation. This reflective effect, known as increased albedo, helps cool the Earth’s surface by reducing the amount of solar radiation absorbed. Additionally, aerosols act as cloud condensation nuclei, enhancing cloud formation, which further contributes to cooling by reflecting sunlight.

When aerosol pollution decreases, these cooling effects are diminished. Reduced aerosols lead to less cloud cover, decreasing the reflection of sunlight back into space. As a result, more solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface, causing increased absorption and a rise in global temperatures. This phenomenon contributes significantly to global warming and can disrupt weather patterns.

Solution: c)

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Which of the following best describes the federal structure of higher education governance in India? a) Education is a subject exclusively under the Union List. b) States have complete autonomy in university governance. c) Education is in the Concurrent List, with shared powers between the Centre and states. d) The UGC has exclusive control over the governance of all universities in India. Correct Solution: c) India’s higher education governance operates under a federal structure, as education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution. This means both the Centre and the states have the authority to legislate on matters related to education. While states manage and govern universities within their territories, the Union government, through bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), plays a crucial role in setting national standards and policies for higher education. The UGC, established by an Act of Parliament, regulates university-level education and ensures uniformity in quality and standards. However, it does not have exclusive control over all universities, as state governments maintain jurisdiction over state universities. Incorrect Solution: c) India’s higher education governance operates under a federal structure, as education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution. This means both the Centre and the states have the authority to legislate on matters related to education. While states manage and govern universities within their territories, the Union government, through bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), plays a crucial role in setting national standards and policies for higher education. The UGC, established by an Act of Parliament, regulates university-level education and ensures uniformity in quality and standards. However, it does not have exclusive control over all universities, as state governments maintain jurisdiction over state universities.

#### 5. Question

Which of the following best describes the federal structure of higher education governance in India?

• a) Education is a subject exclusively under the Union List.

• b) States have complete autonomy in university governance.

• c) Education is in the Concurrent List, with shared powers between the Centre and states.

• d) The UGC has exclusive control over the governance of all universities in India.

Solution: c)

India’s higher education governance operates under a federal structure, as education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution. This means both the Centre and the states have the authority to legislate on matters related to education. While states manage and govern universities within their territories, the Union government, through bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), plays a crucial role in setting national standards and policies for higher education.

The UGC, established by an Act of Parliament, regulates university-level education and ensures uniformity in quality and standards. However, it does not have exclusive control over all universities, as state governments maintain jurisdiction over state universities.

Solution: c)

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