UPSC Editorials Quiz : 23 June 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 Which one of the following regions is identified as having the world’s largest tropical peatland, holding a significant amount of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels, the destruction of which could have a detrimental effect on the global climate? (a) The Amazon Basin (b) The Sundarbans (c) The Mekong Delta (d) The Congo Basin Correct Solution: D The Congo Basin in Central Africa is home to the world’s largest tropical peatland complex. These peatlands store immense amounts of carbon, estimated to be equivalent to about three years’ worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels. The potential destruction or degradation of these peatlands could release this stored carbon into the atmosphere, thereby having a detrimental effect on the global climate. While the Amazon Basin also has significant peatlands, the Congo Basin holds the largest known contiguous tropical peatland area. Incorrect Solution: D The Congo Basin in Central Africa is home to the world’s largest tropical peatland complex. These peatlands store immense amounts of carbon, estimated to be equivalent to about three years’ worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels. The potential destruction or degradation of these peatlands could release this stored carbon into the atmosphere, thereby having a detrimental effect on the global climate. While the Amazon Basin also has significant peatlands, the Congo Basin holds the largest known contiguous tropical peatland area.

#### 1. Question

Which one of the following regions is identified as having the world’s largest tropical peatland, holding a significant amount of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels, the destruction of which could have a detrimental effect on the global climate?

• (a) The Amazon Basin

• (b) The Sundarbans

• (c) The Mekong Delta

• (d) The Congo Basin

Solution: D

The Congo Basin in Central Africa is home to the world’s largest tropical peatland complex. These peatlands store immense amounts of carbon, estimated to be equivalent to about three years’ worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

The potential destruction or degradation of these peatlands could release this stored carbon into the atmosphere, thereby having a detrimental effect on the global climate.

While the Amazon Basin also has significant peatlands, the Congo Basin holds the largest known contiguous tropical peatland area.

Solution: D

The potential destruction or degradation of these peatlands could release this stored carbon into the atmosphere, thereby having a detrimental effect on the global climate.

While the Amazon Basin also has significant peatlands, the Congo Basin holds the largest known contiguous tropical peatland area.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements about Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): BIPV systems primarily focus on maximizing electricity generation, often at the expense of architectural aesthetics. The dual functionality of BIPV, serving as both a building material and a power generator, can lead to lower overall costs in new constructions compared to installing separate conventional materials and solar panels. The efficiency of BIPV is generally lower than that of conventional solar panels due to constraints related to orientation and customization for aesthetic purposes. 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 incorrect. A key feature and selling point of BIPV is its aesthetic flexibility. BIPV systems can be customized in terms of transparency, colour, shape, and size to blend into the building architecture. This is a direct contradiction to the idea that aesthetics are sacrificed. Statement 2 is correct. This statement highlights a key economic advantage of BIPV in the context of new buildings. By integrating photovoltaics into essential building components (like roofing, facades, or windows), a developer avoids the cost of the traditional material that is being replaced. While the BIPV component itself may be expensive, the saving on the conventional material and the separate installation of solar panels can make the total cost competitive or even lower in the long run. Statement 3 is correct. Conventional solar panels are installed at an optimal tilt and orientation to maximize sun exposure. BIPV panels, however, are integrated into the building’s structure (e.g., vertical facades), which may not be the ideal angle for sunlight absorption. Additionally, aesthetic customizations like color or semi-transparency can reduce the amount of light hitting the solar cells, leading to a lower power conversion efficiency compared to standard, high-efficiency solar panels. Incorrect Solution: B Statement 1 is incorrect. A key feature and selling point of BIPV is its aesthetic flexibility. BIPV systems can be customized in terms of transparency, colour, shape, and size to blend into the building architecture. This is a direct contradiction to the idea that aesthetics are sacrificed. Statement 2 is correct. This statement highlights a key economic advantage of BIPV in the context of new buildings. By integrating photovoltaics into essential building components (like roofing, facades, or windows), a developer avoids the cost of the traditional material that is being replaced. While the BIPV component itself may be expensive, the saving on the conventional material and the separate installation of solar panels can make the total cost competitive or even lower in the long run. Statement 3 is correct. Conventional solar panels are installed at an optimal tilt and orientation to maximize sun exposure. BIPV panels, however, are integrated into the building’s structure (e.g., vertical facades), which may not be the ideal angle for sunlight absorption. Additionally, aesthetic customizations like color or semi-transparency can reduce the amount of light hitting the solar cells, leading to a lower power conversion efficiency compared to standard, high-efficiency solar panels.

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements about Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV):

• BIPV systems primarily focus on maximizing electricity generation, often at the expense of architectural aesthetics.

• The dual functionality of BIPV, serving as both a building material and a power generator, can lead to lower overall costs in new constructions compared to installing separate conventional materials and solar panels.

• The efficiency of BIPV is generally lower than that of conventional solar panels due to constraints related to orientation and customization for aesthetic purposes.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. A key feature and selling point of BIPV is its aesthetic flexibility. BIPV systems can be customized in terms of transparency, colour, shape, and size to blend into the building architecture. This is a direct contradiction to the idea that aesthetics are sacrificed.

• Statement 2 is correct. This statement highlights a key economic advantage of BIPV in the context of new buildings. By integrating photovoltaics into essential building components (like roofing, facades, or windows), a developer avoids the cost of the traditional material that is being replaced. While the BIPV component itself may be expensive, the saving on the conventional material and the separate installation of solar panels can make the total cost competitive or even lower in the long run.

Statement 3 is correct. Conventional solar panels are installed at an optimal tilt and orientation to maximize sun exposure. BIPV panels, however, are integrated into the building’s structure (e.g., vertical facades), which may not be the ideal angle for sunlight absorption. Additionally, aesthetic customizations like color or semi-transparency can reduce the amount of light hitting the solar cells, leading to a lower power conversion efficiency compared to standard, high-efficiency solar panels.

Solution: B

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements. Assertion (A): The upcoming 16th Census of India is expected to have a significant impact on the delimitation of electoral constituencies. Reason (R): The Constitution of India mandates the redrawing of constituency boundaries based on the population figures of the first census conducted after the year 2026. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A (c) A is true but R is false (d) A is false but R is true Correct Solution: A Assertion (A) is true. The 16th Census, scheduled to conclude by March 2027, will be the first census conducted after the year 2026. The data on population size and distribution from this census will form the basis for the next delimitation exercise for Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats. This will be a momentous political event as it will likely alter the number of seats for various states. Reason (R) is also true and is the correct explanation for Assertion (A). The 84th Amendment Act, 2001 extended the freeze on the delimitation of constituencies until the first census taken after the year 2026. Therefore, the 16th Census is precisely the dataset that will be used to undertake this constitutionally mandated redrawing of electoral boundaries. Incorrect Solution: A Assertion (A) is true. The 16th Census, scheduled to conclude by March 2027, will be the first census conducted after the year 2026. The data on population size and distribution from this census will form the basis for the next delimitation exercise for Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats. This will be a momentous political event as it will likely alter the number of seats for various states. Reason (R) is also true and is the correct explanation for Assertion (A). The 84th Amendment Act, 2001 extended the freeze on the delimitation of constituencies until the first census taken after the year 2026. Therefore, the 16th Census is precisely the dataset that will be used to undertake this constitutionally mandated redrawing of electoral boundaries.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements.

Assertion (A): The upcoming 16th Census of India is expected to have a significant impact on the delimitation of electoral constituencies.

Reason (R): The Constitution of India mandates the redrawing of constituency boundaries based on the population figures of the first census conducted after the year 2026.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

• (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

• (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

• (c) A is true but R is false

• (d) A is false but R is true

Solution: A

Assertion (A) is true. The 16th Census, scheduled to conclude by March 2027, will be the first census conducted after the year 2026. The data on population size and distribution from this census will form the basis for the next delimitation exercise for Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats. This will be a momentous political event as it will likely alter the number of seats for various states.

Reason (R) is also true and is the correct explanation for Assertion (A).

The 84th Amendment Act, 2001 extended the freeze on the delimitation of constituencies until the first census taken after the year 2026. Therefore, the 16th Census is precisely the dataset that will be used to undertake this constitutionally mandated redrawing of electoral boundaries.

Solution: A

Reason (R) is also true and is the correct explanation for Assertion (A).

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements regarding the first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) report released in 2024: The assessment estimated the snow leopard population in India to be well over 2000 individuals. The study primarily focused on the Western Ghats and Northeast India, known biodiversity hotspots. Ladakh was reported to have the highest number of snow leopards among the assessed regions. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: A Statement 1 is incorrect. The first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment (SPAI) report released in January 2024 estimated approximately 718 snow leopards in India. This is significantly less than “well over 2000”. Statement 2 is incorrect. The study focused on the trans-Himalayan region, which is the habitat of snow leopards. This includes states and UTs like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Western Ghats are not snow leopard habitat. While Northeast India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim) is covered, it’s specifically the high-altitude Himalayan parts. Statement 3 is correct. The SPAI report indicated that Ladakh has the highest estimated population of snow leopards in India. Incorrect Solution: A Statement 1 is incorrect. The first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment (SPAI) report released in January 2024 estimated approximately 718 snow leopards in India. This is significantly less than “well over 2000”. Statement 2 is incorrect. The study focused on the trans-Himalayan region, which is the habitat of snow leopards. This includes states and UTs like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Western Ghats are not snow leopard habitat. While Northeast India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim) is covered, it’s specifically the high-altitude Himalayan parts. Statement 3 is correct. The SPAI report indicated that Ladakh has the highest estimated population of snow leopards in India.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements regarding the first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) report released in 2024:

• The assessment estimated the snow leopard population in India to be well over 2000 individuals.

• The study primarily focused on the Western Ghats and Northeast India, known biodiversity hotspots.

• Ladakh was reported to have the highest number of snow leopards among the assessed regions.

How many of the above statements are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment (SPAI) report released in January 2024 estimated approximately 718 snow leopards in India. This is significantly less than “well over 2000”.

• Statement 2 is incorrect. The study focused on the trans-Himalayan region, which is the habitat of snow leopards. This includes states and UTs like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Western Ghats are not snow leopard habitat. While Northeast India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim) is covered, it’s specifically the high-altitude Himalayan parts.

Statement 3 is correct. The SPAI report indicated that Ladakh has the highest estimated population of snow leopards in India.

Solution: A

Statement 3 is correct. The SPAI report indicated that Ladakh has the highest estimated population of snow leopards in India.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): It is mandated to promote higher standards of living and social progress. Its membership is permanent, similar to the permanent members of the Security Council. It holds joint sessions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 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. One of the primary objectives of ECOSOC, as laid out in the UN Charter is to raise living standards and promote full employment, which falls under the broader goal of promoting economic and social progress. Statement 2 is incorrect. The membership of ECOSOC is not permanent. It consists of 54 members elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. This rotational membership is designed to ensure equitable geographical representation over time, unlike the permanent, veto-wielding membership of the P5 in the Security Council. Statement 3 is correct. A key function of ECOSOC is to foster policy coherence in the global development landscape. To this end, it holds an annual high-level special meeting, often referred to as joint sessions, with the Bretton Woods institutions—the IMF and the World Bank—to discuss global economic issues and align development strategies. Incorrect Solution: B Statement 1 is correct. One of the primary objectives of ECOSOC, as laid out in the UN Charter is to raise living standards and promote full employment, which falls under the broader goal of promoting economic and social progress. Statement 2 is incorrect. The membership of ECOSOC is not permanent. It consists of 54 members elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. This rotational membership is designed to ensure equitable geographical representation over time, unlike the permanent, veto-wielding membership of the P5 in the Security Council. Statement 3 is correct. A key function of ECOSOC is to foster policy coherence in the global development landscape. To this end, it holds an annual high-level special meeting, often referred to as joint sessions, with the Bretton Woods institutions—the IMF and the World Bank—to discuss global economic issues and align development strategies.

#### 5. Question

Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):

• It is mandated to promote higher standards of living and social progress.

• Its membership is permanent, similar to the permanent members of the Security Council.

• It holds joint sessions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct. One of the primary objectives of ECOSOC, as laid out in the UN Charter is to raise living standards and promote full employment, which falls under the broader goal of promoting economic and social progress.

• Statement 2 is incorrect. The membership of ECOSOC is not permanent. It consists of 54 members elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. This rotational membership is designed to ensure equitable geographical representation over time, unlike the permanent, veto-wielding membership of the P5 in the Security Council.

• Statement 3 is correct. A key function of ECOSOC is to foster policy coherence in the global development landscape. To this end, it holds an annual high-level special meeting, often referred to as joint sessions, with the Bretton Woods institutions—the IMF and the World Bank—to discuss global economic issues and align development strategies.

Solution: B

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