UPSC Editorials Quiz : 12 March 2025

Solution: A

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body established in 1992 to safeguard and promote the rights of women in India. While it plays an essential role in reviewing laws, addressing grievances, and recommending reforms, its powers are primarily advisory rather than judicial or executive.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because the NCW does not have the authority to file cases directly in the Supreme Court. It can, however, recommend action or intervene in cases affecting women’s rights.
• Statement 2 is correct as the NCW is involved in monitoring the implementation of various gender-related legislations, including the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, which provides paid maternity leave and safeguards for women workers.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because the NCW does not conduct judicial trials; it can investigate complaints, summon individuals for inquiry, and suggest legal action but does not have judicial powers.

Solution: B

• Sagar Island, located in the Sundarbans delta of West Bengal, is highly vulnerable to climate change due to several geographical and environmental factors.
• Low elevation (Statement 1) makes the island particularly susceptible to rising sea levels, increasing the risk of submergence and saltwater intrusion, which affects agriculture and freshwater sources.
• Frequent tropical cyclones (Statement 2) exacerbate the island’s vulnerability, leading to storm surges, flooding, and widespread destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods.
• Coastal erosion (Statement 4) is another significant factor, as the relentless action of waves and tides continues to erode landmass, reducing habitable and arable areas over time.
• However, proximity to tectonic plate boundaries (Statement 3) is incorrect, as Sagar Island is not situated near an active tectonic zone. It is primarily affected by climate-related factors rather than seismic activity.

Solution: A

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body, not a constitutional body, as it was established under Section 38L of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, rather than Article 48A of the Constitution. Article 48A, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to protect and improve the environment and wildlife, but it does not create the NTCA. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• NTCA is responsible for funding, monitoring, and implementing policies for Tiger Reserves in India, working under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It provides financial assistance to state governments for tiger conservation projects, making Statement 2 correct.
• However, Statement 3 is incorrect because NTCA does not have direct enforcement powers to take action against poachers or encroachers. Instead, it collaborates with state forest departments and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to combat wildlife crimes.

Solution: A

• Tiger Reserves in India are designated under Project Tiger and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Each reserve consists of a core zone (critical tiger habitat) and a buffer zone, ensuring both conservation and sustainable coexistence with local communities.
• Statement I is correct because the core zone is a strictly protected area meant exclusively for wildlife conservation, while the buffer zone serves as a transition area where human activities are regulated but not entirely restricted.
• Statement II is also correct, as buffer zones play a vital role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts. These areas support sustainable land-use practices, such as eco-tourism, afforestation, and controlled grazing, ensuring that local livelihoods are not severely affected while maintaining the ecological integrity of the core area.

Solution: C

Statement I is correct – Quantum computing enhances AI applications by optimizing complex algorithms faster.

Statement II is incorrect – Quantum computers will not replace classical computers entirely, as classical computing is still more efficient for many tasks.

What is Quantum Computing?

• Quantum computing leverages quantum bits (qubits), which exist in multiple states simultaneously due to superposition and entanglement.
• Unlike classical computers that process bits as 0 or 1, quantum computers perform parallel computations, exponentially increasing processing power.

Recent Advancements & Breakthroughs:

• Longer Qubit Coherence:Innovations by Atom Computing and ColdQuanta have improved qubit stability, allowing longer computations.
• High-Fidelity Qubit Control:IBM and Quantinuum are enhancing qubit accuracy, reducing errors.
• Error Correction Progress:Google’s Willow chip introduced a self-correcting quantum system, accelerating fault-tolerant quantum computing.
• Topological Qubits:Microsoft’s Majorana-1 improves stability, reducing the need for complex error correction.
• Diverse Qubit Modalities:Superconducting circuits, trapped ions, photonic qubits, and neutral atoms create a multi-approach ecosystem.