UPSC Editorials Quiz : 5 September 2025

Solution: C

Major Dhyan Chand is a legendary figure in Indian sports, particularly in the field of hockey.

• Statement I is correct. The Government of India has designated August 29, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, as National Sports Day. This day is celebrated to honor his legacy and to promote the importance of sports and physical fitness in the country.

Statement II is incorrect. Major Dhyan Chand has not been awarded the Bharat Ratna, which is India’s highest civilian award. The first sportsperson to receive the Bharat Ratna was Sachin Tendulkar in 2014.

Solution: D

The principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) is a cornerstone of international environmental law and was formally enshrined in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in 1992.

• The principle acknowledges that while the responsibility for protecting the global environment is common to all countries, the specific obligations and the extent of these responsibilities should be differentiated.
• This differentiation is based on two main factors: the historical contribution of a country to the environmental problem (particularly climate change) and its financial and technological capacity to address it.
• Developed countries, having contributed the most to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution, are considered to have a greater historical responsibility. They also possess greater resources to invest in mitigation and adaptation measures.

Solution: B

The SNA 2025 is a major update to the international framework for national accounts, with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity.

• Statement 1 is correct. The new framework includes Distributional Accounts, which provide a breakdown of income, wealth, consumption, and savings by different household groups. This is a significant step towards understanding and addressing economic inequality.
• Statement 2 is correct. Under the new framework’s approach to Natural Capital Accounting, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro are recognized as assets. This reflects their growing economic importance and their role in a sustainable economy.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The primary goal of the SNA 2025 is not to artificially inflate GDP figures. While it does seek to include non-market activities like unpaid household work in extended accounts, the main objective is to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of economic well-being and sustainability, which goes beyond the narrow measure of GDP.

Solution: A

The design and construction of the ‘Matsya-6000’ submersible for the Samudrayaan Project involve cutting-edge materials and engineering.

• Statement I is correct. The personnel sphere of the ‘Matsya-6000’, which is the chamber that will house the three aquanauts, is constructed from an 80 mm thick titanium alloy.
• Statement II is correct. The choice of a titanium alloy for this critical component is deliberate. Titanium alloys are known for their high strength-to-weight ratio, which is essential for withstanding the immense pressure at depths of 6,000 meters while keeping the overall weight of the submersible manageable. Additionally, titanium has excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in saltwater, which is a crucial property for a deep-sea vehicle.
• Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.

Solution: C

• (a) is a characteristic feature. Japan is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, which is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
• (b) is a characteristic feature. Due to its location on the “Ring of Fire”, Japan experiences frequent earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
• (c) is NOT a characteristic feature. The Japanese landscape is predominantly mountainous, with nearly 80% of the land consisting of mountains. While there are some fertile plains, such as the Kanto Plain, they are not the dominant feature of the landscape. Extensive, flat plains are not a characteristic of Japan’s geography.
• (d) is a characteristic feature. Japan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons and generally experiences abundant rainfall, which supports its lush forests and agricultural activities.