UPSC Editorials Quiz : 25 September 2025

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The buildathon is specifically targeted at school students, not university students. The aim is to foster innovation at the grassroots level, encouraging problem-solving from a young age.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a key collaborator, the event is organized by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, in partnership with AIM and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). It is a collaborative effort, not a sole initiative of AIM.
• Statement 3 is correct. The buildathon is structured around four key themes designed to align with national priorities: Vocal for Local, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, and Samriddhi. These themes encourage students to develop solutions that are contextually relevant to India’s developmental goals.

Solution: B

• Statement-I is correct. India’s strategy is heavily reliant on magnetic confinement fusion using tokamaks, such as the SST-1 in Gandhinagar and its contribution to the international ITER project. This method uses strong magnetic fields to contain the superheated plasma, preventing it from touching the reactor walls.
• Statement-II is correct. One of the major advantages of fusion energy is its inherent safety. The conditions for fusion (extreme temperature and pressure) are difficult to maintain. If there is any malfunction or loss of confinement, the plasma cloud will almost instantly cool down and the fusion reaction will cease. This eliminates the risk of a runaway chain reaction or meltdown, which is a concern in nuclear fission reactors.
• While both statements are correct, Statement-II explains why fusion is safe, not why India chose tokamaks.

Key Features of India’s Fusion Strategy:

• Magnetic confinement using tokamaks: India relies on tokamak reactors, which use powerful magnetic fields to confine plasma at ultra-high temperatures, mimicking stellar conditions for fusion.
• Focus on steady-state superconducting technology: Superconducting magnets enable continuous plasma confinement with minimal energy loss, ensuring stability and efficiency in long-duration operations.
• Fusion-fission hybrid as a bridge to pure fusion: The proposed SST-Bharat will combine fission and fusion, generating partial power from fusion while using fission as a stabilising backup source.
• State-led R&D with limited private-sector involvement: Most funding and projects are led by the Institute for Plasma Research and Department of Atomic Energy, unlike the US and Europe where start-ups drive progress.
• Alignment with Net Zero 2070 energy roadmap: Fusion research is part of India’s long-term clean energy strategy, complementing solar, wind, and fission to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Solution: D

• Statement I is incorrect. The primary authority for granting permission for the acquisition, possession, or transfer of a scheduled wild animal is the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) of the state, as mandated by Sections 40 and 42 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. While the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is involved in the regulation and recognition of zoos, and may issue permits under the Zoo Rules, 2009, the initial and overarching permission for acquiring a scheduled animal rests with the CWW.
• Statement II is correct. Section 43 of the Act explicitly prohibits the transfer of scheduled animals through commercial transactions like sale or offer for sale, unless it is done with the prior written permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden. This provision is crucial for curbing the commercial exploitation and illegal trade of wildlife.
• Statement III is correct. The process of acquiring animals from foreign institutions involves compliance with international agreements like CITES and transport regulations such as the IATA Live Animal Regulations. A mandatory part of this process is a post-arrival veterinary quarantine. This is a standard biosecurity measure to prevent the introduction of exotic diseases and to ensure the health and well-being of the imported animal as well as the native fauna.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is correct as Sarnath was known as Mrigadava (deer park) or Rishipatana in ancient Buddhist literature.
• Statement 2 is incorrect; in fact, the Kushana and Gupta periods (1st to 6th centuries CE) were a time of great prosperity for Sarnath. During this era, existing structures were expanded, and new monasteries and stupas were built, making it a flourishing center of Buddhist learning and art.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Fission is the process of splitting a heavy, unstable nucleus (like Uranium-235) into two lighter nuclei. Fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei (like hydrogen isotopes) combine or fuse to form a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy.
• Statement 2 is correct. Fission reactors produce significant amounts of high-level, long-lived radioactive waste that requires secure long-term storage. Fusion reactions, in contrast, produce very little long-lived waste. The main radioactive product is the reactor material itself becoming activated by neutrons, but this has a much shorter half-life.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The fuel for fusion is considered virtually inexhaustible. Deuterium can be extracted from seawater, making it incredibly abundant. Tritium can be produced from lithium, which is also plentiful in the Earth’s crust and oceans. This contrasts with uranium, the fuel for fission, which is a finite resource that must be mined.