UPSC Editorials Quiz : 7 November 2025

Solution: A

The Paris framework replaced the Kyoto Protocol’s top-down model (with fixed targets for developed nations) with a bottom-up structure, empowering each nation to define its own NDCs reflecting domestic priorities and capabilities. This decentralised model encourages universal participation while respecting sovereignty and equity. Therefore, both A and R are correct, and R provides the correct explanation of A.

Solution: B

• Option (b) is the most accurate. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) is a scientific classification based on chemistry. It refers to 17 specific metallic elements (the 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium) that share similar properties and are often found together in geological deposits. Critical Minerals is an economic and strategic classification. This list is defined by a government or organisation based on two criteria: 1) How important the mineral is to the economy and national security (e.g., for EVs, defence, solar panels), and 2) How vulnerable its supply chain is to disruption (due to geopolitical concentration, lack of domestic production, etc.).

Solution: A

• Statement-I is correct. A primary geopolitical and economic goal of BRICS Pay is to challenge the dominance of the US dollar in global trade and finance, thereby enhancing the financial sovereignty of the member nations. This dependency makes them vulnerable to US monetary policy and sanctions.
• Statement-II is also correct. The core mechanism by which BRICS Pay achieves the goal in Statement-I is by enabling direct settlements in local currencies. By connecting national payment systems (like UPI, CIPS, SPFS, and Pix), it allows, for example, an Indian merchant to be paid in Rupees by a Russian buyer paying in Rubles, without needing to convert both currencies to USD as an intermediary step.

Therefore, Statement-II provides the precise technical and financial mechanism (local currency settlement) that directly explains how Statement-I (reducing dollar dependency) is achieved.

Solution: D

• Statement-I is incorrect. The Financial Stability Report (FSR) is not an annual publication. The RBI releases its FSR biannually (twice a year).
• Statement-II is correct. It is the RBI’s primary report for assessing the health and stability of the financial system, identifying risks from banking (like NPAs), financial markets, and the regulatory landscape.

Solution: C

The Repairability Index (RI) launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution in India is designed to rate how repair-friendly electronic devices (initially smartphones and tablets) are. This is in line with the consumer-rights focus and sustainability agenda, not with energy consumption or subsidy schemes.

• The RI will provide a self-declared score by manufacturers based on criteria such as ease of disassembly, availability of spare parts, access to repair information, software update support, tools and fasteners.
• The score aims to empower consumers to compare products on how easily they can be repaired, thus promoting reuse over early replacement and reducing electronic waste.