UPSC Editorials Quiz : 25 March 2026

Solution: C

• Statement 1 is incorrect because strike-slip faults involve horizontal displacement of tectonic plates rather than vertical. In such faults, the plates slide past each other sideways. Famous examples include the San Andreas Fault in California. Vertical movement is typically associated with normal or reverse (thrust) faults, not strike-slip faults.
• Statement 2 is also incorrect. The Indian Plate is moving northward, not southward, colliding with the Eurasian Plate. This northward movement is what led to the formation of the Himalayan mountain range, and it continues to cause seismic activity across the region due to ongoing tectonic stress.
• Statement 3 is incorrect due to a common confusion in terminology. The epicentre is the point on the Earth’s surface located directly above the focus (or hypocentre), which is the actual point of origin of the earthquake beneath the surface.

Solution: C

• Photonic chips operate using photons—particles of light—rather than electrons, which makes them far more efficient for high-speed data transfer.
• Unlike electronic chips that suffer from resistive heating and limited bandwidth, photonic chips offer ultra-fast transmission, high bandwidth, and very low energy loss. This makes them well-suited for emerging data-intensive domains such as 6G communication, quantum computing, and AI.
• Moreover, photonic chips generate minimal heat and are immune to electromagnetic interference, significantly improving operational stability and efficiency in complex computing environments.

Solution: D

• Statement-I is incorrect because fungi are not primary producers. Primary producers, such as green plants, algae, and certain bacteria, generate organic matter through photosynthesis, using sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose. Fungi lack chlorophyll and the ability to photosynthesize, so they cannot produce their own food. Instead, they are heterotrophic organisms that absorb nutrients from organic material.
• Statement-II is correct. Fungi play a critical ecological role as decomposers. They break down complex organic matter—including dead plants, animals, and waste products—into simpler compounds. Through this process, fungi release nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon back into the soil and atmosphere, supporting nutrient cycling and soil fertility. This makes fungi essential to ecosystem functioning, particularly in forests, grasslands, and compost-rich environments.

Solution: D

• Xenotransplantation (A-3) refers to the transplantation of living cells, tissues, or organs from one species into another, most commonly from animals like pigs into humans. It holds potential to address the global shortage of human organ donors, though it poses risks like immune rejection and cross-species disease transmission.
• Auxiliary transplant (B-2) is a technique where a partial organ (commonly liver) is transplanted to provide functional support without removing the recipient’s native organ. This method is often used when the native organ may still have potential for regeneration or partial recovery, allowing a safety net for critical cases.
• CRISPR (C-1) stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. It is a precise gene-editing technology used to modify the DNA of donor animals in xenotransplantation.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. BHS can be any ecologically or culturally significant site, including sacred groves, community forests, agricultural landscapes, or wetlands. They do not need to be protected areas under the Wildlife Protection Act.
• Statement 2 is correct. According to Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, State Biodiversity Boards may initiate proposals for BHS status, but often the initial proposal comes from Panchayats or local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs). This bottom-up process empowers communities.
• Statement 3 is correct. Endemism, rarity, ecological sensitivity, or cultural and spiritual value are key criteria. While endemic species increase a site’s importance, even sacred groves that serve as pollinator corridors or support soil fertility (as in Kasampatty) may qualify.