UPSC Editorials Quiz : 4 April 2026

Solution: D

• Nanobubbles, typically less than 200 nm in diameter, are neutrally buoyant, which means they do not rise rapidly to the surface like conventional bubbles.
• This unique property enables them to remain suspended for weeks or even months, allowing for extended interaction with organic matter, microbes, and dissolved gases. Their high surface area-to-volume ratio, along with their negative surface charge, improves gas dissolution efficiency and allows for effective degradation of contaminants.
• Their role is enhanced in algae control, oil separation, and biofilm removal, making them critical in sustainable and chemical-free water treatment

Solution: A

Only Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

• The International Criminal Court (ICC), established by the Rome Statute (1998), has jurisdiction over four core international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and, since 2018, the crime of aggression.
• Importantly, the ICC prosecutes individuals, not states, which makes Statement 2 incorrect. Violations of general human rights treaties, unless they amount to these grave crimes, do not fall under ICC’s jurisdiction.
• Statement 3 is correct because the ICC can prosecute crimes committed outside the territory of a member state if the accused is a national of a member state, or if the crime occurred on the territory of a state party. It can also act when referred by the UN Security Council, even if the state involved is not a party to the Rome Statute (e.g., Sudan, Libya).

Solution: A

Only statement 3 is correct.

• NCMM aims to reduce environmental degradation and import dependency by promoting critical mineral recycling.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because nuclear fuel development falls under a different domain (Department of Atomic Energy), not NCMM.
• Statement 2 is incorrect as the mission was launched by the Ministry of Mines, not NITI Aayog, and is not a part of the Integrated Energy Policy but a standalone mission from the Union Budget 2024–25.

About National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM):

• What it is?
  • The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is a flagship initiative launched to ensure the secure, resilient, and sustainable supply of critical minerals essential for India’s clean energy transition, technological advancement, defence, and strategic sectors.
• Launched in: Union Budget 2024–25.
• Ministry: Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
• Aim:
  • To enhance exploration, mining, processing, recycling, and securing supply chains for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements (REEs), graphite, nickel, and others.
  • To support Net Zero 2070 goals, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and energy security.

• Components of NCMM:

• • Exploration and Mining: The Mission plans over 1200 exploration projects to identify critical mineral reserves and auction 100+ mineral blocks for commercial mining to boost domestic supply.
  • Overseas Acquisition: It facilitates Indian public and private sector companies to acquire mineral assets abroad, particularly in countries like Argentina, Australia, and Chile, ensuring strategic resource security.
  • Recycling and Circular Economy: The Mission promotes recycling of critical minerals by creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and offering incentives to reduce import dependence and environmental degradation.
  • Research and Innovation: Establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) is planned to drive cutting-edge R&D in extraction, processing, beneficiation, and advanced critical mineral technologies.
  • Skill Development: The Mission introduces specialized training programs, new academic courses, and scholarships to create a skilled workforce needed for India’s emerging critical minerals sector.
  • Infrastructure Development: It focuses on building mineral processing parks and national stockpiles to strengthen India’s refining, storage, and distribution network for critical minerals.

Solution: C

• The Red Sea is uniquely positioned as a vital maritime link, connecting the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal in the north and the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Aden in the south.
• This dual connectivity makes it a strategic thoroughfare for global maritime trade.
• Though it is formed due to tectonic divergence (not a triple junction), and has extreme salinity and temperature, it supports deep coral reef ecosystems, which are unusually resilient to bleaching.
• The notion that it only supports shallow reefs or that it has the lowest salinity is incorrect; in fact, it’s one of the most saline seas in the world.

• What is the Red Sea?
  • A semi-enclosed tropical sea, part of the Indian Ocean, stretching 1,930 kmfrom the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
  • Connectsto the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal and to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Aden.
  • Surface Area: ~438,000 sq km.
• Neighbouring Countries: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
• Key Features & Facts:
  • Geological Significance:
    • Formed by the rift between African & Arabian tectonic plates(still widening at ~15 mm/year).
    • Contains hot brine poolsand active volcanic zones (e.g., Jabal Al-Ṭāʾir Island).
  • Unique Marine Ecosystem:
    • Home to coral reefs resistant to climate change, vital for global marine biodiversity.
    • Supports endangered specieslike hawksbill turtles and dugongs.
  • Economic & Strategic Importance:
    • Major Shipping Route: 12% of global trade passes through, linking Europe & Asia.
    • Tourism Hub: Famous for diving (e.g., Blue Hole), generating billions in revenue.
  • Climate & Salinity:
    • One of the warmest and saltiest seas(up to 41°C in summer).
    • Named for occasional red algal blooms(Trichodesmium erythraeum).
  • Environmental Threats:
    • Over-tourism, coastal development, and oil spills endanger marine life.
    • Coral bleachingrisks due to rising sea temperatures.

Solution: D

• While the BSE has achieved many firsts in Indian financial history, the launch of global depository receipts (GDRs) is not credited to it. GDRs are generally issued by companies abroad and are not exclusive to any Indian exchange.
• In BSE was the first exchange in India to introduce electronic trading through BOLT in 1995, launched Sensex in 1986 as India’s first index, and was also the first Indian exchange to partner with the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative in 2012. Hence, option (d) is not a valid milestone and is the correct answer.

About Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE):

• What it is?

• BSE Ltd. is Asia’s oldest stock exchange and a major platform for trading equities, debt, mutual funds, derivatives, and commodities in India.

• Established in: 1875, originally as “The Native Share & Stock Brokers’ Association” founded by cotton merchant Premchand Roychand.

History:

• Began informally under a banyan tree near Mumbai Town Hall.
• Shifted to Dalal Street in 1874 and formalized in 1875.
• Became the first exchange to be recognized under the Securities Contract Regulation Act, 1956.
• Introduced electronic trading in 1995, replacing the open outcry system.
• Partnered with the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative in 2012.
• Launched India INX (first international exchange) in 2016.
• Listed itself on National Stock Exchange in 2017.

Key Features:

• Benchmark Index: Sensex (30 top-performing companies), launched in 1986.
• Market Capitalization: Surpassed $5 trillion in May 2024, ranking 6th largest globally.
• Product Offerings: Equities, stock futures/options, index derivatives, debt securities, ETFs, mutual funds.
• Listings: Over 5,000 companies, the highest among all global exchanges.
• Technological Advancement: Early mover in electronic trading systems through BOLT (BSE Online Trading)