UPSC Editorials Quiz : 13 April 2026

Solution: B

• The Dhole is a distinct species of wild dog found in Asia.
• Statement 1 is correct; they are famously known as “whistling dogs” because they communicate using whistling sounds during hunts.
• Statement 2 is correct; their population strongholds in India include the Western and Eastern Ghats, with recent sightings also reported in the Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
• Statement 3 is incorrect; the Dhole is categorized as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List, not “Critically Endangered”.

Statement 4 is incorrect; Dholes are highly social animals that live in clans and hunt in coordinated packs. This pack behaviour is essential for bringing down large prey in their dense forest habitats.

Solution: A

• The Samudra Pratap was highlighted in December 2025 as a key addition to India’s maritime security fleet.
• Statement I is correct; it is the first indigenous Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) built for the Indian Coast Guard.
• Statement II is also correct; its primary purpose is to mitigate the environmental impact of maritime accidents such as oil spills by deploying specialized containment and recovery equipment.
• Statement II explains Statement I because the strategic need for enhanced operational reach in pollution control (Statement II) led to the requirement and subsequent indigenous development of this specific class of vessel (Statement I). This ship is currently the largest in the ICG fleet, underscoring India’s commitment to protecting its marine ecology.

Solution: B

• The Digital Bharat Nidhi is a critical financial mechanism in the Indian telecommunications landscape.
• Statement 1 is correct; it is the new name for the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). It is mandated to develop and deploy telecom technologies, particularly in rural and remote areas, to bridge the digital divide.
• Statement 2 is correct; it provides the financial backing for the TTDF Scheme, which focuses on indigenous technology development and pilot testing.
• Statement 3 is incorrect; the fund is not financed through voluntary startup contributions but through a mandatory Universal Service Levy on the revenues of all telecom service providers in the country. This ensures a sustainable pool of resources for national digital infrastructure development.

Solution: B

The Kelch13 mutation is a well-established molecular marker associated with resistance in the malaria parasite, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, to artemisinin-based therapies.

• Artemisinin and its derivatives form the backbone of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), which are the frontline treatment for malaria globally.
• Mutations in the Kelch13 (K13) gene are linked to delayed parasite clearance, a key indicator of emerging resistance.
• This resistance has been most prominently observed in parts of Southeast Asia and is a growing concern for global malaria control programs.

Solution: A

• The PM-RKVY is a key agricultural support framework.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (not Central Sector) and its goal is a sustained annual growth rate of around 4% in the agriculture and allied sectors, not 10%.
• Statement 2 is correct; the funding pattern is 90:10 for North-Eastern and Hilly States, and 60:40 for general states.
• Statement 3 is incorrect; Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) remains an integral sub-scheme of PM-RKVY. The current strategy under PM-RKVY is to consolidate multiple agricultural initiatives—including Soil Health Management and organic farming (PKVY)—under a single umbrella for better synergy and state-level planning.