UPSC Editorials Quiz : 14 April 2026

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is correct; the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently removed the “Jammu and Kashmir” tag from Ladakh’s Aadhaar credentials to establish its distinct independent identity.
• Statement 2 is incorrect; Aadhaar remains a 12-digit number nationwide; the update involves the metadata and administrative tags (the “J&K” prefix/tag), not the number of digits in the ID.

Statement 3 is incorrect; this is not a “purely cultural” move. It is a significant administrative step that formalizes the separation of Ladakh from the UT of J&K at the level of national identity infrastructure.

Solution: A

• The Ice-Albedo Feedback Loop is a classic concept in environmental geography and climate science.
• Statement I is correct; because ice and snow have high albedo (reflecting up to 95% of sunlight), their loss exposes darker surfaces like the ocean or soil, which have much lower albedo (absorbing more energy).
• Statement II is also correct; the energy absorbed by these darker surfaces warms the local environment, which triggers further melting of the remaining ice.
• Statement II provides the correct explanation for Statement I because it describes the causal mechanism that makes the initial loss of ice so significant—it is not just a one-time event but part of a self-reinforcing cycle that accelerates global warming. This feedback loop is a primary reason why the Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the planet.

Solution: A

• Freshwater sponges are unique biological indicators.
• Statement 1 is correct; they belong to the Phylum Porifera and are among the earliest multicellular eukaryotes, inhabiting clean streams and lakes.
• Statement 2 is correct; they often appear green because of symbiotic algae that live within their tissues, which provide nutrients through photosynthesis while the sponge provides a stable environment.
• Statement 3 is incorrect; while they do form gemmules (tiny reproductive spheres) for asexual survival during harsh conditions, they are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction occurs through the production of eggs and sperm, allowing for genetic diversity, while asexual reproduction (via gemmules or fragmentation) allows for rapid colonization.

Solution: A

• The CoalSETU policy is a strategic economic reform.
• Statement I is correct; its core objective is to optimize domestic coal utilization to ensure energy security and reduce the costly reliance on imported coal.
• Statement II is also correct; it implements this by removing the restrictive “end-use” silos and allowing coal linkage holders to use their allocation for any industry or even for export (up to 50%).

Statement II explains Statement I because the liberalization and flexibility in coal allocation (Statement II) is the actual mechanism by which the government hopes to make domestic coal more attractive and accessible to a wider range of industries, thereby naturally reducing the need for imports (Statement I).

Solution: B

• Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-produced molecules that are identical copies of a single type of antibody, generated using in vitro techniques such as hybridoma technology. This makes Statement I correct, as it accurately defines the nature and production of mAbs. These antibodies are designed to recognize and bind to a specific antigen with high precision, which is central to their biomedical utility.
• Statement II is also correct. In recent years, monoclonal antibodies have shown promising therapeutic potential in both infectious and rare diseases. For instance, experimental mAbs have been developed against the Nipah virus, aiming to neutralize viral particles and prevent disease progression. Similarly, ongoing research explores their role in managing conditions like Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, although large-scale clinical success is still under evaluation.

Statement III is correct and highlights a defining feature of mAbs—their ability to be engineered for specific antigen binding. This property explains Statement I, as the production of identical antibodies ensures uniform targeting capability. However, Statement II merely provides application examples and does not explain the fundamental nature described in Statement I.