UPSC Editorials Quiz : 1 May 2026

Solution: B

Only Statement 3 is correct.

• India’s inclusion in MSFN supports its PLI-linked industries such as EVs, semiconductors, and solar modules, all of which require stable mineral inputs.
• Statement 1 is incorrect — India is a net importer of critical minerals, especially lithium and cobalt, with negligible domestic reserves.
• Statement 2 is incorrect — MSFN is primarily about financing supply chains, not technology transfer. Rare earth processing remains a tech-sensitive sector, often guarded by dominant players like China.

Solution: D

ASEAN was formed in 1967 during the Cold War, primarily to maintain regional peace and political stability. The founding members—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—sought to limit the spread of communism and foster economic and political cooperation to ensure peace in post-colonial Southeast Asia. Though China’s rise and U.S.-Soviet rivalry loomed in the background, ASEAN’s immediate focus was internal cohesion in a fragile geopolitical landscape, not military alignment or ideological confrontation.

Solution: C

The Manama Dialogue, hosted annually in Bahrain and organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), provides a geopolitical and strategic platform for countries across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America. Its core purpose is security dialogue, especially regarding regional conflicts, power rivalries, and diplomatic trends. While economic and defense dimensions are discussed, it is not a military alliance platform, nor does it serve as a legal arbitration body. The 2024 theme, emphasizing Middle Eastern leadership in prosperity and security, underscores its role in diplomatic thought-leadership, not binding decisions.

Solution: A

Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

• The AfCFTA, launched in 2018, is the largest trade bloc by membership since the WTO’s formation, covering all 55 AU states (though implementation varies).
• Its objective includes removing tariffs on 90% of intra-African goods, aiming to boost regional trade, currently under 15%.
  Statement 2 is incorrect — AfCFTA does not enforce a single customs authority or tariff; each state maintains its own, though harmonization efforts are underway through rules of origin and tariff schedules.

Solution: B

• Solar paraboloid systems are an advanced type of concentrated solar power (CSP)
• Statement 1 is incorrect because solar paraboloids typically require a heat engine, such as a Stirling engine or a Rankine cycle system, to convert the collected thermal energy into electricity. They do not directly produce electricity like photovoltaic cells.
• Statement 2 is correct — while the technology offers high efficiency, high upfront capital costs, including the cost of precision mirrors, tracking systems, and specialized heat engines, are significant barriers to its wider deployment, especially in developing countries.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because solar paraboloid systems operate at very high temperatures, often exceeding 300°C, allowing for more efficient thermodynamic conversion; operating at below 100°C would be too low for efficient electricity generation.