UPSC Editorials Quiz : 16 May 2026

Solution: B

• The “Thucydides Trap” is a theory popularized by Harvard professor Graham Allison, based on the ancient Greek historian Thucydides’ observation that “it was the rise of Athens and the fear that this inspired in Sparta that made war inevitable”.
• In modern IR, it describes the dangerous dynamic between a rising power (China) and an existing dominant power (United States), where fear and strategic rivalry may lead to war even if neither side seeks it.
• During the May 2026 summit in Beijing, President Xi Jinping explicitly revived this concept, asking if the two countries could “overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm of major country relations”.

Solution: D

• The hydrogen fuel cell buses, which began service on May 15, 2026, are classified as zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles because the electrochemical process within the fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water vapour being the only direct emission.
• This technology is being explored globally as a cleaner alternative to internal combustion engines to mitigate urban pollution and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Solution: B

• The right to protest, which includes the right to free speech and assembly, is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) and Article 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution.

The courts have repeatedly held that the right to peacefully assemble and express dissent is essential to a functioning democracy and cannot be painted as a “conspiracy” without concrete evidence.

Solution: A

• The Urban Heat Island Effect refers to the phenomenon in which urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions due to human activities and built-up infrastructure.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because urban areas are generally warmer, not cooler, than nearby rural areas. Buildings, roads, and concrete surfaces absorb and retain solar heat during the day and release it gradually, increasing ambient temperatures. Dense urban construction may also reduce natural airflow rather than increase wind speeds.
• Statement 2 is correct. The extensive use of concrete, asphalt, glass, and other impervious materials increases heat absorption and storage. Simultaneously, the reduction of vegetation decreases evapotranspiration, a natural cooling process in which plants release water vapour into the atmosphere. Lack of green cover, vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and waste heat from air conditioners further intensify the Urban Heat Island effect.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. Although the UHI effect is often more pronounced at night because urban materials slowly release stored heat after sunset, it affects both daytime and nighttime temperatures. During heatwaves, this continuous elevation of baseline temperature increases thermal discomfort, health risks, and energy demand.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct; although various states had Panchayat acts, the 73rd Amendment was the first to give them a uniform constitutional status across India.
• Statement 2 is incorrect; the concept of village councils or Panchayats has deep traditional roots in ancient India, serving as local units of governance and dispute resolution long before the colonial era.
• Statement 3 is correct; the LM Singhvi Committee (1986) was instrumental in articulating that without constitutional “armor,” these institutions would remain vulnerable to the whims of state-level politics, leading to irregular elections and lack of resources.
• The journey of PRIs from “ancient tradition” to “modern constitutional right” is a significant part of India’s democratic narrative. While the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee provided the structural blueprint (three-tier), it was the LM Singhvi Committee that provided the legal philosophy. The 73rd Amendment effectively bridged the gap between Article 40 (Directive Principles) and reality. Today, these institutions are not just for dispute resolution but are the primary vehicles for implementing central and state welfare schemes at the “last mile.”