UPSC Editorials Quiz : 9 July 2026

Solution: A

• The constitutional scheme of India establishes a clear separation of powers to maintain democratic timelines. Article 329(b) places a strict bar on judicial interference in electoral processes once they are set in motion. This constitutional mandate dictates that no election to either House of Parliament or a State Legislature can be challenged except through an election petition.
• Consequently, the Supreme Court and High Courts generally refuse to entertain writ petitions challenging the decision of a Returning Officer (RO) to reject nomination papers. Aggrieved candidates must wait until the election concludes to seek recourse via an election petition before the appropriate High Court. This prevents strategic, pre-election litigation from stalling the democratic process.
• Thus, Statement-I is a correct observation of judicial practice, and Statement-II is its direct constitutional basis under Article 329(b).

Source

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) is India’s broader maritime vision aimed at promoting security, stability, connectivity, and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the wider Global South. It is not an institutional framework exclusively designed to counter piracy, nor is it focused on the Atlantic Ocean. Rather, it builds upon India’s earlier SAGAR doctrine by emphasizing collaborative maritime governance, capacity building, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and regional partnerships.
• Statement 2 is correct. India has been actively strengthening and expanding the Colombo Security Conclave as an important regional security mechanism in the Indian Ocean Region. Initially comprising India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, the Conclave has expanded its engagement to include Mauritius as a member, while other countries such as Bangladesh and Seychelles participate as observers. The CSC focuses on maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, trafficking, disaster response, and capacity building, thereby contributing to a stronger regional security architecture.
• Statement 3 is correct. Under its Act East Policy, India has significantly expanded defence cooperation with Southeast Asian countries. A notable example is the export of the BrahMos missile shore-based anti-ship missile system to the Philippines, marking India’s first major defence export contract. The deal includes training, maintenance support, and capacity building, reflecting India’s growing role as a defence partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Solution: A

The 1991 economic liberalization reforms marked a significant shift in India’s approach towards foreign investment. However, the initial Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy was not an unrestricted or sector-neutral regime. Instead, it was structurally targeted, permitting foreign investment primarily in selected priority sectors where it was expected to generate the greatest developmental benefits. These included industries requiring advanced technology, export-oriented production, and sectors crucial for improving industrial competitiveness.

Thus, Statement I is correct because the 1991 policy established a targeted FDI framework, rather than a universal open-door policy.

Statement II is also correct. The principal objectives of the 1991 FDI policy were to:

• facilitate the transfer of modern technology and managerial expertise;
• promote export-oriented industrialization to improve India’s external competitiveness; and
• strengthen the country’s foreign exchange position by attracting non-debt capital inflows and reducing pressure on India’s balance of payments following the 1991 economic crisis.

These objectives explain why the policy adopted a targeted approach. Since foreign investment was viewed as a strategic instrument for technological modernization, export growth, and foreign exchange conservation, it was selectively encouraged in sectors where these benefits could be maximized rather than being permitted indiscriminately across the economy.

Solution: A

• Early childhood development is a highly dynamic process in which health, nutrition, and early cognitive stimulation interact. To operationalize this understanding, Indian policymakers have rolled out national frameworks to transform neighborhood Anganwadis into vibrant early learning nodes.
• The Aadharshila framework is designed to systematically strengthen play-based preschool education within Anganwadi centres for children aged three to six.
• Conversely, the Navchetana framework extends early stimulation directly into the home environment, providing science-based methods for caregivers of children under three to support cognitive growth through simple, everyday interactions like “loving, talking, and playing”.
• Exposure to such structured early stimulation has been shown to result in seven units higher IQ scores in children, effectively helping them overcome the developmental deficits linked to socio-economic poverty.

Solution: A

• The Indian constitutional matrix balances Directive Principles with Fundamental Rights. Article 41 of the Constitution, contained within the Directive Principles of State Policy, explicitly directs the State to ensure public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement within the limits of its economic capacity. Thus, Statement 1 is correct.
• However, Statement 2 is incorrect because despite India emerging as a global model of a digital welfare state through the Digital India Mission, Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) face structural barriers and remain largely excluded from this universal outreach due to inaccessible interfaces and rigid biometric authentication.