UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 20: India's Climate Policy – NAPCC, NDCs and Carbon Markets (27 MCQs)

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UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 20: India's Climate Policy – NAPCC, NDCs and Carbon Markets (27 MCQs) – 27 questions, subject: Environment. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The National Action Plan on Climate Change was released in:

Correct Answer: A [2008]

Explanation:

30 June 2008.

2.  

How many national missions did the NAPCC originally set out?

Correct Answer: A [Eight]

Explanation:

The NAPCC of 2008 set out eight national missions, from the National Solar Mission to Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

3.  

Under India's updated NDC of 2022, the target for reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 over 2005 is:

Correct Answer: C [45 per cent]

Explanation:

The updated NDC of August 2022 raised the 2030 emissions-intensity reduction target to 45 per cent below 2005 levels.

4.  

Under NDC 3.0, the non-fossil share of installed power capacity targeted for 2035 is:

Correct Answer: D [60 per cent]

Explanation:

NDC 3.0, approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026, targets 60 per cent non-fossil installed power capacity by 2035.

5.  

Under the Panchamrit announced by India at COP26 (2021), the reduction in total projected carbon emissions to be achieved by 2030 is:

Correct Answer: A [one billion tonnes]

Explanation:

Panchamrit pledged to reduce India's total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes between 2021 and 2030.

6.  

India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy was submitted at:

Correct Answer: D [COP27]

Explanation:

November 2022.

7.  

The administrator of India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme is the:

Correct Answer: D [Bureau of Energy Efficiency]

Explanation:

Under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is the administrator of the Indian Carbon Market.

8.  

The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme was notified under the:

Correct Answer: B [Energy Conservation Act, 2001, as amended in 2022]

Explanation:

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 empowered the Centre to specify a carbon credit trading scheme, notified in June 2023.

9.  

The PAT scheme issues tradable:

Correct Answer: D [Energy Saving Certificates]

Explanation:

Industries beating their PAT energy-saving targets earn Energy Saving Certificates, which can be traded with those falling short.

10.  

The National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in:

Correct Answer: B [January 2023]

Explanation:

The Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore, on 4 January 2023.

11.  

Assertion (A): Green hydrogen is considered a near-zero-emission fuel.

Reason (R): It is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable electricity.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Electrolysis powered by renewable electricity emits almost no CO2, which is exactly why green hydrogen is near-zero-emission.

12.  

Hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage is called:

Correct Answer: C [blue hydrogen]

Explanation:

Blue hydrogen uses the same fossil-based process as grey hydrogen but captures and stores most of the CO2.

13.  

India's E20 ethanol blending target was advanced to:

Correct Answer: D [2025-26]

Explanation:

The amended National Policy on Biofuels (2022) brought the E20 blending target forward from 2030 to ethanol supply year 2025-26.

14.  

The first greenhouse gas emission-intensity targets notified in October 2025 under India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme did NOT cover which one of the following sectors?

Correct Answer: C [Petroleum refineries]

Explanation:

petroleum refineries were covered only in January 2026, with petrochemicals, textiles and secondary aluminium.

15.  

Mission LiFE was launched globally on 20 October 2022 at:

Correct Answer: B [Kevadia]

Explanation:

Mission LiFE was launched globally on 20 October 2022 at Kevadia (Ekta Nagar), Gujarat, with the UN Secretary-General.

16.  

The first heat action plan in South Asia was prepared for:

Correct Answer: C [Ahmedabad]

Explanation:

2013.

17.  

Arrange in chronological order:

1. Panchamrit announced
2. NAPCC released
3. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme notified
4. NDC 3.0 approved

Select the correct order:

Correct Answer: C [2-1-3-4]

Explanation:

2008, 2021, 2023, 2026.

18.  

The Green Credit Programme of 2023 rewards:

Correct Answer: A [voluntary actions such as tree planting and water conservation]

Explanation:

The Green Credit Programme, notified in October 2023 under the Environment (Protection) Act, rewards voluntary environmental actions.

19.  

Consider the following about India's NDCs:

1. They set targets for emissions intensity, not absolute emissions.
2. The 2022 update raised the 2030 target for non-fossil capacity to 50 per cent.
3. NDC 3.0 lowered the carbon sink target.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

India's NDCs target emissions intensity of GDP, and the 2022 update raised the 2030 non-fossil capacity target to 50 per cent.

20.  

Which of the following was not one of the eight original missions of the NAPCC (2008)?

Correct Answer: C [National Green Hydrogen Mission]

Explanation:

launched in 2023.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

Consider the following statements:

Statement I : Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.

Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Correct Answer: D [Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct]

Explanation:

The USA, using mainly corn, produces more ethanol than Brazil, so Statement I is false; Brazil's sugarcane feedstock is correctly stated.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements:

1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: C [All three]

Explanation:

Green hydrogen can fuel internal combustion engines, be blended with natural gas for heat or power, and run fuel-cell vehicles.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Consider the following activities:

1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters

How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

Correct Answer: C [All three]

Explanation:

Enhanced rock weathering, ocean alkalinity enhancement and underground CO2 storage are all discussed carbon capture and sequestration methods.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse grams
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: A [1, 2, 5 and 6 only]

Explanation:

The policy lists cassava, damaged grains such as wheat, rotten potatoes and sugar beet; groundnut seeds and horse gram are not listed.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen - enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements:

1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
3. Hydrogen up to one -fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.
4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

H-CNG cuts CO2 and hydrocarbon emissions and up to about one-fifth hydrogen by volume can be blended with CNG for buses.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

It is possible to produce algae-based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?

1. Production of algae-based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuels production requires a high level of expertise/ technology until the construction is complete.
3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large-scale facilities, which may raise ecological and social concerns.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Algae biofuel plants need high expertise and, for viability, large facilities with ecological and social concerns; algae grow on land too.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

With reference to the usefulness of the by- products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilisers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Bagasse is burnt as biomass fuel for energy and molasses is fermented to ethanol; molasses is not a fertiliser feedstock.

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