UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Corporate environmental responsibility refers to the dimension of corporate social responsibility that focuses on minimising negative environmental impacts and enhancing positive contributions. It includes actions such as reducing emissions,improving resource efficiency and conserving biodiversity. The stem clearly mentions a company’s commitment to reduce environmental impacts,so environmental is the correct word to complete the phrase. This term highlights the ecological focus within CSR.

Option A:
Philanthropic responsibility mainly concerns charitable donations and community support,which may or may not have an environmental component. It is broader and not necessarily tied to reducing a company’s own ecological footprint,so it does not match the description.

Option B:
Financial responsibility involves prudent management of economic resources,ensuring profitability and accountability to shareholders. While important,it does not directly address the environmental performance referred to in the question.

Option C:
Environmental responsibility specifically emphasises policies and practices that protect or enhance the environment. It fits naturally after “corporate” in the phrase and aligns with the stem’s focus on voluntary reduction of environmental impacts.

Option D:
Technological responsibility could refer to safe and ethical use of technology,but it is not a standard CSR dimension. It does not capture the ecological commitment articulated in the question,so it is not the best choice.

Statements A, B and D are correct: corporate environmental responsibility typically goes beyond compliance, includes reporting and accounting tools and acknowledges that some firms engage in greenwashing. Statement C is incorrect because environmental responsibility is generally seen as part of the broader corporate social responsibility agenda. Thus, the combination that selects A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect as it omits D, even though D accurately defines greenwashing, an important concept related to corporate environmental claims. Without D, the description of corporate environmental responsibility is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it brings together the three true statements and excludes C, which wrongly disconnects environmental responsibility from the CSR framework. It reflects the integrated ethical, social and environmental expectations from businesses.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it treats C as true by including it along with B and D. Statement C denies the relationship between corporate environmental responsibility and CSR, which contradicts standard corporate governance literature.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes C along with A and D and leaves out B. Although A and D are correct, accepting C and omitting B—on reporting and disclosure—makes this combination conceptually flawed.

Statements A, B, C and F are correct as they highlight strategy integration, reporting, voluntary initiatives and investor influence. Corporations increasingly embed environment into strategy, disclose ESG performance, manage supply chains and respond to responsible investors. D is wrong because stakeholder engagement is a key part of modern corporate governance, and E is wrong since responsibility goes beyond mere compliance to proactive improvements. Thus, A, B, C and F only is the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits F and thus ignores the role of investors and financial markets in driving environmental performance. While A, B and C are true, the set is incomplete without this important driver.

Option B:
Option B is correct since it includes all the true statements and excludes D and E, which narrow or dismiss key governance dimensions. It matches contemporary frameworks for corporate environmental responsibility and sustainable finance.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it keeps E, which wrongly claims only compliance matters, and omits A, thereby failing to recognise the need to integrate environment into core strategy. Mixing these elements makes the option unsatisfactory.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes D and E, both false, while excluding B and C. It overemphasises compliance and downplays transparency, supply chains and stakeholder roles, which are central to the topic.