UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The Glasgow Climate Pact was the first COP cover decision to explicitly mention moving away from unabated coal power and from inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. This wording linked climate mitigation directly with concrete changes in energy systems and public finance. It also recognised the need for targeted support and a just transition for poorer and vulnerable groups while pursuing these goals. Therefore, the option that highlights phase-down of unabated coal and phase-out of inefficient subsidies best captures this landmark feature of the pact. (UNFCCC)

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because COP26 did not impose an immediate worldwide legal ban on all fossil fuel use from 2022; countries retained flexibility based on national circumstances. Such a sweeping, instant ban would have been politically and economically unrealistic, and it does not appear in the actual text of the pact. This option exaggerates the ambition and misunderstands how COP decisions operate.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it reproduces the key new language of the Glasgow Climate Pact on coal and fossil fuel subsidies. It reflects the political compromise of “phase-down” rather than “phase-out” for coal and focuses on inefficient subsidies, which parties agreed must be reformed. This formulation is widely cited as a historic first in the UNFCCC process and directly addresses structural drivers of emissions.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because the pact does not endorse expanding coal-fired power to 2050; instead, it recognises that coal use needs to decline for mitigation. Supporting additional coal capacity would be inconsistent with pathways compatible with the 1.5°C goal and is not part of the agreement.

Option D:
Option D is wrong since the 1.5°C temperature limit was reaffirmed, not removed. Glasgow decisions emphasised “keeping 1.5°C within reach” and called for narrowing the gap between current pledges and the emission reductions needed to achieve that target, so this option misrepresents the outcome.

The Global Biofuel Alliance aims to accelerate adoption of sustainable biofuels by improving standards, trade, technology transfer and investments. It encourages member countries to raise biofuel blending in transport fuels, which can reduce oil imports and greenhouse-gas emissions when done responsibly. For agricultural producers, it can open new markets for feedstock crops and residues, linking rural development with clean energy. The alliance thus connects people, development and environment in a single platform.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because the alliance deals with biofuels, not coal production.

Option B:
This option correctly summarises the alliance’s aims to scale sustainable biofuels for transport and energy security.

Option C:
While food-versus-fuel concerns are important, the alliance does not call for banning all biofuels; it seeks better sustainability frameworks instead.

Option D:
Biofuel technologies are intended to be shared widely; limiting them to developed countries would undermine the alliance’s cooperative goals.

Crossing the 50% non-fossil capacity mark well before 2030 means that one of India’s key NDC targets has effectively been met early. This reflects rapid growth of solar, wind, hydro and nuclear installations alongside continuing demand growth. It strengthens India’s position in climate negotiations by showing that a large developing country can expand modern energy access while moving its power mix towards cleaner sources.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because continued growth of renewables is still needed to meet rising demand and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in generation.

Option B:
This option correctly interprets the milestone as an early achievement of a Paris-related goal and as evidence of an accelerated energy transition.

Option C:
Coal still provides a substantial share of electricity generation even if its share in installed capacity is falling, so this statement is factually wrong.

Option D:
There is no legal ban on fossil fuels in all sectors; the transition is gradual and sector-specific.

Solar energy is continuously supplied by the Sun and is not depleted by human use. As long as the Sun shines,the resource is available,which makes it renewable in nature. The stem clearly refers to using solar energy for electricity,so renewable is the correct classification. Therefore Option D is appropriate.

Option A:
Non renewable resources are finite and not replenished on human timescales,unlike solar energy.

Option B:
Fossil resources come from ancient organic matter; solar energy is sunlight,not fossil fuel.

Option C:
Nuclear energy depends on fission fuels like uranium,not solar radiation captured by PV panels.

Option D:
Renewable resources such as solar are naturally replenished and are central to clean energy transitions,matching the stem.

The Global Biofuel Alliance seeks to accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable biofuels by improving standards, trade and technology cooperation. It encourages higher blending of biofuels like ethanol in transport fuels to cut oil imports and greenhouse gas emissions. For countries like India, the alliance also links to better price realisation for farmers who supply feedstock, strengthening the people–environment–development nexus.

Option A:
This option is wrong because the alliance concerns biofuels, not coal production.

Option B:
This option correctly reflects the alliance’s intent to coordinate sustainable biofuel growth, address transport emissions and benefit agricultural stakeholders.

Option C:
A blanket ban on all bioenergy would conflict with the alliance’s purpose of promoting sustainable biofuels as part of the energy mix.

Option D:
The alliance is open to a wide range of countries, including developing ones; restricting technologies only to rich countries is contrary to its cooperative spirit.

Statements A, B and C are correct because renewable energy use, efficiency improvements and recognition of fossil fuel lock-in are all central ideas in discussions of low-carbon transitions. Statement D is incorrect since sustainable energy policies usually promote diversification and resilience, not dependence on a single source. Therefore, the only option that includes all three true statements and excludes the false one is A, B and C only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it lists only A and B, leaving out C which is also correct. Lock-in of fossil infrastructure is an important barrier to transitions recognised in energy studies, so ignoring it gives an incomplete picture of the challenges.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it includes all the true statements (A, B and C) and excludes D, which falsely claims sustainable energy policies discourage diversification. This option matches the accepted understanding of low-carbon transitions.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it groups C and D together and excludes A and B. Although C is correct, D is wrong because sustainable policies generally encourage a balanced energy mix. Selecting this combination misidentifies the overall set of correct statements.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes A, C and D but omits B. While A and C are true, D remains false, and excluding B ignores the key role of efficiency as the “first fuel”. A correct answer cannot contain D or leave out B.

The SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) scheme is a core part of the mission. It offers incentives for setting up domestic electrolyser manufacturing capacity and for producing green hydrogen and its derivatives. These incentives aim to lower costs and support decarbonisation of sectors such as fertilisers, refining and steel, where direct electrification is challenging. By boosting local industry, the scheme also creates jobs and reduces technology dependence.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because grey hydrogen from natural gas without capture is emissions-intensive and not the target of green-hydrogen policies.

Option B:
This option correctly identifies domestic electrolysers and green hydrogen/ammonia production as the objects of SIGHT incentives and links them to industrial decarbonisation.

Option C:
Subsidising coal mines would contradict the mission’s purpose of promoting low-carbon fuels, so this option is not valid.

Option D:
Diesel-based captive plants increase emissions and are not supported by the green-hydrogen mission.

Statements A, B, D and E are correct on emissions, access, policy instruments and jobs. Statement C is false because projects can have local impacts. Statement F is false because efficiency and renewables are often pursued together. Therefore A, B, D and E only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes C (false) and omits E.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it includes F (false) and omits A.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes F (false) and omits B.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it includes A, B, D and E and excludes C and F.

One of the central quantitative elements of India’s Panchamrit is the pledge to reach 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030. Non-fossil here includes solar, wind, hydro, nuclear and other renewables. Achieving this scale implies a rapid build-out of clean energy infrastructure while meeting growing demand in a developing economy. It is meant to anchor India’s contribution to global mitigation efforts under the Paris Agreement. (MEA India)

Option A:
This option understates the ambition of India’s announced target and does not match official statements. A 200 GW figure would not represent the transformative shift highlighted in the Panchamrit and therefore is incorrect.

Option B:
While higher than option A, this 300 GW figure still falls short of the actual commitment. It does not reflect the scale at which India has signalled its intent to deploy non-fossil capacity, so it cannot be considered correct.

Option C:
400 GW is closer to the real number but still does not match the explicit figure given in the Prime Minister’s COP26 statement. In competitive exams, such approximate guesses are treated as incorrect when a precise officially stated value is available.

Option D:
This option correctly states the announced target of 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030. It is consistent with official speeches and policy documents and is central to India’s long-term decarbonisation strategy.

Just transition aims to make the move away from fossil fuels fair by providing alternative jobs,social protection and retraining for affected workers and regions. The endpoint of this shift is a low carbon or carbon neutral economy. The stem refers to communities dependent on fossil fuels not being left behind in the shift to a different type of economy,which is clearly a low carbon economy. Hence Option C is correct.

Option A:
Carbon intensive economy describes the current pattern that relies heavily on fossil fuels and is precisely what the transition seeks to move away from. Therefore Option A cannot fit the blank.

Option B:
Conflict ridden economy refers to social conditions rather than emissions intensity. While unmanaged transitions can create conflict,the core idea of just transition is about moving toward low carbon systems fairly.

Option C:
Low carbon economies minimise greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy,efficiency and sustainable practices. Ensuring that this transformation is socially just is the heart of the just transition concept described in the stem.

Option D:
Speculative economy suggests dependence on unstable financial speculation and is not central to climate policy debates. It does not accurately complete the phrase in the question.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission seeks to use renewable energy to produce hydrogen with very low lifecycle emissions. By scaling this technology, India aims to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, fertilisers and shipping while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Policy documents explicitly describe the goal of making India a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage and export, backed by significant budget allocations and standards for what counts as “green”. This mission is linked to the net-zero 2070 target and to industrial competitiveness in emerging clean-energy markets. (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)

Option A:
Phasing out renewable sources is the opposite of what the mission aims for; green hydrogen relies on abundant renewable electricity like solar and wind. This option misrepresents both the technology and the policy direction.

Option B:
Promoting hydrogen produced from coal without emission controls would perpetuate high greenhouse gas and local pollutant emissions. The mission instead emphasises “green” hydrogen produced from renewable energy, with defined emission thresholds.

Option C:
Focusing on natural gas exports does not describe this mission, which targets hydrogen and its derivatives (like green ammonia). While energy trade is relevant, natural gas is a fossil fuel and not the centre of this initiative.

Option D:
This option accurately summarises the mission’s stated objective to position India as a global green hydrogen hub. It links domestic decarbonisation with export opportunities and energy security, reflecting multiple official articulations of the mission’s purpose.

Wind energy converts the kinetic energy of moving air into electrical energy using turbines. It is replenished naturally by atmospheric processes and does not get exhausted by human use. The stem directly refers to electricity from moving air masses,so “wind” is the correct term. Wind energy is a key renewable source in sustainable energy strategies.

Option A:
Wind is continuously generated by differential heating of the Earth’s surface and rotation of the planet. This makes it a renewable and virtually inexhaustible energy source on human time scales. These features align exactly with the description in the question.

Option B:
Nuclear energy comes from fission or fusion of atomic nuclei and does not depend on moving air masses. While low carbon,it is a different technology from that described in the stem.

Option C:
Coal is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years and is non renewable. It also emits large amounts of carbon dioxide when burnt,so it does not match the clean renewable context hinted in the question.

Option D:
Petroleum is another finite fossil fuel used mainly in transport. It is not related to electricity generation from wind turbines,so this option is clearly incorrect.