UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct as they describe the legal framework, institutions, use of PIL and enforcement challenges. Statement E is false because environmental laws apply to both urban and rural areas. Hence A, B, C, D and F only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete since it omits F.

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

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it includes E (false).

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes E and omits B.

The Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984 highlighted serious gaps in India’s environmental and industrial safety regulations. In response, the Government of India enacted the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as a comprehensive, umbrella legislation. It empowered the central government to coordinate environmental policies, set standards, and take measures for the protection and improvement of the environment. Therefore, option B correctly identifies the act enacted after Bhopal as a broad framework law.

Option A:
Option A, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, predates the Bhopal disaster and focuses specifically on wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species. It is not the umbrella act for environmental protection enacted after 1984.

Option B:
Option B is correct because the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides a framework for integrating various environmental policies, rules and standards. It was explicitly passed in the aftermath of Bhopal to strengthen environmental regulation.

Option C:
Option C, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, deals mainly with restricting the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. It is important but not an umbrella act enacted post-Bhopal.

Option D:
Option D, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, aims to control water pollution and establish Pollution Control Boards. It predates Bhopal and is sector-specific rather than a comprehensive environmental framework.

The Green Credit Programme assigns economic value to environmentally beneficial activities that meet specified standards. Participants who carry out such actions can earn green credits, which may then be traded in a domestic market, creating financial motivation for conservation and restoration. This approach complements traditional regulation by rewarding proactive environmental stewardship across sectors.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because credits are performance-linked; there is no provision for unconditional subsidies to all industries.

Option B:
This option correctly summarises the programme’s logic of using tradable credits to reward positive environmental outcomes.

Option C:
Credits are not meant to legitimise indiscriminate forest conversion; land-use change must still comply with separate legal safeguards.

Option D:
The rules introduce an additional instrument and do not abolish existing environmental regulations; both types of tools are expected to work together.

Statements A, B and C correctly capture key aspects of environmental legislation and global environmental governance. Statement A points to the significance of the Stockholm Conference, B recognises the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as an umbrella legislation in India and C links Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement with climate change mitigation. Statements D and E are incorrect because environmental laws support sustainable development and international agreements generally require domestic implementation measures. Hence the combination containing A, B and C only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all three true statements while excluding the false ones. It clearly recognises both international and national legal frameworks that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. By omitting D and E, which misrepresent the role and functioning of environmental legislation and treaties, this option aligns with established understanding.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it adds statement D to the otherwise correct set A, B and C. Statement D falsely claims that environmental legislation has no role in sustainable development, whereas in reality laws and regulations are central instruments in achieving sustainability goals. The inclusion of this wrong statement invalidates the combination.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it combines B, C and E. While B and C are correct, E is wrong because international environmental agreements usually require ratification, legislation and administrative action at the national level. Having one incorrect statement makes this option unacceptable.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes A, C, D and E. Although A and C are true, D and E are both false for reasons related to the role of environmental legislation and the need for national implementation of treaties. Mixing correct and incorrect statements makes the combination invalid.

Option E is incorrect because it claims that all five statements are correct. Since D and E are clearly wrong, treating them as correct contradicts basic facts about environmental law and governance. Therefore this option cannot be chosen as the right answer.

The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy. It provides a comprehensive legal framework empowering the central government to set standards and issue notifications for environmental protection. Because the stem refers to this umbrella legislation,1986 is the correct year.

Option A:
The year 1972 is associated with the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment,which influenced Indian environmental policy but did not itself create the Environment (Protection) Act. Therefore 1972 is not the right completion for the Act’s year.

Option B:
1986 marks the formal adoption of the Environment (Protection) Act,under which various rules such as those for hazardous waste and coastal regulation have been issued. This makes it the accurate answer to the question.

Option C:
The year 1991 is known in India for major economic liberalisation measures. It does not correspond to the passage of this specific environmental act,so it is not appropriate here.

Option D:
The year 2002 has significance for some conservation initiatives but is unrelated to the original enactment of the Environment (Protection) Act. Thus it is not the correct option.

The Green Credit Rules create a framework in which environmentally beneficial activities can earn “green credits” that are tradable in a domestic market. Activities such as tree plantation on degraded land, water conservation or pollution abatement can generate credits if they meet specified criteria. By attaching economic value to such actions, the programme seeks to encourage wider participation by individuals, communities and firms. It thus complements command-and-control regulation with market-based incentives aligned with sustainable development goals. (moefcc-gcp.in)

Option A:
This option is incorrect because the Green Credit Rules do not replace all environmental regulations; they operate alongside existing laws. A single carbon tax would also be much narrower than the multi-activity scope of the programme.

Option B:
This option is wrong as credits are earned only when specified environmental actions are undertaken and verified. The programme does not offer unconditional cash transfers but performance-linked incentives.

Option C:
This option correctly captures the intention of the scheme: to reward verifiable positive environmental actions with tradable credits. It highlights both the incentive structure and the focus on activities such as plantation and restoration.

Option D:
Allowing blanket conversion of forest land into real estate in exchange for credits would undermine conservation goals. The rules seek to support ecological improvement, not legitimise deforestation.

The Green Credit Programme is intended to reward actions that lead to real environmental gains. Activities such as restoring degraded land through tree plantation, conserving water bodies or reducing pollution can be registered and verified. When they meet specified standards, they generate tradable green credits that create financial incentives for individuals, communities and companies. This complements traditional regulation with positive rewards.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because coal plants without controls increase pollution and would not qualify for green credits.

Option B:
This option correctly states that verified improvement activities like plantation and water conservation are eligible for earning credits.

Option C:
Discharging untreated effluents violates environmental laws and would attract penalties, not credits.

Option D:
Increasing single-use plastics conflicts with waste-reduction goals and cannot be considered a positive environmental action.