UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The very title of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act makes clear that its main purpose is to prevent and control water pollution. It establishes pollution control boards and regulatory mechanisms for this purpose. The stem refers to this 1974 legislation,so water is the correct completion.

Option A:
Air pollution is addressed in India by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,1981. Although some institutions are shared with the Water Act,it is a separate law. Therefore air does not fit the specific act mentioned in the question.

Option B:
Water is the environmental medium explicitly targeted by the 1974 Act. It covers effluent standards, consent procedures and penalties for polluting water bodies. This focus matches exactly with the stem’s description.

Option C:
Noise pollution is regulated through different rules under the Environment (Protection) Act and other instruments,not primarily by the Water Act. Hence noise is not the appropriate answer here.

Option D:
Thermal pollution of water bodies is one type of water pollution but is only a subset of what the Act covers. The Act’s main thrust is broader water pollution control,so the general term water is more accurate.

The Air Act, 1981 was enacted to provide a legal framework for preventing, controlling and abating air pollution in India. It empowers central and state Pollution Control Boards to set standards, monitor emissions and regulate polluting activities. The Act also includes provisions for declaring air pollution control areas and enforcing compliance. Therefore, the option that refers to preventing, controlling and abating air pollution through regulations and institutions accurately states its primary objective.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because the Act does not exclusively promote nuclear power plants. While energy choices affect air quality, the legislation focuses on regulating pollutants from various sources rather than prescribing one technology.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as domestic appliance noise is not the central focus of the Air Act. Noise regulation falls partly under other rules and standards; the Act mainly addresses chemical pollutants in the air.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since solid waste disposal is dealt with under separate municipal and environmental regulations. While open burning of waste can contribute to air pollution, the Air Act itself is not a solid waste management law.

Option D:
Option D is correct as it captures the broad mandate given to Pollution Control Boards under the Act. This includes industry regulation, monitoring, consent mechanisms and enforcement to improve air quality.

Statements A and C are correct: environmental laws set binding rules for control and conservation, and public interest litigation or citizen suits can help enforce these norms. Statements B and D are incorrect because enforcement also relies on capacity, monitoring and institutions, and transparency plus information access are vital for accountability. Hence, the combination A and C only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete since it omits C, which adds the important role of citizens and judiciary in upholding environmental laws. Without C, the enforcement dimension is underplayed.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it accepts B, implying penalties alone are sufficient without institutional capacity. This contradicts empirical experience where weak institutions undermine enforcement despite strong penalties.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it chooses the two statements that reflect both the legal framework and participatory enforcement tools, while excluding statements that ignore capacity and transparency.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it includes D, which wrongly claims information is irrelevant to enforcement, even though disclosure is central to many environmental regimes.

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.