UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, C and D are correct because they describe widely accepted principles and practices of sustainable agriculture. Diversification, conservation tillage, organic methods and a balance between environmental quality and farm income are central goals. Statement B is incorrect as excessive reliance on chemical inputs is characteristic of unsustainable, input-intensive agriculture. Therefore, the combination that includes A, C and D only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes A and C but omits D. While diversification and conservation tillage are valid aspects, leaving out the goal of maintaining soil fertility and environmental quality along with profitability makes the set incomplete. A comprehensive answer must recognise this objective.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it captures the full cluster of correct statements while excluding the misleading one. It reflects that sustainable agriculture integrates diversified systems, ecological practices and long-term soil and environmental health with economic viability. By omitting statement B, it avoids endorsing overuse of chemicals.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it adds statement B to an otherwise correct set. Statement B falsely portrays heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides as a feature of sustainability, which contradicts concerns about soil degradation, water pollution and biodiversity loss. The presence of this false statement invalidates the option.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it claims that B, C and D are correct, again treating B as acceptable. Although C and D are right, including B, which promotes unsustainable input dependence, makes the combination inconsistent with the concept of sustainable agriculture.

Statements A, B and D are correct as they reflect the text and spirit of SDG 11, which emphasises inclusive, safe, resilient, sustainable settlements, improved services and participatory governance. Statement C is incorrect because environmental quality, including air, green spaces and waste, is central to sustainable cities. Statement E is also wrong as SDG 11 applies to cities and human settlements of all sizes. Thus, the combination A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits D, which highlights participatory planning as a key strategy for implementing SDG 11. Without D, the governance aspect of sustainable cities is not addressed.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since it includes C along with A and B, thereby accepting the false claim that sustainable cities initiatives ignore environmental concerns. In reality, environmental quality is one of their core pillars.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it groups B, D and E and treats E as correct. While B and D are true, E wrongly limits SDG 11 to megacities and excludes smaller towns, which goes against the universal applicability of the SDGs.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it selects the three true statements and excludes C and E, both of which misrepresent the sustainable cities agenda. It captures social, service-related and governance dimensions of SDG 11.

Statement C is the only wrong statement because noise control is not limited to personal protective devices; it also includes engineering controls, planning measures and legal regulations. Statements A, B and D are correct: A highlights health effects, B recognises noise as environmental pollution and D lists valid control strategies. Therefore, the combination that identifies C only as wrong is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct since it accurately singles out C as the wrong statement and leaves A, B and D recognised as true. It reflects the comprehensive approach to noise management that extends beyond individual protection. Thus it matches the requirement of selecting the wrong statement(s).

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it treats both A and C as wrong. Statement A correctly describes adverse health impacts of chronic noise exposure, such as hearing loss and stress-related problems. Including a correct statement in the wrong set makes this option invalid.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it groups C and D together as wrong statements. While C is indeed wrong, D is correct in giving examples of zoning, silencers and time restrictions that are widely used in noise regulation. This mixture of one true and one false statement cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it sees B and C as wrong. B is a correct statement since noise is widely recognised as environmental pollution affecting well-being. Treating B as wrong undermines standard environmental health knowledge.

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.