UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct and collectively describe ecological, functional, cultural, climate and economic dimensions of biodiversity. Biodiversity supports key services, loss harms livelihoods, cultural meanings are important, conservation aids mitigation and adaptation, and payment schemes reward service provision. Statement E is wrong because biodiversity clearly remains essential for food, health, materials and cultural identity even in modern societies. Therefore, the combination that includes all true statements and excludes E is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect as it omits F, which correctly notes the role of payment for ecosystem services in incentivising conservation. Without F, the answer misses an important policy mechanism linked to ecosystem services.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it leaves out C while including F. Cultural services are a standard category in ecosystem service frameworks, so excluding C gives an incomplete view of biodiversity’s contributions.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it includes E, a statement that denies the relevance of biodiversity to modern human well-being. Since E is clearly false, this combination mixes correct and incorrect statements.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it aggregates all the accurate statements—ecological, livelihood, cultural, climate and economic—and excludes only the claim that biodiversity has no relevance. It thus reflects the integrated role of biodiversity in people, development and environment.

Statements B, C and D are correct because they show how environmental management and rural development are linked. Watershed projects support conservation and productivity, agroforestry offers multiple benefits while protecting resources and ignoring sustainability can degrade land and water in the long run. Statement A is incorrect as watershed programmes are not confined to infrastructure building but emphasise conservation and resource management. Hence, the combination containing B, C and D only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes only B and C and omits D, even though D is a true statement about the risks of environmentally insensitive rural development strategies. Leaving out a correct statement results in an incomplete representation of the topic.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it captures all the true statements—B, C and D—and excludes the false claim in A. It acknowledges conservation benefits, agroforestry’s role and the need for sustainability in rural development planning, which together reflect the integrated approach promoted in the syllabus.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes statement A, which mischaracterises the objectives of watershed development. While B and C are correct, adding A means the option no longer represents only correct statements.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since it asserts that all four statements are correct. Accepting A as correct would imply that watershed development is restricted to roads and markets, which contradicts its actual conservation focus. Therefore, the entire combination cannot be chosen.

Sustainable development is often described as having economic,social and environmental dimensions. Micro credit schemes focus on improving incomes,livelihood security and economic opportunities for the poor. The stem refers to small loans for income generating activities,which clearly target the economic dimension. Therefore Option C is the correct answer.

Option A:
Environmental improvements can be an indirect result of reduced poverty,but micro credit’s main objective is economic empowerment. So Option A does not capture the primary focus mentioned in the question.

Option B:
Cultural aspects of development relate to identity,heritage and values. While important,they are not the main emphasis of micro finance schemes described here.

Option C:
Technological changes can support micro enterprises,but the key dimension being strengthened is the economic base of households. Hence Option D is not as accurate as Option C.

Option D:
Economic strengthening through micro credit can also support social and environmental goals,but in the triad of sustainable development dimensions,this intervention is most directly economic.

Food security is defined by availability,access,utilisation and stability of food supplies for all people. The stem directly echoes this definition by stressing physical and economic access to sufficient,safe and nutritious food at all times. Therefore food security is the correct term. It is a central concept in development policy and global agendas.

Option A:
Food security frameworks emphasise not just the quantity of food but its quality and continuous availability,including during shocks. Because the question repeats these elements,this option precisely captures the intended meaning.

Option B:
Nutritional transition refers to changes in dietary patterns,often towards more processed and energy dense foods as incomes rise. While related,it does not in itself guarantee universal access to adequate food,so it is not the best match.

Option C:
The green revolution was a period of rapid growth in agricultural productivity due to high yielding varieties and inputs. It increased food production but did not automatically ensure equitable access or nutrition,so it is not synonymous with the goal described.

Option D:
Land reforms involve redistribution or regulation of land ownership and tenancy. They can support food security but are one policy tool rather than the overarching concept stated in the stem.