UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) broadens the scope of traditional project level EIA by examining environmental implications of higher level decisions such as policies and plans. It aims to integrate environmental considerations early in the decision making process. The stem explicitly contrasts assessment for policies,plans and programmes with individual projects,which defines SEA. Therefore strategic is the correct word.

Option A:
Partial environmental assessment would suggest an incomplete or limited review,rather than a particular level of application. It is not a standard term in environmental planning,so it cannot fill the blank accurately.

Option B:
Routine environmental assessment would imply everyday or standard procedures without specifying the strategic policy or plan focus mentioned in the question. It does not match the technical term.

Option C:
Strategic environmental assessment helps avoid lock in of unsustainable options by evaluating alternatives before project details are fixed. This aligns with the policy and planning orientation described in the stem.

Option D:
Experimental environmental assessment has no established meaning in mainstream practice. It might suggest pilot or trial studies but does not capture the policy and programme scope at issue.