UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statement B is the only wrong statement because the EKC does not claim that growth automatically solves all environmental problems without deliberate policies and technological changes. Statements A, C and D are correct: A summarises the inverted-U hypothesis, C acknowledges that the pattern is not universal and D notes that the EKC is debated and contested. Therefore, the combination that identifies B only as wrong is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it labels both A and B as wrong, whereas A accurately describes the basic EKC hypothesis of rising then falling pollution with income for some pollutants. Treating a correct descriptive statement as wrong contradicts the theoretical literature.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it isolates the simplistic and erroneous interpretation that growth alone will fix environmental problems. It recognises that policies, regulations and structural changes are necessary even if an EKC-type pattern is observed.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it marks both B and C as wrong. While B is indeed wrong, C is correct in warning that EKC patterns vary across pollutants and countries, and cannot be generalised mechanically.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it regards all four statements as wrong, including A, C and D, which are correct. Denying the existence of debate or the basic description of the EKC misrepresents environmental economics.

The Environmental Kuznets Curve proposes an inverted U-shaped relationship between some measures of environmental degradation and per capita income. At low income levels, pollution tends to rise with industrialisation and lack of regulation. After a threshold income, societies may demand cleaner environments and invest in efficient technologies, leading to declining pollution levels. Thus, the hypothesis suggests that degradation first increases and then decreases with rising income, which is captured in Option B.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it assumes a simple continuous decline in degradation with rising income, ignoring the initial phase of industrial growth where pollution usually increases.

Option B:
Option B is correct since it reflects the characteristic inverted U shape, with a turning point at some intermediate income level. It aligns with the original formulation of the EKC hypothesis used in environment and development debates.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it states that income and degradation are completely unrelated. Empirical studies show that economic activity strongly influences environmental pressure, even if the exact EKC pattern may not hold for all pollutants.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it implies that degradation always increases with income and never improves. This contradicts the EKC idea and ignores evidence of environmental improvements in some high-income countries.