UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A and B are correct because they reflect the accepted waste management hierarchy that favours prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling over final disposal. Modern sustainable waste policies prioritise minimising waste generation and recovering resources before considering landfilling or incineration. Statements C and D are incorrect as open dumping is environmentally unsound and energy recovery processes can generate emissions and require careful control. Therefore, the combination with A and B only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it accurately lists the two statements that correspond to the widely accepted principles of the waste hierarchy. It notes that prevention and reduction should come first and that recycling and reuse are preferable to landfilling. Since it excludes the clearly incorrect statements C and D, this combination fully matches the requirement.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it adds statement C, which wrongly describes open dumping as an environmentally sound and endorsed practice. In reality, open dumping leads to leachate formation, odour, vector breeding and air pollution. Including such a false statement makes the entire option invalid.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B, C and D, and both C and D are wrong. While B is correct, C wrongly promotes open dumping and D wrongly claims that energy recovery is always benign and emission-free. The presence of two incorrect statements means this combination cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it declares all four statements A, B, C and D to be correct. Although A and B are correct, C and D are false and contradict principles of environmentally sound waste management. As a result, selecting all four statements is inconsistent with the conceptual framework of the unit.

Statement D is the only wrong statement because open burning or dumping of e-waste releases toxic substances and is not environmentally safe. Statements A, B and C correctly describe what constitutes e-waste, the dangers of improper disposal and the need for recycling and proper management. Sustainable ICT practice emphasises minimising harm through responsible handling of discarded devices. Thus, the option that selects only D as wrong is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it labels A and D as wrong. Statement A is true, as e-waste comprises various discarded electronic devices. Including a correct statement in the wrong set makes this combination invalid.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it groups B and D as wrong. While D is wrong, B is correct in noting the environmental and health risks of improper e-waste disposal. Mixing true and false statements prevents this option from being right.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it lists A, B and D as wrong statements. Both A and B correctly define e-waste and highlight associated hazards, so they should not be treated as wrong. Only D is incorrect.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it isolates D as the sole wrong statement. It reflects the scientific understanding that unsafe disposal practices harm people and ecosystems, and that responsible recycling and management are necessary.

A circular economy aims to move away from a linear “take make dispose” model toward closed material loops. Recycling is a core strategy that transforms used materials into inputs for new products. The stem lists reuse,repair and remanufacturing and asks for the missing process that keeps materials in use,which is recycling. Hence Option B is correct.

Option A:
Landfilling is a disposal option that removes materials from productive use. It is characteristic of the linear economy rather than the circular one,so Option A contradicts the intention of the question.

Option B:
Recycling allows materials like metals,glass and many plastics to be recovered instead of discarded. Combined with reuse and repair,it helps minimise raw material extraction and waste. This fits perfectly with the circular economy logic in the stem.

Option C:
Incineration destroys materials through burning and usually reduces opportunities for material recovery. Even when energy is recovered,it is not considered a core loop-closing process in circular economy thinking,so Option C is not ideal.

Option D:
Exporting waste often shifts environmental burdens to other regions and does not ensure that materials are effectively looped back into production. Thus Option D does not capture the principle in the question.

Electronic waste refers specifically to discarded electrical and electronic equipment and their parts. Such waste often contains hazardous substances like heavy metals and brominated flame retardants. Improper handling can lead to serious environmental and health problems. Therefore the description in the question clearly fits electronic waste.

Option A:
Biomedical waste consists of materials generated from diagnosis,treatment and research activities in healthcare institutions. It includes contaminated dressings,sharps and pathological waste. Although hazardous,it is distinct from discarded electronic devices.

Option B:
Municipal solid waste is the general household and commercial refuse collected by urban local bodies. It includes food scraps,paper,plastics and similar items. While some electronics may enter this stream,the term is broader and not specific to electronic devices.

Option C:
Agricultural waste originates from farming activities,such as crop residues and animal manure. It does not usually include used computers or mobile phones. Hence it does not correspond to the description in the stem.

Option D:
Electronic waste,or e waste,includes obsolete computers,phones,televisions and related components. Because the stem lists exactly these kinds of items,this term matches the intended concept precisely.

Segregation at source means that waste generators separate different categories of waste, such as wet and dry, before handing them over for collection. This greatly improves the efficiency of recycling,composting and safe disposal. The stem clearly refers to separation of biodegradable and non biodegradable waste at the point of generation,which is exactly segregation at source. Therefore this is the correct answer.

Option A:
Landfilling refers to final disposal of waste in engineered or open dumpsites. It occurs at the end of the waste management chain and does not describe the initial separation practice mentioned in the question.

Option B:
Incineration involves burning waste at high temperatures to reduce volume and sometimes generate energy. It is a treatment method for mixed or specific waste types,not the act of separating them beforehand.

Option C:
Recycling plants are facilities where segregated materials like paper,plastic and metal are processed into new products. Although they depend on good segregation at source,they are a downstream infrastructure element and not the behaviour described in the stem.

Option D:
Segregation at source ensures that organic waste can be composted and dry recyclables can be recovered effectively. By keeping different streams separate,it reduces contamination and environmental impacts. This explanation matches the practice highlighted in the question.

E-waste is a growing environmental concern resulting from rapid obsolescence of ICT devices. It includes any discarded or end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment and their components. Such waste can release toxic substances if not handled properly. Therefore, the option describing unwanted electronic equipment correctly defines e-waste in ICT contexts.

Option A:
This option focuses on organic agricultural waste, which is managed through separate environmental processes such as composting. It is not specific to ICT and does not involve electronic components. Hence, it does not represent e-waste.

Option B:
This option correctly identifies e-waste as encompassing various ICT hardware that has reached the end of its useful life. Items like computers, monitors and phones contain metals and chemicals that require specialised recycling. This aligns with standard environmental discussions on e-waste.

Option C:
Paper waste from printing is indeed a concern but falls under general solid waste or paper waste, not e-waste. It does not involve electronic circuitry or hazardous materials unique to ICT devices.

Option D:
Plastic bottles are a form of plastic waste and contribute to pollution but are not classified as e-waste. The term specifically refers to electronic items rather than general plastic products.