UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B and D are correct: indigenous knowledge contains sustainable practices, combining it with science can improve management and rights plus prior informed consent are key ethical principles. Statement C is incorrect because indigenous knowledge continues to be relevant for contemporary environmental problems like climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, the combination A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits D, which rightly stresses the need for respecting rights and consent when using indigenous knowledge. Without D, ethical aspects are not fully represented.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it includes C, implying that indigenous knowledge is obsolete, which contradicts numerous examples of its contemporary value.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it groups B, C and D and treats C as correct. Although B and D are valid, the inclusion of C makes the combination unacceptable.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it includes all three true statements while excluding the disparaging and incorrect statement C. It reflects both the practical and ethical dimensions of using indigenous knowledge in environmental management.

Renewable energy sources are those that are replenished naturally on a human time scale and are not depleted by regular use. Solar energy is derived from sunlight, which is essentially inexhaustible for human purposes. Using solar energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, solar energy is correctly identified as a renewable source, making option A correct.

Option A:
Option A is correct because solar energy relies on the continuous flow of solar radiation, which is naturally replenished each day. It does not get exhausted like fossil fuels and is considered a key pillar of sustainable energy transitions.

Option B:
Option B, coal, is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years and is non-renewable on human time scales. Once extracted and burnt, it cannot be quickly replaced.

Option C:
Option C, petroleum, is also a fossil fuel that is finite and non-renewable. Its extraction and use contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change.

Option D:
Option D, natural gas, while cleaner than coal and oil in terms of emissions, is still a fossil fuel and non-renewable. It also releases carbon dioxide when burned and can leak methane during extraction and transport.