UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

UNEA 5/14 launched a process to develop a global treaty that addresses plastic pollution at all stages, from production and design to waste management. The resolution clearly states that the instrument should be legally binding and should cover plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. This mandate led to the formation of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) that has been meeting since late 2022. (UNEP - UN Environment Programme)

Option A:
This option is incorrect because the mandate goes beyond voluntary guidance and marine litter; it targets plastic pollution more broadly.

Option B:
This option correctly captures the legally binding nature, life-cycle coverage and marine focus specified in the resolution.

Option C:
Medical plastics are treated separately for safety reasons; the resolution does not call for an immediate blanket ban on them.

Option D:
The treaty is intended to be global in scope, not limited to OECD countries or to recycling alone.

Statements A, B and C correctly capture key aspects of environmental legislation and global environmental governance. Statement A points to the significance of the Stockholm Conference, B recognises the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as an umbrella legislation in India and C links Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement with climate change mitigation. Statements D and E are incorrect because environmental laws support sustainable development and international agreements generally require domestic implementation measures. Hence the combination containing A, B and C only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all three true statements while excluding the false ones. It clearly recognises both international and national legal frameworks that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. By omitting D and E, which misrepresent the role and functioning of environmental legislation and treaties, this option aligns with established understanding.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it adds statement D to the otherwise correct set A, B and C. Statement D falsely claims that environmental legislation has no role in sustainable development, whereas in reality laws and regulations are central instruments in achieving sustainability goals. The inclusion of this wrong statement invalidates the combination.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it combines B, C and E. While B and C are correct, E is wrong because international environmental agreements usually require ratification, legislation and administrative action at the national level. Having one incorrect statement makes this option unacceptable.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes A, C, D and E. Although A and C are true, D and E are both false for reasons related to the role of environmental legislation and the need for national implementation of treaties. Mixing correct and incorrect statements makes the combination invalid.

Option E is incorrect because it claims that all five statements are correct. Since D and E are clearly wrong, treating them as correct contradicts basic facts about environmental law and governance. Therefore this option cannot be chosen as the right answer.

PM-PRANAM is designed to address the environmental and fiscal problems arising from excessive chemical fertiliser use. Under the scheme, states that successfully reduce fertiliser consumption below a recent baseline receive a share of the subsidy savings as grants, which can be invested in promoting sustainable practices. The programme encourages a shift towards balanced nutrient management, including organic and bio-fertilisers, with the aim of restoring soil health and lowering pollution. Recent reports show that several states have already reduced fertiliser use and generated notable subsidy savings under this framework. (India Brand Equity Foundation)

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because simply increasing subsidies to boost chemical fertiliser use would worsen nutrient imbalances, harm soil health and increase fiscal burdens. PM-PRANAM, by contrast, seeks to moderate and optimise fertiliser use rather than expand it uncritically. Treating overuse as desirable goes against the scheme’s rationale.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it captures the key design features of PM-PRANAM: rewarding states for lowering chemical fertiliser consumption, sharing subsidy savings, and promoting eco-friendly alternatives. It also highlights the environmental objective of improving soil health, which is central to long-term agricultural sustainability and to the people–environment interface in development.

Option C:
Option C is wrong because the scheme does not aim to ban organic manures; it actually promotes their use alongside bio-fertilisers and other alternatives. Banning organic inputs would contradict the goal of balanced and sustainable nutrient management.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since PM-PRANAM does not encourage expansion of fertiliser-intensive monocultures into fragile areas; that would create new environmental risks. Instead, the scheme is intended to reduce excessive inputs and encourage more sustainable cropping and fertilisation practices.

A carbon credit is a unit used in emissions trading schemes that typically corresponds to one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced or removed from the atmosphere. Firms or countries that over achieve their targets can sell surplus credits to others. The stem describing a tradable certificate for one tonne of emissions reduction fits this definition exactly,so carbon credit is the correct term.

Option A:
Carbon credit schemes aim to lower overall mitigation costs by allowing reductions where they are cheapest. They also create financial incentives for emissions saving projects. This function aligns with the trading and reduction emphasis in the question.

Option B:
Carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with an activity,person or product. It is a measure of impact,not a tradable certificate,so it does not match the stem.

Option C:
Carbon tax is a levy on carbon content of fossil fuels or on emissions themselves. It is a fiscal policy instrument rather than a unit that can be bought and sold in markets,so it is not the correct option.

Option D:
A carbon sink is a process or reservoir,such as forests or oceans,that absorbs more carbon than it emits. While projects that enhance sinks can generate carbon credits, the sink itself is not the tradable certificate described in the question.

Statements A, B, C and D correctly describe the main types of universities in India. Central universities are indeed created by Acts of Parliament and centrally funded, State universities by State legislation, while deemed universities are declared under the UGC Act. Private universities also require State legislation and must follow UGC regulations for recognition and degree awarding. Statements E and F are incorrect because no college can unilaterally become a university and degree awarding is not restricted only to central universities.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits statement D, even though private universities established through State Acts and regulated by UGC are an essential category in the present system. This option therefore gives an incomplete picture of university types.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it includes all four true statements A, B, C and D and excludes the incorrect E and F, thus fully representing the recognised university categories and their regulatory basis.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes only A and D and leaves out B and C, thereby ignoring the roles of State universities and deemed universities in the Indian higher education structure.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it excludes A, which describes central universities, a core component of the system, so it does not represent the complete set of correct statements.

Statements D and F are wrong because they ignore key planning and climate aspects of transport. Assuming planning need not consider land use breaks the well-established link between settlement patterns and travel demand. Saying aviation and shipping have only local effects denies their contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. A, B, C and E correctly describe air and noise pollution, benefits of public and non-motorised transport and the role of pricing tools. Therefore, the wrong statements taken together are D and F only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect since it marks only D as wrong and fails to identify F, which also contains a clear error about global climate impacts. It does not capture all the incorrect statements as required.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it pinpoints both D and F as the erroneous claims while implicitly accepting A, B, C and E as accurate. It aligns with integrated land-use and transport planning and climate policy perspectives.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it labels A along with D and F as wrong; however, A is a true statement that road traffic is a major source of urban air pollution. Including A among wrong statements contradicts basic air quality science.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it groups B, D and F together, even though B correctly notes health and quality-of-life impacts of noise. This option thus misclassifies a valid health concern.

Ubiquitous resources are those available almost everywhere in similar form and quantity,like sunlight and air. Their wide distribution contrasts with localised resources that occur only in particular regions. The stem explicitly points to a resource like sunlight found almost everywhere,which matches the definition of ubiquitous. Therefore Option B is the correct choice.

Option A:
Localised resources occur only in specific areas,so they do not match “found almost everywhere.”

Option B:
Ubiquitous means widely present across locations; sunlight is a standard example,matching the stem.

Option C:
Exhausted means depleted; sunlight is continuously available and not exhausted by use.

Option D:
Rare means scarce/limited occurrence,which is the opposite of ubiquitous availability.

Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally within a relatively short period. Examples include solar,wind,hydro and geothermal energy. Because these sources are not permanently depleted when used,they can support long term sustainable energy use. Therefore the description in the question clearly points to renewable resources.

Option A:
Fossil fuels such as coal,oil and natural gas are formed over millions of years. Once extracted and burned,they cannot be quickly replenished on a human time scale. Hence they are not renewable and do not fit the description in the stem.

Option B:
Exhaustible resources are those that can be depleted if used excessively. Many non renewable resources fall into this category. The term does not highlight the ability to be naturally replenished,so it is not the best match here.

Option C:
Renewable resources are naturally replenished at a rate comparable to their rate of use. Solar and wind energy are classic examples of this category. Therefore the term renewable correctly describes the type of resource mentioned in the question.

Option D:
Non-renewable resources exist in finite amounts and are not replaced within human time scales. Fossil fuels and many mineral deposits fall into this group. This is the opposite of what is described in the question,so it is not correct.

The Survey notes that while adaptation is crucial for vulnerable countries, global finance flows remain inadequate and largely mitigation-centric. This leaves India and other developing nations to shoulder a large part of adaptation costs from their own budgets. Such a pattern raises concerns about climate justice, because those least responsible for emissions face both high impacts and high self-financed adaptation burdens. (VISION IAS)

Option A:
This option is incorrect; multiple reports show that adaptation finance is far below estimated needs and that countries still demand more concessional support.

Option B:
This option is incorrect because global climate finance flows are in fact skewed towards mitigation, not adaptation, so the statement reverses the actual pattern described in the Survey.

Option C:
This option rightly captures the Survey’s emphasis that adaptation finance lags behind and that mitigation receives a larger share of global climate funds. It also explains why India calls for parity between mitigation and adaptation finance in climate negotiations.

Option D:
This option is wrong because there is no automatic guarantee that all adaptation costs will be met by international funds; countries must mobilise domestic resources as well.

Urbanisation is about the growing share of people residing in towns and cities, not just absolute population growth. This change can result from natural increase in urban areas, migration from rural regions and reclassification of settlements. As the proportion of urban population rises, social and environmental patterns also change. Thus, defining urbanisation as an increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas over time is conceptually accurate.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because the total national population can increase while the share of urban population remains the same or even falls. Urbanisation specifically concerns the urban share, not overall population size.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since movement between rural areas does not necessarily increase the urban proportion. Rural-to-rural migration may alter local demographics but does not drive urbanisation.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as reducing industrial activities does not define urbanisation. Cities may still grow in population even if some industries relocate, or they may specialise in services instead.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it focuses on the relative growth of the urban population. This indicator is widely used in census and planning documents to track urbanisation trends.

Excessive tilling breaks down soil structure and exposes bare soil to wind and water. Removing all crop residues leaves the surface unprotected, making it easier for topsoil to be washed or blown away. Over time, this erosion removes nutrient-rich layers and organic matter, leading to reduced fertility and productivity. Thus, the most likely environmental consequence is increased soil erosion and declining soil quality, as described in option D.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because unsustainable practices usually reduce organic matter by exposing it to rapid decomposition and erosion. Permanent increases in fertility require conservation measures, not intensive disturbance.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect; such practices tend to worsen, not eliminate, soil erosion. Protective cover and conservation tillage are needed to significantly reduce erosion rates.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because rapid groundwater recharge is more closely linked to practices like contour bunding, percolation tanks and maintaining soil structure. Intensive tilling and residue removal can increase runoff instead of infiltration.

Option D:
Option D is correct since it captures how soil mismanagement can degrade land over time. Loss of topsoil diminishes the land’s capacity to support crops and can contribute to siltation of downstream water bodies.

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with unusually high numbers of endemic species that occur nowhere else, and where much of the original habitat has already been lost. This combination of uniqueness and vulnerability means further loss could cause many extinctions, so these regions are priority areas for conservation.

Option A:
Option A is correct since it explicitly combines high species endemism with a high degree of threat. This matches the widely used conservation definition of hotspots.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because low diversity and low human pressure do not fit the hotspot criteria; hotspots are species-rich and under severe pressure.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as hotspot status is not based only on large mammals or the absence of people; plants, amphibians, invertebrates and overall endemism are also crucial.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because legal protection or the presence of species records are not the defining criteria. Many hotspots have both protected areas and rich documentation but remain highly threatened.

Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients, particularly nitrates and phosphates, enter water bodies from sewage or fertilisers. These nutrients stimulate rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants. When the biomass dies and decomposes, bacteria consume large amounts of oxygen, leading to hypoxic conditions that can kill fish and other organisms. Thus, algal blooms followed by oxygen decline and fish kills are characteristic.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because eutrophication initially increases, not eliminates, algal growth.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it captures the sequence of nutrient enrichment, algal proliferation and oxygen depletion.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect; lakes do not suddenly become deserts, though they can become choked with vegetation and lose biodiversity.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because crystal-clear water usually indicates low nutrient levels (oligotrophic conditions), the opposite of eutrophication.

Sustainable development is most widely defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This definition captures both intergenerational equity and the idea of long-term environmental stewardship. It recognises that development and environment are interlinked and that economic progress should respect ecological limits. Therefore, option A reflects the accepted Brundtland Commission definition and is conceptually complete.

Option A:
Option A captures the balance between development and environmental protection by explicitly mentioning present and future generations. It includes the idea that resources should be used in a way that does not undermine long-term human welfare. It is aligned with international understanding and UGC NET syllabus discussions on sustainable development.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it focuses only on economic growth, ignoring environmental and social dimensions. Sustainable development emphasises that growth must be ecologically sustainable and socially equitable. Growth that damages ecosystems and increases inequality cannot be called sustainable.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it suggests stopping all development, which is neither practical nor desirable. Sustainable development aims at reconciling development with environmental conservation, not rejecting development. A total halt in development would also harm human welfare and poverty alleviation.

Option D:
Option D is incomplete as it refers only to the poor and only to basic needs. Sustainable development concerns the needs of all people and emphasises both present and future generations. It also includes broader issues such as quality of life, resource use and environmental protection.

The ozone layer filters out most of the Sun’s biologically harmful ultraviolet radiation,particularly UV B. Without this layer,organisms would face much higher risks of skin cancer,eye cataracts and damage to DNA. The stem refers directly to harmful solar radiation that is absorbed,which identifies ultraviolet as the correct type. Therefore Option B is right.

Option A:
Infrared radiation is associated primarily with heat and plays a role in the greenhouse effect rather than in causing severe biological damage at normal levels. The ozone layer does not primarily target infrared,so this option does not fit the question.

Option B:
Ultraviolet radiation at high intensities can damage living tissues and ecosystems. Ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb much of this radiation,acting as a protective shield. This matches exactly the function described in the stem.

Option C:
Microwave radiation is used in communication and cooking applications and is not the main focus of ozone absorption. It interacts differently with the atmosphere,so it is not a suitable answer here.

Option D:
Radio waves have long wavelengths and low energy and are widely used for broadcasting. They are not significantly harmful at typical environmental levels and are not what the ozone layer shields us from.