UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The Montreal Protocol targets ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, halons and certain solvents. These releases transport chlorine and bromine to the stratosphere, where they catalytically destroy ozone molecules. By phasing out production and consumption of these chemicals, the treaty seeks to allow recovery of the ozone layer. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful environmental agreements.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because global warming due to CO₂ is addressed primarily under the UNFCCC and Kyoto/Paris frameworks, not Montreal.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it directly identifies stratospheric ozone depletion and the role of CFCs and similar substances.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect; acid rain is mainly linked to sulphur and nitrogen oxides, which are not the focus of this Protocol.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since desertification is managed through different conventions and programmes.

The definition given in the question is the classic Brundtland Commission definition of sustainable development. It explicitly links present needs with the rights of future generations. The idea stresses intergenerational equity and long term resource security. Therefore the only concept that fully captures this definition is sustainable development.

Option A:
Sustainable development integrates economic efficiency,social equity and environmental protection. It ensures that development does not degrade the resource base needed by future generations. Because it balances present benefits with future needs,it correctly matches the definition in the stem.

Option B:
Economic growth refers mainly to an increase in the value of goods and services produced in an economy. It does not necessarily take environmental limits or equity into account. Rapid economic growth can actually undermine sustainability if it depletes resources and increases pollution.

Option C:
Human development focuses on expanding people’s capabilities in areas such as health,education and income. Although it is concerned with improving quality of life,it does not inherently include the intergenerational environmental focus mentioned in the definition. Hence it is related but not an exact fit for the idea in the stem.

Option D:
Industrialisation describes the shift to factory based and mechanised production. Historically it has often led to increased pollution and resource extraction. By itself,it does not guarantee protection of future generations’ needs,so it does not match the given definition.

In cap-and-trade or similar schemes, a carbon credit typically represents permission to emit a specified quantity of greenhouse gases, often measured as one tonne of CO₂-equivalent. These credits can be bought and sold, allowing entities that cut emissions cheaply to sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Hence, the core idea is a tradable emission permit.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it describes carbon credits as quantifiable, tradable rights or allowances to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases under an overall cap.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because no certificate can guarantee that a country will never emit greenhouse gases; carbon credits regulate and price emissions, they do not eliminate them entirely.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since a document showing forest area is about land cover and potential carbon sinks, not a tradable emission permit unit.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as income tax receipts relate to general fiscal policy, not specifically to climate mitigation instruments like credits and trading.

The Ramsar Convention is a global treaty that provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Parties to the convention designate wetlands of international importance and commit to maintaining their ecological character.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because glaciers themselves are not the specific focus of Ramsar, even though glacial meltwater may feed some wetlands.

Option B:
Option B is correct since Ramsar explicitly targets wetlands of international importance such as lakes, marshes, estuaries and mangroves.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as deserts in general are not the main subject of the treaty, although some wetlands may occur in arid regions.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because deep ocean trenches are deep-sea ecosystems, whereas Ramsar focuses on shallow aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.

Higher ethanol blending can reduce net emissions compared to pure fossil petrol when the biofuel is produced sustainably. It also displaces a portion of imported crude oil, improving energy security and reducing the trade deficit. Additionally, it can create markets for agricultural residues and certain crops, potentially supporting farmer incomes if water and land are managed carefully.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because blending ethanol actually substitutes part of the imported fossil component, reducing dependence.

Option B:
This option correctly captures the multiple co-benefits claimed for E20 in climate, energy and rural-development terms, while noting that sustainability conditions apply.

Option C:
While emissions can decrease, E20 alone cannot eliminate all pollutants; vehicle technology and maintenance also matter.

Option D:
Shifting entirely to private cars would worsen congestion and emissions; biofuel policy is meant to complement, not replace, public transport improvements.

Statements A, B and D are correct: energy poverty is about lack of modern services, it constrains opportunities across sectors, and decentralised renewables can increase access in remote areas. Statement C is incorrect because access to clean energy, especially for cooking, is closely linked to reducing drudgery and health burdens on women, thereby influencing gender equality. Thus, the combination A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it excludes D, which identifies decentralised renewables as a key strategy to tackle energy poverty in remote locations. Without D, the policy response dimension is underrepresented.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it includes C, wrongly claiming that energy access has no connection to gender equality. Including C contradicts evidence on gendered energy burdens.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B, C and D and treats C as true, despite its clear inconsistency with gender and development analysis.

Option D:
Option D is correct since it recognises the definitional, developmental and policy aspects of energy poverty while excluding the misleading statement C.

The Kyoto Protocol,adopted in 1997,committed industrialised countries listed in Annex I of the UNFCCC to legally binding emission reduction targets for a first commitment period. It also created market mechanisms such as emissions trading and the Clean Development Mechanism. The stem clearly refers to binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for developed countries,which identifies the Kyoto Protocol. Hence Option B is correct.

Option A:
Montreal,as used in the Montreal Protocol,relates to ozone layer protection rather than greenhouse gas control. Although both agreements concern the atmosphere,they have different objectives,so Montreal is not the right answer here.

Option B:
The Kyoto Protocol represents an early attempt to operationalise the UNFCCC’s goal of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations. Its legally binding targets for developed (Annex I) countries match the stem.

Option C:
The Cartagena Protocol deals with biosafety,particularly the transboundary movement of living modified organisms. It does not set greenhouse gas emission targets.

Option D:
Doha is associated with an amendment extending Kyoto commitments,not the original protocol establishing binding targets referred to in the stem.

The word “smog” was coined by blending “smoke” and “fog” to describe the dense polluted air that plagued early industrial cities. It reflected a mixture of smoke particles and fog droplets. The stem directly alludes to this historical origin,so fog is the correct completion.

Option A:
Fog consists of tiny water droplets suspended in the air and,when mixed with smoke,can create a thick,irritating haze. This physical combination gave rise to classic smog episodes. Thus fog accurately fits the etymological explanation in the question.

Option B:
Fume refers generally to smoke or vapour,which is already captured in the “smoke” component of smog. The term does not appear in the original coinage,so it is not the right answer.

Option C:
Gas is a very broad term that includes any gaseous substance in the atmosphere. It does not reflect the visual haziness associated with fog that inspired the term smog. Hence it is not appropriate here.

Option D:
Dust is composed of solid particles and,although it can be part of air pollution, it was not part of the specific phrase from which the term smog was formed. Therefore this option is incorrect.

Waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid spread mainly through ingestion of water contaminated with human or animal waste. In crowded settlements, breaking this transmission route requires reliable access to microbiologically safe drinking water and effective removal and treatment of sewage. When these systems function together, they significantly reduce pathogen loads in the environment and improve public health outcomes.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because individual bottled water use by a few does not address community-wide contamination and is often unaffordable; it leaves systemic sanitation problems unsolved.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it tackles both the supply of safe water and the safe disposal of excreta, which is the foundation of modern public health engineering.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since storing wastewater in open containers creates breeding grounds for disease vectors and increases exposure risks.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because open defecation near water bodies directly contributes to faecal contamination and is a major cause of waterborne disease outbreaks.

India’s leadership has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070, a pledge reiterated in various official platforms. Recent Economic Surveys describe climate policy as integral to the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, rather than as a separate agenda. The documents emphasise that adaptation, energy security, job creation and low-carbon growth must be pursued together. The framing is therefore one of integrated, phased transition rather than a trade-off between development and climate action. (Press Information Bureau)

Option A:
This option correctly weaves together the 2070 net-zero timeline and the 2047 development vision, reflecting how government publications present them. It highlights the idea of balancing multiple objectives, which is a key theme in India’s climate narrative.

Option B:
This statement is incorrect because India has publicly announced and defended a net-zero year, rather than rejecting the concept. Dismissing net zero as incompatible with development misrepresents current policy.

Option C:
A net-zero target of 2030 is far more ambitious than anything currently proposed and would be extremely disruptive; it is not India’s stated goal. Moreover, policy documents do not suggest halting industrial growth.

Option D:
Postponing climate action to after 2100 contradicts actual commitments and international negotiations in which India is actively engaged. This option therefore fails to reflect real-world climate diplomacy or domestic planning.

At green hydrogen summits, officials have stated that India wants to become a major exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia. With abundant solar and wind resources and growing industrial capability, India aims to supply roughly a tenth of projected global demand by 2030. This ambition links climate action with new trade, investment and job opportunities. (The Economic Times)

Option A:
This option is incorrect because policy statements explicitly discuss export ambitions; India is not limiting itself to domestic markets.

Option B:
This option correctly captures the export-oriented dimension of the mission and connects it to India’s comparative advantages in renewables.

Option C:
There is no proposal to ban exports; rather, the mission aims to create both domestic and export markets.

Option D:
The strategy emphasises domestic production of green hydrogen; relying entirely on imports would contradict self-reliance and export goals.

Statements A, C and D correctly describe key ideas about resource use and sustainable development. Statement A explains the regenerative nature of renewable resources when used within limits, C highlights the tragedy of the commons associated with overuse of shared resources and D emphasises the role of renewable energy and efficiency in sustainability. Statements B and E are incorrect because non-renewable resources are finite and their extraction and use often cause serious environmental damage. The combination that contains A, C and D only is therefore the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes only A and C and leaves out D. While A and C are true, D is also correct in stressing policy directions for sustainable development. Excluding a correct statement makes this combination incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes A, C and E. Statement E is wrong as extraction and use of non-renewable resources typically lead to pollution, habitat destruction and greenhouse gas emissions. The inclusion of this false statement invalidates the option.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it adds statement B to the otherwise correct set. Statement B falsely claims that non-renewable resources are infinite and can be exploited without concern, which contradicts their finite nature and the need for conservation. Because it contains a wrong statement, this combination cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it groups A, C and D, all of which are conceptually sound and aligned with the idea of sustainable resource management. It acknowledges the properties of renewable resources, the risks of overusing common property resources and the importance of shifting to clean energy and efficiency. By excluding the incorrect statements B and E, it becomes the only fully correct combination.

The disaster management cycle describes a continuous sequence of activities aimed at reducing risk and managing events when they occur. Mitigation involves measures to prevent hazards from becoming disasters or to lessen their impacts. Preparedness includes planning, training and early warning systems. Response covers immediate actions during and after the disaster, while recovery focuses on restoring normalcy and building back better. Listing mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery together therefore accurately depicts the cycle, as in Option A.

Option A:
Option A is correct as it includes all major phases recognised in standard disaster management frameworks. Together they convey a proactive and reactive approach that extends beyond short-term relief.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect; hazard creation, panic and passive waiting are not desirable components of disaster management. Effective systems seek to reduce hazards and avoid panic through planning and communication.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because development, industrialisation, urbanisation and globalisation are broader socio-economic processes, not specific stages of disaster management. They can influence risk but are not themselves management components.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as evacuation alone cannot substitute for comprehensive mitigation, preparedness and recovery planning. A narrow focus on evacuation misses many essential tasks before and after a disaster.

Sustainable development is commonly described as having three mutually reinforcing pillars: economic, social and environmental. The economic dimension concerns productive activity and livelihoods, the social dimension addresses equity and human well-being, and the environmental dimension relates to ecological integrity. This three-pillar model is widely used in policy documents, UN reports and UGC NET materials. Therefore, option B correctly identifies the standard triad of sustainable development.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because technology and politics are instruments or contexts, not the fundamental dimensions themselves. While technological and political factors influence sustainability, they are not recognised as the core three pillars. Thus, this set does not match the accepted framework.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it lists economic, social and environmental dimensions, which are the foundational pillars of sustainability. These three areas together capture growth, justice and ecological balance, and they underpin most sustainable development indicators and policies.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as cultural and religious aspects may be important but are not defined as the three basic pillars in mainstream discourse. Social dimension may include culture and religion, but they are not usually separated as distinct equal pillars alongside the economy and environment.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because political and legal aspects are tools for governance rather than the core dimensions of sustainability. They help implement sustainable policies but are not themselves the three universally accepted pillars of sustainable development.

The IBCA builds on India’s experience with Project Tiger and other programmes to support big cat conservation worldwide. It aims to share best practices, strengthen anti-poaching efforts, improve habitat connectivity and mobilise funding among participating countries. Big cats are apex predators whose survival indicates healthy ecosystems, and many of them live in transboundary landscapes. International cooperation is therefore crucial to protect them and the livelihoods that depend on nature-based tourism.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because hunting tourism would undermine conservation and contradict the alliance’s stated goals.

Option B:
This option correctly reflects the alliance’s focus on cooperative conservation of big cat species across their global range.

Option C:
Shifting all funding to urban infrastructure would starve conservation of resources and is not the purpose of IBCA.

Option D:
Confining all big cats to zoos ignores the importance of wild ecosystems and is not part of the alliance’s agenda, which stresses in-situ conservation.