UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

In a cap and trade system, the government sets an overall “cap” on allowable emissions and allocates or auctions permits that add up to this cap. Firms that can reduce emissions cheaply may sell surplus permits to others,creating a market price for pollution. The stem describes this type of system with a limit and tradable permits,so the missing word is cap. Hence Option C is correct.

Option A:
Tax and trade is not a standard phrase. Pollution taxes operate differently by charging a fee per unit of emissions rather than fixing a quantity cap and allowing trading within that cap.

Option B:
An offset typically refers to a project or activity that compensates for emissions made elsewhere,for example through tree planting. While offsets can sometimes be linked to trading schemes,they are not the defining word in the cap and trade expression.

Option C:
Cap emphasises that the total quantity of emissions is limited to a specified level,ensuring an environmental outcome. Trading then allows flexibility in how reductions are distributed. This two part mechanism is exactly what the question refers to.

Option D:
Ratio and trade is not a recognised policy term in environmental economics. It would not convey the core idea of a fixed overall limit on emissions,so it is not an appropriate answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct and summarise the origins and multi-level focus of Agenda 21. It arose from UNCED 1992, sets out a broad action plan and encourages local governments to prepare their own sustainability strategies. Statement D is incorrect because Agenda 21 explicitly integrates environmental, social and economic dimensions of development. Therefore, the combination that includes A, B and C while excluding D is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it leaves out C, even though C correctly explains the idea of Local Agenda 21 initiatives that extend the agenda to the municipal and community level. Without C, the answer underplays the decentralised aspect of Agenda 21.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it includes only B and C and omits A, which gives the crucial context of UNCED 1992 as the source of Agenda 21. Ignoring this historical element results in an incomplete combination.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it groups together all three accurate statements about Agenda 21 and rejects the narrow interpretation in D. It reflects the global-to-local and multi-dimensional nature of the action plan as presented in UGC NET materials.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it claims all four statements are correct, thereby accepting D as true. This would wrongly reduce Agenda 21 to purely environmental concerns, ignoring its explicit social and economic pillars.

Many plastic carry bags are made of polymers that do not break down easily in natural environments. They can persist for decades,posing hazards to wildlife and clogging drainage systems. The stem points to this persistent pollution problem,so non biodegradable waste is the correct classification. Option B is therefore appropriate.

Option A:
Recyclable paper decomposes relatively quickly and can be reprocessed; it does not match persistent plastic litter.

Option B:
Non biodegradable wastes resist decomposition and accumulate in landfills and ecosystems; plastic carry bags are a classic example.

Option C:
Organic waste is biodegradable material like food scraps; plastics are not organic waste in this sense.

Option D:
Easily decomposable materials break down quickly; plastics show the opposite behavior.

Watershed management treats a drainage basin as a single ecological and hydrological unit. It aims to conserve soil and water, improve vegetative cover and enhance livelihoods through coordinated actions in that area. The approach considers upstream and downstream linkages so that interventions are environmentally sound and socially beneficial. Therefore, an integrated view of land and water resources within a watershed, as expressed in option C, correctly defines watershed management.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because focusing only on groundwater overlooks the interactions between rainfall, surface runoff, soil erosion and vegetation. Sustainable management requires attention to both surface and subsurface components of the hydrological cycle.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since watershed programmes usually emphasise smaller structures like contour bunds, check dams and farm ponds rather than only large dams. The goal is to manage land and water at local scales, not just to build big projects on major rivers.

Option C:
Option C is correct as it integrates conservation and development goals. It recognises that soil conservation, water harvesting and vegetation restoration together can support agriculture, reduce drought vulnerability and improve rural incomes.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because marine fisheries belong to coastal and ocean ecosystems, which are outside the usual scope of inland watershed projects. Different management frameworks are used for marine resources.

Statement D is the only wrong statement because higher urban temperatures clearly affect public health through heat stress and increase energy demand for cooling. Statements A, B and C correctly describe what the urban heat island is and outline mitigation and adaptation measures such as greening and heat action plans. Heat-related morbidity and mortality have been documented for vulnerable city populations. Therefore, identifying D alone as wrong is the correct choice.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it isolates D as the single incorrect statement while treating A, B and C as valid. It recognises that urban heat has serious health and energy implications and that planning must address these. This option matches the requirement to select the wrong statement or statements.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it treats both A and D as wrong. Statement A correctly defines the urban heat island phenomenon and is widely used in urban climate studies. Including A among wrong statements shows a misunderstanding of the basic concept.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B and D as wrong. While D is wrong, B is correct since green infrastructure is a recognised strategy for cooling cities. Misclassifying B undermines accepted adaptation measures.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it treats C and D as wrong together. C accurately identifies heat action plans, early warning and cooling centres as important adaptation measures. Including C among wrong statements makes this option unacceptable.

The MPI identifies deprivations in three broad areas: health,education and living standards. Living standards include indicators like electricity,sanitation,housing,cooking fuel and assets. The stem asks for the third dimension alongside health and education,which is precisely living standards. Therefore Option B is the correct answer.

Option A:
Environmental risk affects poverty but it is not one of the three core MPI dimensions.

Option B:
Living standards is the third MPI dimension alongside health and education and matches the stem exactly.

Option C:
Political voice is important but not a standard MPI dimension in the core structure.

Option D:
Technology access can matter but is not used as the main third MPI dimension in the standard framework.

Statements A, B, C and E are correct because they describe passive design, efficient equipment, regulatory standards and equity aspects of energy efficiency. Good orientation and design reduce loads, efficient appliances cut demand, codes guide performance and making efficient options affordable helps more households. D is wrong because retrofits can significantly improve performance, and F is wrong since audits are a key tool for environmental management. Thus, A, B, C and E only is the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect as it omits E, ignoring how access and affordability influence who benefits from efficiency improvements. Without E, the social dimension of energy efficiency is missing from the answer.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since it excludes A and includes only B, C and E. While those three are true, leaving out A downplays the importance of building form and orientation, which are fundamental to reducing energy needs.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it includes the full set of true statements and excludes D and F, which misrepresent retrofitting and auditing. It aligns with the integrated technical and social perspective expected in this unit.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it incorporates F, wrongly claiming that audits are unrelated to environmental management, and omits B. Without B, it ignores the crucial role of efficient appliances and lighting in building energy performance.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas released from the digestive systems of ruminant animals and from anaerobic decomposition in flooded rice fields. Agriculture is a major source of this gas globally. The stem specifically mentions livestock fermentation and flooded paddy fields,which are classic methane sources. Therefore “methane” is the correct answer.

Option A:
Carbon dioxide is the dominant greenhouse gas from fossil fuel combustion,but it is not the main gas from enteric fermentation or flooded paddies.

Option B:
Nitrous oxide is emitted mainly from fertilised soils and manure management; it is important but not the key gas from the two sources named in the stem.

Option C:
Ozone is a secondary pollutant formed in the atmosphere; it is not directly emitted from livestock digestion or flooded rice fields as described.

Option D:
Methane is directly produced in anaerobic conditions and ruminant digestion,which matches the exact sources stated in the question.

Natural growth (or natural increase) of population is defined as the difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death rate in a given year, usually expressed per thousand population. This measure shows how much the population is changing due to births and deaths alone, without considering migration.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because the crude birth rate by itself does not account for deaths; high birth and high death rates together can still result in low natural growth.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as the crude death rate alone captures mortality but ignores the contribution of births to overall population change.

Option C:
Option C is correct since natural increase is calculated as crude birth rate minus crude death rate, directly indicating population growth or decline from vital events.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because dividing total fertility rate by life expectancy is not a standard demographic measure of growth and does not directly give natural increase.

Studies and official warnings show that heatwaves in India are becoming more frequent, intense and prolonged. Climate change raises baseline temperatures, while urban heat islands amplify local extremes. These conditions increase risks of dehydration, heat stroke and mortality, particularly among outdoor workers, the elderly and the urban poor. Consequently, heat action plans, early warning systems and urban design measures are now central components of adaptation strategies.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because heatwaves have well-documented impacts on human health, including increased mortality and hospital admissions. Ignoring human impacts overlooks key concerns for public policy.

Option B:
This option misrepresents current scientific understanding; while natural variability plays a role, climate change has made many recent heat extremes more likely and more intense.

Option C:
This option correctly summarises how climate change and urbanisation interact to amplify heat risks and why adaptation measures are essential. It links physical hazards with social vulnerability and development planning.

Option D:
This option is wrong because extreme heat often increases electricity demand for cooling, which can stress power systems and raise emissions if supplied by fossil fuels. There are clear risks, not automatic mitigation benefits.

Statements A, C, D and F are correct because models use scenarios to simulate future climates, uncertainty has multiple sources, scenario outputs can still guide risk management, and ensembles provide ranges instead of a single number. Statement B is false since different models often produce different regional projections due to structural differences. Statement E is also false because uncertainty is a reason to manage risk more carefully, not to ignore climate impacts in decisions. Hence, the combination containing A, C, D and F only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect as it omits F and thus ignores the role of ensemble projections in dealing with uncertainty. Without F, the approach to characterising ranges of outcomes is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it lists all the true statements and excludes B and E, which mistakenly assume identical outputs or deny the usefulness of projections for decision-making.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it includes E, which suggests that uncertain information cannot be used in decisions, contradicting risk management principles. It also omits A, so it fails to mention what climate models actually do.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes B, which wrongly claims all models give identical rainfall projections, even though structural differences lead to varying regional outcomes.

Statements A, B and D together provide a correct overview of key statutory academic bodies. The Academic Council does frame academic policies, Executive Council or Syndicate takes major executive decisions, and Boards of Studies design and recommend courses and syllabi to the Academic Council. A Student Union is not the highest statutory authority, and statutory bodies must keep minutes and follow formal procedures. Thus C, E and F are incorrect because they misrepresent the formal and documented nature of university governance.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes the three true statements describing the roles of Academic Council, Executive Council or Syndicate and Boards of Studies and excludes C, E and F, which wrongly elevate student unions or deny formal procedures.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it excludes D and therefore ignores the important role of Boards of Studies in initiating and revising syllabi before Academic Council approval.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it omits A and includes only B and D, so it fails to mention explicitly that the Academic Council is the highest academic body, a central fact for understanding governance.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it lists only A and D and leaves out B, thus not acknowledging the executive role of the Executive Council or Syndicate in university decision-making.

Statements A, B and D are correct and together emphasise the importance of diversity in agricultural systems. Agro-biodiversity spans genes, species and ecosystems related to agriculture, conserving traditional varieties can improve resilience and farmers’ on-farm practices help maintain this diversity. Statement C is incorrect because long-term sustainability often suffers under extensive monoculture, which can increase vulnerability and degrade ecosystems. Therefore, the combination A, B and D only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits D, which rightly highlights the role of farmers in maintaining agro-biodiversity through their management and selection practices. Excluding this statement gives an incomplete view of conservation strategies.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it includes only B and D and leaves out A, which defines agro-biodiversity and is essential for understanding the concept. Without A, the answer loses clarity about the scope of agro-biodiversity.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it gathers all the true statements A, B and D and excludes the misleading assertion in C about monoculture always aiding sustainability. It aligns with agro-ecological thinking that values diversity for long-term resilience and productivity.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since it treats all four statements as correct, thereby endorsing C. This would imply that monoculture invariably improves sustainability, which contradicts evidence from many farming systems.

Statements A, B and D are correct because EMS frameworks like ISO 14001 are designed to improve performance through planning, implementation, auditing and continual improvement. Environmental audits check whether policies and procedures are effective in practice. Statement C is incorrect because EMS standards explicitly require a commitment to comply with applicable legal and other requirements. Thus, the combination A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete as it includes only A and B and omits D. Without recognising the principle of continual improvement, the description of EMS is not fully aligned with standard practice.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it adds C, which wrongly suggests that EMS does not involve legal compliance commitments. Including C contradicts the basic requirements of ISO 14001 and similar standards.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it groups B, C and D and treats C as correct. Although B and D are valid, the acceptance of C makes the overall combination inconsistent with EMS principles.

Option D:
Option D is correct since it brings together the three accurate statements and excludes C, which misinterprets the compliance aspect. It reflects the cyclical, performance-improvement nature of EMS and the role of audits.

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct because they summarise key milestones in environmental diplomacy and note that review conferences revisit and strengthen commitments. Statement E is false, since global summits influence domestic policies, legislation and institutions through norms and obligations. Therefore, the combination including A, B, C, D and F while excluding E is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect as it omits F and thus fails to recognise the importance of periodic review and enhancement of commitments, which is central to many multilateral environmental agreements.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes E, which wrongly asserts that summits do not shape national policy, despite clear evidence of domestic reforms following major conferences.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it leaves out A and therefore ignores the historical role of the Stockholm Conference in putting environment on the global agenda.

Option D:
Option D is correct as it presents a coherent historical and institutional picture of how summits and agreements operate and evolve, while rejecting the idea that they have no policy influence.