UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Just transition aims to make the move away from fossil fuels fair by providing alternative jobs,social protection and retraining for affected workers and regions. The endpoint of this shift is a low carbon or carbon neutral economy. The stem refers to communities dependent on fossil fuels not being left behind in the shift to a different type of economy,which is clearly a low carbon economy. Hence Option C is correct.

Option A:
Carbon intensive economy describes the current pattern that relies heavily on fossil fuels and is precisely what the transition seeks to move away from. Therefore Option A cannot fit the blank.

Option B:
Conflict ridden economy refers to social conditions rather than emissions intensity. While unmanaged transitions can create conflict,the core idea of just transition is about moving toward low carbon systems fairly.

Option C:
Low carbon economies minimise greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy,efficiency and sustainable practices. Ensuring that this transformation is socially just is the heart of the just transition concept described in the stem.

Option D:
Speculative economy suggests dependence on unstable financial speculation and is not central to climate policy debates. It does not accurately complete the phrase in the question.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission seeks to use renewable energy to produce hydrogen with very low lifecycle emissions. By scaling this technology, India aims to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, fertilisers and shipping while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Policy documents explicitly describe the goal of making India a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage and export, backed by significant budget allocations and standards for what counts as “green”. This mission is linked to the net-zero 2070 target and to industrial competitiveness in emerging clean-energy markets. (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)

Option A:
Phasing out renewable sources is the opposite of what the mission aims for; green hydrogen relies on abundant renewable electricity like solar and wind. This option misrepresents both the technology and the policy direction.

Option B:
Promoting hydrogen produced from coal without emission controls would perpetuate high greenhouse gas and local pollutant emissions. The mission instead emphasises “green” hydrogen produced from renewable energy, with defined emission thresholds.

Option C:
Focusing on natural gas exports does not describe this mission, which targets hydrogen and its derivatives (like green ammonia). While energy trade is relevant, natural gas is a fossil fuel and not the centre of this initiative.

Option D:
This option accurately summarises the mission’s stated objective to position India as a global green hydrogen hub. It links domestic decarbonisation with export opportunities and energy security, reflecting multiple official articulations of the mission’s purpose.

The CDM was designed to help industrialised countries meet part of their binding emission-reduction commitments by supporting projects in developing countries that reduce emissions relative to a baseline. Verified reductions generate Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) that can be used towards the investor’s targets. This mechanism also aims to support sustainable development in host countries, making this option accurate.

Option A:
Option A is correct as it captures both the investment in developing countries and the earning of tradable emission reduction units. It reflects the dual goals of cost-effective mitigation and development benefits.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because CDM projects are not unconditional grants; they are specific, verified mitigation activities. Funding is tied to emission reduction outcomes.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect; CDM was designed to supplement, not replace, domestic action in developed countries. Parties were still expected to reduce emissions at home.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since CDM favours low-carbon or renewable projects, not fossil-fuel expansion. Fossil-based projects would contradict its mitigation purpose.

Sustainable development explicitly integrates economic efficiency,social equity and environmental protection as coequal goals. It emphasises that growth must not undermine environmental systems or marginalised groups. The three pillar idea is central to this concept in international policy debates. Therefore the description in the question directly corresponds to sustainable development.

Option A:
Sustainable development calls for development strategies that balance present needs with long term environmental limits. It focuses on integrating economic, social and ecological objectives in a coherent framework. Because the stem highlights exactly this triple focus, this option correctly captures the intended concept.

Option B:
Economic liberalisation primarily refers to reducing state control over markets through deregulation and opening to trade and investment. It may increase growth but does not inherently ensure social equity or environmental protection. Hence it is narrower and cannot represent the three pillar model in the question.

Option C:
Structural adjustment describes policy packages involving privatisation, subsidy reduction and fiscal austerity, usually aimed at macroeconomic stabilisation. These measures often ignore environmental and distributional concerns and therefore do not match the triple pillar perspective in the stem.

Option D:
The Green revolution focused on boosting agricultural yields using high yielding varieties, chemical inputs and irrigation. While it improved food production, it also generated ecological and social challenges. It is a specific historical episode rather than a general development paradigm integrating three pillars.

The planetary boundaries concept proposes quantitative limits for processes such as climate change,biodiversity loss and nitrogen cycles beyond which the Earth system may shift into less hospitable states. Staying within these boundaries is considered essential for sustainable development. Since the stem refers to safe operating limits for key Earth system processes,the correct term is planetary boundaries. It emphasises the global scale of these thresholds.

Option A:
Planetary boundaries integrate scientific understanding of Earth system dynamics with normative goals of avoiding catastrophic change. They provide a framework for discussing global environmental governance. This scope matches the description in the question.

Option B:
Continental boundaries would refer to limits at the scale of individual continents,rather than the entire planet. The concept in the literature is explicitly planetary,so continental is not accurate.

Option C:
Local boundaries might apply to smaller ecosystems or regions,but the framework asked about in the stem is global in nature. Therefore local cannot fill the blank correctly.

Option D:
Hydrological boundaries relate specifically to water systems and watersheds. While freshwater use is one planetary boundary,the overall concept extends beyond hydrology,so this option is too narrow.

Acid rain forms when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water vapour and other chemicals in the atmosphere to produce sulphuric and nitric acids. These acids then fall to the ground with rain, snow or dust. Because the stem mentions burning fossil fuels and industrial processes,the combination of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides best explains the phenomenon.

Option A:
Carbon monoxide and ozone are important air pollutants, but they do not directly form strong acids responsible for acid rain. Carbon monoxide mainly affects human health, and tropospheric ozone is a component of photochemical smog. Therefore this pair does not match the primary chemical cause described.

Option B:
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released in large quantities from coal based power plants, industrial boilers and vehicles. Once in the atmosphere, they undergo oxidation and acid formation, leading to acid deposition. This clearly aligns with the explanation of acid rain in the question.

Option C:
Methane and ammonia can participate in atmospheric chemistry and contribute to other environmental issues such as eutrophication and greenhouse effects. However, they are not the principal precursors of acid rain in most contexts. Hence this option is not correct.

Option D:
Chlorofluorocarbons are associated mainly with ozone layer depletion, and helium is a chemically inert gas. Neither plays a significant role in generating acid rain, so this pair is inappropriate for the stem.

The Environmental Kuznets Curve proposes an inverted U-shaped relationship between some measures of environmental degradation and per capita income. At low income levels, pollution tends to rise with industrialisation and lack of regulation. After a threshold income, societies may demand cleaner environments and invest in efficient technologies, leading to declining pollution levels. Thus, the hypothesis suggests that degradation first increases and then decreases with rising income, which is captured in Option B.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it assumes a simple continuous decline in degradation with rising income, ignoring the initial phase of industrial growth where pollution usually increases.

Option B:
Option B is correct since it reflects the characteristic inverted U shape, with a turning point at some intermediate income level. It aligns with the original formulation of the EKC hypothesis used in environment and development debates.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it states that income and degradation are completely unrelated. Empirical studies show that economic activity strongly influences environmental pressure, even if the exact EKC pattern may not hold for all pollutants.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it implies that degradation always increases with income and never improves. This contradicts the EKC idea and ignores evidence of environmental improvements in some high-income countries.

After the ban took effect, central and state authorities coordinated a special enforcement campaign throughout July 2022. Officials inspected retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers to check for banned items and raised awareness among consumers and traders. Combining enforcement with communication helped translate legal rules into actual shifts in market behaviour.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because the government did not close all plastic units; many continue to operate legally with compliant products.

Option B:
This option correctly describes the targeted enforcement and outreach strategy used to operationalise the ban across the country.

Option C:
Existing plastic-waste rules were not abolished; the ban builds on that regulatory framework.

Option D:
The ban applies nationally, not just to coastal states; litter and mismanaged plastic occur in inland regions as well.

Stratospheric ozone is depleted when chlorine and bromine atoms, released from certain man-made chemicals, catalyse reactions that destroy ozone molecules. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons and some related halogenated compounds are particularly important sources of these atoms. They are stable in the lower atmosphere but break down under strong UV radiation in the stratosphere, releasing ozone-destroying radicals. Consequently, these substances are recognised as the main cause of the ozone hole, making option C correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are more closely associated with acid rain and tropospheric pollution. They do not play the dominant role in stratospheric ozone depletion.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since carbon dioxide and methane are key greenhouse gases driving climate change, but they do not directly cause the ozone hole. Climate change and ozone depletion are related but distinct problems.

Option C:
Option C is correct as CFCs and similar compounds were widely used in refrigeration, aerosols and foam blowing. Their regulation under the Montreal Protocol has led to gradual recovery of the ozone layer.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because oxygen and nitrogen are natural components of the atmosphere and are essential in forming and maintaining the ozone layer. They are not pollutants responsible for its depletion.

Sustainable urban transport requires moving more people with fewer vehicles, lower emissions and less congestion. High-quality buses, metro systems and facilities for walking and cycling reduce dependence on private cars. They also improve access for low-income groups and cut energy use. Such strategies directly contribute to cleaner air and better quality of life.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because prioritising private cars typically increases congestion, pollution and land use for parking.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it reflects key components of sustainable mobility: mass transit and non-motorised modes.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since removing emission standards would seriously worsen air quality and public health.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because unchecked diesel vehicles tend to raise particulate pollution and noise.

Mitigation in the climate context deals with addressing the causes of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or enhancing sinks. Actions like using renewable energy,improving efficiency and protecting forests fall under mitigation. These measures aim to limit the magnitude of future warming. Thus the description in the question clearly points to mitigation.

Option A:
Adaptation refers to adjusting natural or human systems to actual or expected climate impacts. It focuses on coping with the consequences rather than directly reducing emissions. Therefore it does not fit the emission reduction examples mentioned in the stem.

Option B:
Mitigation tackles the sources of climate change by altering energy systems,land use and industrial processes. It complements adaptation but is conceptually distinct. Since the question highlights emission reduction efforts,mitigation is the correct term.

Option C:
Compensation would involve payments for damage or loss due to climate change. While it is sometimes discussed in climate negotiations,it is not the term for emission reduction strategies. Hence it is not the best answer here.

Option D:
Transformation may describe broad socio economic changes towards sustainability. However it is not a specific technical term used for emission reduction efforts under climate policy. Thus it does not accurately capture the meaning intended in the question.

Disaster resilience captures the capacity of communities and systems to withstand shocks,make adjustments and recover quickly after hazard events. The stem lists key components such as resisting,absorbing,adapting and recovering,which are central to resilience definitions. Therefore resilience is the correct term.

Option A:
Vulnerability refers to the propensity to suffer harm when exposed to a hazard. High vulnerability indicates weak capacity to cope,which is the opposite of resilience. Hence it is not suitable for the blank.

Option B:
Resilience emphasises learning and adaptation so that systems can emerge from disasters stronger or at least restored. It is a core concept in modern disaster risk reduction frameworks and matches the description given in the question.

Option C:
Hazard denotes the potentially damaging physical event itself and does not address the capacity of systems to respond. Thus it does not fit the stem.

Option D:
Exposure refers to people,property or systems located in hazard prone areas. It is a component of risk but not the property of recovery and adaptation described. Therefore it is not the correct option.

Statements A, B, D, E and F are correct: workers face exposures like dust/chemicals/noise; PPE reduces exposure; health surveillance aids early detection; informal workers often face higher risks; and training improves safety. Statement C is false because exposure limits and standards are central to prevention of occupational disease. Hence, the correct combination is A, B, D, E and F only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all true statements and excludes C, which wrongly dismisses exposure limits and safety standards.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it omits E and F, missing informal-sector vulnerability and the role of training.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it omits A, underrepresenting typical occupational exposures in key sectors.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it omits B, ignoring PPE as a major exposure-control measure.

Statements A, B, D and F are correct because curriculum integration, campus initiatives, university-based research and online platforms all play recognised roles in strengthening environmental education at higher levels. Statement C is wrong, since excluding practical work undermines skill and attitude development, and E is wrong because partnerships with communities and local governments often make learning more applied and impactful. The only option that includes all and only the true statements is A, B, D and F.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits D and F, ignoring the contributions of university research and digital platforms to environmental education. While integration and campus initiatives are important, they do not fully represent higher education’s potential without these additional avenues.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it recognises multiple pillars of environmental learning in higher education and excludes the statements that either marginalise practice or dismiss partnerships. It reflects the holistic approach recommended for universities seeking to promote sustainability.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it accepts C, which restricts environmental education to theory, even though practical projects and fieldwork are core components of effective teaching in this domain. Including C therefore makes the combination inconsistent with pedagogical best practices.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes E, which wrongly claims partnerships are irrelevant, and omits A, which describes curricular integration. This combination underplays both the academic and outreach dimensions of environmental education.

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct, covering disease patterns, heat stress, food security, mental health and the role of health systems in adaptation. Statement E is false because climate change can affect occupational health through heat stress, extreme weather and air quality, thereby influencing productivity. The combination that includes A, B, C, D and F while excluding E is therefore correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits F, ignoring the crucial role of resilient health systems and surveillance in managing climate-sensitive diseases and impacts.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it presents a broad and accurate view of health dimensions of climate change and highlights system-level adaptation measures while rejecting the idea that occupational health is unaffected.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it includes E, which denies occupational impacts, even though heat and outdoor work conditions are well-known channels of risk.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it leaves out B and thus fails to mention the very prominent health risk from increasing heatwaves, which is central in climate–health discussions.