UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The Cali fund is designed as a mechanism for sharing benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. Companies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics will contribute a small share of revenue or profits, which will then support conservation activities. A notable feature is the commitment that a substantial portion of the resources go directly to Indigenous peoples and local communities who steward biodiversity. This links economic gains from genetic information to justice and conservation goals under the Kunming–Montreal Framework. (Reuters)

Option A:
This option is incorrect because the fund is not meant to subsidise fossil fuel exploration; in fact, biodiversity summits focus on reducing harmful activities and supporting conservation. Subsidising extraction in biodiversity-rich regions would contradict the aims of the convention.

Option B:
The fund does not exist to compensate companies for conservation-related “losses”; rather, companies are contributors, not primary recipients. Framing them as beneficiaries in this way inverts the benefit-sharing principle embedded in the agreement.

Option C:
This option correctly captures that the fund is financed by users of genetic sequence information and is intended to support biodiversity conservation and communities. It highlights both the source (company contributions) and the beneficiaries (including Indigenous peoples), matching reported agreements from COP16.

Option D:
Financing relocation of all Indigenous communities away from protected areas would run counter to the recognition of Indigenous rights and their role as conservation partners. COP16 decisions instead emphasised involvement and support for these communities, not their removal.

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct because they describe regeneration, formation over long time scales, risks of overuse, the role of efficiency and examples of renewables. Statement E is false as understanding resource types is vital for planning sustainable extraction, use and substitution strategies. Hence, the option that includes all the true statements and excludes E is correct.

Option A:
Option A is correct since it captures both conceptual definitions and policy-relevant implications for managing renewable and non-renewable resources, while rejecting the claim that classification is irrelevant.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it omits F and therefore fails to give concrete examples of renewable energy, which are important for learners to connect concepts with real technologies.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it includes E, which denies the value of classification for sustainable planning, despite its clear importance in policy and management.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it leaves out B, thus not explicitly recognising fossil fuels as non-renewable resources formed over geological periods.

Statements A, B, C and E are correct as they capture the standard definitions and examples of mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation is about reducing emissions, adaptation is about adjustment to impacts, climate-resilient infrastructure is a form of adaptation, and efficiency plus renewables are key mitigation measures. Statement D is wrong because mitigation and adaptation are complementary approaches that can be pursued together, and F is wrong because early warning systems are adaptation rather than mitigation tools. Therefore, the combination A, B, C and E only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits statement E, which correctly identifies major mitigation strategies of efficiency and renewable energy. Without E, the answer underplays a central pillar of climate mitigation policy.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it includes D, which falsely claims that mitigation and adaptation are mutually exclusive. Accepting D would deny integrated approaches widely promoted in climate policy and practice.

Option C:
Option C is correct since it groups all the true statements and excludes both D and F, which misclassify relationships and examples. It provides a balanced understanding of how mitigation and adaptation are defined and implemented.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it accepts F as part of a correct combination while excluding A. Early warning systems are primarily an adaptation measure, and leaving out A removes the basic definition of mitigation from the answer set.

The natural greenhouse effect arises from gases like water vapour and carbon dioxide that trap some outgoing longwave radiation. Without this natural insulation, the Earth's average surface temperature would be far below freezing. By keeping the planet warm enough for liquid water, the greenhouse effect makes life possible. Therefore, Option A, which states that it keeps temperature at a level suitable for life, is correct.

Option A:
Option A correctly summarises the beneficial role of the natural greenhouse effect. It highlights that, without this natural warming, Earth would be too cold to support the forms of life we know.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because the greenhouse effect warms the Earth instead of freezing it. Removing greenhouse gases, not having them, would push the planet towards a much colder state.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since the greenhouse effect does not block incoming solar radiation. Sunlight still reaches the surface; greenhouse gases mainly reduce the loss of outgoing infrared (heat) radiation.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because greenhouse gases and the associated effect have existed since long before human industrial activity. Humans have only enhanced this natural effect in the last two centuries.

Climate justice highlights the ethical dimensions of climate change,stressing that historical emitters bear greater responsibility for mitigation and support to vulnerable populations. It links human rights,development and climate policy. The stem clearly refers to fair sharing of burdens and attention to those least responsible yet most affected,which defines climate justice. Thus Option B is the correct choice.

Option A:
Procedural justice focuses on fairness in decision making (participation,transparency) and is narrower than the climate-specific equity framing described.

Option B:
“Climate” completes the established term “climate justice,”which addresses fairness in responsibilities and impacts of climate change actions,matching the stem.

Option C:
Restorative justice concerns repairing harm and can be relevant,but it is not the standard label for the climate fairness framework described.

Option D:
Distributive justice is a general fairness concept; “climate justice” is the specific term used for this climate-focused context.

Statements A, C, D and E are correct because source segregation improves material quality, household sorting reduces contamination, informal workers enhance recovery, and awareness plus system design keep segregation going. Statement B is false since mixing waste reduces the quality of recyclables and makes processing harder. Statement F is false because proper segregation helps waste-to-energy plants by removing wet or inert materials that lower calorific value. Therefore, the combination A, C, D and E only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect as it omits D and E, thereby ignoring the significant roles of informal workers and supportive systems in making segregation effective and sustainable.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it leaves out E and still fails to mention the importance of public awareness. It also does not include all relevant correct statements about actors and systems involved.

Option C:
Option C is correct since it recognises technical, behavioural and institutional aspects of segregation while rejecting claims that mixing improves efficiency or that segregation is irrelevant for waste-to-energy facilities.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it includes F, which wrongly dismisses the relevance of segregation for energy recovery, and it omits A, which is the core statement about what segregation does.

The auditory system,which includes the ear and related neural pathways,is directly affected by continuous exposure to high noise levels. Such exposure can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss,tinnitus and other auditory disorders. The stem explicitly mentions damage from environmental noise,so the auditory system is the correct answer. Therefore Option C is appropriate.

Option A:
Digestive problems can sometimes be indirectly influenced by stress but are not the primary health outcome of noise exposure. The main clinical concern with noise pollution is hearing impairment rather than digestive system disorders,so Option A is not accurate here.

Option B:
The skeletal system involves bones and joints and is generally not affected by noise levels in the environment. Noise does not directly weaken or damage bones,so this option does not match the primary impact described in the question.

Option C:
The auditory system is highly sensitive to sound pressure levels and duration of exposure. Occupational and urban noise regulations are designed specifically to protect this system from long term damage. This explanation fits the content of the stem.

Option D:
The reproductive system is not directly harmed by typical environmental noise levels,although extreme stress can influence many body systems. However,this is not the main issue addressed in noise pollution studies,so Option D is not the best choice.

The GBF recognises that conserving and restoring biodiversity at scale requires both new funding and reformed economic incentives. It therefore calls for mobilising at least US$200 billion annually from public and private sources for biodiversity-related activities. Simultaneously, it urges countries to identify and reform subsidies harmful to biodiversity by at least US$500 billion per year, freeing resources for positive incentives. (Convention on Biological Diversity)

Option A:
This option correctly combines the two headline numbers on finance mobilisation and harmful subsidy reduction that appear in GBF targets.

Option B:
This option is incorrect because the framework emphasises greater support to developing countries, not withdrawal of funding.

Option C:
Increasing harmful subsidies would contradict the GBF’s explicit goal of reducing such incentives.

Option D:
The framework covers all ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands and oceans; it is not limited to forests.

Statements A, B, C and E are correct because they describe the multi-dimensional nature of food security, the influence of climate change, the role of sustainable practices and the contribution of diversification to resilience. D is false since food loss and waste directly affect availability and access, and F is false because agricultural policies must consider environmental sustainability to avoid long-term degradation. Therefore, the correct combination is A, B, C and E only.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete, because it omits E and thus underplays the importance of diversification and resilience strategies for farming households. It focuses only on definitions and broad drivers.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it includes D, claiming post-harvest losses are irrelevant. This contradicts evidence that reducing losses and waste is a major lever for improving food security without expanding production.

Option C:
Option C is correct since it collects all four true statements while excluding D and F, which ignore key aspects of food systems and sustainability. It provides a comprehensive view of food security in a changing environment.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it accepts F and omits A, thereby denying the need for environmentally sensitive agricultural policies and neglecting the standard four-pillar definition of food security.

Photochemical smog arises from photochemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds under strong sunlight. It produces secondary pollutants such as ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate,leading to eye irritation and respiratory problems. The stem clearly refers to this sunlight driven reaction in urban environments. Hence photochemical smog is the correct term.

Option A:
Classical smog,also called London smog,is associated with high levels of sulphur dioxide,smoke and fog in cool,humid conditions. It is different in composition and meteorological setting from the sunlight dependent smog described in the question.

Option B:
Industrial smog is a broader term for pollution arising from industrial emissions,especially in older coal burning cities. While it may contain particulates and sulphur compounds,it is not defined by photochemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

Option C:
Photochemical smog typically occurs in sunny, warm climates with heavy vehicle traffic. It is characterised by brownish haze and high ozone levels near the ground. These features correspond to the conditions outlined in the stem,so this option is accurate.

Option D:
Dust haze results primarily from suspended dust particles in the air,which reduce visibility. It is not a secondary pollutant arising from complex photochemical reactions. Therefore it does not match the description in the question.

Ecosystem services is the standard term used to describe the diverse benefits humans derive from nature,including provisioning,regulating,cultural and supporting services. The stem lists specific examples like climate regulation and water purification,which fall into these categories. Therefore services is the correct word to complete the phrase ecosystem services. Option D is correct.

Option A:
Stocks refer to quantities of natural capital/resources; they do not directly mean the benefits and functions listed in the stem.

Option B:
Goods usually mean tangible products (timber,fish) and do not fully cover regulating functions like climate regulation and pollination.

Option C:
Flows describe movements of energy/materials; “ecosystem flows” is not the standard umbrella term for human benefits.

Option D:
Services is the accepted term for ecosystem-provided benefits like regulation, purification and pollination,matching the stem.

The Paris Agreement specifies the long term goal of holding the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees. The stem explicitly uses the phrase “well below” and then mentions pursuing efforts for 1.5 degrees,which confirms that the blank should be 2. Therefore Option C is the correct choice.

Option A:
A target of 1 degree is not the stated “well below” threshold in the Paris Agreement and does not appear as the main temperature limit in its text.

Option B:
1.5 degrees is included in the Paris Agreement as an aspirational effort goal (“pursuing efforts to limit to 1.5”),but it is not the number that follows “well below” in the main clause.

Option C:
The 2 degree figure is the key reference point in the Paris Agreement: parties agreed to keep warming well below 2°C and pursue efforts toward 1.5°C. This matches the stem exactly.

Option D:
4 degrees is far above agreed limits and is associated with dangerous warming scenarios,not the Paris temperature goal.

The term social–ecological systems (SES) highlights that societies and ecosystems are tightly coupled and should be analysed together. It recognises feedbacks between human actions and ecological responses. The stem refers to interlinked systems of people and nature that co evolve,which is the central idea of SES. Therefore social is the correct word to complete the hyphenated term.

Option A:
Social–ecological thinking underpins resilience frameworks,which examine how such coupled systems absorb disturbances and reorganise. It rejects the notion of separate social and natural spheres. This integrated view matches the description in the question.

Option B:
Techno–ecological is not a widely used phrase,though technology certainly influences social–ecological systems. It would understate the role of social institutions and cultures emphasised in the established term.

Option C:
Market–ecological would suggest a focus mainly on economic exchanges and market mechanisms,which is only one aspect of human–environment interaction. The broader SES concept includes governance,knowledge and cultural values as well.

Option D:
Legal–ecological would limit attention to formal rules and regulations about ecosystems. While law is important,it does not capture the full range of social dimensions—such as norms and livelihoods—integrated in social–ecological systems.

The IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report emphasises that the remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C is very small and that present policies are insufficient. It clearly calls for rapid, deep and sustained emission cuts in the 2020s to limit warming and avoid escalating risks. The report also highlights that delayed action increases future costs, lock-in and irreversibility, especially harming vulnerable people and regions. This framing links climate mitigation with development, equity and risk reduction. (World Resources Institute)

Option A:
This option is incorrect because the report does not argue that action can be postponed until after 2050. On the contrary, it underscores that emission reductions must accelerate now to keep 1.5°C within reach and to limit overshoot. Treating post-2050 reductions as sufficient ignores the urgency highlighted by the IPCC.

Option B:
This option correctly captures the core message that deep emission cuts in this decade are necessary for limiting warming and protecting vulnerable communities. It recognises the link between early mitigation, avoided damages and development outcomes. The IPCC explicitly warns that the window to secure a liveable future is rapidly closing without such action.

Option C:
This option misrepresents the report, which acknowledges some irreversible changes but simultaneously stresses that every fraction of a degree of avoided warming reduces risks. Declaring mitigation “pointless” contradicts the evidence that stronger mitigation substantially limits impacts on people and ecosystems.

Option D:
The IPCC has repeatedly stated that human activities, especially greenhouse gas emissions, are the dominant cause of observed warming. Denying this causal link goes against the consensus summarised in the assessment. Therefore, this option is factually wrong.

Solar pumps allow farmers to access irrigation without relying solely on diesel or often-unreliable grid connections. This can lower operating costs, reduce local pollution and improve the predictability of water supply. When combined with appropriate groundwater management, such systems enhance both livelihoods and environmental outcomes. The record installation therefore illustrates how renewable technologies can simultaneously support rural development and climate goals.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because solar pumps are specifically designed to reduce diesel dependence. Replacing diesel sets with solar is a key objective of schemes like PM-KUSUM.

Option B:
This option correctly identifies the main developmental and environmental advantages of large-scale solar pump deployment. It recognises the potential for higher and more stable farm incomes alongside lower fossil fuel use and emissions.

Option C:
Transmission losses relate to grid-supplied power; decentralised solar pumps actually reduce the need for long rural feeders, potentially easing grid burdens. Therefore, this option misreads the impact of decentralised renewable systems.

Option D:
Groundwater conservation depends on overall water governance, cropping patterns and regulation. Solar pumps can be integrated into sustainable groundwater management; they do not automatically make conservation impossible, though safeguards are needed.