UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Intent and outcome

Q1. With reference to India's climate policy, the term 'Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)', which received a five-year financial envelope in the Union Budget 2026-27, refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A set of technologies that capture CO₂ from industrial point sources and either use it as feedstock or permanently store it in geological formations
  • B. A market-based mechanism that allows industries to trade carbon credits across designated emission-intensive sectors
  • C. A satellite-based monitoring framework that measures cross-border carbon emissions for the purpose of the EU's CBAM
  • D. A financial taxonomy that classifies green bonds and sustainability-linked loans issued by Indian banks

Q2. Among the following climate-related schemes/initiatives associated with the Union Budget 2026-27 ecosystem, which one has the LARGEST total financial outlay envelope?

  • A. Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) framework
  • B. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
  • C. National Green Hydrogen Mission
  • D. PM-KUSUM (decentralised solar pumps)

Q3. With reference to India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It enhances the emissions-intensity reduction target to 47% by 2035, deepening the 45% by 2030 commitment of the 2022 updated NDC. 2. It advances India's net-zero target year from 2070 to 2050. 3. India's original 2015 NDC commitments of 33-35% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP and 40% non-fossil-based electric power capacity were both met ahead of their 2030 timelines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It enhances the emissions-intensity reduction target to 47% by 2035, deepening the 45% by 2030 commitment of the 2022 updated NDC.
  2. It advances India's net-zero target year from 2070 to 2050.
  3. India's original 2015 NDC commitments of 33-35% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP and 40% non-fossil-based electric power capacity were both met ahead of their 2030 timelines.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031-2035, communicated to the UNFCCC in 2026, was formally approved by which one of the following authorities?

  • A. The Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister
  • B. The Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change
  • C. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change by gazette notification
  • D. A joint resolution of both Houses of Parliament