UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Hidden climate cost of everyday life in India

Q1. In India's revamped Consumer Price Index (base year 2024), which one of the following broad groups commands the single largest weight?

  • A. Food and beverages
  • B. Housing
  • C. Miscellaneous (including health, transport, education)
  • D. Fuel and light

Q2. With reference to India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035 communicated to the UNFCCC, consider the following targets: 1. Reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by 47% by 2035 from the 2005 level. 2. Achieving about 60% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035. 3. Creating an additional carbon sink of 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2035. 4. Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by 47% by 2035 from the 2005 level.
  2. Achieving about 60% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035.
  3. Creating an additional carbon sink of 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2035.
  4. Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q3. Which Union ministry is the nodal ministry responsible for preparing and communicating India's Nationally Determined Contribution to the UNFCCC?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Power
  • D. Ministry of External Affairs

Q4. The studies and working groups that shaped India's NDC (2031-2035) targets were constituted under which one of the following institutions?

  • A. NITI Aayog
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change
  • D. Central Pollution Control Board

Q5. In the context of India's climate commitments, the term 'emissions intensity of GDP' precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The volume of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of Gross Domestic Product
  • B. The absolute total greenhouse gas emissions of the country in a given year
  • C. The per-capita greenhouse gas emissions of the population
  • D. The share of non-fossil sources in total installed power capacity