UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Raksha Mantri approves first large-scale solar power project on defence land at Sitapur, UP

Q1. Which of the following has been officially described as the first large-scale solar power project (with integrated Battery Energy Storage System) sanctioned by the Ministry of Defence on vacant defence land in India?

  • A. Barethi Solar Power Project, Madhya Pradesh
  • B. Sitapur (Ex-Cantonment) Solar + BESS Project, Uttar Pradesh
  • C. Pokhran Solar Park, Rajasthan
  • D. Leh Green Hydrogen Microgrid, Ladakh

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding NTPC Limited and its renewable energy arm: 1. NTPC Limited enjoys Maharatna status among Central Public Sector Enterprises. 2. NTPC Limited functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. 3. NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) is a subsidiary of NTPC Limited that handles its renewable energy business including Green Hydrogen and Energy Storage. 4. NTPC has a stated target of adding 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. NTPC Limited enjoys Maharatna status among Central Public Sector Enterprises.
  2. NTPC Limited functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  3. NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) is a subsidiary of NTPC Limited that handles its renewable energy business including Green Hydrogen and Energy Storage.
  4. NTPC has a stated target of adding 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q3. NTPC Limited, which has been entrusted with the execution of the 250 MW Solar plus Battery Energy Storage System project on vacant defence land at Sitapur, is a Central Public Sector Enterprise functioning under the administrative control of which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Defence
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Power
  • D. Ministry of Heavy Industries

Q4. With reference to the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in India, consider the following statements comparing its original 2023 design with its subsequent expansion: 1. The original 2023 VGF for BESS scheme provided budgetary support of up to 40% of the capital cost of eligible projects. 2. Under the original scheme, the approved capacity was subsequently doubled from 4,000 MWh to 8,000 MWh while keeping the budgetary allocation unchanged. 3. The second VGF scheme approved in 2025 supports an additional 30 GWh of standalone BESS capacity funded through the Power System Development Fund (PSDF). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The original 2023 VGF for BESS scheme provided budgetary support of up to 40% of the capital cost of eligible projects.
  2. Under the original scheme, the approved capacity was subsequently doubled from 4,000 MWh to 8,000 MWh while keeping the budgetary allocation unchanged.
  3. The second VGF scheme approved in 2025 supports an additional 30 GWh of standalone BESS capacity funded through the Power System Development Fund (PSDF).
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in India, consider the following statements: 1. A minimum of 85% of the BESS project capacity is to be first offered to Distribution Companies (Discoms) before being made available to others. 2. The scheme mandates that beneficiaries source 100% of battery cells from domestic manufacturers to be eligible for VGF. 3. VGF funds are disbursed in five tranches linked to financial closure and the Commercial Operation Date (COD) milestones. 4. The original 2023 scheme envisaged the development of 20,000 MWh of BESS projects by 2030-31. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. A minimum of 85% of the BESS project capacity is to be first offered to Distribution Companies (Discoms) before being made available to others.
  2. The scheme mandates that beneficiaries source 100% of battery cells from domestic manufacturers to be eligible for VGF.
  3. VGF funds are disbursed in five tranches linked to financial closure and the Commercial Operation Date (COD) milestones.
  4. The original 2023 scheme envisaged the development of 20,000 MWh of BESS projects by 2030-31.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the governance of Cantonment Boards in India under the Cantonments Act, 2006: 1. Cantonment Boards are bodies corporate with perpetual succession and fall under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. 2. The term of office of an elected member of a Cantonment Board is five years. 3. The President of a Cantonment Board is directly elected by the residents of the cantonment area. 4. The Chief Executive Officer of a Cantonment Board is drawn from the Indian Defence Estates Service. Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. Cantonment Boards are bodies corporate with perpetual succession and fall under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
  2. The term of office of an elected member of a Cantonment Board is five years.
  3. The President of a Cantonment Board is directly elected by the residents of the cantonment area.
  4. The Chief Executive Officer of a Cantonment Board is drawn from the Indian Defence Estates Service.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the on-going initiative to excise civil areas of cantonments and merge them with adjoining state municipal areas, consider the following statements: 1. While Cantonment Boards are constituted under a central law administered by the Ministry of Defence, the municipal bodies in adjoining civil areas are constituted under State legislation. 2. Unlike a municipal corporation headed by an elected Mayor, the President of a Cantonment Board is the Station Commander in an ex-officio capacity. 3. Khas Yol in Himachal Pradesh was the first cantonment to be de-notified, with its civil area merged into the neighbouring state municipal jurisdiction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. While Cantonment Boards are constituted under a central law administered by the Ministry of Defence, the municipal bodies in adjoining civil areas are constituted under State legislation.
  2. Unlike a municipal corporation headed by an elected Mayor, the President of a Cantonment Board is the Station Commander in an ex-officio capacity.
  3. Khas Yol in Himachal Pradesh was the first cantonment to be de-notified, with its civil area merged into the neighbouring state municipal jurisdiction.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Which one of the following is the nodal ministry of the Government of India for communicating the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including the Panchamrit targets, to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)?

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

Q9. With reference to the Solar–Hydrogen-based Microgrid project being set up jointly by NTPC and the Indian Army at Chushul (Ladakh), consider the following statements: 1. The system uses hydrogen as the primary energy-storage medium to deliver 200 kW of round-the-clock power throughout the year. 2. Hydrogen for the microgrid is produced on-site using a PEM electrolyser powered by an associated solar PV plant. 3. The project is being implemented on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis, with NTPC operating and maintaining it for 25 years. 4. The project has been sanctioned under the Strategic Partnership route of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP). Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The system uses hydrogen as the primary energy-storage medium to deliver 200 kW of round-the-clock power throughout the year.
  2. Hydrogen for the microgrid is produced on-site using a PEM electrolyser powered by an associated solar PV plant.
  3. The project is being implemented on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis, with NTPC operating and maintaining it for 25 years.
  4. The project has been sanctioned under the Strategic Partnership route of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 21 March 2023 with the Indian Army for implementation of green hydrogen-based round-the-clock power projects at Army establishments (including the Chushul microgrid in Ladakh) was signed by which one of the following entities?

  • A. NTPC Green Energy Limited
  • B. NTPC Renewable Energy Limited
  • C. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited
  • D. NLC India Renewables Limited

Q11. Approximately how much defence land in India is managed by the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE) under the Ministry of Defence?

  • A. About 8 lakh acres
  • B. About 12 lakh acres
  • C. About 18 lakh acres
  • D. About 25 lakh acres

Q12. Under the classification of land in Indian cantonments, which one of the following categories is earmarked for the EXCLUSIVE use of troops — barracks, offices, garages and training areas?

  • A. Class A-1 land
  • B. Class A-2 land
  • C. Class B-3 land
  • D. Class C land

Q13. With reference to the geography of Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh, consider the following statements: 1. The Ghaghra river forms the eastern boundary of the district, separating it from Bahraich district. 2. The Gomti river forms the western and southern boundary of the district with Hardoi district. 3. The Sharda river originates within Sitapur district and joins the Ghaghra further downstream. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Ghaghra river forms the eastern boundary of the district, separating it from Bahraich district.
  2. The Gomti river forms the western and southern boundary of the district with Hardoi district.
  3. The Sharda river originates within Sitapur district and joins the Ghaghra further downstream.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q14. Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh shares its land boundary with how many other districts of Uttar Pradesh?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Seven