UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Tamil Nadu and the climate question

Q1. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which State Action Plans on Climate Change operationalise at the sub-national level, comprises how many national missions?

  • A. Six
  • B. Seven
  • C. Eight
  • D. Ten

Q2. With reference to the framework governing State Action Plans on Climate Change and India's climate architecture, consider the following: 1. The National Action Plan on Climate Change comprises eight national missions. 2. State Action Plans on Climate Change are endorsed by NITI Aayog. 3. India's Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy targets net-zero emissions by 2070. 4. The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change links State-level climate change cells to national research priorities. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The National Action Plan on Climate Change comprises eight national missions.
  2. State Action Plans on Climate Change are endorsed by NITI Aayog.
  3. India's Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy targets net-zero emissions by 2070.
  4. The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change links State-level climate change cells to national research priorities.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q3. The name 'Michaung', assigned to the severe cyclonic storm that struck the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh coast in December 2023, was contributed by which one of the following WMO/ESCAP Panel member countries?

  • A. Thailand
  • B. Myanmar
  • C. Bangladesh
  • D. Sri Lanka

Q4. With reference to Cyclone Michaung (2023) and Cyclone Ditwah (2025) that affected the Tamil Nadu region, consider the following statements: 1. Cyclone Michaung was named by Myanmar, whereas Cyclone Ditwah was named by Yemen. 2. Cyclone Ditwah first made landfall over the eastern coast of Sri Lanka before entering the Bay of Bengal. 3. Both Michaung and Ditwah occurred within the same North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Cyclone Michaung was named by Myanmar, whereas Cyclone Ditwah was named by Yemen.
  2. Cyclone Ditwah first made landfall over the eastern coast of Sri Lanka before entering the Bay of Bengal.
  3. Both Michaung and Ditwah occurred within the same North Indian Ocean cyclone season.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to India's disaster finance architecture, consider the following statements: 1. The Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund for general-category States is 75%. 2. The 15th Finance Commission merged disaster response and mitigation into the National/State Disaster Risk Management Funds. 3. For general-category States, the SDRF is financed entirely by the Union Government with no State contribution. 4. The 15th Finance Commission earmarked National Disaster Mitigation Fund allocations that include reducing urban flooding risk in the most populous cities. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund for general-category States is 75%.
  2. The 15th Finance Commission merged disaster response and mitigation into the National/State Disaster Risk Management Funds.
  3. For general-category States, the SDRF is financed entirely by the Union Government with no State contribution.
  4. The 15th Finance Commission earmarked National Disaster Mitigation Fund allocations that include reducing urban flooding risk in the most populous cities.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q6. The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is constituted under the provisions of which one of the following?

  • A. The Disaster Management Act, 2005
  • B. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
  • C. Article 280 of the Constitution
  • D. The National Disaster Management Authority Rules

Q7. According to the India Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature must reach at least how many degrees Celsius for a heatwave to be declared over the plains?

  • A. 30°C
  • B. 37°C
  • C. 40°C
  • D. 45°C

Q8. Among the region categories used by the India Meteorological Department for declaring a heatwave, which one has the lowest absolute maximum-temperature threshold?

  • A. Plains
  • B. Coastal stations
  • C. Hilly regions
  • D. Arid/desert plains

Q9. India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution, targeting about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030, was submitted to the UNFCCC in which year?

  • A. 2015
  • B. 2021
  • C. 2022
  • D. 2023

Q10. The climate-action commitments in Tamil Nadu's manifestos and policies are operationalised at the State level primarily through which one of the following, working with the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company?

  • A. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests (DoECCF)
  • B. Department of Energy
  • C. Department of Revenue and Disaster Management
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q11. Viability Gap Funding for offshore wind energy projects off the Tamil Nadu coast is administered by which one of the following Union ministries?

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

Q12. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), deployed during events such as the Chennai floods, functions administratively under which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Defence
  • B. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • D. Prime Minister's Office (through the NDMA)