UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Inside China’s green transition

Q1. China's '30-60' dual carbon goals were first announced by President Xi Jinping in September 2020 at a session of which one of the following bodies?

  • A. The United Nations General Assembly
  • B. The G20 Leaders' Summit
  • C. The COP26 climate conference at Glasgow
  • D. The BRICS Leaders' Summit

Q2. Within China's '30-60' dual carbon framework, which one of the following is the first chronological milestone that China has pledged to achieve?

  • A. Peaking of carbon dioxide emissions before 2030
  • B. Carbon neutrality before 2060
  • C. Complete phase-out of coal-fired power before 2050
  • D. Net-zero methane emissions before 2040

Q3. With reference to China's national Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and its recent expansion, consider the following statements: 1. When it was launched in 2021, the ETS initially covered only the power sector. 2. In 2025 the ETS was expanded to bring steel, cement and aluminium smelting under its coverage. 3. The 2025 expansion was the first major sectoral broadening of the scheme since its launch. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. When it was launched in 2021, the ETS initially covered only the power sector.
  2. In 2025 the ETS was expanded to bring steel, cement and aluminium smelting under its coverage.
  3. The 2025 expansion was the first major sectoral broadening of the scheme since its launch.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. China's national Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), including its 2025 expansion to heavy industry, is administered by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment
  • B. The National Development and Reform Commission
  • C. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
  • D. The National Energy Administration

Q5. In the context of the Ashokan stupas reported in China, the term 'stupa' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A commemorative burial mound, several of which are believed to enshrine relics of the Buddha
  • B. A free-standing polished stone pillar bearing royal edicts
  • C. A rock-cut hall used as a monastic residence for monks
  • D. An ornamental ceremonial gateway marking a sacred precinct

Q6. With reference to the history and geography of Ningbo and Ashokan heritage in China, consider the following statements: 1. Ningbo is a port city located in Zhejiang province. 2. Ningbo carried on trade as far back as the Tang dynasty. 3. Ashokan stupas in China have been reported at sites including Xian and Nanjing. 4. Ningbo served as the Southern Song imperial capital from 1127. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Ningbo is a port city located in Zhejiang province.
  2. Ningbo carried on trade as far back as the Tang dynasty.
  3. Ashokan stupas in China have been reported at sites including Xian and Nanjing.
  4. Ningbo served as the Southern Song imperial capital from 1127.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. According to 2025 data, approximately how many electric vehicles did China export in 2024, overtaking Japan to become the world's top automobile exporter?

  • A. About 1.2 million
  • B. About 0.5 million
  • C. About 2.5 million
  • D. About 0.3 million

Q8. In China's industrial policy usage, the term 'New Energy Vehicles' (NEVs) is best defined as covering which one of the following?

  • A. Battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles
  • B. Only battery electric vehicles running purely on electricity
  • C. All hybrids, including conventional non-plug-in mild hybrids
  • D. Electric two-wheelers and electric buses alone

Q9. In the context of China's dual carbon goals, the term 'carbon neutrality' (targeted before 2060) is best defined as which one of the following?

  • A. A state in which a country's anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions are balanced by an equivalent quantity of removals
  • B. The complete elimination of all greenhouse-gas emissions from every sector
  • C. A total ban on imports and use of fossil fuels within the economy
  • D. The freezing of national emissions at their peak level indefinitely

Q10. As highlighted in reporting on China's green transition, fossil fuels account for over what share of China's greenhouse-gas emissions, making the energy sector central to its transition?

  • A. Over 90%
  • B. Over 60%
  • C. Over 45%
  • D. Over 75%

Q11. As part of the 'Panchamrit' commitments announced at COP26, India's flagship long-term climate pledge is to achieve net-zero emissions by which one of the following years?

  • A. 2070
  • B. 2060
  • C. 2050
  • D. 2047

Q12. With reference to India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in comparison with other major carbon markets, consider the following statements: 1. The CCTS was notified under the Ministry of Power, with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency as its administrator. 2. The CCTS Compliance Mechanism sets rate-based greenhouse-gas emission-intensity targets rather than absolute emission caps. 3. India's carbon market covers a larger absolute volume of emissions than the national systems of China, the EU and the Republic of Korea. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The CCTS was notified under the Ministry of Power, with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency as its administrator.
  2. The CCTS Compliance Mechanism sets rate-based greenhouse-gas emission-intensity targets rather than absolute emission caps.
  3. India's carbon market covers a larger absolute volume of emissions than the national systems of China, the EU and the Republic of Korea.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3