UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC rules out total ban on firecrackers for Deepavali

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Emissions from firecrackers burst in north India around Deepavali tend to remain concentrated near the ground for longer than comparable emissions released in the summer months.
  2. As temperatures fall in the post-monsoon season, the boundary (mixing) layer becomes shallower and wind speeds drop, reducing the ventilation of pollutants.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. With reference to the legal regulation of noise and emissions from firecrackers in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Noise limits for firecrackers have been notified through amendments to rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which empowers the Centre to lay down standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants.
  2. For joined (series) firecrackers, the permissible noise limit for each individual cracker is set higher than that for a standalone cracker, because the sound is spread across many units.
  3. Emission standards notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 bind only government bodies; private manufacturers are not bound by them unless they separately hold a licence.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q3. With reference to the design of 'green crackers' developed by CSIR laboratories, consider the following: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Some formulations release water vapour on bursting, which helps suppress the dust generated.
  2. Replacing or reducing barium nitrate in conventional formulations is one of the routes used to lower emissions.
  3. Being emission-free, green crackers add nothing to the particulate load of the ambient air.
  4. Minimising the aluminium content of the composition is one of the approaches used to reduce particulate emissions.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q4. Tests by CSIR-NEERI found that next-generation joined green crackers produce lower noise, lower particulate emissions and less solid waste than conventional joined crackers. On this basis, the Supreme Court permitted only these crackers, under conditions, while expressing concern about winter air pollution. Which of the following inferences can validly be drawn from the above?

  1. Permitting only these green crackers will ensure that air quality during Deepavali remains within national ambient air quality standards.
  2. Replacing conventional joined crackers with the green variety lowers the pollution caused by each cracker that is burst.
  3. Total pollution from firecrackers could still rise if the number of green crackers burst increases sufficiently.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q5. In the context of constitutional challenges to restrictions on firecrackers, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The freedom of conscience and the right to practise religion under Article 25 are available to all persons, not only to citizens.
  2. The freedom to carry on any trade or business under Article 19(1)(g) is, like the right under Article 25, available to all persons, including foreign nationals.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2