UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India to tap augmented solar capacity, coal to weather El Nino, summer power demand

Q1. On 25 April 2026 India met a then all-time high peak power demand of about 256.11 GW. Which single previous record did this figure surpass as the country's earlier all-time high?

  • A. 250 GW met on 30 May 2024
  • B. 243 GW met on 17 September 2023
  • C. 241 GW met on 9 June 2025
  • D. 231 GW met on 26 August 2022

Q2. In India's power sector reporting, the term 'peak demand met' (as distinct from 'peak demand') most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The highest instantaneous electrical load that was actually supplied by the grid without shortage during the period
  • B. The total electrical energy (in units) consumed across the country over the peak summer month
  • C. The maximum installed generation capacity available on the grid on the hottest day
  • D. The projected maximum load the CEA expects during the core summer months

Q3. With reference to the El Niño phenomenon and its bearing on India, consider the following statements: 1. El Niño involves an unusual warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, whereas its counterpart La Niña involves an anomalous cooling of the same region. 2. El Niño years are generally associated with below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall over India. 3. During a strong El Niño, India's hydropower generation typically rises because of enhanced reservoir inflows. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. El Niño involves an unusual warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, whereas its counterpart La Niña involves an anomalous cooling of the same region.
  2. El Niño years are generally associated with below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall over India.
  3. During a strong El Niño, India's hydropower generation typically rises because of enhanced reservoir inflows.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. By the commonly used oceanographic criterion, an El Niño event is identified when the sea-surface temperature anomaly in the tropical Pacific stays at or above the threshold for at least how many consecutive overlapping three-month seasons?

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

Q5. With reference to the evolution of India's solar and non-fossil energy targets, consider the following statements: 1. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched in 2010 with an initial target of 20 GW of grid solar power by 2022. 2. The mission's solar capacity target was later revised upward to 100 GW. 3. India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity target for 2030 is to be met exclusively through solar power. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched in 2010 with an initial target of 20 GW of grid solar power by 2022.
  2. The mission's solar capacity target was later revised upward to 100 GW.
  3. India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity target for 2030 is to be met exclusively through solar power.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Under its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement (as announced at COP26), what is India's target for installed electricity capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030?

  • A. 175 GW
  • B. 280 GW
  • C. 450 GW
  • D. 500 GW

Q7. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), which regulates tariffs and inter-state transmission in India's power sector, derives its statutory basis from which one of the following?

  • A. The Electricity Act, 2003
  • B. The Energy Conservation Act, 2001
  • C. The Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998
  • D. The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948

Q8. With reference to the regulatory architecture under the Electricity Act, 2003, consider the following statements: 1. The CERC handles inter-state matters while the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) regulate intra-state matters. 2. Members of the CERC are appointed by the central government, whereas members of a SERC are appointed by the respective state government. 3. A member of the CERC or a SERC may be removed only after an inquiry by the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The CERC handles inter-state matters while the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) regulate intra-state matters.
  2. Members of the CERC are appointed by the central government, whereas members of a SERC are appointed by the respective state government.
  3. A member of the CERC or a SERC may be removed only after an inquiry by the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL).
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. With reference to battery energy storage and grid integration of renewables in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Central Electricity Authority has estimated a total energy-storage requirement of about 411 GWh by 2031-32. 2. In this projected storage requirement, pumped-hydro storage accounts for a larger share than battery energy storage systems (BESS). 3. In January 2025, the CERC cancelled a Solar Energy Corporation of India standalone BESS tender owing to delays in signing project agreements. 4. The Government of India has extended Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support to promote BESS capacity. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Central Electricity Authority has estimated a total energy-storage requirement of about 411 GWh by 2031-32.
  2. In this projected storage requirement, pumped-hydro storage accounts for a larger share than battery energy storage systems (BESS).
  3. In January 2025, the CERC cancelled a Solar Energy Corporation of India standalone BESS tender owing to delays in signing project agreements.
  4. The Government of India has extended Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support to promote BESS capacity.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 only

Q10. Which one of the following is the principal state-owned enterprise responsible for domestic coal production and supply that the government relied upon to ensure fuel adequacy for thermal power plants during the summer 2026 demand surge?

  • A. Coal India Limited
  • B. NTPC Limited
  • C. Solar Energy Corporation of India
  • D. Power Grid Corporation of India

Q11. The promotion and development of solar and other renewable energy sources that make up India's growing non-fossil installed capacity is the specific administrative mandate of which Union ministry?

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

Q12. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM), aimed at solarising agriculture, is structured into how many components?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five