UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India Marks Record-Breaking Year in Clean Energy in 2025 : Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

Q1. With reference to the non-fossil installed capacity figures announced by MNRE for the year 2025, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India's total non-fossil installed capacity reached about 266.78 GW at the end of 2025.
  2. This marked a year-on-year increase of about 22.6% over the 2024 level.
  3. Solar power accounted for about 135.81 GW of this non-fossil capacity.
  4. Wind power accounted for about 74.51 GW of this non-fossil capacity.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. In the context of India's power sector statistics, the term "non-fossil installed capacity" (used in the 266.78 GW figure for 2025) is best defined as which one of the following?

  • A. Total installed electricity generation capacity from renewables together with large hydro and nuclear power
  • B. Only the grid-connected solar and wind generation capacity in the country
  • C. The actual quantum of electricity generated from renewable sources during a year
  • D. Renewable generation capacity excluding large hydro and nuclear power

Q3. The Panchamrit pledge of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy installed capacity by 2030 is primarily operationalised within the Government of India by which one of the following ministries?

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

Q4. In June 2025 India crossed a major climate-related threshold a full five years ahead of its stated deadline. Which one of the following did India achieve?

  • A. 50 per cent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources
  • B. 500 GW of non-fossil installed capacity
  • C. 50 per cent of annual electricity generation from renewable sources
  • D. Net-zero emissions in the power sector

Q5. With reference to the evolution of India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the original 2015 NDC, India targeted a 40 per cent share of non-fossil-based installed electric power capacity by 2030.
  2. The updated 2022 NDC raised the emissions-intensity reduction target for GDP from 33–35 per cent to 45 per cent by 2030 over the 2005 level.
  3. The updated 2022 NDC was formally communicated to the UNFCCC by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the National Solar Mission, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The NAPCC comprises eight national missions, including the National Solar Mission.
  2. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission originally set a grid-connected solar target of 20,000 MW by 2022, later revised upward to 1,00,000 MW.
  3. Unlike the National Solar Mission, the National Water Mission is not one of the eight missions under the NAPCC.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission is implemented as a national mission by which one of the following ministries?

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

Q8. The National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet with which one of the following initial total outlays, and in which year?

  • A. ₹19,744 crore, in 2023
  • B. ₹19,744 crore, in 2021
  • C. ₹17,490 crore, in 2023
  • D. ₹75,021 crore, in 2023

Q9. With reference to the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It provides free electricity of up to 300 units per month to beneficiary households.
  2. It has a total outlay of ₹75,021 crore.
  3. It targets rooftop solar installation in one crore households.
  4. The Central Financial Assistance under the scheme is available for systems capped at 5 kW capacity.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q10. With reference to the institutional framework under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) functions as a renewable energy implementing agency under MNRE.
  2. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is a Mini Ratna non-banking financial company under the administrative control of MNRE.
  3. IREDA was set up in 1987 as a specialised financing agency for the renewable energy sector.
  4. The National Institute of Solar Energy functions under the Ministry of Power.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q11. With reference to the components of the PM-KUSUM scheme, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Component-A provides for decentralised ground/stilt-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants of up to 2 MW capacity.
  2. Component-B provides for the installation of standalone (off-grid) solar-powered agriculture pumps.
  3. Component-C provides for the solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps.
  4. Component-D provides for solar rooftop installations on the residences of participating farmers.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4