UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s Energy Transition Guided by ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future’ : Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
Q1. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), at whose 16th Assembly India delivered its national statement in January 2026, was formally brought into existence through a Founding Conference held in which year?
- A. 2015
- B. 2009
- C. 2011
- D. 2001
Q2. With reference to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), consider the following statements:
1. It is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated exclusively to renewable energy.
2. Its headquarters is located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.
3. India is one of its founding members.
4. It was established as a specialised agency of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- It is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated exclusively to renewable energy.
- Its headquarters is located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.
- India is one of its founding members.
- It was established as a specialised agency of the United Nations.
- A. 1 only
- B. 4 only
- C. 2 and 3
- D. 3 and 4
Q3. The International Solar Alliance was originally conceived to bring together how many solar-resource-rich countries lying fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn?
Q4. With reference to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), consider the following statements:
1. It was jointly launched by India and France on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris in 2015.
2. Its headquarters and interim Secretariat are hosted at the National Institute of Solar Energy, Gwal Pahari, Gurugram.
3. It was the first treaty-based intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in India.
4. Its headquarters is located within the Masdar City campus in Abu Dhabi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?
- It was jointly launched by India and France on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris in 2015.
- Its headquarters and interim Secretariat are hosted at the National Institute of Solar Energy, Gwal Pahari, Gurugram.
- It was the first treaty-based intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in India.
- Its headquarters is located within the Masdar City campus in Abu Dhabi.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 4
Q5. With reference to the 'Panchamrit' commitments announced by India at COP26, Glasgow, consider the following:
1. Achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
2. Meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
3. Reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030 over 2005 levels.
4. Achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified as Panchamrit commitments?
- Achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- Meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
- Reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030 over 2005 levels.
- Achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 4
Q6. At which international forum did India announce the 'Panchamrit' — its set of five climate action commitments?
- A. COP21 UN Climate Change Conference, Paris (2015)
- B. COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, Glasgow (2021)
- C. G20 Summit, New Delhi (2023)
- D. COP28 UN Climate Change Conference, Dubai (2023)
Q7. At its launch on the sidelines of the 2023 G20 New Delhi Summit, the Global Biofuels Alliance was initially joined by how many countries?
Q8. With reference to the founding of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) in 2023, consider the following countries:
1. United States of America
2. Brazil
3. China
4. Bangladesh
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as founding members of the GBA?
- United States of America
- Brazil
- China
- Bangladesh
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 3
Q9. With reference to India's 2025 milestone in non-fossil installed electricity capacity, consider the following statements:
1. India crossed 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025.
2. This was achieved five years ahead of its target under the Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement.
3. Non-fossil installed capacity includes both renewable energy and nuclear power.
4. The 50 per cent target was originally set under the NDC for the year 2025.
Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?
- India crossed 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025.
- This was achieved five years ahead of its target under the Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement.
- Non-fossil installed capacity includes both renewable energy and nuclear power.
- The 50 per cent target was originally set under the NDC for the year 2025.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 3 and 4
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q10. As stated by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy in 2025, India currently holds which rank globally in renewable energy installed capacity?
- A. First
- B. Second
- C. Third
- D. Fifth
Q11. With reference to the 16th Assembly of IRENA, consider the following statements:
1. It was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January 2026.
2. India was represented by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi.
3. India announced that it had achieved 50 per cent non-fossil installed capacity in 2025, five years ahead of its NDC target.
4. The Assembly marked the formal launch of the International Solar Alliance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?
- It was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January 2026.
- India was represented by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi.
- India announced that it had achieved 50 per cent non-fossil installed capacity in 2025, five years ahead of its NDC target.
- The Assembly marked the formal launch of the International Solar Alliance.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q12. Consider the following pairs of institutions and their features:
1. International Solar Alliance — Headquartered in India
2. IRENA — Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE
3. Global Biofuels Alliance — Launched at the 2023 G20 Summit, New Delhi
4. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure — Launched at COP26, Glasgow
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- International Solar Alliance — Headquartered in India
- IRENA — Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Global Biofuels Alliance — Launched at the 2023 G20 Summit, New Delhi
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure — Launched at COP26, Glasgow
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 3 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4