UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Capacity Addition Crosses 50,000 MW in FY 2025-26 (Up to 31st January 2026)

Q1. In the Ministry of Power's announcement of a record capacity milestone in FY 2025-26 (up to 31 January 2026), the widely quoted figure of 52,537 MW refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The total electricity generation capacity added from all sources during the period
  • B. The renewable energy capacity added during the period
  • C. The solar power capacity added during the period
  • D. India's total installed generation capacity as on 31 January 2026

Q2. The official data reporting India's record power generation capacity addition of 52,537 MW in FY 2025-26 was released by which one of the following Union Ministries?

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

Q3. Which one of the following bodies statutorily assists the Ministry of Power in technical and economic matters and is responsible for compiling data on India's installed electricity generation capacity?

  • A. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
  • B. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
  • C. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
  • D. Grid Controller of India (erstwhile POSOCO)

Q4. India reported that non-fossil sources constituted 52.3% of its installed generation capacity as on 31 January 2026. With reference to what is counted within this 'non-fossil' capacity, consider the following: 1. Large hydro power 2. Nuclear power 3. Natural gas-based power 4. Solar power Which of the above is/are correctly identified as being included in India's non-fossil installed capacity?

  1. Large hydro power
  2. Nuclear power
  3. Natural gas-based power
  4. Solar power
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q5. Among the five 'Panchamrit' commitments announced by India at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021), which one specifies the single largest numerical installed-capacity target to be achieved by 2030?

  • A. Achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity
  • B. Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewable energy
  • C. Reducing total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes
  • D. Reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45%

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Panchamrit' pledges announced by India at COP26 (2021): 1. Achieving net zero emissions by 2070 2. Reducing the carbon intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 over 2005 levels 3. Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030 4. Reducing absolute carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 Which of the above is/are correctly identified as Panchamrit commitments?

  1. Achieving net zero emissions by 2070
  2. Reducing the carbon intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 over 2005 levels
  3. Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030
  4. Reducing absolute carbon emissions to net zero by 2050
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement is formally communicated to the UNFCCC by which one of the following Union Ministries?

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

Q8. In its first NDC submitted after the 2015 Paris Agreement, India committed to a specific share of non-fossil-based installed electricity capacity by 2030 — a target it first met in November 2021. What was that original target?

  • A. 40%
  • B. 50%
  • C. 33%
  • D. 45%

Q9. The Central Electricity Authority, which assists the Ministry of Power on technical matters, is headed by a Chairman. Apart from the Chairman, how many full-time Members constitute the Authority?

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

Q10. Within India's renewable energy installed capacity as reported for 2026, which one of the following sources accounts for the single largest installed capacity?

  • A. Solar power
  • B. Wind power
  • C. Large hydro power
  • D. Bio energy

Q11. With reference to the annual renewable-energy bidding plan adopted to reach India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030, consider the following: 1. Annual bid target of 50 GW of RE capacity 2. Minimum wind capacity of at least 10 GW in each annual bid 3. Bidding plan running from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28 4. The plan was finalized by the Ministry of Power Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Annual bid target of 50 GW of RE capacity
  2. Minimum wind capacity of at least 10 GW in each annual bid
  3. Bidding plan running from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28
  4. The plan was finalized by the Ministry of Power
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4