UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet approves India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (2031-2035) to be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Q1. With reference to the progression of India's Nationally Determined Contributions across its three cycles, consider the following: 1. The 2015 INDC set an emissions intensity reduction target of 33–35% (from 2005 level) to be achieved by 2030. 2. The 2022 updated NDC raised the non-fossil installed power capacity target to about 50% by 2030. 3. The 2031–2035 NDC sets the emissions intensity reduction target at 47% to be achieved by 2035. 4. The 2015 INDC set the carbon sink target at 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. The 2015 INDC set an emissions intensity reduction target of 33–35% (from 2005 level) to be achieved by 2030.
2. The 2022 updated NDC raised the non-fossil installed power capacity target to about 50% by 2030.
3. The 2031–2035 NDC sets the emissions intensity reduction target at 47% to be achieved by 2035.
4. The 2015 INDC set the carbon sink target at 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1, 3 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. India's first Nationally Determined Contribution (the INDC) submitted to the UNFCCC in 2015 comprised how many goals in all?

• A. Three
• B. Five
• C. Eight
• D. Ten

Q3. Comparing India's third NDC (2031–2035) with its predecessor commitments, consider the following statements: 1. The non-fossil installed power capacity target has been raised from about 50% (2022 NDC) to 60% by 2035. 2. The carbon sink target has been enhanced to 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes CO₂-eq, up from the earlier 2.5–3 billion tonnes. 3. The 47% emissions intensity reduction target for 2035 is measured exclusively against a 2015 base year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The non-fossil installed power capacity target has been raised from about 50% (2022 NDC) to 60% by 2035.
2. The carbon sink target has been enhanced to 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes CO₂-eq, up from the earlier 2.5–3 billion tonnes.
3. The 47% emissions intensity reduction target for 2035 is measured exclusively against a 2015 base year.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the quantified pledges in India's NDC for 2031–2035 to be achieved by 2035, consider the following: 1. Reduction of emissions intensity of GDP by 47% from the 2005 level. 2. Achieving a 60% share of non-fossil sources in cumulative installed electric power capacity. 3. Creating an additional carbon sink of 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover. 4. Meeting half of the country's total energy requirement from renewable energy. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as quantified targets of the 2031–2035 NDC?

1. Reduction of emissions intensity of GDP by 47% from the 2005 level.
2. Achieving a 60% share of non-fossil sources in cumulative installed electric power capacity.
3. Creating an additional carbon sink of 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover.
4. Meeting half of the country's total energy requirement from renewable energy.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2, 3 and 4
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. Under which Article of the Paris Agreement, 2015 are Parties obligated to prepare, communicate and maintain successive Nationally Determined Contributions?

• A. Article 2
• B. Article 4
• C. Article 6
• D. Article 9

Q6. The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in Paris in December 2015 by how many Parties?

• A. 191
• B. 195
• C. 197
• D. 198

Q7. With reference to the 'Panchamrit' commitments announced by India at COP26, Glasgow (2021), consider the following statements: 1. India committed to reach a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030. 2. India committed to reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030. 3. India committed to meet 100% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. India committed to reach a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030.
2. India committed to reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030.
3. India committed to meet 100% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. In the context of India's climate action, the term 'Panchamrit' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

• A. The five 'nectar' elements of India's climate action plan announced at COP26, Glasgow in 2021
• B. The five working groups constituted under NITI Aayog to draft India's NDC
• C. The five principles of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities adopted at the Rio Earth Summit
• D. The five sectors prioritised under India's Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy

Q9. With reference to the institutional and legal architecture of India's NDC (2031–2035), consider the following: 1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal ministry for India's NDC. 2. The Union Cabinet approved the 2031–2035 NDC in March 2026. 3. India's NDC is formally communicated to the UNFCCC. 4. The NDC was enacted as a statutory instrument under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal ministry for India's NDC.
2. The Union Cabinet approved the 2031–2035 NDC in March 2026.
3. India's NDC is formally communicated to the UNFCCC.
4. The NDC was enacted as a statutory instrument under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2, 3 and 4
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. At which Conference of the Parties did India first announce its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070?

• A. COP21, Paris (2015)
• B. COP26, Glasgow (2021)
• C. COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh (2022)
• D. COP28, Dubai (2023)

Q11. Which one of the following is the flagship mission, implemented under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, that primarily operationalises afforestation and forest restoration contributing to India's carbon sink target?

• A. National Mission for a Green India (Green India Mission)
• B. National Afforestation Programme administered by the Ministry of Agriculture
• C. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development
• D. Namami Gange Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti

Q12. With reference to the metric used in India's NDC targets, consider the following statements: 1. India's NDC targets aim to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP rather than absolute emissions. 2. The emissions intensity reduction target is benchmarked against the 2005 base year. 3. An emissions intensity target necessarily requires India's absolute emissions to fall in absolute terms every year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. India's NDC targets aim to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP rather than absolute emissions.
2. The emissions intensity reduction target is benchmarked against the 2005 base year.
3. An emissions intensity target necessarily requires India's absolute emissions to fall in absolute terms every year.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3