UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India's Renewable Energy Installed Capacity Surges Nearly Fourfold to 288.58 GW Since 2014

Q1. With reference to the growth of India's renewable energy (RE) installed capacity, consider the following statements: 1. India's RE installed capacity was 76.38 GW in 2014. 2. As on 30 June 2026, RE installed capacity had reached 288.58 GW. 3. This marks nearly a fourfold increase in RE capacity since 2014. 4. India currently ranks first in the world in renewable energy installed capacity. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India's RE installed capacity was 76.38 GW in 2014.
  2. As on 30 June 2026, RE installed capacity had reached 288.58 GW.
  3. This marks nearly a fourfold increase in RE capacity since 2014.
  4. India currently ranks first in the world in renewable energy installed capacity.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 3

Q2. Building the inter-State transmission infrastructure (e.g. Green Energy Corridors) required to evacuate power from renewable-energy-rich States to demand centres is primarily the responsibility of which one of the following?

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

Q3. Consider the following statements comparing India's capacity figures for two reference dates: 1. Between 31 March 2026 and 30 June 2026, India's total non-fossil fuel capacity rose from 283.46 GW to 297.36 GW. 2. Renewable energy forms a subset of non-fossil fuel capacity, the latter additionally including nuclear power of 8.78 GW. 3. The nuclear component rose from 5.17 GW to 8.78 GW over this period, driving the increase. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Between 31 March 2026 and 30 June 2026, India's total non-fossil fuel capacity rose from 283.46 GW to 297.36 GW.
  2. Renewable energy forms a subset of non-fossil fuel capacity, the latter additionally including nuclear power of 8.78 GW.
  3. The nuclear component rose from 5.17 GW to 8.78 GW over this period, driving the increase.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Which one of the following correctly describes how hydropower is treated in India's current renewable energy capacity accounting?

  • A. Only run-of-river hydro projects qualify as renewable energy
  • B. Only small hydro up to 25 MW is renewable; large hydro is excluded
  • C. Both small hydro (up to 25 MW) and large hydro are counted as renewable energy
  • D. Only pumped-storage hydro projects are counted as renewable energy

Q5. Consider the following pairs of renewable energy source and installed capacity as on 30 June 2026: 1. Solar power — 162.15 GW 2. Wind power — 57.44 GW 3. Bio power — 57.24 GW 4. Hydro power — 11.75 GW Which of the pairs given above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Solar power — 162.15 GW
  2. Wind power — 57.44 GW
  3. Bio power — 57.24 GW
  4. Hydro power — 11.75 GW
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4

Q6. Which one of the following statements about the institutional responsibility for India's Panchamrit / NDC commitments is correct?

  • A. MNRE alone is solely responsible for achieving all five Panchamrit targets
  • B. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal ministry for communicating India's NDCs to the UNFCCC
  • C. The Ministry of Power exclusively handles all of India's climate negotiations at every COP
  • D. NITI Aayog is the single statutory authority mandated to enforce net-zero by 2070

Q7. Consider the following targets: 1. Achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 2. Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030 3. Reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030 4. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 Which of the above is/are correctly identified as a commitment under India's Panchamrit announced at COP26?

  1. Achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030
  2. Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030
  3. Reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030
  4. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. When India crossed the 50% non-fossil installed capacity mark in June 2025, which one of the following was the single largest contributing source to its non-fossil capacity?

  • A. Wind power
  • B. Solar power
  • C. Large hydro power
  • D. Nuclear power

Q9. Consider the following statements about India's 50% non-fossil capacity milestone: 1. India achieved 50% non-fossil installed electricity capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target. 2. As on 30 June 2025, non-fossil sources stood at 242.78 GW out of a total installed capacity of 484.82 GW. 3. This 50% figure was arrived at by counting only renewable energy and excluding nuclear power. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India achieved 50% non-fossil installed electricity capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target.
  2. As on 30 June 2025, non-fossil sources stood at 242.78 GW out of a total installed capacity of 484.82 GW.
  3. This 50% figure was arrived at by counting only renewable energy and excluding nuclear power.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Consider the following statements about the Government's renewable energy bidding trajectory towards 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030: 1. The Government decided to invite bids for 50 GW of renewable energy capacity annually from FY2023-24 to FY2027-28. 2. Under the FY2023-24 quarterly plan, at least 15 GW was to be bid in each of the first two quarters and at least 10 GW in each of the last two quarters. 3. The trajectory mandates at least 10 GW per annum of solar power capacity within the annual bids. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Government decided to invite bids for 50 GW of renewable energy capacity annually from FY2023-24 to FY2027-28.
  2. Under the FY2023-24 quarterly plan, at least 15 GW was to be bid in each of the first two quarters and at least 10 GW in each of the last two quarters.
  3. The trajectory mandates at least 10 GW per annum of solar power capacity within the annual bids.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Consider the following statements about the investment and institutional framework of India's renewable energy sector: 1. FDI up to 100% is permitted in the renewable energy sector under the automatic route. 2. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal ministry for the sector. 3. The sector has attracted approximately USD 45.72 billion in FDI since FY2014. 4. Foreign investment in the renewable energy sector requires prior clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security. Which of the above is/are correctly stated?

  1. FDI up to 100% is permitted in the renewable energy sector under the automatic route.
  2. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal ministry for the sector.
  3. The sector has attracted approximately USD 45.72 billion in FDI since FY2014.
  4. Foreign investment in the renewable energy sector requires prior clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4