UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — CAQM Approves Revised GRAP Schedule; Tightens Measures for Vehicles, Dust and Pollution Control

Q1. With reference to the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In case of a conflict, the directions of the Commission prevail over the orders of the state governments and the Central Pollution Control Board.
  2. Appeals against the orders of the Commission lie with the High Court having jurisdiction over the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
  3. Contravention of the provisions of the parent Act can attract imprisonment as well as a fine.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Although the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management prevail over those of State Pollution Control Boards in its area, the Commission refers cases of non-compliance to these Boards and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for action.
  2. The Commission for Air Quality Management Act, 2021 dissolved the State Pollution Control Boards of the NCR states and vested their powers in the Commission.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. When a higher stage is invoked, its actions replace those of the lower stages, which then cease to apply.
  2. A stage may be invoked on the basis of air-quality forecasts, before the AQI actually reaches that stage's band.
  3. The AQI that triggers a stage is that of Delhi, although the stage's actions are enforced across the NCR.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NCAP sets multi-year, city-wise targets for reducing particulate concentrations, whereas GRAP prescribes short-term restrictions that come into force during pollution episodes.
  2. Like GRAP, NCAP's measures in a city come into force only after that city's AQI crosses a specified threshold.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q5. With reference to India's National Air Quality Index (AQI), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The overall AQI reflects the worst sub-index among the pollutants measured, not their average.
  2. Ammonia and lead are among the pollutants it covers.
  3. The sub-index of each pollutant is computed against the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines.
  4. An overall 'Severe' AQI can be reported even if only one pollutant's sub-index is in the 'Severe' range.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q6. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A day in the 'Good' category of India's National AQI may still have PM2.5 levels considered unsafe under WHO guidelines.
  2. The National AQI is computed from pollutant standards prescribed for short-term averaging periods of up to 24 hours.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q7. With reference to India's Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India enforced BS-V norms nationwide for some years before moving to BS-VI.
  2. The move to BS-VI required a change in fuel quality, notably a cut in sulphur content, and not only changes in vehicle engines.
  3. Bharat Stage norms primarily regulate the fuel efficiency of vehicles rather than the pollutants in their exhaust.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 only

Q8. With reference to secondary particulate matter (PM2.5), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It forms in the atmosphere from precursor gases such as ammonia, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, rather than being emitted directly.
  2. Since it forms in the atmosphere, its concentration over a city depends mainly on emissions from within that city's limits.
  3. Road and construction dust are its principal precursors.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 only