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Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Crucial for climate change mitigation, achieving net-zero targets, environmental sustainability of industrial processes, and technological development in India.

Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) refers to a suite of technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from large point sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities, prevent its release into the atmosphere, and either store it permanently underground or utilize it in various industrial processes.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Necessity for 'Cleaner' Coal Use

Coal gasification is only environmentally beneficial if CCUS is implemented at scale to reduce its high carbon intensity.

India's Current Limitations

Lack of established storage networks, limited regulatory clarity, and no commercial experience with large-scale CO₂ injection.

Policy Gap

The current incentive scheme for coal gasification projects in India does not mandate CCUS as a condition for development.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironment & Ecology
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • CCUS captures CO₂ from industrial sources to prevent atmospheric release.
  • Essential for making coal gasification 'cleaner' and reducing carbon intensity.
  • India lacks CCUS infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and commercial experience.
  • Current coal gasification incentives do not mandate CCUS.
  • Deployment is crucial for climate goals and industrial decarbonization.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combus...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combus...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combus...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2021Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment. 2. The copper slag can cause...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following: 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Methane 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2013Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil? 1. Excretion of urea by animals 2. Burning of coal by man 3. Death of vegetation Select the correct an...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environment & Ecology
Prelims 2013· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil? 1. Excretion of urea by animals 2. Burning of coal by man 3. Death of vegetation Select the correct an...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following: 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Methane 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of ...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen...

Open question

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen...

Open question

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment. 2. The copper slag can cause...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combus...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combus...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combus...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Open question

India should back biomass over coal for gasification

30 Jul 2026 · CCUS is vital for decarbonizing industrial processes like coal gasification, but India currently lacks the necessary infrastructure, regulatory framework, and commercial experience for its large-scale deployment, posing a significant challenge to achieving truly 'cleaner' coal use.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS)

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil? 1. Excretion of urea by animals 2. Burning of coal by man 3. Death of vegetation Select the correct an...

2013·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combus...

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment. 2. The copper slag can cause...

2021·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following: 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Methane 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of ...

2019·Environment & Ecology
Solve

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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