India’s patchy industrial climate strategy

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 combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO₂ emissions in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. I and III only
2. B. II only
3. C. II and III only
4. D. I, II and III

Consider the following statements:

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

Statement II:
Silica-bearing clay is mixed with limestone while manufacturing cement.

Statement III:
Limestone is converted into lime during clinker production for cement manufacturing.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. A. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
2. B. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
3. C. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
4. D. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

1. A. assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world.
2. B. enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading.
3. C. enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries.
4. D. assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time.

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 sequestration.
II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.
III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. A. I and II only
2. B. III only
3. C. I, II and III
4. D. None of the above statements is correct

Consider the following statements:

1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries.
2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 only
3. C. Both 1 and 2
4. D. Neither 1 nor 2

"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:

1. Reduced seed requirement
2. Reduced methane production
3. Reduced electricity consumption

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?

1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop.
2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Consider the following:

1. Aerosols
2. Foam agents
3. Fire retardants
4. Lubricants

In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?

1. A. Only one
2. B. Only two
3. C. Only three
4. D. All four

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change :

I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019.
III. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?

1. Statement I is empirically supported by statement II.
2. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I.
3. Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 1 and 2
3. C. 2 and 3
4. D. 3 only

Consider the following heavy industries :

1. Fertilizer plants
2. Oil refineries
3. Steel plants

Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?

1. A. Only one
2. B. Only two
3. C. All three
4. D. None

Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.

How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.

Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.

How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning?

Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves?

According to India's First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) submitted to the UNFCCC, what percentage of India's total emissions in 2022 originated directly from the industrial sector?

1. A. Approximately 10%
2. B. Over 20%
3. C. Around 30%
4. D. Less than 15%

Consider the following statements regarding India's market-based mechanisms for industrial emission mitigation: 1. The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) primarily targets energy-intensive industries like cement, iron and steel, and textiles. 2. The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is being entirely replaced by the CCTS for all industrial sectors. 3. Thermal power plants and railways continue to be covered under the PAT scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 1 and 2 only
3. C. 1 and 3 only
4. D. 2 and 3 only

What is identified as a significant policy gap in India's industrial climate strategy, as highlighted in the article?

1. A. Lack of international funding for green industrial projects.
2. B. Over-reliance on renewable energy sources for industrial power.
3. C. Inadequate mitigation policies for emissions from 'non-specific industries'.
4. D. Absence of any market-based mechanisms for industrial decarbonisation.

India's industrial decarbonisation is central to achieving its net-zero emissions and Viksit Bharat goals. Discuss the effectiveness of India's current industrial climate strategy, critically evaluating its strengths and weaknesses, particularly concerning the identified policy gaps. Suggest concrete measures to address these gaps and accelerate the green transition.

Introduce India's climate goals and the role of industrial decarbonisation. Discuss existing policies (PAT, CCTS) as strengths, then elaborate on the 'non-specific industries' gap as a major weakness. Conclude with specific recommendations for data disaggregation and policy expansion.

"Transparency in climate reporting is often framed as an international obligation, a way to prove to the world that a nation is effectively traversing the path for honouring its pledges. But the real value of transparency is deeply domestic." Elaborate on this statement in the context of India's industrial decarbonisation efforts, emphasizing how disaggregated data can strengthen domestic policymaking.

Begin by explaining the dual nature of transparency (international vs. domestic). Focus on the domestic value, linking it to the article's argument about 'non-specific industries' and the need for granular data for effective policy design and course correction in industrial decarbonisation.