12 sample questions are shown here; sign up free to practise all 80.
Q1Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2025
Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana':
1. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
2. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.
3. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. All three statements accurately describe the PM Surya Ghar scheme's installation target, training objective, and skilling goal.
Q2Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2025
Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.
Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
- BBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
- CStatement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
- DStatement I is not correct but Statement II is correctCorrect
Explanation
Correct. The USA is the world's largest ethanol producer (using corn), not Brazil; however, Brazil does use sugarcane as its principal feedstock.
Q3Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2025
Consider the following types of vehicles:
1. Full battery electric vehicles
2. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
3. Fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles
How many of the above are considered as alternative (powertrain) vehicles?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- CAll the threeCorrect
- DNone
Explanation
Correct. Battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles all use alternative powertrains distinct from internal combustion engines.
Q4Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2024
One of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen?
- AHydrogen peroxide
- BHydronium
- COxygen
- DWater vapourCorrect
Explanation
Correct. In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour as the only exhaust emission.
Q5Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2024
Recently, the term 'pumped-storage hydropower' is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?
- AIrrigation of terraced crop fields
- BLift irrigation of cereal crops
- CLong duration energy storageCorrect
- DRainwater harvesting system
Explanation
Correct. Pumped-storage hydropower stores energy by pumping water uphill during surplus generation and releasing it through turbines during peak demand, enabling long-duration storage.
Q6Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2024
Consider the following materials:
1. Agricultural residues
2. Corn grain
3. Wastewater treatment sludge
4. Wood mill waste
Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 and 4 only
- C1, 2, 3 and 4Correct
- D1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Correct. All four materials are recognised feedstocks for SAF production through various certified conversion pathways such as Fischer-Tropsch and HEFA.
Q7Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2024
Consider the following:
1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units
How many of the above are considered 'Distributed Energy Resources'?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- COnly three
- DAll fourCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Battery storage, biomass generators, fuel cells, and rooftop solar PV are all decentralised energy assets classified as distributed energy resources.
Q8Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2022
Consider the following statements:
1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India.
2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport.
3. Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2
- B2 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3
- D3 only
Explanation
Correct. Cochin International Airport in Kerala became the world's first fully solar-powered airport; the other two statements are factually incorrect.
Q9Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2020
According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?
1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1, 2, 5 and 6 onlyCorrect
- B1, 3, 4 and 6 only
- C2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- D1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Explanation
Correct. The National Policy on Biofuels allows surplus, damaged or surplus food grains, cassava, rotten potatoes and sugar beet but excludes edible oilseeds and pulses like groundnut and horse gram.
Q10Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2020
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:
1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
Explanation
Correct. Solar power is versatile enough to run both surface and submersible pumps and both centrifugal and piston-type pumps.
Q11Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2017
It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?
1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed.
3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Algae biofuel production demands high technical expertise and large-scale facilities that raise ecological and social concerns, but it is not limited to seas.
Q12Environment·Sustainability, Circular Economy and Green FinancePYQ 2015
With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a Public Limited Government Company.
2. It is a Non-Banking Financial Company.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. IREDA is both a Public Limited Government Company under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and an RBI-registered NBFC that finances renewable energy projects.