UPSC Prelims 2023 Q66: Environment & Ecology – Pollution & Waste Management
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (d) None
Explanation
Coal-based Thermal Power Plants in India — Facts
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Correct Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | None of them uses seawater | FALSE | Coastal thermal power plants (e.g., Mundra UMPP in Gujarat, Ennore in Tamil Nadu) use seawater for cooling. India has several coal plants on the coast that utilise seawater cooling systems. |
| 2 | None of them is set up in water-stressed districts | FALSE | Several coal plants are in water-stressed areas — India's thermal power sector is a major cause of water stress, particularly in peninsular India. Studies show many plants operate in water-stressed regions. |
| 3 | None of them is privately owned | FALSE | India has significant privately owned coal power plants — Adani Power, Tata Power, Reliance Power, and Essar all operate coal-based thermal plants. |
All three statements are wrong → None.
Answer: (d) None.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Only one' — all three statements contain factual errors.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' — private ownership of coal thermal plants is well-documented in India.
- (c) Incorrect. 'All three' — all three statements describe non-existent restrictions.
- (d) CORRECT. None of the three statements is correct — India has thermal plants using seawater, in water-stressed areas, and in private ownership.
Key point
All three claims are false: Coastal plants DO use seawater. Many plants ARE in water-stressed regions. Private players (Adani, Tata, Reliance) DO own coal thermal plants. Answer = None.
Remember
All three statements about coal-based thermal power plants are false: some use seawater, some are in water-stressed districts, and some are privately owned (Adani Power, Tata Power, Reliance Power). The correct answer is 'None' of the statements is correct.
Common mistakes
- Thinking all thermal plants are government-owned — significant private capacity exists under Adani Power, Tata Power, etc.
- Not knowing coastal thermal plants use seawater — Mundra UMPP specifically was designed with seawater cooling.
- Underestimating thermal plant water stress impacts — multiple studies document coal plants in severely water-stressed districts.
Exam tip
When all three statements say 'None' of something exists, suspect the answer is 'None is correct.' Thermal plants: use seawater (coastal), exist in water-stressed areas (peninsular India), include private ones (Adani/Tata). All three absolute statements = all three wrong.
Sources
- Ministry of Power — Thermal Power in India
- World Resources Institute — Thermal Plants and Water Stress