UPSC Prelims 2025 Q38: Environment & Ecology – Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases
- (a) I and III only
- (b) II only
- (c) II and III only
- (d) I, II and III
Answer: (c) II and III only
Explanation
Statement-by-Statement Breakdown:
| Statement | Claim | Reality | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | India's CO₂ < 0.5 t per capita | India's actual per capita ≈ 1.9 t CO₂/year (2023 data) | FALSE |
| II | India ranks 2nd in Asia-Pacific for CO₂ from fuel combustion | China 1st, India 2nd in Asia-Pacific | TRUE |
| III | Electricity and heat producers = largest CO₂ source in India | Power sector ≈ 50% of India's total emissions | TRUE |
Key numbers to remember:
India total CO₂ ≈ 2.9 billion tonnes (2023) — 3rd globally after China and USA.
Per capita ≈ 1.9 t — far above the 0.5 t threshold in Statement I.
India is LOW per-capita relative to developed nations but HIGH in total volume.
Coal-based thermal power plants dominate India's electricity mix, making power sector the single largest emission source.
Answer: (c) II and III only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement I is false — India's per capita CO₂ is approximately 1.9 t, not below 0.5 t. Only II and III are correct.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II alone is insufficient. Statement III (power sector as largest source) is also correct.
- (c) CORRECT. India ranks 2nd in Asia-Pacific for fuel combustion emissions (after China), and electricity and heat production is the dominant emission sector in India.
- (d) Incorrect. Including Statement I makes this wrong — India's per capita CO₂ is ~1.9 t, not below 0.5 t.
Key point
India CO₂ per capita ≈ 1.9 t (NOT < 0.5 t). Asia-Pacific rank = 2nd. Largest source = Power sector (electricity + heat).
Remember
India CO₂ per capita ≈ 1.9 t — NOT below 0.5 t. Power sector is India's biggest CO₂ source.
Common mistakes
- Underestimating India's per capita CO₂. India is low relative to USA (~14 t) or Europe, but at ~1.9 t it is far above 0.5 t.
- Not knowing India's total emissions rank: China > USA > India globally. In Asia-Pacific: China > India.
- Forgetting that coal-based thermal power dominates India's electricity — hence power sector = largest single CO₂ source.
Exam tip
India emissions cheatsheet: Total = 3rd globally. Per capita = ~1.9 t (low vs developed nations, NOT < 0.5 t). Sector rank: Power > Industry > Transport. UPSC tests the distinction between per-capita (low) and total emissions (high) for India.
Sources
- IEA — CO₂ Emissions from Fuel Combustion (2023)
- Ministry of Statistics — India GHG Inventory
- NCERT Class XII — Environmental Studies (Climate Change)