Science & Technology › Energy & Environment – UPSC Prelims PYQs

Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ?

1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).
2. It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.
3. National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

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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.

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Consider the following types of vehicles : I. Full battery electric vehicles II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles III. Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles

How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?

In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements : I. Cobalt II. Graphite III. Lithium IV. Nickel

How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes?

Consider the following substances : I. Ethanol II. Nitroglycerine III. Urea Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?

Consider the following : 1. 2. 3. 4.

How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources" ?

With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consider the following statements : 1. 2. 3.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen ?

Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following ?

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 ?

With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements :

1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements :

1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.

How many of the above statements are correct?

With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps?

1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps.
2. As street-lights, sodium lamps have longer life span than LED lamps.
3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street-lighting.

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In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not ?

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 ?

In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements :

1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.
4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

What is/are the consequence/consequences of a country becoming the member of the 'Nuclear Suppliers Group' ?

1. It will have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear technologies.
2. It automatically becomes a member of "The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)".

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the 'International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)' ?

With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements : 1. units. 2.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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.

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Consider the following statements :

1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.
2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of International Atomic Energy Agency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements :

1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.
2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements :

1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilizes the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?

What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems?

1. It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water.
2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water.
3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?

1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium.
3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why?

1. They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates.
2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates.
3. They can be installed in waste water treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to

What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp?

1. To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semi-conductor material.
2. The average life span of a CFL is much longer than that of an LED lamp.
3. A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an LED lamp.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles produce one of the following as “exhaust”.

In a dry cell (battery),

which of the following are used as electrolytes?

In the year 2007, an earthquake led to massive radioactive water leakage in the largest nuclear plant in the world. In which country did it occur?

In which one of the following locations is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project to be built?

Where was the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh litres freshwater per day based on low temperature thermal desalination principle commissioned?

With

which one of the following is BRIT (Government of India) engaged?

Recently, the European Union and six other countries including India signed the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Project.

Which one of the following was NOT a signatory to it?

In which one of the following areas did the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research make significant progress in the year 2005?

Assertion (A): The main constituent of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas is methane.

Reason (R): Methane can be used directly for burning in homes and factories where it can be supplied through pipelines.

Match List-I (Atomic Power Plants/Heavy Water Plants) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Gujarat
3. Maharastra
4. Maha
5. Karnataka

List-I (A) Thal (B) Manuguru (C) Kakrapar (D) Kaiga

List-II (State)

Consider the following statements:

1. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research uses fast reactor technology.
2. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration is engaged in heavy water production.
3. Indian Rare Earths Limited is engaged in the manufacture of Zircon for India's nuclear programme beside other rare earth products.

Which of these statements given above are correct?

Match List I (Fuel Gases) with List II (Major Constituents) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen
2. Butane, Propane
3. Methane, Ethane
4. Hydrogen, Methane, Carbon monoxide

List I (A) CNG (B) Coal gas (C) LPG (D) Water gas

List II

Codes:

Consider the following organisations:

I. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration II. Heavy Water Board III. Indian Rare Earths Limited IV. Uranium Corporation of India

Which of these is/are under the Department of Atomic Energy?

Consider the following statements: In a nuclear reactor, self-sustained chain reaction is possible, because I. More neutrons are released in each of the fission reactions. II. The neutrons immediately take part in the fission process. III. The fast neutrons are slowed down by Graphite. IV. Every neutron released in the fission reaction initiates further fission.

Which of these statements are correct?

A radioactive substance has a half-life of four months. Three fourth of the substance would decay in

Consider the following features of newer models of motor cars: I. Radial tyres II. Streamlined body III. Multipoint fuel injection IV. Catalytic converter with exhaust

Which of these features make the newer models of motor cars more fuel-efficient?

Consider the following statements regarding a motor car battery: I. The voltage is usually 12 V. II. Electrolyte used is hydrochloric acid. III. Electrodes are lead and copper. IV. Capacity is expressed in ampere-hour.

Which of the above statements are correct?

Which one of the following elements is essential for the construction of nuclear reactors?

Which one of the following has the highest fuel value?

Consider the following statements: At the present level of technology available in India, solar energy can be conveniently used to I. Supply hot water to residential buildings. II. Supply water for minor irrigation projects. III. Provide street lighting. IV. Electrify a cluster of villages and small towns. Of these statements