Q. India faces a challenging immediate future in energy and climate policy-making.
The problems are multiple: sputtering fossil fuel production capability; limited access to electricity and modern cooking fuel for the poorest; rising fuel imports in an unstable global energy context; continued electricity pricing and governance challenges leading to its costly deficits or surplus supply; and not least, growing environmental contestation around land, water and air. But all is not bleak: growing energy efficiency programmes; integrated urbanisation and transport policy discussions; inroads to enhancing energy access and security; and hold renewable energy initiatives, even if not fully conceptualized, suggest the promise of transformation.
Q 1. Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage given above?
(a) India’s energy decision-making process is ever more complex and interconnected.
(b) India’s energy and climate policy is heavily tuned to sustainable development goals.
(c) India’s energy and climate actions are not compatible with its broader social, economic and environmental goals.
(d) India’s energy decision-making process is straightforward supply-oriented and ignores the demand side.
Question from UPSC Prelims 2021 CSAT Paper
Explanation :
Q1: Correct Answer – (a) India’s energy decision-making process is ever more complex and interconnected.
Explanation – The passage describes the challenges that India faces in energy and climate policy-making. These challenges include sputtering fossil fuel production capability, limited access to electricity and modern cooking fuel for the poorest, rising fuel imports in an unstable global energy context, continued electricity pricing and governance challenges leading to its costly deficits or surplus supply, and growing environmental contestation around land, water and air. However, the passage also mentions some positive developments such as growing energy efficiency programmes; integrated urbanisation and transport policy discussions; inroads to enhancing energy access and security; and hold renewable energy initiatives.
Based on this information provided in the passage, statement (a) “India’s energy decision-making process is ever more complex and interconnected” best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage. This statement acknowledges the multiple challenges that India faces in its energy decision-making process while also recognizing that there are positive developments taking place.