UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 38: Economy and Social Development
Consider the following statements regarding power sector in India: I. The installed capacity of power generation is around 95000 MW. II. Nuclear plants contribute nearly 15% of total power generation. III. Hydroelectricity plants contribute nearly 40% of total power generation. IV. Thermal plants at present account for nearly 80% of total power generation. Which of these statements is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Only statements I and IV are correct. India's installed generating capacity was close to 95,000 MW around 2000, and thermal plants, mainly coal-based, gave nearly 80 per cent of generation. Statements II and III are wrong: nuclear power gave only a few per cent of generation, and hydro gave far less than 40 per cent. Remember that thermal power dominates India's electricity supply.
- I. Installed capacity was around 95,000 MW.
- II. Nuclear plants gave only a few per cent of generation.
- III. Hydro gave far less than 40 per cent.
- IV. Thermal plants gave nearly 80 per cent of generation.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) IV is also correct.
- (b) II and III are both overstated.
- (c) III is overstated, though IV is right.
- (d) Right: I and IV.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.