UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I
Question 99: Science and Technology
Consider the following heavy industries :
- 1.Fertilizer plants
- 2.Oil refineries
- 3.Steel plants
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Green hydrogen can cut emissions in all three industries. Fertiliser plants use hydrogen to make ammonia, now mostly from fossil-based hydrogen. Oil refineries use large amounts of hydrogen in hydrotreating and hydrocracking. Steel plants can use hydrogen instead of coking coal to reduce iron ore into direct reduced iron. Replacing fossil-based hydrogen with green hydrogen decarbonises these hard-to-abate sectors.
- 1. Ammonia for fertilisers needs hydrogen.
- 2. Refineries use hydrogen for hydrotreating and hydrocracking.
- 3. Steel can use hydrogen in direct reduction.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Only one undercounts the industries.
- (b) Only two undercounts the industries.
- (c) Correct: fertilisers, refineries and steel can all use green hydrogen.
- (d) All three use or can use hydrogen, so not none.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.