UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 21: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019. III. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?
- 1.Statement I is empirically supported by statement II.
- 2.Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I.
- 3.Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability.
Select the answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
India's LT-LEDS, submitted in 2022, lays out a long-term pathway to net zero by 2070, so statement I is a long-term strategy. BUR-4 (December 2024) reported that national emissions in 2020 were about 8 per cent lower than in 2019, which is data on emissions that backs the direction of statement I. Statement III says resilience depends on quick, short-term cuts, which runs against the long-term approach in I. Statements I and III cannot together build long-term sustainability, because III is itself flawed.
- 1. The reported fall in emissions supports the long-term strategy empirically.
- 2. A short-term-only view of resilience contradicts the long-term logic of the strategy.
- 3. Statement III is itself flawed, so the pair does not establish long-term sustainability.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: The reported fall in emissions supports the long-term strategy empirically.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: A short-term-only view of resilience contradicts the long-term logic of the strategy.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
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) Incomplete: relationship 2 is also correct.
- (b) Right: II supports I empirically, and III contradicts the long-term approach of I.
- (c) Wrong: relationship 3 fails because III is flawed, and relationship 1 holds.
- (d) Wrong: relationship 3 does not hold.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.