GS3 · Topic
Energy
Coal, oil and gas, nuclear, and the transition to renewables: solar, wind, green hydrogen, storage, grid and energy security.
88 UPSC Mains GS3 questions on Energy that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Explain the working principle of sodium-ion batteries. Discuss their advantages and limitations in comparison to lithium-ion batteries in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
EnergyEmerging Technologies
Despite the government's ambitious targets, rooftop solar installations in India are hindered by multi-ple factors. Elaborate. How far do you think that PM Surya Ghar Yojana can incentivise the adoption of roof-top solar installations?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
EnergyInfrastructure
Discuss the importance of critical minerals for India's economic security and technological advancement. How does the National Critical Minerals Mission seek to address the challenges in this domain.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
EnergyIndustrial Policy and Liberalisation
Discuss the significance of the proposed Nuclear Energy Mission and the operationalisation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for India's clean energy transition. What are the technical, regulatory, and financial challenges in scaling up nuclear power?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
EnergyInfrastructure
“India's offshore wind energy has high potential but remains low on implementation”. Discuss the challenges impeding the harnessing of offshore wind energy and suggest possible solutions.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Energy
“Net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 is an unrealistic target.” Evaluate this assertion in light of current global and Indian energy trends, and suggest alternative pathways for sustainable development.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Climate ChangeEnergy
'Promotion of Methanol Economy' is the best pathway to realise the developmental imperatives of India while maintaining environment sustainability. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
EnergyPollution
There are many challenges in sustainably scaling up renewable energy in India. Analyse. Also, discuss what can be done to address these challenges.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
EnergyInfrastructure
Energy transition is considered the best measure to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Explain.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Climate ChangeEnergy
Do you agree that our understanding of wastelands is limited? Substantiate your opinion with reference to the solar parks in the habitat of Great Indian Bustard.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Environmental GovernanceEnergy
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) sector provides opportunities for India to become a leader in knowledge economy; however, there is a need to democratise its access in order to harness its complete potential. Analyse. Q.2) Though often presented as a panacea to the dichotomy between development and ecological conservation, nuclear technology has multitude of other uses. Briefly explaining India's three stage nuclear program, throw light upon various applications and challenges associated with nuclear technology in the country. Q.3) A multi-sectoral and multi-tiered process, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is beset with a plethora of constraints. Identifying these constrains, recommend measures for building a robust DRR strategy.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Emerging TechnologiesIndigenisation and Defence Technology
"In India, a move towards a diversified fuel basket, together with a focus on efficient exploration and consumption of energy resources, is needed." Discuss with suitable arguments.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Energy
Do you think India’s ethanol blending programme can significantly enhance energy security in the coming decade? Justify your answer.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
EnergyInfrastructure
What are Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs)? Why are SMRs considered a safer alternative to conventional Nuclear Power Plants?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Energy
Highlighting the significance of unconventional hydrocarbons for India, discuss the issues faced in their exploration and extraction.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
EnergyInfrastructure
A transition to clean energy is a huge economic opportunity for India. Elucidate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
EnergyClimate Change
How are fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) different from battery electric vehicle (BEV)? Highlighting advantages of electric vehicles, suggest measures for accelerating e-mobility adoption in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
EnergyInfrastructure
Green hydrogen is a promising pathway towards a sustainable energy future but its widespread adoption in India encounters substantial obstacles. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
EnergyInfrastructure
The installed capacities of solar and wind, at present, are far from the combined target of 160 GW to be achieved by 2022. In this light, examine the significance of 'National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy'.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Energy
Despite the government's rural electrification data showing that electricity has reached all villages in India, all households in the villages have not come out of darkness. Comment. Discuss the significance of 'Saubhagya Scheme' and related challenges in this context.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
EnergyInfrastructure
"Nuclear technology is not only important for energy security and defense but also plays an important role in Medicine, Agriculture and Industrial application in India". Explain with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
EnergyIndigenisation and Defence Technology
What are the salient features of the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018? Enumerate the benefits of deriving energy from biofuels in contrast to conventional energy generation.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Energy
How can 'agrivoltaics' benefit India's agriculture and energy sectors? Highlighting the factors hindering its widespread adoption, suggest remedial measures.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
EnergyAgri-technology
Examine the pivotal role of the nuclear energy program in fulfilling India's energy needs, and also emphasize the nation's strides in achieving self-reliance in this domain.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
EnergyIndigenisation and Defence Technology
Discuss the various concerns that exist with regard to fuel efficiency regulations for vehicles in India. Also, suggest the measures that can be taken in this regard.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
PollutionEnergy
Discuss the significance of the International Solar Alliance and highlight the initiatives taken by it in recent times.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
EnergyInfrastructure
India's climate action plan is a "vision for transformation" and reaffirms the need to focus on financial mobilization, technological collaboration and policy push to achieve the goals. Discuss in light of India's 'Intended Nationally Determined Contributions'.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Climate ChangePlanning and Resource Mobilisation
Discuss the significance and salient features of FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid Electric Vehicles) Scheme. Also, evaluate the impact of the FAME II scheme on the promotion of electric vehicles in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
EnergyInfrastructure
Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy is not only about reducing future emissions but also involves active removal of already released carbon into the atmosphere. In this context what do you understand by the concept of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and discuss the progress of the international community in this regard.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Climate ChangeEnergy
What do you understand by hydrogen fuel cells? Explain the bottlenecks in large scale commissioning of hydrogen fuel cells in current energy infrastructure.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper
Energy