UPSC Prelims 2025 CSAT Paper II · Q21 of 78 Comprehension medium

Passage

Each State in India faces a distinctive set of challenges regarding the impact of warming, but also offers its own set of opportunities for reducing emissions depending on its natural resources. For example, coastal States need to take action to protect their shores from sea level rise, districts that are drier need to prepare for variable monsoon precipitation. Himalayan regions have their own unique challenges, and selected parts of peninsular India and offshore areas offer great opportunities for harnessing wind power. These various aspects need to be considered for developing clear and sustainable goals for the future.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and pragmatic message conveyed by the author of the passage ?

  1. (a) The mitigation and adaptation strategies to address/tackle the climate change is essentially the responsibility of each State.
  2. (b) India is too diverse to implement any effective strategy or programme to address/tackle the climate change.
  3. (c) It is basically the responsibility of the Union Government to implement the climate action plans and ensure net zero emissions.
  4. (d) India needs to formulate effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies at the State/region level. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The passage says each State in India has distinctive climate challenges and opportunities based on its natural resources.

• It gives examples: coastal States face sea-level rise, dry districts face variable monsoon, Himalayan regions have unique challenges, and peninsular/offshore areas can use wind power.

• Therefore, the logical message is that climate goals must be shaped according to State/region-specific conditions.

• This makes option (d) the best reflection because it calls for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies at the State/region level.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) The mitigation and adaptation strategies to address/tackle the climate change is…
Option (a) overstates the passage by making each State solely responsible, whereas the passage only says State-specific conditions must be considered in formulating goals.
(b) India is too diverse to implement any effective strategy or programme to address/tackle…
Option (b) contradicts the passage, which treats diversity as a reason for tailored strategies and opportunities, not as a barrier to any effective strategy.
(c) It is basically the responsibility of the Union Government to implement the climate…
Option (c) shifts the focus to the Union Government, while the passage emphasizes State/region-specific challenges and opportunities for climate action.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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