UPSC Prelims 2026 CSAT Paper II · Q46 of 70 Comprehension medium

Passage

Directions for the next 2 (two) items : Read the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers should be based solely on the passage. Passage The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn—from household Chulhas to the thermal power plants. In most cases, it is biomass or coal. The Supreme Court banned the use of pet coke—the dirtiest of such fuels. The Delhi Government banned the use of coal, which was later extended to the entire National Capital Region. It was also agreed that the thermal power plants would clean up or shut down. Action on this has been patchy to say the least. The lesson from the transition to CNG is that people need alternatives for a ban to be effective. When diesel buses were stopped, CNG supply had to be assured. It also had to be feasible in terms of cost. The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to

Which of the following inferences is/are correct? 1. The source of the energy we consume is the key to the battle for cleaner air. 2. Bans are effective where the will is strong and the people are convinced that such bans are for the greater good of society. 3. There is judicial approval for a policy that intervenes fiscally to facilitate benevolent pricing for cleaner fuel. Select the answer using the code given below.

  1. (a) 1 and 2
  2. (b) 2 and 3
  3. (c) 1 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
  4. (d) 1 only

Why the answer is (c)

• Inference 1 is correct because the passage explicitly states that 'The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn,' directly linking energy sources to air quality.

• Inference 3 is correct because the passage notes that 'The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed,' indicating judicial approval for financial interventions to support cleaner fuel adoption.

• Inference 2 is incorrect because the passage attributes the effectiveness of bans to the availability of alternatives and cost feasibility (as seen in the CNG transition), not to the strength of will or public conviction about the greater good.

• Therefore, only inferences 1 and 3 are supported by the text, making option (c) the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 2
Inference 2 is not supported by the passage, which emphasizes alternatives and cost feasibility rather than public conviction or will.
(b) 2 and 3
Inference 2 is incorrect as the passage does not link ban effectiveness to public conviction, and Inference 1 is actually correct.
(d) 1 only
Inference 3 is correct because the passage explicitly mentions the Supreme Court's agreement on the need for fiscal measures.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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