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 keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel. Now even as coal is banned, the price of natural gas makes industry uncompetitive.

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.

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

Why the answer is (c)

• Inference 1 is correct: the passage opens by saying the key source of the battle for clean skies is the fuel we burn.

• Inference 2 is not correct: the passage's lesson is that bans work when people have ALTERNATIVES that are available and affordable, not when people are convinced of the greater good.

• Inference 3 is correct: the Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel.

• Hence 1 and 3: (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 2: Inference 2 is not supported: the passage stresses alternatives, not conviction.
(b) 2 and 3: Inference 2 is not supported, and 1 is correct.
(d) 1 only: Inference 3 (judicial approval of fiscal measures) is also correct.

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.