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 statements is/are correct? 1. Thermal power stations in Delhi were required to summarily shut down. 2. CNG supplies had to be assured once diesel vehicles were prohibited from plying. 3. The Supreme Court banned the use of coal across the National Capital Region. Select the answer using the code given below.

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

Why the answer is (c)

• Statement 1 is not correct: it was agreed that thermal plants would "clean up or shut down"; they were not required to shut down summarily.

• Statement 2 is correct: when diesel buses were stopped, CNG supply had to be assured.

• Statement 3 is not correct: the Supreme Court banned pet coke. The coal ban came from the Delhi Government and was later extended to the NCR.

• Hence 2 only: (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 2: Statement 1 is wrong: plants were to clean up or shut down, not shut down summarily.
(b) 3 only: Statement 3 is wrong: the coal ban was the Delhi Government's.
(d) 2 and 3: Statement 3 is wrong: the Supreme Court banned pet coke, not coal.

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.