General Studies 2025 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory What

Q7

What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) ? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change ? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

कार्बन अवशोषण (कैप्चर), उपयोग तथा भंडारण (सी सी यू एस) से क्या आशय है ? जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने में सी सी यू एस की संभावित भूमिका क्या है ? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: What

This question asks you to what. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'what' demands a precise definitional response followed by functional explanation. Structure as: brief definition of CCUS (capture-transport-storage/utilization chain) → role in climate change mitigation (emission reduction, hard-to-abate sectors, negative emissions) → balanced conclusion on limitations.

Key points expected

Definition covering all three components: Capture (pre/post-combustion, oxy-fuel), Transport (pipelines/shipping), and Storage/Utilization (geological formations, mineralization, or conversion to products)
Climate change role: reducing CO2 emissions from industrial point sources (cement, steel, power) that are difficult to decarbonize otherwise
Potential for achieving negative emissions through BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) and direct air capture
India-specific relevance: CCUS for coal-dependent economy, NTPC pilot projects, and alignment with net-zero 2070 commitment
Balanced mention of challenges: high costs, energy penalty, storage integrity risks, and need for policy incentives
Distinction between CCS (storage only) and CCUS (includes utilization pathways like enhanced oil recovery, building materials, fuels)

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Answer explicitly addresses both parts of the compound question—clear definitional opening on CCUS followed by distinct climate change mitigation role, without conflating the two demands	Covers both parts but treats them sequentially without clear linkage, or slightly conflates definition with role discussion	Misses one part entirely (only defines CCUS or only discusses climate role), or misunderstands CCUS as only CCS or only utilization
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately describes capture technologies (pre/post/oxy-combustion), transport modes, and both storage (saline aquifers, depleted oil fields) and utilization pathways; correctly identifies hard-to-abate sectors and negative emission potential	Basic accurate definition with generic mention of storage or utilization, but lacks specificity on technology types or conflates storage with utilization	Factual errors (e.g., calling CCUS renewable energy, confusing it with carbon offsetting), or superficial one-line definition without technical components
Structure & flow	20%	2	Compact 150-word structure with clear demarcation: definitional sentence → component breakdown → climate role analysis → concluding qualifier; logical progression without repetition	Adequate structure but uneven weightage (over-defining at cost of climate role), or slightly disjointed flow between paragraphs	Rambling structure, no paragraph breaks, or illogical sequence (climate role before definition); significantly over/under word limit
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Includes at least one India-specific reference (e.g., NTPC Vindhyachal pilot, Indian Oil CCUS initiatives, or alignment with India's net-zero strategy) and optionally global benchmark (Norway Sleipner, Petra Nova)	Generic mention of 'some countries' or 'developed nations' without specifics, or only international examples without Indian context	No examples whatsoever, or irrelevant examples (confusing CCUS with renewable energy projects like solar parks)
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Brief critical conclusion acknowledging CCUS as complementary (not substitute) to renewables, noting cost/storage challenges, or positioning it within India's just transition framework	Generic concluding statement ('CCUS is important for climate action') without critical nuance or balance	No conclusion, or uncritical boosterism ('CCUS will solve climate change') without acknowledging limitations; abrupt ending

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