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CSAT 2026 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2026 · Question 46 · Reading comprehension

Which of the following inferences is/are correct?

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.

CSAT 2026 · Q46

Reading comprehension Medium Provisional key

Which of the following inferences is/are correct?

  1. 1.The source of the energy we consume is the key to the battle for cleaner air.
  2. 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. 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.

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) 1 and 3

The passage names the fuel we burn as the key to clean air and records the Supreme Court's agreement that fiscal measures should keep clean fuel cheaper. It says bans work when people have affordable alternatives — not when will is strong and people are convinced.

  • ✓ 1. 'The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn'.
  • ✗ 2. The passage's lesson from CNG is that 'people need alternatives for a ban to be effective' and they must be affordable; will and conviction are not mentioned.
  • ✓ 3. 'The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel.'

Remember · When a statement gives a reason, check it is the passage's reason; a plausible but different reason makes it wrong.

Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper II (2026, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

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