Q11. An energy company wants to extract a natural gas resource that is trapped within coal seams. Which of the following specific terms describes this resource?
Energy, Transportation and Communication: RAS Prelims MCQs
84 RAS Prelims MCQs on energy, transportation and communication cover the energy sources and policy, the nuclear programme, solar parks, highways, railways and logistics. Small hydro, the National Energy Policy, Bhadla Solar Park, the longest national highway, railway zones and the Dedicated Freight Corridors are asked as facts and effects.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 84 questions
Q12. Which solar park holds the distinction of being one of the largest solar parks in the world by capacity, located in Rajasthan?
Explanation
Bhadla Solar Park, located in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, is recognized as one of the largest solar parks in the world by total capacity. Its vast expanse and high solar insolation make it a cornerstone of India’s renewable energy goals. While other parks like Pavagada and Kurnool are significant, Bhadla stands out for its massive scale and contribution to solar power.
Q13. Consider the following statements regarding solar energy initiatives in India:
I. The National Solar Mission was launched to establish India as a global leader in solar energy.
II. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is headquartered in Gurugram, India.
III. PM-KUSUM scheme aims at promoting rooftop solar installations in urban households exclusively.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The National Solar Mission was launched to establish India as a global leader in solar energy.
II. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is headquartered in Gurugram, India.
III. PM-KUSUM scheme aims at promoting rooftop solar installations in urban households exclusively.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The National Solar Mission was launched to position India as a global leader in solar energy through ambitious capacity targets. Complementing this, the International Solar Alliance is headquartered in Gurugram, India, fostering global cooperation. The PM-KUSUM scheme, however, focuses on solarizing the agricultural sector and providing energy security to farmers rather than being exclusive to urban household rooftop installations.
Q14. Which of the following states is generally considered an exception when listing the top five states with the highest installed solar power capacity in India?
Explanation
Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka are among the top five states with the highest installed solar power capacity in India due to favorable policies and high solar radiation. These states have large-scale utility projects and solar parks. Assam, located in the northeast, has significantly lower installed capacity compared to these leaders, making it the exception when listing the top solar-producing states.
Q15. Read the following statements regarding wind energy in India and select the correct option:
Statement I: The wind power potential of India is highly concentrated in the coastal states and Rajasthan.
Statement II: Wind speeds are generally higher and more consistent in offshore and coastal regions compared to inland continental areas.
Statement I: The wind power potential of India is highly concentrated in the coastal states and Rajasthan.
Statement II: Wind speeds are generally higher and more consistent in offshore and coastal regions compared to inland continental areas.
Explanation
India’s wind power potential is concentrated in coastal states and Rajasthan because these areas experience higher and more consistent wind speeds. Offshore and coastal regions benefit from sea breezes and unobstructed terrain, providing better conditions for turbines compared to inland continental areas. Thus, the geographical distribution of wind energy infrastructure is directly dictated by these natural atmospheric and topographical factors.
Q16. Match List I with List II:
Select the correct code:
| Renewable Energy Park/Project | State |
|---|---|
| A. Charanka Solar Park | i. Rajasthan |
| B. Kamuthi Solar Power Project | ii. Gujarat |
| C. Muppandal Wind Farm | iii. Tamil Nadu |
| D. Jaisalmer Wind Park | iv. Tamil Nadu |
Explanation
Renewable energy projects are located in states with high natural potential. Charanka Solar Park is a pioneering project in Gujarat. The Kamuthi Solar Power Project and the Muppandal Wind Farm are both major installations in Tamil Nadu, taking advantage of local geography. Jaisalmer Wind Park is located in Rajasthan, which is known for having some of the highest wind speeds.
Q17. Consider the following states:
I. Tamil Nadu
II. Gujarat
III. Karnataka
IV. Maharashtra
Arrange them in descending order of their total installed wind power capacity in India (as per recent general trends):
I. Tamil Nadu
II. Gujarat
III. Karnataka
IV. Maharashtra
Arrange them in descending order of their total installed wind power capacity in India (as per recent general trends):
Explanation
Recent trends in wind energy capacity show that Gujarat has taken the lead, followed closely by Tamil Nadu. These states have the highest potential and established infrastructure.
Q18. Identify the correct statement regarding solar energy generation in India:
Explanation
Photovoltaic technology is the most common method for solar generation, utilizing semiconductors to convert sunlight directly into electricity. While rooftop solar is growing, utility-scale ground-mounted projects currently hold a much larger share of India’s total capacity. Despite domestic manufacturing efforts, India still imports solar components. PV remains the dominant technology for both residential and large-scale solar installations across the country.
Q19. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Large-scale integration of solar and wind energy requires advanced grid balancing mechanisms.
Reason (R): Solar and wind energy generation is intermittent and dependent on weather conditions.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Large-scale integration of solar and wind energy requires advanced grid balancing mechanisms.
Reason (R): Solar and wind energy generation is intermittent and dependent on weather conditions.
Explanation
Integrating large-scale solar and wind energy into the national grid is challenging because these sources are intermittent and dependent on variable weather conditions. Since power generation fluctuates throughout the day, advanced grid balancing and storage mechanisms are essential to maintain a stable electricity supply. Therefore, the inherent variability of renewables necessitates the development of sophisticated management systems for grid stability.
Q20. A state government plans to set up a new renewable energy facility in a desert region that experiences high wind speeds at night and intense sunlight during the day. Which of the following would be the most efficient policy choice?
Explanation
Wind-solar hybrid parks are highly efficient in desert regions because they utilize the complementary nature of these resources. While solar intensity is high during the day, wind speeds often increase at night, allowing for a more consistent power output. This approach optimizes the use of land and existing grid infrastructure, providing a more stable and cost-effective renewable energy solution.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) Coal Bed Methane |
| 12 | (c) Bhadla Solar Park |
| 13 | (a) I and II |
| 14 | (d) Assam |
| 15 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I. |
| 16 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 17 | (d) II, I, III, IV |
| 18 | (d) Photovoltaic (PV) technology directly converts sunlight into electricity using semiconductors. |
| 19 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 20 | (c) Developing wind-solar hybrid parks to optimize land and grid infrastructure. |
Key facts from Energy, Transportation and Communication
- Small hydro projects have an installed capacity of 25 MW or less; the Brahmaputra basin has the highest commercially exploitable hydropower potential.
- NITI Aayog drafted the National Energy Policy; Homi J. Bhabha conceptualised the three-stage nuclear programme.
- Coal Bed Methane is natural gas trapped within coal seams; Bhadla is one of the largest solar parks in the world.
- NH 44, from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, is the longest national highway in India.
- Indian Railways is divided into 19 zones for administration.
- The Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors reduce transit time and unit cost for freight; Krishi UDAN helps transport farm produce by air.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Energy, Transportation and Communication?
This page has 84 practice MCQs on Energy, Transportation and Communication (Indian Economy). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which is the longest National Highway in India?
NH 44, which runs from Srinagar in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. It covers several States, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and links the north and south of the country.
How many zones does Indian Railways have?
19 zones for administrative convenience, each headed by a General Manager. The Kolkata Metro is counted as a zone, and each zone is further divided into divisions that run the day-to-day work of the railways.
What is Coal Bed Methane?
Natural gas trapped within coal seams. It can be extracted by drilling into the coal bed, and it is a source of cleaner energy that India is developing in its coal-bearing regions.