Q21. What is the most significant advantage of implementing a National Green Energy Corridor?
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 21–30 of 84 questions
Q22. Which river basin in India has the highest estimated commercially exploitable hydropower potential?
Explanation
The Brahmaputra Basin possesses the highest estimated commercially exploitable hydropower potential in India due to its massive water volume and steep gradients. While the Ganga and Indus basins also have significant potential, the unique geography of the northeast makes the Brahmaputra the most promising for large-scale hydro development. However, much of this potential remains untapped due to environmental and technical challenges.
Q23. Consider the following statements regarding major hydropower projects in India:
I. The Tehri Dam is located on the Bhagirathi River.
II. The Bhakra Nangal project is situated on the Sutlej River.
III. The Nathpa Jhakri project is in Himachal Pradesh.
IV. The Idukki Dam is a major project in Karnataka.
V. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is built on the Narmada River.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Tehri Dam is located on the Bhagirathi River.
II. The Bhakra Nangal project is situated on the Sutlej River.
III. The Nathpa Jhakri project is in Himachal Pradesh.
IV. The Idukki Dam is a major project in Karnataka.
V. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is built on the Narmada River.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Major hydropower projects are vital for India’s energy and irrigation needs. The Tehri Dam is on the Bhagirathi, while Bhakra Nangal is situated on the Sutlej. Nathpa Jhakri is a key project in Himachal Pradesh, and Sardar Sarovar is on the Narmada. However, the Idukki Dam is a famous arch dam located in Kerala, not Karnataka, making that specific statement incorrect.
Q24. Identify the odd one out in the context of bioenergy sources and derivatives:
Explanation
Bioenergy sources and derivatives include bagasse, which is agricultural residue from sugarcane, bio-ethanol, and compressed biogas produced from organic waste. These are all renewable fuels derived from biological materials. Bitumen, however, is a viscous, black mixture of hydrocarbons obtained during the distillation of petroleum. As a fossil fuel byproduct, it does not belong to the category of modern bioenergy sources.
Q25. Identify the incorrect pair of a hydroelectric project and its associated river:
Explanation
The Pong Dam is a significant hydroelectric and irrigation project built on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, not the Yamuna. Other pairs are correct: the Salal Project is located on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, the Ukai Project is on the Tapi River in Gujarat, and the Srisailam Project is situated on the Krishna River between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Q26. Read the following statements regarding Run-of-the-River (RoR) hydroelectric projects and select the correct option:
Statement I: RoR projects generally cause less environmental submergence compared to large reservoir-based dams.
Statement II: RoR projects rely primarily on the natural flow of the river rather than large water storage.
Statement I: RoR projects generally cause less environmental submergence compared to large reservoir-based dams.
Statement II: RoR projects rely primarily on the natural flow of the river rather than large water storage.
Explanation
Run-of-the-River projects are considered more environmentally friendly because they rely on the natural flow of a river rather than creating large water storage reservoirs. By avoiding massive dams, these projects significantly reduce the submergence of land, forests, and local habitats. Therefore, the fundamental design of utilizing natural flow directly results in the advantage of minimized environmental impact and lower ecological disruption.
Q27. Identify the incorrect statement regarding India’s bioenergy policies:
Explanation
The Government of India has actually advanced its target for twenty percent ethanol blending in petrol to 2025-26, rather than 2030. The National Policy on Biofuels encourages using non-edible oilseeds for biodiesel, and the SATAT scheme promotes compressed biogas. Additionally, using agricultural residues for bioenergy is a critical strategy for reducing the environmental issue of seasonal stubble burning in northern states.
Q28. Consider the following statements regarding Small Hydropower (SHP) in India:
I. Projects up to 25 MW are classified as Small Hydropower.
II. SHP projects are entirely managed by the Ministry of Power, not the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
III. They have a shorter gestation period compared to large hydropower projects.
IV. They are particularly suitable for electrification of remote and hilly areas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Projects up to 25 MW are classified as Small Hydropower.
II. SHP projects are entirely managed by the Ministry of Power, not the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
III. They have a shorter gestation period compared to large hydropower projects.
IV. They are particularly suitable for electrification of remote and hilly areas.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Small Hydropower projects, with capacities up to twenty-five megawatts, are managed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. They offer the advantages of shorter gestation periods and lower environmental impacts compared to large dams. These projects are particularly vital for providing electricity to remote and hilly areas where extending the national grid is difficult, making them essential for regional energy security.
Q29. What is the primary cause of frequent technical and maintenance challenges in hydropower projects situated in the Himalayan region?
Explanation
Hydropower projects in the Himalayan region face frequent challenges due to the area’s fragile geological formations and high levels of silt in the rivers. High siltation causes rapid wear and tear on turbines, while geological instability leads to landslides and construction delays. These factors make the development and maintenance of hydropower in this mountainous terrain significantly more technical and costly.
Q30. By standard definition in the Indian context, what distinguishes ‘Small Hydro’ from ‘Large Hydro’ projects?
Explanation
In India, the classification of hydropower projects is based primarily on their installed capacity. Projects with a capacity of twenty-five megawatts or less are categorized as Small Hydro and are governed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Projects exceeding this capacity are classified as Large Hydro and fall under the purview of the Ministry of Power, reflecting different regulatory requirements.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (d) Synchronizing renewable electricity with conventional power in the national grid. |
| 22 | (a) Brahmaputra Basin |
| 23 | (a) I, II, III and V |
| 24 | (b) Bitumen |
| 25 | (a) Pong Dam - Yamuna |
| 26 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I. |
| 27 | (c) India has advanced its target of achieving 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol to 2030. |
| 28 | (b) I, III and IV |
| 29 | (d) Fragile geological formations and high siltation levels causing land instability. |
| 30 | (a) The installed capacity being 25 MW or less |
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.