Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
With the birth of five cubs to Jwala announced on 9 March 2026, what is India's total cheetah population?
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Correct answer: C — 53
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said the total cheetah population in India had reached 53 with the arrival of Jwala's five cubs.
Jwala, the cheetah that gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in March 2026, was originally brought from which country?
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Correct answer: A — Namibia
Jwala is a Namibian cheetah and a third-time mother.
How many Indian-born cheetah cubs were surviving after Jwala's litter, according to the Environment Ministry on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 33
The number of Indian-born thriving cubs rose to 33; the litter was the 10th successful one on Indian soil.
On 28 February 2026, nine cheetahs were released into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park. From which country were they received?
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Correct answer: D — Botswana
Bhupender Yadav released nine cheetahs (six females and three males) received from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno on 28 February 2026.
Consider the following statements about Project Cheetah: 1. It began on 17 September 2022 with the release of eight cheetahs from Namibia at Kuno National Park. 2. The cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Prime Minister released eight Namibian cheetahs (five females, three males) at Kuno on 17 September 2022 under Project Cheetah, the world's first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation; the cheetah had been declared extinct in India in 1952.
With which organisation did NHAI prepare the first National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) report released on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Remote Sensing Centre (ISRO)
The report was prepared in coordination with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.
The National Highways Green Cover Index is derived from which measurement made by high-resolution satellite sensors?
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Correct answer: A — Chlorophyll content
The assessment is derived from chlorophyll content detected through high-resolution satellite sensors.
Consider the following statements about the first NH-GCI assessment: 1. It covered about 30,000 km of national highways in 24 states. 2. It assessed green cover for the period July–December 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the first cycle covered about 30,000 km of national highways across 24 states for July–December 2024.
Who chairs the committee set up by Rajasthan on 9 March 2026 to draft a law protecting the Khejri tree?
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Correct answer: B — Jogaram Patel
The six-member committee is chaired by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel.
The Khejri, for whose protection Rajasthan is drafting a special law, holds which status in the state?
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Correct answer: D — State tree
Khejri is the state tree of Rajasthan.
Within what time was Rajasthan's Khejri committee asked to submit its draft law?
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Correct answer: A — One month
The committee is to submit the proposed draft within one month.
Which body of the Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the review of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0 with Madhya Pradesh collectors on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — National Water Mission
The meeting was organised by the National Water Mission, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, with the Madhya Pradesh government.
What was the theme of World Wildlife Day 2026, observed on 3 March?
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Correct answer: B — Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods
The 2026 theme was 'Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods'.
World Wildlife Day on 3 March marks the adoption of which international convention?
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Correct answer: C — CITES
The day marks the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Consider the following statements based on the PIB backgrounder for World Wildlife Day 2026: 1. India is one of 17 mega-biodiverse countries. 2. Of India's roughly 15,000 medicinal plant species, about 8,000 are used in Indian medicine. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct according to the PIB backgrounder on World Wildlife Day 2026.
Which logo was unveiled at the Bureau of Energy Efficiency's Foundation Day on 1 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — BEE@25
Power Minister Manohar Lal unveiled the BEE@25 logo to mark the Bureau's 25th year.
By how much has India reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP from 2005 levels, as stated at BEE's 25th Foundation Day?
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Correct answer: C — 36%
Manohar Lal said India has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36% from 2005 levels.
Consider the following statements about the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE): 1. It was set up on 1 March 2002 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. 2. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. BEE was set up on 1 March 2002 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, and is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power.
The explosives factory where a blast killed workers on 1 March 2026 is located in which district of Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: B — Nagpur
The blast took place at SBL Energy Limited's factory at Raulgaon in Nagpur district.
From which country did the cheetahs released into Kuno National Park on 28 February 2026 come?
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Correct answer: B — Botswana
The cheetahs were received from Botswana under Project Cheetah.
Which aircraft flew the Botswana cheetahs from Gaborone to Gwalior on 27 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — IAF C-17 Globemaster
The cheetahs were airlifted by an IAF C-17 Globemaster and then taken to Kuno by IAF helicopters.
According to the Environment Ministry on 28 February 2026, how many cheetahs does India now have?
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Correct answer: C — 48
India now has 48 cheetahs, including 28 India-born cubs.
Consider the following statements about Project Cheetah: 1. The first cheetahs under the project were released at Kuno on 17 September 2022 and came from Namibia. 2. The cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The PM released eight cheetahs from Namibia at Kuno on 17 September 2022; PIB notes the cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952.
Where were the 89th meeting of the NBWL Standing Committee and the 44th meeting of the Central Zoo Authority held on 28 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bhopal
Both meetings, chaired by Bhupender Yadav, were held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. At its 89th meeting, the Committee discussed environmental flows in the Chambal river for conserving dolphins and gharials. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB describes the SC-NBWL as a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and lists Chambal e-flows for dolphins and gharials among the policy matters discussed.
The firecracker unit blast of 28 February 2026 that killed 20 workers on the spot took place in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
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Correct answer: A — Kakinada
The blast took place at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district.
Where is the BPCL Compressed Biogas plant inaugurated on 27 February 2026 located?
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Correct answer: A — Brahmapuram, Kochi
The BPCL CBG plant is at Brahmapuram in Kochi, Kerala.
How much biodegradable municipal solid waste per day will the BPCL CBG plant at Brahmapuram process?
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Correct answer: C — 150 tonnes
The plant will process 150 tonnes of source-segregated biodegradable municipal solid waste per day, giving 5.6 tonnes of CBG and 28 tonnes of manure.
Which organisation hosts the World Sustainable Development Summit, whose silver jubilee edition opened in February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — TERI
WSDS is The Energy and Resources Institute's (TERI's) summit; 2026 was its silver jubilee edition.
The Him-CONNECT platform launched in February 2026 aims to scale up research supported under which mission?
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Correct answer: A — National Mission on Himalayan Studies
Him-CONNECT is meant to turn research supported under MoEFCC's National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) into scalable solutions.
Which of the following is NOT among the key species named in the India–Nepal biodiversity MoU of February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Asiatic lion
The MoU names elephant, Gangetic dolphin, rhinoceros, snow leopard, tiger and vultures; the Asiatic lion is not listed.
Where was the India–Nepal MoU on forests, wildlife and climate change signed on 25 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — New Delhi
The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi in the presence of Bhupender Yadav and Madhav Prasad Chaulagain.
In which district of Jharkhand did a Ranchi–Delhi air ambulance crash on 23 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chatra
The Redbird Airways Beechcraft C90 air ambulance crashed in Chatra district; all seven on board died.
CAQM's Statutory Direction No. 98 of 21 February 2026 set what uniform particulate matter emission limit for identified industries in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: B — 50 mg/Nm³
The direction set a uniform PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for the targeted industries across Delhi-NCR.
From which date does CAQM's 50 mg/Nm³ particulate emission limit apply to large and medium industries in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: B — 1 August 2026
Large and medium industries must comply from 1 August 2026; the remaining industries from 1 October 2026.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): 1. It is a statutory body under an Act of Parliament passed in 2021. 2. It was set up under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as a sub-committee of CPCB. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. CAQM is constituted under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021), not as a CPCB sub-committee.
Where was the Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone launched on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Veraval, Gujarat
Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the EEZ Access Pass at KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat.
Through which online portal is the EEZ fishing Access Pass issued free of cost?
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Correct answer: B — ReALCRaft
Access Passes are issued free via the ReALCRaft online portal.
Consider the following statements about fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 1. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under the Maritime Zones Act of 1976. 2. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together account for about 49% of India's EEZ. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Rules were notified on 4 November 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, and A&N plus Lakshadweep make up 49% of India's EEZ.
CAQM's Statutory Direction No. 97 of 20 February 2026 takes note of the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025. From when do these Rules come into force?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
The Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 come into force from 1 April 2026.
A BSIP-led study announced in February 2026 reconstructed a 300-million-year-old Gondwanan ecosystem using fossils from a coal mine in which basin?
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Correct answer: A — North Karanpura Basin
The evidence came from the Ashoka Coal Mine in Jharkhand's North Karanpura Basin.
The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, which led the Jharkhand coal-mine fossil study, is an autonomous institute under which department?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Science and Technology
BSIP is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Which cheetah gave birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, as announced on 18 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gamini
Gamini, a South African cheetah and a second-time mother, gave birth to three cubs.
After the birth of Gamini's three cubs in February 2026, what was India's total cheetah population?
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Correct answer: C — 38
The total cheetah population reached 38, with 27 surviving India-born cubs.
Consider the following statements about Project Cheetah: 1. It involved the world's first inter-continental translocation of a large carnivore, with 20 cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa in 2022-23. 2. The first eight cheetahs were released into Kuno by the Prime Minister on 17 September 2022. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Since when had GRAP Stage-II been in force in Delhi-NCR before CAQM revoked it on 18 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 19 October 2025
Stage-II of GRAP had been invoked on 19 October 2025, when Delhi's average AQI began rising.
Which organisation announced on 17 February 2026 that it will develop 'Bee Corridors' along National Highways?
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Correct answer: A — National Highways Authority of India
NHAI announced the first-of-its-kind pollinator or Bee Corridors initiative along National Highways.
Consider the following statements about NHAI's Bee Corridors: 1. Plant species will be chosen for staggered flowering so that nectar and pollen are available through the year. 2. Dead wood and hollow trunks will be removed from the corridors. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. NHAI said flowering weeds, dead wood and hollow trunks, which benefit pollinators, will be retained.
As cited by CAQM on 16 February 2026, which state recorded the most fire events during the 2025 wheat harvesting season (1 April–31 May)?
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Correct answer: D — Punjab
Punjab recorded 10,207 fire events, against 1,832 in Haryana and 259 in the NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh.
How much did the National Biodiversity Authority release under Access and Benefit Sharing to BMCs in 24 districts, as announced on 15 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹10.40 lakh
The NBA released ₹10.40 lakh to BMCs across 24 districts. ₹145 crore is the cumulative ABS disbursement.
In the ABS release announced on 15 February 2026, a dairy farmer from which state received a benefit share for providing the Murrah buffalo breed?
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Correct answer: D — Haryana
A farmer holding a dairy farm in Haryana received an ABS amount for providing the Murrah buffalo breed.
Consider the following statements about the National Biodiversity Authority: 1. It is established under Section 8 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. 2. Its head office is in New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Under Section 8(3) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the NBA's head office is at Chennai.
How much power generation capacity did India add in 2025-26 up to 31 January 2026, as reported on 15 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 52,537 MW
A record 52,537 MW was added, against the previous record of 34,054 MW in 2024-25.
Which source accounted for the largest share of the renewable capacity added in 2025-26 up to 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Solar
Of 39,657 MW of renewable capacity added, 34,955 MW was solar and 4,613 MW wind.
Consider the following statements about India's installed power capacity as on 31 January 2026: 1. Non-fossil fuel capacity exceeded fossil fuel-based capacity. 2. Total installed capacity crossed 5,00,000 MW. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Non-fossil capacity was 2,71,969.33 MW against 2,48,541.62 MW fossil, and the total was 5,20,510.95 MW.
Where was the International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS 2026) held on 13–14 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — IISc Bengaluru
ICDS 2026 was held at the J.N. Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
DAMCHAT, the AI-powered dam safety knowledge platform launched at ICDS 2026, was developed by:
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Correct answer: A — International Centre of Excellence for Dams, IIT Roorkee
DAMCHAT was developed by the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED), IIT Roorkee. The Jal Shakti Data Management platform was developed by NWIC with support from BISAG-N.
Consider the following statements about the Dam Safety Act, 2021: 1. The National Committee on Dam Safety is chaired by the Chairman of the Central Water Commission. 2. The headquarters of the National Dam Safety Authority is in Bengaluru. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Under Section 5, the CWC Chairman is the ex officio Chairperson of the National Committee; under Section 8(3), the Authority's headquarters is in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
With which Union Territory did the Ministry of Earth Sciences sign an MoU on blue economy and coastal resilience on 12 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Puducherry
The MoU was signed with the Government of Puducherry's Department of Science, Technology and Environment.
How much financial support did the National Biodiversity Authority extend to State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils for FY 2025–26?
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Correct answer: C — ₹6.09 crore
NBA extended ₹6.09 crore to SBBs and UTBCs based on proposals for FY 2025–26.
Under which section of the Biological Diversity Act do local bodies constitute Biodiversity Management Committees?
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Correct answer: D — Section 41
BMCs are constituted by local bodies under Section 41 and maintain People's Biodiversity Registers.
Consider the following about the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: 1. It received the President's assent on 5 February 2003. 2. Its provisions on Access and Benefit Sharing came into force on 1 October 2003. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Act got assent on 5 February 2003; administrative provisions came into force on 1 October 2003, while the Access and Benefit Sharing provisions came into force on 1 July 2004.
Under CAQM's norms of 11 February 2026, large-size Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines are prescribed for roads with a Right of Way of:
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Correct answer: A — More than 15 m
Large MRSMs (hopper over 4 m³, width over 3 m) are for roads with RoW above 15 m.
What hopper capacity does CAQM prescribe for medium-size Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines?
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Correct answer: B — Between 1 m³ and 4 m³
Medium MRSMs have hopper capacity of 1–4 m³ and operating width of 1.5–3 m, for roads with RoW of 10–15 m.
Consider the following about the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021: 1. It is deemed to have come into force on 13 April 2021. 2. 'Adjoining areas' under the Act means areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh adjoining Delhi and the NCR. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Act 29 of 2021 received assent on 12 August 2021, is deemed in force from 13 April 2021, and defines adjoining areas as parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
How many study reports on Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero did NITI Aayog release on 9–10 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Eleven
NITI Aayog released eleven reports over 9 and 10 February 2026; the final four came out on 10 February.
According to NITI Aayog's Buildings report (Vol. 5), roughly what share of the building floor space that will exist in 2070 is yet to be built?
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Correct answer: C — 86%
About 86% of the 2070 floor space is yet to be built, so passive design and efficient appliances can avoid locking in high energy demand.
NITI Aayog projects air-conditioner ownership in India to rise from about 10% today to what level by 2070?
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Correct answer: C — 80%
The Buildings report projects AC ownership jumping from 10% today to 80% by 2070.
Consider the following about NITI Aayog's Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero reports: 1. They conclude that Viksit Bharat @ 2047 is achievable in all scenarios. 2. The Agriculture report recommends starting with large-scale energy substitution before resource-efficiency measures. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Agriculture report's 'strategic sequencing' puts resource efficiency (micro-irrigation, fertiliser optimisation) first, before large-scale energy substitution.
According to NITI Aayog's Financing Needs report released on 9 February 2026, how much capital must India mobilise by 2070 under the Net Zero scenario?
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Correct answer: D — $22.7 trillion
The report estimates $22.7 trillion by 2070, including a projected financing gap of $6.5 trillion.
How many inter-ministerial working groups informed NITI Aayog's study on Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero?
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Correct answer: B — Ten
The study was informed by ten inter-ministerial working groups covering macroeconomics, sectoral transitions, finance, critical minerals, R&D and social implications.
Consider the following statements made at the release of NITI Aayog's first Net Zero reports on 9 February 2026: 1. India's coal consumption is expected to keep rising until 2047. 2. The study targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The study assesses scenarios for reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, not 2050; the NITI CEO said coal consumption will rise till 2047.