Q1. Consider the following statements about Green Hydrogen:
1. It is produced from water using electrolysis powered by renewable energy.
2. Its lifecycle GHG emissions can be cut by over 80% compared to grey hydrogen.
3. Blue hydrogen emits no CO₂ due to carbon capture technology.
2. Its lifecycle GHG emissions can be cut by over 80% compared to grey hydrogen.
3. Blue hydrogen emits no CO₂ due to carbon capture technology.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
• Statement 1 — Correct. Green hydrogen is produced via electrolysis of water using renewable sources, with oxygen as the byproduct.
• Statement 2 — Correct. High renewable penetration can reduce lifecycle GHG emissions by 60–90%, i.e., over 80% in some cases.
• Statement 3 — Incorrect. Blue hydrogen still emits CO₂ (~3.5–4 kg CO₂/kg hydrogen) even with carbon capture and storage.
• Correct Answer: (c)
Q2. With reference to Green Hydrogen, consider the following statements:
1. It is classified as green only if electrolysis is powered entirely by renewable energy.
2. The process emits no CO₂, but lifecycle emissions can arise from equipment manufacturing.
3. Its energy density per unit mass is lower than that of gasoline.
4. Electrolysis efficiency is generally higher when powered by variable renewable energy sources like solar or wind.
5. Commercial use of its byproduct can improve overall project economics.
2. The process emits no CO₂, but lifecycle emissions can arise from equipment manufacturing.
3. Its energy density per unit mass is lower than that of gasoline.
4. Electrolysis efficiency is generally higher when powered by variable renewable energy sources like solar or wind.
5. Commercial use of its byproduct can improve overall project economics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
Explanation
• Statement 1 — Correct. Any share of fossil fuel power removes the “green” classification.
• Statement 2 — Correct. No direct CO₂ emissions occur, but lifecycle emissions exist from manufacturing and maintenance.
• Statement 3 — Incorrect. This statement is incorrect. Hydrogen has a much higher gravimetric energy density (~33,000 Wh/kg) compared to gasoline (~12,000 Wh/kg) making it energetically denser by mass. However, hydrogen’s volumetric energy density is much lower due to its low density, requiring compression or liquefaction for storage.
• Statement 4 — Incorrect. Variable renewables often lower efficiency due to intermittency; stable supply improves it.
• Statement 5 — Correct. Selling oxygen offsets production costs.
• Correct Answer: (a)
Q3. With reference to the SIGHT Programme, consider the following statements:
1. It is a part of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
2. It provides financial incentives for both green hydrogen production and domestic electrolyser manufacturing.
3. It also supports offshore wind turbine manufacturing under the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy.
4. Its primary objective is to reduce the cost of green hydrogen and make India a global hub in this sector.
2. It provides financial incentives for both green hydrogen production and domestic electrolyser manufacturing.
3. It also supports offshore wind turbine manufacturing under the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy.
4. Its primary objective is to reduce the cost of green hydrogen and make India a global hub in this sector.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
• Statement 1 — Correct. The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Statement 2 — Correct. It incentivises both green hydrogen production and electrolyser manufacturing.
• Statement 3 — Incorrect. Offshore wind turbine manufacturing is unrelated to SIGHT; it comes under other MNRE initiatives.
• Statement 4 — Correct. Reducing costs and positioning India as a global hub are key goals.
• Correct Answer: (a)
SIGHT Programme: Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition
The SIGHT Programme is a central component of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to green hydrogen by providing substantial financial incentives. It was launched with a budget outlay of ₹17,490 crore for the period up to 2029–30, making it one of the largest green hydrogen support schemes globally.
Objectives
- Boost domestic electrolyser manufacturing
- Maximize green hydrogen production
- Lower the cost of green hydrogen
- Enhance domestic value addition and support promising technologies
- Improve global competitiveness and quality standards
Structure & Implementation
The SIGHT Programme consists of two main incentive components:
- Electrolyser Manufacturing Incentives
- Goal: Build a robust domestic electrolyser manufacturing ecosystem.
- Outlay: ₹4,440 crore (FY 2025–26 to FY 2029–30).
- Focus: Support both established and emerging electrolyser technologies, improve performance/quality, and increase value addition in India.
- Green Hydrogen Production Incentives
- Goal: Maximize production and utilization of green hydrogen (and derivatives).
- Outlay: ₹13,050 crore (FY 2025–26 to FY 2029–30).
- Focus: Encourage cost-competitive, large-scale green hydrogen that substitutes fossil-based hydrogen in industry, transport, and energy.
- Implementation Modes: Competitive bidding for production, with recent tenders already being awarded to major companies for hundreds of thousands of tons per annum.
Key Details
- Implementing Agency: Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is responsible for scheme execution and overseeing all bidding and allocation processes.
- Validity: Incentives are generally provided for three years, with ongoing evolution depending on market and technology conditions.
- Outcomes Expected:
- 5 million metric tonnes/year green hydrogen production by 2030.
- Major reduction in fossil fuel imports and CO₂ emissions.
- Creation of over 600,000 jobs in the sector.
- Mobilization of investments exceeding ₹8 lakh crore by 2030.
Budget Outlay: ₹17,490 crore (till 2029–30)
Q4. With reference to disqualification of legislators in India, consider the following statements:
1. Grounds under Articles 102 and 191 are identical.
2. Disqualification for criminal conviction requires Presidential or Governor’s approval.
3. Nominated members are exempt from the Tenth Schedule.
4. Disqualification for defection is decided by the Presiding Officer.
2. Disqualification for criminal conviction requires Presidential or Governor’s approval.
3. Nominated members are exempt from the Tenth Schedule.
4. Disqualification for defection is decided by the Presiding Officer.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4 only
Explanation
• 1 – Correct: Articles 102 (Parliament) and 191 (State Legislatures) provide identical constitutional grounds.
• 2 – Incorrect: Post Lily Thomas (2013), disqualification for conviction of two years or more is immediate — no approval needed.
• 3 – Incorrect: Nominated members also fall under the Tenth Schedule if they join a party after six months of nomination.
• 4 – Correct: Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman) decides on defection cases.
• Correct Answer: (d)
Q5. With reference to the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project, consider the following:
1. It targets only eukaryotic species of Britain and Ireland.
2. It is linked to the Earth BioGenome Project.
3. Genome sequencing aids conservation biology.
4. Eukaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles.
2. It is linked to the Earth BioGenome Project.
3. Genome sequencing aids conservation biology.
4. Eukaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
• 1 – Correct: DToL covers only eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland.
• 2 – Correct: It is part of the Earth BioGenome Project.
• 3 – Correct: Sequencing reveals genetic diversity, aiding conservation.
• 4 – Incorrect: Eukaryotic cells do have membrane-bound organelles.
• Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3