✅ Answer: C) 500 GWIndia’s renewable energy target is 500 GW by 2030 — announced at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021). This includes 300 GW solar, 140 GW wind, and 60 GW other renewables. India also committed to net zero emissions by 2070. India’s current renewable capacity is ~180 GW (2024). India is the 3rd largest renewable energy producer in the world. These targets are part of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

✅ Answer: C) Gurugram (Haryana)The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was proposed by PM Narendra Modi and French President François Hollande at COP21 (Paris, 2015). Its headquarters is at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus in Gurugram, Haryana. ISA has 120+ member countries. It aims to mobilise $1 trillion for solar energy by 2030. ISA focuses on countries between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (sunshine-rich countries). India is the founding member and host country.

✅ Answer: B) Electrolysis of water using renewable electricityGreen hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water (splitting H₂O into H₂ and O₂) using renewable electricity (solar or wind). It produces zero carbon emissions. Grey hydrogen (from natural gas) and brown hydrogen (from coal) emit CO₂. Blue hydrogen = grey hydrogen + carbon capture. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) targets 5 million tonnes/year by 2030 with ₹19,744 crore investment. Green hydrogen can decarbonise steel, fertilizers, shipping, and aviation.

✅ Answer: B) 2010The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) was launched in January 2010 as part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It initially targeted 20 GW solar by 2022 (later revised to 100 GW). India achieved 100 GW solar capacity in 2023. The mission has three phases. It is one of the 8 missions under NAPCC. India’s solar capacity has grown from 10 MW in 2010 to ~80 GW in 2024 — a remarkable achievement.

✅ Answer: B) Lithium-ion batteriesThe Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 was awarded to John Goodenough (USA), M. Stanley Whittingham (UK/USA), and Akira Yoshino (Japan) for the development of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries power smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and grid storage. They are lightweight, rechargeable, and have high energy density. India is developing domestic lithium-ion battery manufacturing under the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme to support the EV industry.

✅ Answer: C) 2070India committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2070 at COP26 (Glasgow, November 2021). This is later than the 2050 target of developed countries. India argued that developing countries need more time to transition. India also committed to: 500 GW renewable energy by 2030, 50% electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2030, reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030. India is the 3rd largest emitter globally but has low per capita emissions.

✅ Answer: A) Promotion of electric vehicles in IndiaFAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) is a scheme to promote electric vehicles in India. FAME-I was launched in 2015; FAME-II in 2019 with ₹10,000 crore. It provides subsidies for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, and charging infrastructure. India aims to have 30% EV penetration by 2030. PM E-DRIVE (2024) is the successor scheme with ₹10,900 crore. India is the world’s 3rd largest automobile market and a major EV opportunity.

✅ Answer: A) Grid-scale energy storage by pumping water uphill when excess electricity is availablePumped hydro storage is the world’s largest form of grid-scale energy storage. When excess electricity is available (e.g., from solar/wind), water is pumped from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. When electricity is needed, water flows down through turbines to generate electricity. It acts like a giant rechargeable battery. India has significant pumped hydro potential. The Tehri Pumped Storage Plant (1,000 MW) in Uttarakhand is India’s largest pumped hydro project.

✅ Answer: A) Solar pumps for farmers and solar power on agricultural landPM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme provides solar pumps to farmers and promotes solar power generation on agricultural land. It has three components: standalone solar pumps, solarisation of grid-connected pumps, and small solar power plants on barren/fallow land. It aims to provide energy security to farmers, reduce diesel consumption, and add 30.8 GW of solar capacity. Farmers can sell excess solar power to the grid.

✅ Answer: C) 5 million tonnesThe National Green Hydrogen Mission (approved January 2023) targets production of 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030. The mission has an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. It aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. The mission will create 6 lakh jobs and reduce fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore. India’s abundant renewable energy (solar and wind) makes it well-positioned for green hydrogen production. SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) is the key programme.