Comprehension : Comprehension

Q 21 / 466

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers should be based solely on the passage.
Passage: The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn - from household Chulhas to the thermal power plants. In most cases, it is biomass or coal. The Supreme Court banned the use of pet coke - the dirtiest of such fuels. The Delhi Government banned the use of coal, which was later extended to the entire National Capital Region. It was also agreed that the thermal power plants would clean up or shut down. Action on this has been patchy to say the least. The lesson from the transition to CNG is that people need alternatives for a ban to be effective. When diesel buses were stopped, CNG supply had to be assured. It also had to be feasible in terms of cost. The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel. Now even as coal is banned, the price of natural gas makes industry uncompetitive.
Which of the following inferences is/are correct?
  1. The source of the energy we consume is the key to the battle for cleaner air.
  2. Bans are effective where the will is strong and the people are convinced that such bans are for the greater good of society.
  3. There is judicial approval for a policy that intervenes fiscally to facilitate benevolent pricing for cleaner fuel.
Select the answer using the code given below.

EXPLANATION

The correct option is C - 1 and 3.

[as per provisional answerkey]

Why this is correct

Inference 1: The passage explicitly states, "The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn." This directly supports the inference that the source of energy is central to the fight for cleaner air. Therefore, Inference 1 is correct.

Inference 3: The passage mentions, "The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel." This confirms that there is judicial approval (Supreme Court) for fiscal intervention (fiscal measures) to ensure benevolent pricing (keeping clean fuel cheaper). Therefore, Inference 3 is correct.

Why the other options are incorrect

  • Inference 2 - Bans are effective where the will is strong and people are convinced: This is an incorrect inference because the passage attributes the effectiveness of bans to the availability of alternatives and cost feasibility ("people need alternatives for a ban to be effective"), rather than "willpower" or "public conviction."
  • Option (a) - 1 and 2: This is incorrect because Inference 2 is not supported by the passage; the passage focuses on economic and logistical factors rather than social conviction.
  • Option (b) - 2 and 3: This is incorrect because it includes Inference 2, which lacks textual evidence regarding "strong will" or "greater good."
  • Option (d) - 1 only: This is incorrect because it ignores Inference 3, which is clearly substantiated by the text regarding the Supreme Court's stance on fiscal measures.

Key Concept

Passage-based inference requires identifying specific textual evidence for each claim while avoiding external assumptions about social behavior or political will.