सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. As per the AQI classification, 401-500 is 'Severe'. Statement 2 is incorrect. An AQI of 490 falls under the 'Severe' category (401-500). The 'Severe Plus' or 'Emergency' category is triggered when PM2.5 concentration crosses 400 µg/m³ or PM10 crosses 500 µg/m³ for 48 hours or more, or when the AQI crosses 450. While 490 is very high, it is still within the 'Severe' band, not 'Severe Plus' which has specific criteria. Statement 3 is correct. GRAP Stage III is indeed characterized by stricter restrictions on construction and demolition activities (excluding essential projects), closure of certain industrial units, and restrictions on brick kilns and hot mix plants.

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is incorrect. While GRAP was initially notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, its implementation and enforcement in the NCR are now overseen by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which superseded the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). CPCB provides technical support and monitoring. Statement 2 is correct. GRAP's stages are indeed triggered based on the daily average concentrations of key pollutants, primarily PM2.5 and PM10, but also considering others like Ozone and Carbon Monoxide. Statement 3 is correct. The CAQM was established in 2020 to provide a permanent statutory body for air quality management in the NCR and adjoining areas, taking over the role of EPCA in implementing and enforcing GRAP.

सही उत्तर: A

I. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is primarily produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, especially in vehicles and industrial processes. II. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is a major pollutant released from the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur, predominantly in thermal power plants and industrial smelters. III. Lead (Pb) was historically a significant pollutant from vehicle exhaust due to leaded petrol. While leaded petrol has been phased out in many countries, lead can still be found in industrial emissions and some older paints. IV. Ground-level Ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant formed by photochemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight, not directly emitted from a single source.

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. NCAP's initial target was indeed a 20-30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. This target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect. NCAP is a non-statutory, time-bound national-level strategy, not implemented under the Air Act, 1981. It is a collaborative and participatory approach involving various ministries, states, and local bodies. Statement 3 is correct. NCAP primarily focuses on 131 'non-attainment cities' across India, which consistently fail to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 or PM2.5.

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. As per the AQI classification, 401-500 is 'Severe'. Statement 2 is incorrect. An AQI of 490 falls under the 'Severe' category (401-500). The 'Severe Plus' or 'Emergency' category is triggered when PM2.5 concentration crosses 400 µg/m³ or PM10 crosses 500 µg/m³ for 48 hours or more, or when the AQI crosses 450. While 490 is very high, it is still within the 'Severe' band, not 'Severe Plus' which has specific criteria. Statement 3 is correct. GRAP Stage III is indeed characterized by stricter restrictions on construction and demolition activities (excluding essential projects), closure of certain industrial units, and restrictions on brick kilns and hot mix plants.

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is incorrect. While GRAP was initially notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, its implementation and enforcement in the NCR are now overseen by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which superseded the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). CPCB provides technical support and monitoring. Statement 2 is correct. GRAP's stages are indeed triggered based on the daily average concentrations of key pollutants, primarily PM2.5 and PM10, but also considering others like Ozone and Carbon Monoxide. Statement 3 is correct. The CAQM was established in 2020 to provide a permanent statutory body for air quality management in the NCR and adjoining areas, taking over the role of EPCA in implementing and enforcing GRAP.

सही उत्तर: A

I. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is primarily produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, especially in vehicles and industrial processes. II. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is a major pollutant released from the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur, predominantly in thermal power plants and industrial smelters. III. Lead (Pb) was historically a significant pollutant from vehicle exhaust due to leaded petrol. While leaded petrol has been phased out in many countries, lead can still be found in industrial emissions and some older paints. IV. Ground-level Ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant formed by photochemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight, not directly emitted from a single source.

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. NCAP's initial target was indeed a 20-30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. This target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect. NCAP is a non-statutory, time-bound national-level strategy, not implemented under the Air Act, 1981. It is a collaborative and participatory approach involving various ministries, states, and local bodies. Statement 3 is correct. NCAP primarily focuses on 131 'non-attainment cities' across India, which consistently fail to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 or PM2.5.