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UPSC Prelims 2025CSATGeneral Mental AbilityReading Comprehension - Central Idea

Q71. 71.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea conveyed by the passage?

A. Moving to net-zero carbon is possible only by the reduction in household emissions.
B. Low-carbon behaviour in people can be brought about by incentivising them.✓ Correct
C. Cheaper goods and services can be made available to people by using low-carbon technologies.
D. Manufacturing industries that use low-carbon technologies should be provided with subsidies.

Detailed Solution

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

The passage discusses the challenge of achieving net-zero carbon, noting that "at best, half the reduction might be achieved through demand-side measures, such as behavioural changes by individuals and households." Crucially, it adds that "even that would require companies and governments to provide more incentives to change through supply-side investments to make low-carbon options cheaper and more widely available." This directly implies that encouraging low-carbon behavior among people (demand-side measures) is a significant part of the solution, and this can be effectively achieved by providing incentives and making low-carbon options more accessible and affordable. Option (a) is an overstatement ("only by"); the passage mentions household emissions as *part* of the solution.

Option (c) is a consequence of the incentives and supply-side investments, not the central idea itself. Option (d) suggests a specific policy (subsidies for manufacturing industries) which is a detail of "supply-side investments" but not the overarching central message about influencing behavior.

The core message is the need to incentivize behavioral change for achieving net-zero. This question tests the ability to identify the main argument and its underlying mechanism.

Current Affairs Link

Net-zero carbon, climate change, behavioral economics, and green incentives are highly relevant current affairs and environmental policy topics.

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