Read the passage and answer the questions:
India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002. India, China and other developing countries were exempt from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol because their contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases during the industrialisation period (that is believed to be causing today’s global warming and climate change) was not significant. However, the critics of the Kyoto Protocol point out that sooner or later, both India and China, along with other developing countries, will be among the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. At the G-8 meeting in June 2005, India pointed out that the per capita emission rates of the developing countries are a tiny fraction of those in the developed world. Following the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, India is of the view that the major responsibility of curbing emission rests with the developed countries, which have accumulated emissions over a long period of time.
India’s international negotiating position relies heavily on principles of historical responsibility, as enshrined in UNFCCC. This acknowledges that developed countries are responsible for most historical and current greenhouse gas emissions, and emphasizes that ‘economic and social development are the first and overriding priorities of the developing country parties’. So India is wary of recent discussions within UNFCCC about introducing binding commitments on rapidly industrialising countries (such as Brazil, China and India) to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. India feels this contravenes the very spirit of UNFCCC.
The Indian government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programmes. For example, India’s National Auto-fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles. The Energy Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency. Similarly, the Electricity Act of 2003 encourages the use of renewable energy. Recent trends in importing natural gas and encouraging the adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been making real efforts. The government is also keen to launch a National Mission on Biodiesel, using about 11 million hectares of land to produce biodiesel by 2011-2012. India ratified the Paris Climate Agreement on 2 October 2016.
Why were India, China and other developing countries exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Their contribution to emission of greenhouse gases during the industrialisation period was not significant.
Option (1) They are already participating in global efforts through a number of programmes. — Incorrect. India does take part in global efforts through programmes such as the National Auto-fuel Policy and the Energy Conservation Act. But these are steps India took on its own; they are not the reason the developing countries were exempted from the Kyoto Protocol.
Option (2) They have signed and ratified the Paris Climate Agreement. — Incorrect. India ratified the Paris Climate Agreement only in 2016, long after the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, so it cannot explain an exemption given under Kyoto.
Option (3) Their contribution to emission of greenhouse gases during the industrialisation period was not significant. — Correct. India, China and other developing countries were exempt because their contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases during the industrialisation period was not significant.
Option (4) They command significant technological and financial resources to pursue sustainable development. — Incorrect. Commanding such resources would be a reason to bind a country, not to exempt it; the developing countries were exempted for their small past emissions.
Note 1: This passage is taken word for word from the NCERT chapter ‘Environment and Natural Resources’, the section ‘India’s Stand on Environmental Issues’. NTA lifted this case study straight from the chapter, so a careful reading of the book is the surest preparation for such passages.
Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 31-05-2026 (Slot 1).
NCERT: Contemporary World Politics — Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources (2025-26)
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