Read the following passage and answer the question :
Use of Non-conventional sources of Energy : India, as you know, is hugely dependent on thermal & hydro power plants to meet its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental impacts. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon dioxide which is a green house gas. It also produces fly ash which if not used properly, can cause pollution of water bodies, land & other components of the environment. Wind power & solar rays are good examples of non-conventional cleaner & greener energy sources but they are not yet explored on a large scale due to lack of technological devices.
Identify the Non-conventional source of Energy.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Solar Energy
The passage names wind power and solar rays as good examples of non-conventional, cleaner and greener energy sources.
Coal and petroleum, and kerosene made from petroleum, are conventional sources. Burning them releases carbon dioxide.
Note: The sentence calling solar energy a non-conventional source is from the chapter ‘Infrastructure’, which was there in the pre-rationalised NCERT. This chapter has been deleted from subsequent editions of NCERT, including the NCERT book (2026-27).
NCERT (2026-27): “Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy: India, as you know, is hugely dependent on thermal and hydro power plants to meet its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental impacts. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon dioxide which is a green house gas.…” NCERT (Pre-rationalised), chapter ‘Infrastructure’: “Non-conventional Sources of Energy: Both commercial and non-commercial sources of energy are known as conventional sources of energy. There are three other sources of energy which are commonly termed as non-conventional sources — solar energy, wind energy and tidal power.…” |