Correct answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
- A
1 only
(a) 1 only. India is not the world’s third-largest maker of silicon wafers for PV; it imports most wafers and cells’ upstream silicon. Statement 1 is false, so it cannot stand alone as the answer. This option is not the key.
- B
2 only
(b) 2 only. Solar tariffs in India are discovered mainly through competitive bidding and adopted by CERC/SERCs; SECI is a CPSU implementer and offtaker, not the tariff-setting regulator. Statement 2 is false. This option is not the key.
- C
Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements fail, so “both” cannot be right. This option is not the key.
- D
Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2. India lacks that wafer-manufacturing rank, and SECI does not determine solar tariffs. Neither statement is correct. This option is the official key.
Summary. Official key is (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Silicon-wafer manufacturing is concentrated in East Asia; India was not third in the world on that metric. Solar Energy Corporation of India runs tenders and may be offtaker, but tariff adoption sits with the electricity regulators after bid discovery. Both given statements are therefore wrong. The WRAP key is (d).
PYQ trend
When UPSC asked this
Related PYQs from other years, newest first. Open a question to read it.
-
2020 · Q88 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps. 2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2016 · Q8 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to 'IFC Masala Bonds', sometimes seen in the news, which of the statements given below is/are correct? 1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of the World Bank. 2. They are the rupee-denominated bonds and are a source of debt financing for the public and private sector. Select the correct answer using the code given below