Explanation
- A
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II explains Statement-I
Both correct and II explains I. The atmosphere is heated more by terrestrial long-wave radiation, not by incoming solar.
- B
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
Both correct but II does not explain I. Statement-I is false.
- C
Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
I correct, II incorrect. I is the false limb; greenhouse gases do absorb long-wave.
- D
Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
I incorrect, II correct. Earth heats the air; CO2 and other GHGs absorb outgoing long-wave.
Summary. Official key is (d). Incoming solar radiation is mostly short-wave; the air is relatively transparent to it. The surface absorbs sunlight and radiates long-wave infrared, which greenhouse gases absorb — that is how the troposphere is heated. Statement-I reverses the mechanism. Statement-II is true and does not rescue I.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2025 · Q9 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. Statement II: Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs. Statement III: Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? -
2025 · Q29 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth's surface. II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet's average temperature. III. Atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation. Which of the statements given above are correct?