Q26·CSAT · Prelims 2026

RC — Fiscal Policies for Clean Fuel

Reading Comp.RC — InferenceInference-based● Easy

Question

[PASSAGE] The key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn-from household Chulhas to the thermal power plants. In most cases, it is biomass or coal. The Supreme Court banned the use of pet coke the dirtiest of such fuels. The Delhi Government banned the use of coal, which was later extended to the entire National Capital Region. It was also agreed that the thermal power plants would clean up or shut down. Action on this has been patchy to say the least. The lesson from the transition to CNG is that people need alternatives for a ban to be effective. When diesel buses were stopped, CNG supply had to be assured. It also had to be feasible in terms of cost. The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel. Now even as coal is banned, the price of natural gas makes industry uncompetitive.

[QUESTION] Which of the following inferences is/are correct?

1The source of the energy we consume is the key to the battle for cleaner air.

2Bans are effective where the will is strong and the people are convinced that such bans are for the greater good of society.

3There is judicial approval for a policy that intervenes fiscally to facilitate benevolent pricing for cleaner fuel.

Options

1 and 2

2 and 3

1 and 3

Answer

1 only

Explanation

Let us evaluate the validity of each inference using the text guidelines [cite: 3935, 3936, 3941, 3943, 4008]:

Inference 1 is correct: The text opens by stating that 'the key source of the battle for clean skies and clear lungs is the fuel we burn', which supports this statement [cite: 3935, 3936].

Inference 2 is incorrect: The text states that bans are effective when people are provided with viable, affordable alternatives ('people need alternatives for a ban to be effective'), rather than linking effectiveness to public willpower or social conviction [cite: 3941, 3943].

Inference 3 is correct: The text explicitly notes that 'The Supreme Court agreed that fiscal measures were needed to keep clean fuel cheaper than dirty fuel', confirming judicial backing for these interventions[cite: 3943, 4008].

Since inferences 1 and 3 are correct, option (c) is the correct choice.

Valid inferences must be anchored to the specific operational conditions discussed in the text, rather than relying on generalized ideas like public willpower or social conviction.

Answer: (c).

Question details

Year

2026

Paper

CSAT

Question

Q26

Section

Comprehension

Sub-topic

RC — Inference

Type

Inference-based

Difficulty

Easy

Source hint

RC passage — environmental regulations and economic incentives

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