UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 55
In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: India’s AQI uses ambient pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, but not carbon dioxide or methane as index components.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas but not an Indian National AQI pollutant.
Statement/Item 2: Correct - Carbon monoxide is one of the measured AQI criteria pollutants.
Statement/Item 3: Correct - Nitrogen dioxide contributes to the AQI and urban combustion pollution.
Statement/Item 4: Correct - Sulphur dioxide is a criteria AQI pollutant, especially from fuel combustion.
Statement/Item 5: Incorrect - Methane is tracked for climate emissions, not routine AQI calculation.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 1; omits correct statement/item 4.
B: Correct - includes all and only the true statements/items.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 5; omits correct statement/items 2, 3.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 5.