SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 20

Solution: The correct answer is Delayed implementation of emission control laws and poor waste management systems.
Explanation:
☛ In the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024, India was ranked 176th out of 180 countries with a score of 27.6, placing it among the lowest-ranking nations globally.
☛ India's low ranking is primarily driven by poor air quality, persistent reliance on coal for energy, heavy greenhouse gas emissions, and delays in enforcing stringent emission standards.
☛ Furthermore, poor solid waste management, inadequate wastewater treatment, and slow implementation of environmental regulations significantly reduced India's scores across environmental health and ecosystem vitality indicators.
☛ Although initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) exist, ground-level implementation bottlenecks and insufficient compliance have hindered rapid environmental improvements.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is published biennially by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and Columbia University.
☛ In EPI 2024, Estonia secured the 1st rank globally, followed by Luxembourg and Germany.
☛ The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2019 with a target to reduce particulate matter concentration by 20–30% (later revised to 40% by 2026).
☛ India ranked 180th (last position) in the EPI 2022 edition with an index score of 18.9.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which country ranked first globally in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024? → Estonia
☛ Which organizations publish the Environmental Performance Index? → Yale University and Columbia University
☛ What was India's rank in the EPI 2024 among 180 countries? → 176th
☛ In which year was the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in India? → 2019
☛ What is the revised target year under NCAP to achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM concentrations? → 2026