Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q18 (IAS/2020) Science & Technology › New Materials, Energy & Environment-linked Tech › Solar energy technologies Official Key

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 ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 4 (Neither 1 nor 2) because both statements are technically incorrect regarding the versatility of solar energy applications in irrigation.

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: Solar energy can power both surface pumps (used for shallow water sources like ponds) and submersible pumps (used for deep wells or borewells). The type of pump depends on the water table depth, not the power source.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Solar power is compatible with various mechanical designs. While centrifugal pumps are common for high-flow requirements, solar energy can also drive piston pumps (positive displacement pumps), which are often preferred for high-head, low-flow situations or when high pressure is needed.

Since solar photovoltaic systems generate electricity that can be converted to run any type of electric motor (AC or DC), there are no inherent technical limitations that restrict solar power to only surface or centrifugal pumps. Therefore, both restrictive statements are false.

How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
59%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest preview
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements : 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not fo…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10
You're seeing a guest preview. The Verdict and first statement analysis are open. Login with Google to unlock all tabs.

This is a 'Common Sense Science' question disguised as a technical one. It tests the fundamental property of Solar PV (it generates electricity) rather than specific pump mechanics. The restrictive phrasing ('and not') is a classic UPSC trap designed to test if you understand that electricity is technology-agnostic.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Can solar photovoltaic (PV) power be used to run surface water pumps in solar water pumping systems?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 15: Infrastructure > Solar Energy Sector > p. 449
Presence: 5/5
“The world's second-largest solar park or photovoltaic (PV) power station named Shakti Sthala is at Pavagada in Karnataka with a capacity of 2,050 MW. • Solar Pumps Around 2.5 lakh solar pumps had been installed for irrigation and drinking water purposes by 2019-20. • Solar Cities 56 solar city projects have been approved under the development of solar cities programme. • Surya Mitra Scheme aims at training 50,000 personnel or Surya Mitras in solar energy sector within a period of 5 years from 2015-20.”
Why this source?
  • Explicit mention of 'solar pumps' installed for irrigation and drinking water implies PV-based pumping is in operational use.
  • Installation figure (around 2.5 lakh) shows practical deployment of solar pumping systems at scale.
  • Context ties solar pumps to water supply applications (irrigation/drinking), matching 'surface water pumps' use-case.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Solar Energy > p. 28
Presence: 4/5
“The Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) technology enables the conversion of solar radiation into electricity without involving any moving part like turbine. Over 650,000 solar PV systems have been installed in the country. In many parts of the country, the solar energy programmes have been implemented. One such example is the Rural Energy Co-operative at Sagar Island in the Sundarban Delta of West Bengal. Similar programmes have been implemented in the other islands in the Bay of Bengal, the desert of Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Kalyanpur (Aligarh), and Coimbatore (Fig. 8.8).”
Why this source?
  • Defines Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) technology as conversion of solar radiation directly into electricity, the fundamental enabler for electrically driven pumps.
  • Notes widespread installation of solar PV systems, supporting availability of PV as a power source for equipment like pumps.
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World > Solar Energy > p. 117
Presence: 3/5
“India is a tropical country. It has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas. Some big solar power plants are being established in different parts of India which will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes, which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate supply of manure in agriculture.”
Why this source?
  • States photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity and is popular in rural and remote areas where many water-pumping needs exist.
  • Implies suitability of PV for off-grid applications such as powering pumps in areas lacking conventional electricity.
Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

How to study

This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.

Login with Google to unlock study guidance.

Micro-concepts

Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.

Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.

The Vault

Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.

Login with Google to unlock The Vault.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2014 · Q7 Relevance score: 3.64

With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements : 1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilizes the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process. 2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC). 3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2018 · Q67 Relevance score: 3.11

With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements : 1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units. 2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 1996 · Q122 Relevance score: 2.57

Consider the following statements : At the present level of technology available in India, solar energy can be conveniently used to I. supply hot water to residential buildings. II. supply water for minor irrigation projects. III. provide street lighting. IV. electrify a cluster of villages and small towns. Of these statements

IAS · 2022 · Q11 Relevance score: 2.53

Consider the following statements : 1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. 2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2023 · Q66 Relevance score: 2.33

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements : 1. None of them uses seawater. 2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district. 3. None of them is privately owned. How many of the above statements are correct?