Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

India has enormous potential for non-conventional energy sources, which offer clean and renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Solar Energy: India is a tropical country with abundant sunlight, giving it great potential for solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. It is increasingly used in rural and remote areas. Large solar power plants reduce rural dependence on firewood and dung cakes, aiding environmental conservation and manure supply.

Wind Energy: India has significant wind power potential. The largest wind farm cluster runs from Nagarcoil to Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Lakshadweep also have wind farms. Wind energy is clean and renewable.

Biogas: Organic waste — shrubs, farm waste, cattle dung — is decomposed to produce biogas. It has higher thermal efficiency than kerosene, dung cakes or charcoal. "Gobar gas plants" provide farmers twin benefits: energy and improved quality of manure, while preventing deforestation.

All three reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower pollution, and support sustainable energy development.

Source: Contemporary India II, Chapter 5 — Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

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• The question asks for potential + current status + advantages of all three sources — cover all three aspects for each.
• Examiners expect specific facts: Tamil Nadu wind corridor, Nagarcoil–Madurai, Gobar gas plants, photovoltaic technology — these earn marks.
• Mention the key advantage for each: solar → rural electrification + conservation; wind → clean/renewable; biogas → higher thermal efficiency + twin benefit.
• Do not confuse "Gobar gas" with general biogas — the textbook uses both; mention both for full credit.
• Avoid writing about tidal or geothermal — the question specifically asks for only these three.