With reference to ‘Direct Air Capture’, an emerging technology

Q. With reference to ‘Direct Air Capture’, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?

UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims) 2025 – General Studies Paper I

I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.

II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.

III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) I and II only

(b) II only

(c) I, II and III

(d) None of the above statements is correct

Answer: (c) I, II and III

Direct Air Capture (DAC) removes CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.
Captured CO₂ can be:
- Stored underground (carbon sequestration)
- Used to make plastics or beverages

Combined with hydrogen to make synthetic fuels (e.g., in aviation)
Thus, all three statements are valid.

Answer: (c) I, II and III