Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

India's growing energy demand must be met through sustainable means for the following reasons:

1. Depleting fossil fuels: India is heavily dependent on coal, petroleum and natural gas, which are non-renewable and being exhausted rapidly. Rising prices and potential shortages threaten energy security.

1. Environmental damage: Increasing use of fossil fuels causes serious environmental pollution, making a shift to cleaner sources essential.

1. Abundance of renewables: India is blessed with abundant sunlight, wind, water and biomass. Solar, wind, tidal, biogas and geothermal energy can meet demands without depletion.

1. Energy conservation: India is one of the least energy-efficient countries. Using public transport, switching off electricity when not in use, and using power-saving devices can reduce wastage — "energy saved is energy produced."

1. Rural benefit: Renewable sources like solar and biogas reduce dependence on firewood and dung cakes, conserving forests and improving agricultural manure supply.

Source: Chapter 5 — Energy Resources; Conservation of Energy Resources; Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

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• Examiners expect 5 distinct points for a 5-mark answer — each point earns 1 mark.
• Always link why fossil fuels are unsustainable (depletion + pollution) before arguing for renewables.
• Quoting the textbook line "energy saved is energy produced" is a value-addition examiner will notice.
• Keep each point crisp — one sentence or two at most. Avoid writing a long essay.