Statement I: Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth’s rotation and axis. 

Statement II: Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth’s outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy. 

Statement III: As the Earth’s polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator. 

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

(a) Both Statements II and III are correct and both of them explain Statement I 

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I 

(c) Only one of the Statement II and III is correct and that explains Statement I 

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct  

Ans-b

Explanation

Climate change is causing significant shifts in Earth’s rotation and axis . As polar ice melts and water flows towards the equator, it’s altering the planet’s mass distribution and slowing its rotation, leading to slightly longer days

Statements 1 & 3 are correct  

Solar flares are huge explosions of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. A flare appears as a sudden, intense brightening of a region on the Sun, lasting several minutes to hours.

Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.  

Although solar flares can bombard Earth’s outermost atmosphere with tremendous amounts of energy, most of that energy is reflected back into space by the Earth’s magnetic field or radiated back to space as heat by the thermosphere.  

Statement 2 is correct, but does not explain statement 1

Read: Previous Year UPSC Environment Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2025