Question

Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES) was established in India in the year _________
A. 1988
B. 1982
C. 1985
D. 1991

Answer 1

Hint: The main aim of the Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (DNES) was to increase the generation of non-conventional energy. A few years back, in October 2006, this Ministry was re-named as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Complete step-by-step solution:
The Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES), now called, The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal Ministry of the Government of India, it was established in 1982 and then renamed in 2006. In 1981, this ministry was known as Commission for Additional Sources of Energy (CASE). Then in 1982, it was renamed the Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (DNES). Again, in 1992, it was renamed the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES). And finally, in 2006, it was renamed the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
It takes care of all the matters related to new and renewable energy. Its broad aim is to supplement the energy requirements of our nation. The mission of this ministry is to ensure:

Energy Security: Development of alternate fuels such as hydrogen, synthetic fuels as well as biofuels and their applications such that they can contribute towards bridging the gap between the domestic oil demand and supply.
Increase in the share of clean power: Use of renewable resources such as wind, hydropower, solar power, geothermal, bio & tidal power to supplement the electricity generation based on the fossil fuels.
Energy Availability and Access: Its mission is to supplement the energy needs of cooking, motive power, heating, and captive generation in urban, rural, commercial, and industrial sectors by using renewable resources.
Energy Affordability: Its mission is to find the energy supply options such that they are affordable, cost-competitive, convenient, safe, and reliable by both the urban as well as the rural sectors.

Hence, option B is the correct option.

Note: With the growing concern of the country’s energy security, the role of new and renewable energy is increasing. Hence, the vision of this ministry is to develop new and renewable energy processes, technologies, materials, etc. such that they are at par with international specifications and standards.