Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 09 April 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Love your two-wheeler? Delhi may soon say goodbye to petrol, diesel, and CNG bikes if the draft EV Policy 2.0 gets the green light. The policy proposes a complete ban on fossil-fuel-powered two-wheelers from August 15, 2026.
As part of a larger strategy to curb Delhi’s air pollution, the draft EV Policy 2.0 also aims to phase out CNG-driven auto-rickshaws and fossil fuel-powered vehicles used by civic bodies for solid waste collection.
The new policy is expected to be announced soon following approval of the Delhi cabinet, according to a report by news agency PTI.
According to the draft EV Policy 2.0 recommendations, no new CNG auto-rickshaw registrations will be allowed in Delhi starting August 15, 2025. From that date, permits for CNG autos will also not be renewed. Instead, only electric auto permits will be issued. CNG autos that are over 10 years old will have to be either replaced or retrofitted to run on batteries.
Ban on fossil fuel two-wheelers
The draft policy also proposes a complete ban on petrol and CNG two-wheelers from August 15, 2026. It also proposes no registration of fossil fuel-powered three-wheeler goods carriers from August 15, 2025.
Govt-run vehicles are in focus
Government-run vehicles that deal with solid waste collection and city buses are also under focus. The upcoming policy recommends phasing out fossil fuel-driven vehicles used by Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, and Delhi Jal Board, with a target of 100 per cent electric garbage vehicles by December 31, 2027.
Public transport is set for a transformation too. Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) will only procure electric buses for city use and BS VI-compliant buses for inter-state operations.
Recommendations for car owners
For private car owners, the draft recommends that if a person already owns two vehicles, any further purchase must be an electric car. This rule will apply once the new EV policy is officially notified.
According to the PTI, officials said that while the draft policy is mostly final, recommendations related to two-wheelers might be revised before cabinet approval. The current EV policy, which expired on March 31, has been extended for 15 days, possibly for the last time.
Delhi’s air pollution crisis
The national capital has been witnessing a serious air pollution crisis for many years which become worse during winters with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at hazardous levels. 
Reports suggest that the actual causes of pollution are vehicle emissions, dust from construction, smoke from factories, and stubble burning by farmers in nearby states like Punjab and Haryana. 
Furthermore, firecrackers during festivals and burning of waste make the situation more challenging. All these sources release harmful particles into the air, which can cause breathing problems, asthma, and heart diseases, especially in children and the elderly.
Responding to this air pollution crisis, the aim of the new policy is to aggressively reduce air pollution in Delhi by replacing a large number of fossil fuel vehicles with electric ones, officials added.
[Excerpt from Business Standard "Delhi’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0" Dated 09/04/25]

Q1: From which date will new CNG autorickshaw registrations be disallowed under the new EV policy draft?
(a) January 1, 2026
(b) March 31, 2025
(c) August 15, 2024
(d) December 31, 2027

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: The draft policy states that no new CNG autorickshaw registrations will be allowed from August 15.

Q2: By what date must all garbage collection vehicles in Delhi switch to electric, according to the draft policy?
(a) August 15, 2025
(b) March 31, 2026
(c) January 1, 2028
(d) December 31, 2027

View Answer  

Ans: (d)
Sol: The policy targets a 100% electric garbage vehicle fleet by December 31, 2027.

Q3: What type of buses must DTC and DIMTS procure for intra-city public transport?
(a) BS VI diesel buses
(b) Only electric buses
(c) Hybrid fuel buses
(d) CNG-powered buses

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: The draft mandates only electric buses for intra-city operations.

Q4: When will the registration of petrol, diesel, and CNG two-wheelers be banned in Delhi as per the draft policy?
(a) December 31, 2027
(b) March 1, 2025
(c) August 15, 2026
(d) January 1, 2025

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: Petrol, diesel, and CNG two-wheelers will be banned from August 15, 2026.

Q5: What condition must be met by private car owners to purchase an electric vehicle under the new policy draft?
(a) They must scrap an existing vehicle
(b) They must already own two vehicles
(c) They must have solar charging at home
(d) They must buy only BS VI compliant vehicles

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: Private individuals must own two vehicles to be eligible to purchase an electric car under the draft policy.