According to recent renewable energy reports on capacity additions, India has been ranked as the second largest solar power market in the world in terms of new installations. In this context, India is the how many th largest solar market in the world?

Introduction / Context:
India has made rapid progress in solar power over the last decade, commissioning large solar parks and encouraging rooftop installations. International energy agencies and market research reports often rank countries based on new solar capacity added in a given year or over a short period. This question asks about India’s ranking as a solar power market in terms of capacity additions according to such reports.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to recent renewable energy and solar power market rankings.
• The ranking is based on solar capacity additions and market size.
• India is mentioned as being one of the top solar markets in the world.
• The options are First, Second, Seventh and Fourth.

Concept / Approach:
Several international reports have highlighted that India has emerged as one of the leading solar markets globally, particularly in terms of new capacity additions in certain years. In some of these analyses, India is ranked as the second largest solar market, just after China, when measured by newly added solar capacity over a certain period. The question is based on this context and asks you to recall that specific ranking, not the overall cumulative capacity ranking for all time.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that China has been the largest solar power market by capacity additions in recent years. Step 2: Remember that India has been highlighted in international reports as the second largest solar market during certain recent periods, due to rapid growth in installations. Step 3: Note that other countries such as the United States and Japan also rank highly, but India has specifically been mentioned as second in some rankings focused on annual additions. Step 4: Review the options and identify that Second is consistent with these reports. Step 5: Recognise that First would incorrectly place India ahead of China, which is not supported by typical data for capacity additions. Step 6: Understand that Seventh or Fourth would underestimate India’s strong position in recent solar market growth.

Verification / Alternative check:
This answer can be verified by looking at international renewable energy market reports for recent years, which often include tables ranking countries by newly installed solar capacity. In those tables, China is usually first, while India appears as the second largest market for certain periods, ahead of many developed countries. Exam preparation materials on energy and environment also frequently summarise this point when discussing India’s achievements in renewable energy.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
First is incorrect because China remains the largest solar market in terms of new capacity added and total capacity in most recent analyses. Fourth or Seventh would place India much lower than its actual rank, contradicting international assessments that highlight India’s rapid growth and strong position. These values may apply to other segments or older data but do not reflect the ranking described in this question.

Therefore, Second is the only option that matches the context of India’s recognised standing in recent solar market reports.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse cumulative installed capacity with annual additions, or they may mix up rankings from different years. Others assume that developed countries like the United States and European nations automatically occupy the top positions. To avoid confusion, always pay attention to the exact wording of the question, especially whether it refers to capacity additions, total capacity or market size in a specific year.

Final Answer:
In the context described, India is ranked as the second largest solar market in the world.