UPSC CSE · Subject
UPSC Prelims Environment and Ecology PYQs (2011–2026): Topic-wise with Answers – Page 4
283 UPSC Prelims questions on Environment and Ecology from 2011–2026, grouped by topic with the newest year first. The most-asked topics are Climate Change (43), Biodiversity (41), Pollution (40). Difficulty: 18% easy, 53% medium and 29% hard.
Ecology and Ecosystem 12 questions
- Carbon Dioxide Sources CycleWhich of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?
- Decomposers Food ChainWith reference to food chains in ecosystems, which of the following organisms are known as decomposers?
- Grassland Succession FireIn the grasslands, trees do not replace the grasses as a part of an ecological succession because of:
- Ecosystem Productivity RankingWhich one of the following is the correct sequence of ecosystems in the order of decreasing productivity?
- Food Chain DefinitionWith reference to food chains in ecosystems, consider the following statements:
- Biofertilizer Organisms NostocConsider the following organisms: 1. Agaricus 2. Nostoc 3. Spirogyra
- Soil Nitrogen SourcesWhich of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil?
- Ecological NicheWhich one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?
- Ecosystem Services Millennium AssessmentThe Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services—provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which…
- Phytoplankton Destruction EffectsWhat would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason?
- Marine Upwelling ProductivityIn the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by bringing the
- Rain Forest Slow RegenerationIf a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because
Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies 21 questions
- EU Nature Restoration LawWhich organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- Biodiversity Management CommitteesConsider the following statements:
- Central Ground Water AuthorityWhich one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
- Polar Code ShipsWhich one of the following statements best describes the 'Polar Code'?
- Wildlife Protection Laws IndiaWith reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:
- New York Declaration ForestsWith reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct?
- Schedule VI Wildlife ActIf a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
- National Policy BiofuelsAccording to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?
- Extended Producer ResponsibilityIn India, 'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?
- Compensatory Afforestation FundConsider the following statements:
- Forest Bamboo Rights AmendmentConsider the following statements:
- Environment Protection Act PowersConsider the following statements: The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to
- Solid Waste Management Rules 2016As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?
- Ramsar Convention ObligationsConsider the following statements:
- Critical Wildlife HabitatConsider the following statements:
- Annex I Cer Cdm OriginsConsider the following pairs:
- Montreal ProtocolWhich one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?
- Rio Plus 20 ConferenceWhat is the Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?
- Biodiversity International AgreementsConsider the following international agreements:
- National Green Tribunal ActThe National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which provisions of the Constitution of India?
- Biodiversity Laws Central ActsWith reference to India, consider the following Central Acts:
Miscellaneous Environment and Ecology 21 questions
- Coal Gasification ProductsConsider the following substances:
- Circular EconomyConsider the following statements:
- Distributed Energy ResourcesConsider the following:
- Sustainable Aviation FuelConsider the following materials:
- Pumped Storage HydropowerRecently, the term 'pumped-storage hydropower' is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?
- Greenwashing ClaimsWhich one of the following best describes the term 'greenwashing'?
- Groundwater OverexploitationConsider the following statements:
- Eco Friendly Road ConstructionIn rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint?
- Conservation AgricultureWith reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of 'Conservation Agriculture' assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the…
- Water Conservation AgricultureWhich of the following statements can help in water conservation in agriculture?
- Algal Biofuels LimitationsIt is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?
- Bee Star LabelOn which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?
- Sdgs Club of RomeConsider the following statements:
- Ganga River Basin AuthorityWhich of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?
- Net Metering‘Net metering’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the
- Agenda 21With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
- Coalbed Methane Shale GasWith reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas', consider the following statements:
- Guar Gum Shale GasIn India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the…
- Sugar Industry by ProductsWith reference to the usefulness of the by-products of sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Aflatoxins MouldsImproper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking…
- Biomass GasificationBiomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in India. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Agriculture and Environment 6 questions
- Rainfed Area DevelopmentWhich among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
- Ethanol Producers Brazil USAConsider the following statements:
- Legume Family PlantsConsider the following plants:
- Rice Methane Nitrous OxideAmong the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide?
- System of Rice Intensification"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:
- Permaculture FarmingHow is the permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?