UPSC CSE · Environment and Ecology
UPSC Prelims Pollution Questions (Environment and Ecology): PYQs with Answers
40 UPSC Prelims questions on Pollution (Environment and Ecology) from 2011–2025, newest first. 2019 had the most (5). Difficulty: 15% easy, 57% medium and 28% hard.
- Plastic in Everyday ItemsConsider the following:
- Activated Carbon Effluent TreatmentConsider the following statements:
- Cement Industry CO2 EmissionsConsider the following statements:
- Cloud Seeding PollutionArtificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of
- Sulphur Dioxide SourcesAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?
- Chewing Gum PollutionConsider the following statements:
- PFAS Forever ChemicalsWith reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements:
- Hydrofluorocarbons Aerosols Foam AgentsConsider the following:
- Mercury PollutionConsider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
- WHO Air Quality GuidelinesIn the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:
- PET PlasticWith reference to polythylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements:
- Acid Rain CausesConsider the following:
- R2 Code Electronics RecyclingR2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of:
- Copper Smelting ConcernsWhy is there a concern about copper smelting plants?
- Furnace OilWith reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements:
- Magnetite PollutionMagnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following?
- Benzene Pollution SourcesWhich of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution?
- Steel Slag UsesSteel slag can be the material for which of the following?
- Coal Ash and EmissionsConsider the following statements:
- Pyrolysis Plasma GasificationIn the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned?
- Microbeads PollutionWhy is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?
- Nitrogen Emissions AgricultureConsider the following statements:
- Hydrogen CNG FuelIn the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements:
- Crop Residue Burning EmissionsConsider the following:
- River Sand Mining ConsequencesWhich of the following is/are the possible consequence of heavy sand mining in river beds?
- Bioremediation AdvantagesIn the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique?
- Air Quality Index GasesIn the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
- Nitrogenous Fertilizer ImpactsWhat can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?
- Fly Ash Bricks CementWith reference to fly ash produced by the power plants using coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Steel Industry PollutantsWhich of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?
- Nanoparticles ConcernsThere is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?
- Brominated Flame RetardantsBrominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use?
- Arsenic Fluoride Uranium GroundwaterWhich of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India?
- Freshwater DistributionOn the planet Earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion:
- E Waste PollutantsDue to improper/indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?
- Acid Rain CausesAcid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by:
- Photochemical SmogPhotochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among
- CFC Uses Ozone DepletionConsider the following statements:
- Harmful Algal BloomsThere is a concern over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the seawaters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon?
- Bio Asphalt BenefitsIn the Union Budget 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bioasphalt). What is the importance of this material?