Environment PYQs
2024
Q1: Consider the following statements about India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):
1) India has committed to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
2) India aims to achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
3) India's updated NDC is linked to the Panchamrit announcement made at COP26.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Q2: Consider the following statements regarding ecological pyramids:
1. In a parasitic food chain, the pyramid of numbers is always upright.
2. Pyramids of biomass are always inverted in marine ecosystems.
3. Pyramids of energy are never inverted.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Q3: Which category under the IUCN classification is not directly recognized in the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?
(A) Critically Endangered
(B) Vulnerable
(C) Endemic
(D) Extinct in the Wild
Q4: India's first OECM (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure) recognition was awarded for which reason?
(A) Ex-situ conservation of orchids
(B) Sacred groves with endemic fauna
(C) Biodiversity management in community forests
(D) Coral reef mapping
Q5: Which of the following statements about Tropical Evergreen Forests in India are NOT correct?
1. They are confined only to the Eastern Ghats of India.
2. The trees shed their leaves simultaneously during the dry summer season.
3. They are found in regions receiving rainfall above 200 cm.
4. Ebony, mahogany, and rosewood are common species.
(A) 3 and 4 only
(B) 1 and 2 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1 and 4 only
Q6: Which of the following statements about Biosphere Reserves in India are NOT correct?
1. Great Nicobar is one of the designated biosphere reserves.
2. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is spread over Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
3. There are no biosphere reserves in the Himalayan region.
4. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(A) 3 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2 and 4 only
(D) 3 and 4 only
Q7: In India, the 'Threatened Species Recovery Programme' under NBAP targets species that are:
(A) Locally extinct but globally common
(B) Keystone species across agro-ecological zones
(C) Species with narrow geographic range and declining population
(D) Genetically engineered but endangered
Q8: What differentiates India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) from the NAPCC?
(A) It targets only renewable energy
(B) It provides sector-specific deep decarbonization roadmaps
(C) It replaces all earlier missions
(D) It excludes forestry
Q9: The CAMPA funds are prioritized for activities that involve:
(A) Mining clearance proposals
(B) Community-managed wind farms
(C) Compensatory afforestation and eco-restoration
(D) River-interlinking project evaluations
Q10: Which climate initiative specifically supports Himalayan glacial monitoring?
(A) ICAP
(B) National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
(C) State REDD+ Programme
(D) Bharat Clean Energy Mission
Q11: Consider the following statements about the Ramsar sites in India:
1. A Ramsar site is declared based on its ecological importance and biodiversity richness.
2. Chilika Lake was the first Indian site to be added to the Ramsar list.
3. As of 2023, India has more than 75 Ramsar sites.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Q12: Consider the following statements about endemic species in India:
1. Endemic species are restricted to a specific geographical location.
2. The Nilgiri Tahr is endemic to the Western Ghats.
3. Endemic species always fall under the IUCN Critically Endangered category.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
2023
Q1: Which of the following statements are correct in respect of 'Goldman Environmental Prize'?
(1) This Prize was established in the year 1989 by American couple Richard and Rhoda Goldman
(2) This Prize is awarded to honour grassroots environmental leaders of Global recognition
(3) Prafullah Samantara is awarded this prize for the year 2024 from India
(4) This prize comprises of a cash prize of $5,00,000
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 2 and 4
(D) 1 and 4
Q2: Which of the following statements are Correct in respect of 'Vantara'?
1. It is national initiative for afforestation
2. This initiative was launched by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation
3. It is started in Green Belt of Jamnagar Refinery Complex, Haryana
4. Vantara also aspires to become a leader in wildlife conservation
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 3 and 4
(C) 2 and 4
(D) 1 and 3
Q3: Which one of the species is an example of extinct species?
(A) Asiatic Cheetah
(B) Black Buck
(C) Crocodile
(D) Indian Wild Ass
Q4: Which one of the following term describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?
(A) Ecotone
(B) Ecological niche
(C) Habitat
(D) Home range
Q5: In the grasslands, trees do not replace the grasses as a part of an ecological succession because of
(A) Insects and fungi
(B) Limited sunlight and paucity of nutrients
(C) Water limits and fire
(D) None of the above
Q6: With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of organism is / are known as decomposer organism/organisms?
1. Virus
2. Fungi
3. Bacteria
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Q7: Consider the following:
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Oxides of Nitrogen
3. Oxides of Sulphur
Which of the above is/are the emission/ emissions from coal combustion at thermal power plants?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Q8: Read the following statement given below and choose the correct alternative
Statement 1- Land degradation is caused due to soil erosion and waterlogging
Statement 2- Deforestation is the major cause of soil erosion
(A) Both are correct
(B) Both are incorrect
(C) Statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect
(D) Statement 1 is incorrect and statement 2 is correct
Q9: Land degradation in India happens at a very large scale, because
(A) Inadequate soil conservation measures
(B) Overgrazing
(C) Both (A) and (B)
(D) None of the above
Q10: Consider the following statements about Atal Bhujal Yojana
(1) It is conceived to arrest the rampant overuse of groundwater in India
(2) It is supported by the World Bank
(3) It is a sub-scheme under National Groundwater Management Improvement Scheme (NGMIS)
(A) 2 and 3
(B) 1 and 3
(C) 1 and 2
(D) All of the above
Q11: Consider the following statements regarding an aquatic ecosystem :
(1) The shallow water zone around the edge of the lake is the littoral zone.
(2) Limnetic zone is the open zone where phytoplankton grows in abundance
(3) Profundal zone is the dark zone where the light cannot reach.
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Q12: Which climatic phenomenon is characterized by cooler than normal sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean?
(A) La Nina
(B) El Nino
(C) Monsoon
(D) Tornado
Q13: Which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India refers to protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife?
(A) 39A
(B) 43A
(C) 48A
(D) 51A
Q14: Which of the following are primary pollutants?
(1) Carbon monoxide (CO)
(2) Sulphur oxides (SO2)
(3) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
(4) Nitric Oxide (NO)
(5) CFC's
(6) Radioactive pollutants
(A) 1, 2, 3 and 6 only
(B) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(C) 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
(D) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Q15: With reference to cloud seeding, consider the following statements:
(1) It is a weather modification technique that improves a cloud's ability to produce rain or snow by introducing tiny ice nuclei into certain types of subfreezing clouds.
(2) Aluminum hydroxide is the most common chemical used for cloud seeding.
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Q16: National Air Quality Index (AQI) is launched by the government to monitor the quality of air in major urban centres across the country on a real-time basis. In this context, consider the following statements:
(1) AQI will have 'one number, one colour and one description' to inform the public about air quality in a simple and easily understandable format
(2) There are six AQI categories, namely: good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor and severe
(3) The index considers eight pollutants PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3 and Pb
(A) 2 and 3 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 2 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Q17: Which of the following best describes the term Deep ecologism?
(A) A philosophy that believes in specific changes in daily lifestyle of humans to minimize the damage to the environment
(B) A philosophy that believes that humans should radically change their relationship with nature
(C) A set of sustainable practices to increase fish production in shallow ocean ecosystems
(D) None of the above
Q18: Which disaster is most likely to be influenced by climate change?
(A) Earthquakes
(B) Tsunamis
(C) Tropical cyclones
(D) Volcanic eruptions
2022
Q1: Which of the following statement/s is/are correct regarding 'Forest-PLUS 2.0 Programme'?
(1) This programme is a Five-year partnership between USAID and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
(2) Forest-PLUS 2.0 Programme denotes 'Forest for Wealth and Health'.
(3) Tetra Tech is building capacity across landscapes in three States in India.
(4) The three States which come under this programme are; Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar.
(A) 1 and 4
(B) 1 and 3
(C) 2, 3 and 4
(D) 3 and 4
Q2: Which of the following statement/s is/are correct in respect of 'The First Ever Census of Water bodies in India- 2023' released by Ministry of Jal Shakti?
(1) The Census enumerated a total of 24,24,540 water bodies across the country.
(2) West Bengal has the highest number of Tanks.
(3) Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Lakes.
(4) Andhra Pradesh leads in water conservation schemes.
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 4
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 4 only
Q3: Which of the following statement/s is/are not correct in respect of 'Batagaika Crater'?
(1) The Batagaika Crater is situated in Australia Far East.
(2) This region has become a focal point for studying the effects of climate change on permafrost.
(3) The Batagaika Crater is affectionately referred as 'The Sky-in'.
(4) The permafrost thaws release enormous quantities of Organic Carbon.
(A) 2 and 3
(B) 1 and 4
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 2 and 4
Q4: Which of the following is associated with Chilika lake?
I. First Indian wetland under the Ramsar Convention.
II. Irrawaddy dolphins
III. Lacustrine plain
(A) I and II only
(B) I and III only
(C) I only
(D) I, II and III
Q5: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming are called greenhouse gases. Which of the following combinations are not included under the greenhouse gases?
(A) Carbon dioxide, Methane
(B) Nitrous oxide, Hydrofluorocarbons
(C) Carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide
(D) Carbon dioxide, water vapour
Q6: For protection of plants and animal species and to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, air pollution and the environment, government of India has taken adequate steps and several prevention, control and protection Acts has been enacted. Which of the following combination of statements is correct?
(A) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
(B) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1972; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1974.
(C) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1986; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1981; The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
(D) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Q7: Government of Odisha has declared the following Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) for the conservation of Biodiversity in the state. Which of the following pairs (Name of the BHS and district) are not correct?
(A) Gandhamardan Hill Range: Bargarh and Balangir District
(B) Mandasaru Gorge: Kalahandi District
(C) Satkosia Gorge: Angul District
(D) Mahendragiri Hill range: Gajapati District
Q8: The Govt. of India had launched "Project Tiger" on 1st April 1973. Which one of the following combinations does not include the Tiger Reserves established in the year 1973?
(A) Corbett Tiger Reserve, Similipal Tiger Reserve
(B) Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve, Satkosia Tiger Reserve
(C) Manas Tiger Reserve, Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
(D) Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve
Q9: A marine protected area (MPA) is essentially a space in the ocean where human activities are strictly regulated. Which one of the following is not a MPA?
(A) Periyar in Kerala
(B) Bhitarkanika in Odisha
(C) Malvan Marine in Maharashtra
(D) Coringa in Andhra Pradesh
Q10: Which of the following combinations about the UNCED (Earth Summit 1992) is correct?
i. This global conference was held on the occasion of 20th anniversary of the first human environment conference held in Stockholm, Sweden.
ii. It focused on the "impact of human activities on the environment".
iii. 79 countries participated in the conference.
(A) i and ii
(B) i and iii
(C) ii and iii
(D) i, ii and iii
Q11: Which of the following pairs (Year and Theme) for World Environment Day is not correct?
i. 2023: "Solutions to Plastic Pollution"
ii. 2022: "Only one Earth"
iii. 2021: "Ecosystem Restoration"
iv. 2020: "Time for Environment"
(A) i
(B) i and ii
(C) ii and iii
(D) iv
2021
Q1: On the ozone layer, the CFC has continuing their effects as:
(A) Reactions use up the Cl atoms formed by them leading to the degradation of ozone.
(B) Their efficient absorption by water vapours of the atmosphere.
(C) In reactions, the Cl atoms formed by them serve as catalysts leading to the degradation of ozone.
(D) They are constantly produced in increasing quantities, globally.
Q2: Identify the incorrect statement:
(A) Eutrophication is a natural process seen in fresh water bodies.
(B) Greenhouse effect occurs naturally.
(C) In the upper part of the atmosphere, ozone causes harm to animals.
(D) In tropical areas, most of the forests have been lost.
Q3: Name of the country which announced to change their capital due to sea level rise:
(A) Indonesia
(B) Maldives
(C) Vietnam
(D) Philippines
Q4: Indian Crocodile Conservation Project was started in which year?
(A) 1973
(B) 1975
(C) 1992
(D) 1999
Q5: According to the latest reports which city was World's Most Polluted Cities in 2021?
(A) Ghaziabad
(B) Bhiwadi
(C) Hotan
(D) Delhi
Q6: International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem celebrated on which day?
(A) 23 July
(B) 2 June
(C) 21 March
(D) 2 February
Q7: Consider the following statements:
(i) Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury.
(ii) Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment.
(iii) High ash content is observed in Indian coal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) (i) only
(B) (ii) and (iii) only
(C) (i) and (iii)
(D) All of these
Q8: Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'?
(i) River basin is the unit of planning and management.
(ii) It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
(iii) One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(A) (i) and (ii) only
(B) (ii) and (iii) only
(C) (i) and (iii) only
(D) All of these
Q9: In terms of efficiency, the most potent greenhouse gas is:
(A) N2O
(B) CH4
(C) C2O
(D) CFC
Q10: According to Shelford's Law of Tolerance, the organisms wide environmental factor tolerance limit show:
(A) Narrow distribution with low population size
(B) Wide distribution with high population size
(C) Narrow distribution with high population size
(D) Wide distribution with low population size
2020
Q1: Deforestation is not a direct cause of:
- (A) Loss of biodiversity
- (B) Top soil erosion
- (C) Global climate change
- (D) Species invasion
Q2: The succession where the community increases its diversity and complexity with time is called:
- (A) Primary succession
- (B) Progressive succession
- (C) Retrogressive succession
- (D) Denuded succession
Q3: Biochemical oxygen demand of water is a measure of:
- (A) Water nirate level
- (B) Water phosphate level
- (C) Water organic load
- (D) Water pesticide load
Q4: Which of the following does not belong to natural air pollutant?
- (A) Hydrocarbon
- (B) SOx
- (C) NOx
- (D) Peroxyacetyl nitrate
Q5: Ex situ conservation includes:
- (A) National parks
- (B) Botanic gardens
- (C) Biosphere reserves
- (D) Wildlife sanctuaries
Q6: The database generated by ENVIS is used for the management of:
- (A) Biodiversity
- (B) Freshwater recharge
- (C) Ocean Temperature
- (D) Popular Growth
Q7: CBD is expanded as:
- (A) Convention on Bio-Diversity
- (B) Conservation of Bio-Diversity
- (C) Conservation of Biological Diversity
- (D) Centre of Biological Diversity
Q8: Which of the following is a correct combination?
- (A) Sundarban - Rhinoceros
- (B) Kaziranga - Lion
- (C) Bharatpur - Tigers
- (D) Balukhanda - Black buck
Q9: Which of the following is expected to be a cause of the rise in sea level?
- (A) Ozone layer depletion
- (B) Monsoon rain
- (C) Melting of polar ice cap
- (D) Continental drift
Q10: The solar energy is a :
- (A) Conventional energy source
- (B) Non-Conventional energy source
- (C) Non-renewable energy source
- (D) Exhaustible energy source