Environment UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions (1979-2023)

The Environment and Ecology segment significantly influences the UPSC Prelims examination. In 2011, UPSC incorporated changes by merging the preliminary exams for UPSC CSE (Civil Service Examination) and UPSC IFS (Forest Services), thereby augmenting the importance of this section in the IAS Prelims Exam. Given this trajectory, successfully navigating the Prelims becomes considerably challenging without a thorough grasp of the Environment and Ecology section for UPSC. In the past decade, UPSC has posed a total of 127 questions on this subject.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Indicate the sources of atmospheric pollution in the major urban centres in India and the steps to be taken to minimize the problem.1979
What is the scope of the Silent Valley Project and what are the issues which have been raised in relation to it? Having regard to the different views expressed. How should the Central Government proceed further in regard to this project? 1980
What do you understand by ecology? What measures are being taken to preserve the wild flora and fauna and protect the endangered species of animals in India? Name three species of animals for which special measures have been taken to preserve them. What results have so far been achieved in this regard? 1981
When is the World Environment Day observed every year? What are the major factors which have contributed to the degradation of the environment in India? 1982
Explain the importance of Project Tiger. 1983
The environmental pollution poses serious health hazards in developing and developed countries. Describe the various human activities that cause environmental pollution. Suggest ways and means for containing environmental pollution in India. 1984
Why do the leaves look green in light? 1984
Give examples of some serious problems associated with the operation of chemical industries in India and other countries. What technical steps can be taken to achieve maximum safety in chemical factories? 1985
Why are floods such a recurrent feature in India? Discuss the measures taken by the Government for flood control. 1985
What is the “Chipko’ movement about, and what is its significance? 1985
What do you understand by Ecological Balance? Why is this balance necessary? What is being done in India today to maintain this balance? 1987
What is “Science City.” 1987
State the types of environmental pollution and some of the places where it has occurred due to the progress of industrialization in India. 1988
Which parts of India were mainly affected by the severe drought of 1987-88? What were its main consequences?1988
Where is the Desert National Park situated in India? Why has it been created? 1988
Some experts are of the opinion that the dams and the reservoirs located in different parts of the country may lead to undesirable consequences. How far are these fears justified? 1988
What is El Nino? How is it relevant to India? 1988
What are the harmful consequences of excessive noise? 1988
What is Ozone pollution? 1988
What is Sugar Sampada? What have been its contributions? 1989
What is Sardar Sarovar Project? What is the nature of the controversy surrounding it? 1989
It has been estimated that there are more than four million leprosy patients in India. What steps are being taken by the Government of India for their treatment and rehabilitation? 1989
What is a “Biosphere Reserve”? Explain its significance. 1990
Account for the varied environmental problems resulting from widespread deforestation in both Aravallis and Himalayan regions. 1990
What is biodiversity? Why should it be preserved? (250 words) 1990
What are the main recommendations of the Montreal Protocol to protect the Ozone layer? What are the implications for India of the latest convention held in London? (250 words) 1990
What is meant by global warning? What are its effects? 1990
What was the magnitude of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and what were the salient features of the Supreme Court verdict on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy? 1991
What do you understand by Environmental Pollution? Mention the various kinds of pollution and their effect on human health in India. 1992
Give your assessment of the soundness of large river valley projects with high dams vis-a-vis smaller river valley projects. 1993
What is a biosphere reserve? 1993
What is ‘El Nino’? 1994
Describe the salient features of Project Tiger. How far has it helped in saving the tiger from extinction? 1994
What is the greenhouse effect? What are its adverse effects on the Earth’s environment? What steps are being taken to check the same? (250 words) 1995
What is lead-free petrol? What are its merits and demerits? 1995
What is El Nino? What is its relevance to India? 1994
What is an ozone hole? How is it formed and what effect does It have on the earth? 1996
What is the safe level of noise for the human ear? Give the noise level of an electric bell. 1997
What is an ozone hole? How is it caused and what are its implications for life on Earth? 1999
What is CNG? How can it reduce air pollution? 1999
What are greenhouse gases? What impact do they have on the Earth’s climate and with what consequences? Elaborate. 2000
What does the Montreal Protocol deal with? Discuss its role in protecting Earth’s environment. 2001
Write a short note on El Nino. 2001
Write a short note on Kaziranga Park. 2002
Plastic hazards – Discuss. 2002
Discuss about ‘Environment’, its components, and its awareness. 2002
What do you understand by depletion of the ozone layer and why is it considered harmful? Name ozone-depleting substances and processes. What international ramifications took place to protect the ozone layer and what was the target agreed upon?
“Global Warming” – Discuss. 2003
Short note on El Nino, La Nina and monsoon. 2004
Write notes on the causes of droughts in India. 2004
Describe the sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and their effects on the biotic components of the atmosphere. 2005
Why do environmentalists regard asbestos and polythene as a pollutant? 2005
What is energy independence? Discuss how India can be transformed into an ‘ Energy Independent Nation’. 2005
What is disaster Management? Discuss the steps required to tackle natural disasters. 2005
Justify with necessary logic “Biological clean-up methods can be cheaper than the conventional physical and chemical pollution treatments”. 2006
How has the Indian State tackled the trade-off between environment and development? 2006
Blue Revolution has definite advantages in India but it is not free from environmental impacts. Discuss. 2006
Differentiate between Natural and Cultural heritage. 2007
Write about The UN Conference on Environment and Development (The Earth Summit). 2007
Answer any one of the following: 2007
1. Explain the phenomenon of ozone depletion, and its causes and effects. What effects are needed to reduce it?
2. What do you understand by the term biodiversity? Examine the causes and consequences of the degeneration of biodiversity.
Write a short note on Desert National Park. (20 words) 2009
Write a brief note (30 words): PFCs and liquid breathing. 2009
Comment on the spatial components in urban solid waste management in the country. (150 words) 2010
Bring out the salient features of the evolution and the current status of the Bharat Stage vehicle emission norms in the country. (150 words) 2010
List any eight Illamsar wetland sites located in India. What is the Montreux Record’ and what Indian sites are included in this Record? 2010
Comment on the recent HFC-23 emissions controversy that includes in its ambit some Indian companies. 2010
Bring out the applications of computer models in studying climate changes, with special reference to the Community Earth System Model (CESM). 2010
In the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), distinguish between Annex I’ and ‘Annex II’ countries. 2010
As regards the increasing rates of melting of Arctic Sea ice, the interests of the Arctic Council Nations may not coincide with those of the wider world.” Explain. 2011
The diminishing population of vultures. Comment. 2011
Why has the L’Aquila earthquake been in the news recently? 2011
Phase – IV of the tiger monitoring program in India. Comment.
Why have Billion Acts of Green’ been in the news recently?
Composition and Functions of the National Executive Committee of the National Disaster Management Authority. Comment. 2011
What Permaculture? Give examples where permaculture is put to use. (100 words) 2012
Explain the concepts of “Environmental Sustainability” and *Sustainable Development of People”. (50 words) 2012
In the context of growing demands for the ban of Endosulfan in the country, critically examine the issues involved. What, in your view, should be done in the matter?
The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view pronouncements. (250 words) 2012
The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate. (100 words) 2013
What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of GO AND NO GO zones for the coal mining sector. (200 words) 2013
Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies that may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for the management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? (200 words) 2013
How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in a Disaster Management System? (200 words) 2013
Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset, and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India. 2014
Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree? 2014
Tropical cyclones are largely confined to the South China Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Gulf of Mexico. Why? 2014
Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan Glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent. 2014
Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata are the three Megacities of the country but air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? 2015
The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of their ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate. 2015
The frequency of earthquakes appears to have Increased In the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating its impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects. 2015
The frequency of urban floods due to high-intensity rainfall has increased over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.2016
Concerning National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand. 2016
Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. 2016
Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts that always attract controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects. 2016
Discuss the concept of Air Mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. 2016
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept, but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. (150 words) 2017
In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India? (250 words) 2017
“Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (250 words) 2017
On 26 December 2004, the Tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for the occurrence of the Tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (250 words) 2017
‘Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing the Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030). How is this framework different from Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005? (250 words) 2018
What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes that are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (150 words) 2018
What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (150 words) 2018
What are the consequences of the spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystems? (150 words) 2018
“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (150 words)
Sikkim is the first *Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of an Organic State? 2018 (150 words)
How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? (250 words) 2018
Assess the impact of global warming on coral life systems with examples. (150 words) 2019
Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples. (150 words) 2019
Define the concept of the carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for the sustainable development of a region. (250 words) 2019
Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters. (150 words) 2019
Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help in disaster mitigation in the case of landslides. (250 words) 2019
Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (250 words) 2020
How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (150 words) 2020
What are the salient features of the Jai Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (150 words) 2020
What are the key features of the National Clean At Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of Init (250 words)
Account for the huge flooding of a million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. 2020
Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? 150
Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation WHO). How are these different from its last updated 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards? (250 words)
Describe the major outcomes of the 26 sessions of the conference of the parties (COP) to the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (250 words)
Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose, is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are the natural processes this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water, and other end products? (Answer in 150 words) 2022
Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasising its formation, effects, and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. (Answer in 150 words) 2022
Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (Answer in 150 words) 2022
Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (Answer in 250 words) 2022
Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? (Answer in 250 words)
What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? (Answer in 150 words) 2023
The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (Answer in 250 words) 2023
Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few of India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (Answer in 250 words) 2023
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one meter by AD 2100. What would be its impact on India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (Answer in 250 words) 2023