Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, Check Trend and Download PDF!

PWOnlyIAS June 19, 2024 04:03 12168 0

Environment Questions in UPSC prelims 2024 will give an opportunity for aspirants to streamline their preparation. Check out more about Environment Questions in UPSC prelims.

Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, Check Trend and Download PDF!

Environment questions in UPSC prelims is a combination of static and dynamic concepts. There are some questions asked directly from current affairs while others are based on static concepts. Candidates aiming to score good marks in prelims cannot ignore environment questions in UPSC prelims as the weightage of the subject is increasing over the years. 

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On an average, about 18-22 environment questions in UPSC prelims are asked. These questions range from simple facts about species to environmental concepts. Candidates can identify the important themes of the environment subject after completely reading this article.

Let us have a look at the Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, along with the trends of the themes from the Previous years questions. The Trend Analysis of the previous  years Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims is also given here.

Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2023

Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 can be anticipated a little by seeing the Environment Questions of UPSC Prelims 2023 and other previous years. The number of environment questions in UPSC prelims was 14, which was slightly lower than previous years. Candidates must remember that UPSC may change this trend and higher number of questions in prelims 2024. The questions asked from environment in prelims 2023 is as follows:

Q1. Consider the following statements:

  1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
  2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c)

Q2. ‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?

(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature

(b) The United Nations Environment Programme

(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development

(d) The World Wide Fund for Nature

Answer: (c)

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Q3. Consider the following statements:

Once the Central Government notifies an area as a ‘Community Reserve’

  1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
  2. Hunting is not allowed in such area
  3. People of such areas are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
  4. People of such areas are allowed traditional agricultural practices

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (c)

Q4. Consider the following infrastructure sectors:

  1. Affordable housing
  2. Mass rapid transport
  3. Health care
  4. Renewable energy

On how many of the above does the UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus on its investments?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (c)

Q5. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.

Statement II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I

(c) Statement I is correct Statement II is incorrect

(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Answer: (c)

Q6. Which of the following organisms perform a waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?

(a) Butterflies

(b) Dragonflies

(c) Honey Bees

(d) Wasps

Answer: (c)

Q7. Consider the following statements:

  1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
  2. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties.
  3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
  4. Some mushrooms have bio-luminescent properties.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (d)

Q8.  Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?

(a) Fishing cat

(b) Orangutan

(c) Otter

(d) Sloth bear

Answer: (b)

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Q9. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels:

  1. They build nests by making burrows in the ground.
  2. They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
  3. They are omnivorous.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (a)

Q10. Consider the following fauna:

  1. Lion-tailed Macaque
  2. Malabar Civet
  3. Sambar Deer

How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (b)

Q11. Consider the following:

  1. Aerosols
  2. Foam agents
  3. Fire retardants
  4. Lubricants

In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocbons used?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (c)

Q12. Consider the following activities:

  1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
  2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
  3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters

How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (c)

Q13. Consider the following statements:

  1. Carbon fibers are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircraft.
  2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a)

Q14: Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:

  1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
  2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
  3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (c)

Also Read: Environment Questions with Answers

Srijan 2024

Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims in the Last Few Years

The trend of Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 can be understood by analysing the Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims from previous years. On an average, UPSC has been asking 15-20 questions every year from the environment syllabus. Some of these questions may overlap with IR and Geography. This is the reason for a slight decrease in the past couple of years. The number of environment questions in UPSC prelims in the last few years is as below:

Year Number of Questions
2023 14
2022 12
2021 20
2020 22
2019 21
2018 17
2017 15

environment questions in UPSC prelims

 

Also Read: Environment last 1 year Current Affairs

Preparation Strategy for Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 

Every candidate needs to understand the Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims in the previous years to prepare the Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024. Candidates preparing for environment subject have to modify their approach to score more marks in the environment section of UPSC prelims. following tips can be followed to excel in environment questions in UPSC prelims:

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  • Read NCERT Books: To understand basic ecological concepts, candidates have to read NCERT books
  • Read Newspapers and Magazines: For current affairs part of the environment subject, candidates have to read newspapers such as The Hindu, The Indian Express. Magazines such as Down to Earth must also be read.
  • Make Notes: Candidates have to prepare their own handwritten notes from newspapers and magazines for better preparation.
  • Regular Revision: Revising topics multiple times will help you recall information during the actual exam.
  • PYQ Analysis: Candidates have to analyse PYQs to identify repeated themes and topics. This will help them prepare well for the exam.
  • Test Series: Attempt sectional and full-length mock test series to prepare well for different types of questions asked from this section.

Repeated Themes in Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 

Repeated themes act as a direction for candidates to streamline their preparation. Identifying repeated themes will enable candidates to give additional focus to those topics that have a high chance of getting repeated. Following table contains a list of most repeated themes in UPSC prelims from environment topic.

Themes Significance
Fundamentals of Environment and Ecology 1-2 questions
Pollution 2-3 questions related to pollution of air, water, soil etc.
Conservation of Environment 1-2 questions related to flora and fauna
Species in News 2-3 questions related to unique behavior of plant and animal species.
Species Conservation 1-3 questions related to wildlife sanctuary, national parks etc.
International Agreements 1-2 questions on UNFCCC, Montreal Protocol etc.
Environmental Policies in India 1-2 questions on related acts.

Also Read: Questions in UPSC Prelims

Sample Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 

Repeated themes and the nature of questions from these themes can play a vital role in UPSC prelims preparation. Candidates can check the environment questions in UPSC prelims asked from repeated themes.

Environmental Policies in India

Q) The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the: (2015)

(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999

(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

International Agreements

Q. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?

(a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.

(b) The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland.

(c) The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed.

(d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’

National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuary

Q) Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate, and arctic? (2015)

(a) Khangchendzonga National Park

(b) Nanda Devi National Park

(c) Neora Valley National Park

(d) Namdapha National Park

Conservation of Environment

Q) The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of:  (2014)

(a) Biosphere reserves

(b) Botanical gardens

(c) National parks

(d) Wildlife sanctuaries

Species in News

Q) With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: (2016)

It is a tree species found in a part of South India.

It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rainforest areas of South India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Pollution

Q) Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among (2013)

(a) NO2, O3, and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight

(b) CO, O2, and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight

(c) CO, CO2 and NO2 at low temperature

(d) High concentration of NO2, O3 and CO in the evening

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Fundamental of Environment and Ecology 

Q) Which 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? (2013)

(a) Ecotone

(b) Ecological niche

(c) Habitat

(d) Home range

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UPSC Daily Editorials UPSC Daily Current Affairs
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Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store UPSC Test Series 2024
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
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Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims FAQs

Newspapers such as The Hindu and The Indian Express, magazines such as Down to Earth are the best sources for environment topic.

Candidates have to analyse PYQs from the last few years to identify themes that may be asked in the exam.

No. UPSC may ask questions from the same theme but it does not repeat the same questions in prelims. Candidates should analyse the previous year Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims to understand the trend only. The questions are not repeated as it is.

Based on the trends from the past few years, UPSC can ask about 18-20 questions from environment topic. Although the number of Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims may vary according to the difficulty of the Exam.

Yes. Many questions are asked directly from current affairs, which are covered extensively by newspapers.
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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