UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions

Environment & EcologyPollution and Waste ManagementHazardous, Biomedical, Electronic and Radioactive WasteEasy

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: R2 electronics recycling · Hazardous, Biomedical, Electronic and Radioactive Waste
Related topics:: Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency and Industrial Symbiosis

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q16

'R2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of

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Environment & EcologyPollution and Waste ManagementIndustrial Pollution Control, Adsorption and RemediationMedium

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Connecting topics
Tags:: copper smelting pollution · Industrial Pollution Control, Adsorption and Remediation
Related topics:: Ambient Air Pollution and Air Quality · Toxic Chemicals, Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q17

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment. 2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into environment. 3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeCarbon Removal, Sequestration and Negative EmissionsEasy

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: blue carbon · Carbon Removal, Sequestration and Negative Emissions
Related topics:: Seagrass, Salt Marsh and Coastal Ecosystems

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q19

What is blue carbon?

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Environment & EcologySpecies and Wildlife ConservationSpecies Identification, Ecology and DistributionMedium

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: soil-free organism survival · Species Identification, Ecology and Distribution
Related topics:: Ecological Succession, Stability and Resilience

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q20

In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil? 1. Fern 2. Lichen 3. Moss 4. Mushroom Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Environment & EcologySpecies and Wildlife ConservationSpecies Identification, Ecology and DistributionEasy

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: natural mosquito repellent · Species Identification, Ecology and Distribution
Related topics:: Plant Structure and Physiology

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q21

Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

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Environment & EcologyAquatic, Wetland and Marine EcosystemsMarine Food Webs, Plankton and Ocean ProductivityEasy

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: marine primary producers · Marine Food Webs, Plankton and Ocean Productivity
Related topics:: Energy Flow, Productivity and Ecological Efficiency

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q22

Consider the following kinds of organisms: 1. Copepods 2. Cyanobacteria 3. Diatoms 4. Foraminifera Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

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Environment & EcologySpecies and Wildlife ConservationSpecies Identification, Ecology and DistributionMedium

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: animal defensive behaviour · Species Identification, Ecology and Distribution

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q23

Consider the following animals: 1. Hedgehog 2. Marmot 3. Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?

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Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Laws, Policies and InstitutionsEnvironmental Policies, Missions and Restoration FrameworksMedium

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: New York Declaration on Forests · Environmental Policies, Missions and Restoration Frameworks
Related topics:: UNFCCC, Kyoto, Paris and COP Process

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q24

With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct? 1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. 2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests. 3. It is a legally binding international declaration. 4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities. 5. India was one of the signatories at its inception. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Environment & EcologyPollution and Waste ManagementAmbient Air Pollution and Air QualityMedium

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: magnetite pollution · Ambient Air Pollution and Air Quality
Related topics:: Toxic Chemicals, Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q25

Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? 1. Brakes of motor vehicles 2. Engines of motor vehicles 3. Microwave stoves within homes 4. Power plants 5. Telephone lines Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Environment & EcologyEcology FundamentalsFood Chains, Food Webs and Trophic DynamicsEasy

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: filter feeders · Food Chains, Food Webs and Trophic Dynamics

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q26

Which one of the following is a filter feeder?

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Environment & EcologyEcology FundamentalsBiogeochemical CyclesEasy

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: phosphorus cycle · Biogeochemical Cycles
Related topics:: Rocks, Minerals and the Rock Cycle

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q27

In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrient to enter the cycle?

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Environment & EcologyTerrestrial EcosystemsSoil Ecology, Decomposition and Terrestrial Nutrient CyclingEasy

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: detritivores · Soil Ecology, Decomposition and Terrestrial Nutrient Cycling
Related topics:: Food Chains, Food Webs and Trophic Dynamics

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q28

Which of the following are detritivores? 1. Earthworms 2. Jellyfish 3. Millipedes 4. Seahorses 5. Woodlice Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Environment & EcologyClimate ChangeEmission Sources, Inventories and Carbon FootprintsEasy

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: Common Carbon Metric · Emission Sources, Inventories and Carbon Footprints
Related topics:: Sustainable Transport, Buildings and Urban Systems

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q29

The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed for

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Environment & EcologyEcology FundamentalsSpecies Interactions and Community EcologyEasy

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: symbiotic organisms · Species Interactions and Community Ecology
Related topics:: Microbiology and Virology

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q30

Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms? 1. Cnidarians 2. Fungi 3. Protozoa Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Environment & EcologyTerrestrial EcosystemsGrassland and Savanna EcosystemsMedium

Question details

Type:: Statement based
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: savanna ecology · Grassland and Savanna Ecosystems
Related topics:: Grasslands, Savannas, Deserts and Tundra

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q61

The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? 1. Burrowing animals and termites 2. Fire 3. Grazing herbivores 4. Seasonal rainfall 5. Soil properties Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Environment & EcologyPollution and Waste ManagementToxic Chemicals, Pesticides and Persistent Organic PollutantsEasy

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Fact recall
Tags:: triclosan · Toxic Chemicals, Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q75

‘Triclosan’, considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following?

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Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Laws, Policies and InstitutionsForest Conservation Law and Forest GovernanceMedium

Question details

Type:: Single choice
Skill:: Connecting topics
Tags:: Forest Rights Act · Forest Conservation Law and Forest Governance
Related topics:: Fifth and Sixth Schedules and Tribal Areas · Ministries, Departments, Boards and Executive Agencies

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q84

At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

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Environment & EcologySustainable Development and Environmental SolutionsNature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem RestorationMedium

Question details

Type:: Statement relationship
Skill:: Concept understanding
Tags:: Tree City recognition · Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem Restoration
Related topics:: Sustainable Transport, Buildings and Urban Systems

Classification and difficulty are editorial labels. Explanations are awaiting review.

2021 · Q97

Consider the following statements: Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

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Themes in Environment & Ecology· 11

PYQs on Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2021

Environment & Ecology

Themes in Environment & Ecology· 11

PYQs on Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2021

Prelims 2021, question 16: Hazardous, Biomedical, Electronic and Radioactive Waste

Prelims 2021, question 17: Industrial Pollution Control, Adsorption and Remediation

Prelims 2021, question 19: Carbon Removal, Sequestration and Negative Emissions

Prelims 2021, question 20: Species Identification, Ecology and Distribution

Prelims 2021, question 21: Species Identification, Ecology and Distribution

Prelims 2021, question 22: Marine Food Webs, Plankton and Ocean Productivity

Prelims 2021, question 23: Species Identification, Ecology and Distribution

Prelims 2021, question 24: Environmental Policies, Missions and Restoration Frameworks

Prelims 2021, question 25: Ambient Air Pollution and Air Quality

Prelims 2021, question 26: Food Chains, Food Webs and Trophic Dynamics

Prelims 2021, question 27: Biogeochemical Cycles

Prelims 2021, question 28: Soil Ecology, Decomposition and Terrestrial Nutrient Cycling

Prelims 2021, question 29: Emission Sources, Inventories and Carbon Footprints

Prelims 2021, question 30: Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Prelims 2021, question 61: Grassland and Savanna Ecosystems

Prelims 2021, question 75: Toxic Chemicals, Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants

Prelims 2021, question 84: Forest Conservation Law and Forest Governance

Prelims 2021, question 97: Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem Restoration