Environment — UPSC Prelims PYQs

Question 1

Consider the following pairs:
Plant - Description
1. Cassava : Woody shrub
2. Ginger : Herb with pseudostem
3. Malabar spinach : Herbaceous climber
4. Mint : Annual shrub
5. Papaya : Woody shrub
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? (A) Only two (B) Only three (C) Only four (D) All the five

Accepted Answer

(B) Only three — Correct. Cassava is a woody shrub, ginger is an herb with a pseudostem, and Malabar spinach is a herbaceous climber. Mint is a perennial herb (not an annual shrub), and papaya is a herbaceous tree-like plant (not a woody shrub).

Question 2

Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana':
1. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
2. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.
3. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 1 and 3 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. All three statements accurately describe the PM Surya Ghar scheme's installation target, training objective, and skilling goal.

Question 3

Which one of the following launched the 'Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific'? (A) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) (B) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (C) The New Development Bank (NDB) (D) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

Accepted Answer

(A) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) — Correct. The ADB launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific to mobilize investments in nature-based solutions across the region.

Question 4

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.
Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I (B) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I (C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct (D) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

Accepted Answer

(D) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct — Correct. The USA is the world's largest ethanol producer (using corn), not Brazil; however, Brazil does use sugarcane as its principal feedstock.

Question 5

Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:
1. It is an omnivorous crustacean.
2. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.
3. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 1 and 3 (C) 2 only (D) 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 2 and 3 — Correct. The Gooty tarantula is an arachnid (not a crustacean, so statement 1 is wrong). It is found only in a small forest area near Gooty in Andhra Pradesh (statement 2) and is arboreal, living in tree hollows (statement 3).

Question 6

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Statement II: Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs.
Statement III: Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I (B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I (C) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (D) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Accepted Answer

(A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I — Correct. Reducing raw material extraction (Statement II) cuts emissions from mining and processing, and reducing production wastage (Statement III) lowers energy use and emissions. Both correctly explain how a circular economy reduces GHG emissions.

Question 7

Consider the following:
1. Cigarette butts
2. Eyeglass lenses
3. Car tyres
How many of them contain plastic? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) All the three (D) None

Accepted Answer

(C) All the three — Correct. Cigarette butts contain cellulose acetate (a plastic), eyeglass lenses are made of polycarbonate or CR-39 plastic, and car tyres contain synthetic rubber polymers which are classified as plastic.

Question 8

Consider the following statements:
1. CO₂ emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita.
2. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region.
3. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO₂ emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 3 only (B) 2 only (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(C) 2 and 3 only — Correct. India ranks second in Asia-Pacific for fuel combustion CO₂ emissions (after China), and the electricity and heat production sector is the largest emission source. India's per capita emissions are well above 0.5 t CO₂.

Question 9

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.
2. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.
3. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 3 only (C) 1, 2 and 3 (D) None of the above statements is correct

Accepted Answer

(C) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. DAC captures CO₂ from ambient air for geological storage (1), the captured CO₂ can be used in food-grade carbonation and as a feedstock for plastics (2), and it can provide carbon for synthetic aviation fuels when combined with hydrogen (3).

Question 10

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Activated carbon is a good and attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries.
Statement II: Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals.
Statement III: Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I (B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I (C) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (D) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Accepted Answer

(A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I — Correct. Activated carbon's large surface area (Statement II) enables it to adsorb pollutants effectively, and its easy synthesis from waste biomass (Statement III) makes it an attractive remediation tool. Both explain Statement I.

Question 11

Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of which of the following? (A) Silver iodide and potassium iodide (B) Silver nitrate and potassium iodide (C) Silver iodide and potassium nitrate (D) Silver nitrate and potassium chloride

Accepted Answer

(A) Silver iodide and potassium iodide — Correct. Cloud seeding uses silver iodide and potassium iodide as nucleating agents to induce artificial rainfall, which helps wash out particulate pollutants from the atmosphere.

Question 12

Consider the following fruits:
1. Papaya
2. Pineapple
3. Guava
How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) All the three (D) None

Accepted Answer

(C) All the three — Correct. Papaya, pineapple and guava are all native to tropical America and were introduced to India by the Portuguese during the 16th-17th centuries through their maritime trade routes.

Question 13

The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where certain impacts of climate change become unmanageable. According to said report:
1. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.
2. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (A) 1 only (B) 2 only (C) Both 1 and 2 (D) Neither 1 nor 2

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 only — Correct. The World Bank's South Asia climate report highlighted that rising wet-bulb temperatures could make it physiologically impossible for humans and animals to shed body heat through perspiration, making parts of India potentially uninhabitable.

Question 14

With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements:
1. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans.
2. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen.
3. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 (B) 2 only (C) 1 and 3 (D) None of the above statements is correct

Accepted Answer

(B) 2 only — Correct. Marine phytoplankton and cyanobacteria produce approximately 50% of Earth's oxygen. Rainforests do not outproduce oceans, and dissolved oxygen in surface water is far lower than atmospheric oxygen concentration.

Question 15

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss? (A) The European Union (B) The World Bank (C) The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (D) The Food and Agriculture Organization

Accepted Answer

(A) The European Union — Correct. The EU enacted the Nature Restoration Law in 2024, requiring member states to restore degraded ecosystems to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

Question 16

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbon emissions.
Statement II: Silica-bearing clay is mixed with limestone while manufacturing cement.
Statement III: Limestone is converted into lime during clinker production for cement manufacturing.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I (B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I (C) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (D) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Accepted Answer

(B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I — Correct. Both statements are factually correct, but only Statement III explains Statement I — the calcination process (CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂) is the primary source of cement industry CO₂ emissions. Adding silica-bearing clay is a manufacturing step that does not directly produce CO₂.

Question 17

Consider the following types of vehicles:
1. Full battery electric vehicles
2. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
3. Fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles
How many of the above are considered as alternative (powertrain) vehicles? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) All the three (D) None

Accepted Answer

(C) All the three — Correct. Battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles all use alternative powertrains distinct from internal combustion engines.

Question 18

One of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen? (A) Hydrogen peroxide (B) Hydronium (C) Oxygen (D) Water vapour

Accepted Answer

(D) Water vapour — Correct. In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour as the only exhaust emission.

Question 19

Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has co-evolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree? (A) Fig (B) Mahua (C) Sandalwood (D) Silk cotton

Accepted Answer

(A) Fig — Correct. Fig trees (Ficus) have an obligate mutualism with fig wasps (family Agaonidae); each fig species is pollinated exclusively by its specific wasp partner.

Question 20

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the 'vermin' category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
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 explains Statement I (B) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I (C) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect (D) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

Accepted Answer

(C) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect — Correct. The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius) has been listed under the vermin category of the Wildlife Protection Act. However, it is a fruit bat feeding on fruits and flower nectar, not a blood-feeder.

Question 21

Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(A) 1 and 2 only — Correct. Lions breed throughout the year without a fixed season, and cheetahs lack the laryngeal anatomy to roar. Statement 3 is wrong because male leopards do scent-mark their territories.

Question 22

Recently, the term 'pumped-storage hydropower' is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following? (A) Irrigation of terraced crop fields (B) Lift irrigation of cereal crops (C) Long duration energy storage (D) Rainwater harvesting system

Accepted Answer

(C) Long duration energy storage — Correct. Pumped-storage hydropower stores energy by pumping water uphill during surplus generation and releasing it through turbines during peak demand, enabling long-duration storage.

Question 23

Consider the following:
1. Cashew
2. Papaya
3. Red sanders
How many of the above trees are actually native to India? (A) Only one (B) Only two (C) All three (D) None

Accepted Answer

(A) Only one — Correct. Only Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is native to India, endemic to the southern Eastern Ghats. Cashew is native to Brazil and papaya to tropical America; both were introduced by the Portuguese.

Question 24

Consider the following:
1. Carabid beetles
2. Centipedes
3. Flies
4. Termites
5. Wasps
Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kinds of organisms? (A) Only two (B) Only three (C) Only four (D) All five

Accepted Answer

(B) Only three — Correct. Parasitoid species are found among wasps (e.g., ichneumonid wasps), flies (e.g., tachinid flies), and carabid beetles (some Lebiini species). Centipedes and termites are not parasitoids.

Question 25

With reference to Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements:
1. PFAS are man-made chemicals that are not found naturally in the environment.
2. PFAS are called 'forever chemicals' because they do not degrade in the environment.
3. PFAS can accumulate in the human body over time.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3

Accepted Answer

(D) 1, 2 and 3 — Correct. PFAS are synthetic (Statement 1), are called 'forever chemicals' because they persist without degrading (Statement 2), and bioaccumulate in the human body (Statement 3).

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Environment — UPSC Prelims PYQs

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