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Q1Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2026
Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct?
1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- A1, 2 and 3
- B1 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C2 only
- D3 only
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statements 1 and 3 are correct, but statement 2 assigns the wrong lead institute. The Central Zoo Authority participates in the research-and-management vertical; leadership belongs to ICFRE, Dehradun.
- Option C
Statement 2 is the incorrect statement, not the only correct one. CZA is listed among participating institutions in that vertical, but the official NIRANTAR portal names ICFRE as its lead.
- Option D
IIFM is correctly identified in statement 3, but statement 1 is also correct. BSI’s lead role concerns survey, assessment and analysis of natural resources, so it must be included with the capacity-development statement.
Q2Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2026
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and “Blue Transformation”.
Which of the following combinations about the “Four Betters” proposed by FAO for “Blue Transformation” is correct?
- ABetter production, better nutrition, better environment and better ocean
- BBetter production, better nutrition, better environment and better lifeCorrect
- CBetter coral reefs, better nutrition, better environment and better life
- DBetter estuaries, better nutrition, better environment and better mangrove vegetation
Explanation
UPSC provisional key: (B), Series A question 38. FAO’s Four Betters are better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life. Blue Transformation applies these connected goals to aquatic food systems, linking sustainable production and healthy diets with ecosystem protection and livelihoods.
Sources: UPSC provisional answer key · FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31: Four Betters
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The first three terms are correct, but “better ocean” replaces the official fourth term, “better life.” Blue Transformation concerns aquatic food systems, yet its organising framework retains the broader human-development outcome used throughout FAO’s strategy.
- Option C
“Better coral reefs” is not one of the four named pillars. Reef conservation can contribute to environmental objectives, but replacing “better production” with a single ecosystem would misstate FAO’s framework.
- Option D
This choice replaces both the production and life pillars with particular coastal ecosystems. Estuaries and mangroves matter for aquatic systems, but the official framework is broader: production, nutrition, environment and life.
Q3Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2023
Consider the following statements in respect of the United Nations' World Water Development Report, 2022:
Statement I: According to the report, India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
- BBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
- CStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrectCorrect
- DStatement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Explanation
Correct. India does extract over a quarter of global groundwater, but the primary driver is irrigation rather than drinking water and sanitation needs.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement II is incorrect. India's groundwater extraction is driven overwhelmingly by irrigation, not just drinking water and sanitation.
- Option B
Statement II is wrong because the main driver of groundwater extraction in India is agriculture, not drinking water and sanitation alone.
- Option D
Statement I is correct per the UN report; India's share of global groundwater withdrawal is indeed exceptionally high.
Q4Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2022
Which one of the following best describes the term 'greenwashing'?
- AConveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally soundCorrect
- BNon-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
- CIgnoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
- DMaking mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme
Explanation
Correct. Greenwashing refers to misleading branding or messaging that makes products or practices appear more environmentally responsible than they truly are.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
This describes a gap in environmental accounting, not greenwashing which is specifically about deceptive marketing.
- Option C
Ignoring ecological consequences is environmental negligence, not greenwashing.
- Option D
Mandatory environmental cost provisions relate to regulatory compliance, not to the deceptive practice of greenwashing.
Q5Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2016
Which of the following appliances is/are covered under the BEE star-labelling programme?
1. Ceiling fans
2. Electric geysers
3. Tubular fluorescent lamps
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency's star-labelling programme covers ceiling fans, electric geysers and tubular fluorescent lamps among other appliances.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Tubular fluorescent lamps are also covered under the BEE star-labelling programme.
- Option B
BEE star labels cover a wide range of appliances including ceiling fans and electric geysers.
- Option C
Ceiling fans are one of the appliances covered under BEE star-labelling.
Q6Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2016
Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as 'State Butterfly'?
- AArunachal Pradesh
- BHimachal Pradesh
- CKarnataka
- DMaharashtraCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Maharashtra became the first Indian state to declare a state butterfly (the Blue Mormon, Papilio polymnestor).
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Arunachal Pradesh is known for butterfly diversity but was not the first state to declare a state butterfly.
- Option B
Himachal Pradesh did not pioneer the concept of a state butterfly in India.
- Option C
Karnataka was not the first state to officially declare a state butterfly.
Q7Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in NewsPYQ 2016
With reference to the 'United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification', consider the following statements:
1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships.
2. It has a special focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 onlyCorrect
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. UNCCD promotes national action programmes with international cooperation and strongly emphasizes local-level participation, but it does not institutionally reserve funds for only South Asia and North Africa.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 3 is also correct. UNCCD emphasizes bottom-up participation of local communities.
- Option B
Statement 2 is incorrect. UNCCD does not mandate a special funding bias toward South Asia and North Africa alone.
- Option D
Statement 2 is wrong because UNCCD addresses desertification globally without a mandated regional funding bias.
Q8Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in News
The 'Sulina Channel', in environmental news in the context of Ukraine-related developments, connects:
- AThe Danube River to the Black SeaCorrect
- BThe Rhine River to the North Sea
- CThe Volga River to the Caspian Sea
- DThe Dnieper River to the Sea of Azov
Explanation
Correct. The Sulina Channel is a navigable waterway in the Danube Delta connecting the Danube River to the Black Sea, and became important for Ukrainian grain exports.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
The Rhine reaches the North Sea through different channels in the Netherlands, not the Sulina.
- Option C
The Volga connects to the Caspian Sea through its own delta, not via the Sulina Channel.
- Option D
The Dnieper reaches the Black Sea, not the Sea of Azov, and is unrelated to the Sulina Channel.
Q9Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in News
Consider the following statements about the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which was frequently in the news during 2023:
1. A positive IOD occurs when sea-surface temperatures are warmer than normal in the western Indian Ocean and cooler in the eastern Indian Ocean.
2. A positive IOD generally brings more rainfall to the Indian subcontinent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. A positive IOD is characterised by warmer western and cooler eastern Indian Ocean SSTs, and it generally enhances rainfall over India.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 2 is also correct. A positive IOD enhances moisture availability over the Indian subcontinent.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct. The positive IOD is defined by the described west-east temperature gradient.
- Option D
Both statements accurately describe the positive IOD and its impact on Indian rainfall.
Q10Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in News
The 'Raimona National Park', which was in the news, is located in:
- AAssamCorrect
- BMeghalaya
- CArunachal Pradesh
- DNagaland
Explanation
Correct. Raimona National Park is located in the Kokrajhar district of Assam and is known for its golden langur population.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Raimona is not in Meghalaya; it is in western Assam's Bodoland Territorial Region.
- Option C
Raimona National Park is in Assam, not Arunachal Pradesh.
- Option D
The park is in Assam, not Nagaland.
Q11Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in News
The 'Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023' introduced which of the following changes?
1. Replaced the term 'biological resources' with 'biological diversity' throughout the Act.
2. Decriminalised certain offences and replaced them with monetary penalties.
3. Facilitated access to biological resources for AYUSH practitioners.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. The 2023 amendment decriminalised certain offences and simplified access for AYUSH and Indian medicine practitioners, but did not replace the term 'biological resources' throughout the Act.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect. The amendment did not replace 'biological resources' with 'biological diversity' throughout.
- Option C
Statement 1 is incorrect. No such blanket terminology change was made.
- Option D
Statement 1 is wrong. The amendment made targeted changes, not a wholesale terminology replacement.
Q12Current Affairs·Environment and Climate in News
The 'Climate Ambition Summit', convened by the UN Secretary-General in September 2023, was notable because:
- AOnly countries with credible new climate pledges were invited to speakCorrect
- BIt formally replaced the annual COP process
- CIt established a new climate court to enforce emission targets
- DIndia and China announced a joint net-zero-by-2050 commitment at the summit
Explanation
Correct. The UN Secretary-General set the condition that only leaders with new, credible climate action plans would be given speaking slots at the summit.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
The summit was a one-time event and did not replace the COP process.
- Option C
No climate court was established at this summit.
- Option D
No such joint net-zero-by-2050 announcement was made by India and China.