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Q1Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
Which one of the following is NOT a component of a standard Environmental Impact Assessment report?
- ABaseline environmental data of the project area
- BAnalysis of alternatives including the 'no-project' alternative
- CCost-benefit analysis exclusively in financial termsCorrect
- DEnvironment Management Plan with mitigation measures
Explanation
Correct. An EIA report does not focus on purely financial cost-benefit analysis; it assesses environmental costs and benefits, not just monetary ones.
Q2Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
Which of the following is/are features of the PARIVESH portal?
1. Online submission and tracking of environmental clearance applications.
2. Geo-spatial mapping of project locations.
3. Integration with forest clearance applications.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. PARIVESH is a comprehensive single-window hub offering online applications, geo-spatial mapping, and integration of environmental, forest, wildlife, and CRZ clearances.
Q3Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
With reference to 'environmental governance' in India, consider the following statements:
1. The 'Environment' is listed in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution.
2. Both the Centre and States can legislate on environmental matters.
3. In case of conflict between central and state environmental laws, the central law prevails if it has received Presidential assent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Both Centre and States can legislate on environmental matters through entries like forests and wildlife in the Concurrent List, and in case of conflict, the central law prevails if it has Presidential assent.
Q4Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
Which of the following projects falls under Category A requiring central-level environmental clearance?
1. Thermal power plants of capacity 500 MW or more
2. River valley projects with displacement of 10,000 or more persons
3. All highway projects regardless of length
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Large thermal power plants and river valley projects with significant displacement are Category A; highway projects have specific thresholds and are not automatically Category A.
Q5Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
With reference to 'environmental conditions' attached to an EC, which of the following are typically included?
1. Installation of air pollution control devices.
2. Provision of a green belt around the project.
3. Submission of six-monthly compliance reports.
4. Implementation of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plan for the nearest village.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1, 2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 4 only
- D1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Correct. Pollution control devices, green belts, and compliance reports are standard EC conditions; CSR plans are governed by company law, not typically mandated as EC conditions.
Q6Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
The 'environmental governance' framework in India involves multiple levels. Which of the following correctly represents the institutional hierarchy for Category A project clearance?
- ASPCB → SEAC → SEIAA
- BEAC → MoEFCC → SPCB for monitoringCorrect
- CCPCB → NGT → Supreme Court
- DDistrict Collector → State Government → MoEFCC
Explanation
Correct. For Category A projects, the Expert Appraisal Committee appraises and recommends to MoEFCC for clearance, while SPCB monitors compliance post-clearance.
Q7Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
Consider the following statements about the half-yearly compliance report (HYCR) for projects with environmental clearance:
1. The project proponent must submit it to the concerned regulatory authority.
2. It must be placed in the public domain on the project website.
3. Non-submission of HYCR can lead to revocation of environmental clearance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Half-yearly compliance reports must be submitted to the regulator, published on the project website, and non-submission can result in clearance revocation.
Q8Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
Which of the following is/are the role(s) of the 'District Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority' (DEIAA)?
1. It was proposed under the 2016 amendment to handle minor mining projects at the district level.
2. It was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. DEIAAs were introduced via a 2016 amendment for minor mineral mining but were subsequently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Deepak Kumar v. State of Haryana.
Q9Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
With reference to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in India, consider the following statements:
1. EIA in India is statutorily backed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. The first EIA Notification in India was issued in 1994.
3. The current EIA framework primarily operates under the EIA Notification, 2006.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. EIA draws its legal authority from EPA 1986, began with the 1994 Notification, and currently operates under the 2006 Notification.
Q10Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
Which of the following bodies appraises Category A projects for environmental clearance in India?
- AState Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA)
- BExpert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at the central levelCorrect
- CCentral Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- DNational Green Tribunal (NGT)
Explanation
Correct. The sector-specific Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) constituted by MoEFCC appraises Category A projects and recommends clearance.
Q11Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
With reference to 'scoping' in the EIA process, consider the following statements:
1. It involves determining the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the EIA study.
2. For Category A projects, scoping is done by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
3. Category B2 projects are exempted from the scoping stage.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Scoping sets the TOR, the EAC does it for Category A projects, and B2 projects are exempt from scoping.
Q12Environment·Environmental Impact Assessment and Governance
The 'T.S.R. Subramanian Committee' report on environmental governance recommended:
1. Creation of a National Environment Management Authority.
2. Replacing multiple environmental clearances with a single unified clearance.
3. Abolishing the National Green Tribunal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B1 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. The committee recommended a National Environment Management Authority and a single-window clearance system; it did not recommend abolishing NGT.