Ecology, Pollution and Conservation — UPSC Prelims PYQs (Set 1)

Q1. Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India ? UPSC Prelims 2026

Question 1 optionsAUttarakhand REDD+ projectBICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project in North-Eastern HimalayasCKhasi Hills Community REDD+ projectDSikkim Mamley Kamrang Community REDD+ project
Q2. Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience ?
1. Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in saline estuarine belts.
2. Their salt-sensitive roots filter seawater, making mangroves key to converting coastal land into freshwater aquaculture zones.
3. By withstanding tidal surges and offering biomass resources, mangroves function both as natural bio-shields and livelihood bases for rural communities.
Select the answer using the code given below : UPSC Prelims 2026

Question 2 optionsA1 onlyB1 and 2C2 and 3D3 only
Q3. 9. 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? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 3 optionsABoth Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement IBBoth Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement ICOnly one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement IDNeither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Q4. 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? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 4 optionsABoth Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement IBBoth Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement ICOnly one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement IDNeither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Q5. Consider the following statements :
I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0·5 t CO₂/ capita.
II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO₂ emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 5 optionsAI and III onlyBII onlyCII and III onlyDI, II and III
Q6. Consider the following :
I. Cigarette butts
II. Eyeglass lenses
III. Car tyres
How many of them contain plastic? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 6 optionsAOnly oneBOnly twoCAll the threeDNone
Q7. Consider the following statements :
Statement I : Activated carbon is a good and an 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? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 7 optionsABoth Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement IBBoth Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement ICOnly one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement IDNeither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Q8. 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 one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? UPSC Prelims 2025

Question 8 optionsABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement IBBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement ICStatement I is correct but Statement II is not correctDStatement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
Q9. One of the following regions has the world’s largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region ? UPSC Prelims 2024

Question 9 optionsAAmazon BasinBCongo BasinCKikori BasinDRio de la Plata Basin
Q10. With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements :
1. PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food and food packaging materials.
2. PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.
3. Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies.
Which of the statements given above are correct ? UPSC Prelims 2024

Question 10 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q11. Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution.
Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ? UPSC Prelims 2024

Question 11 optionsABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-IBBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-ICStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrectDStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Q12. Consider the following statements :
1.
2.
3.
Which of the statements given above are correct ? UPSC Prelims 2024

Question 12 optionsA1 and 2 onlyB2 and 3 onlyC1 and 3 onlyD1, 2 and 3
Q13. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions ? UPSC Prelims 2024

Question 13 optionsALocomotives using fossil fuelsBShips using fossil fuelsCExtraction of metals from oresDPower plants using fossil fuels
Q14. Consider the following trees :
1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
2. Mahua (Madhuca indica)
3. Teak (Tectona grandis)
How many of the above are deciduous trees? UPSC Prelims 2023

Question 14 optionsAOnly oneBOnly twoCAll threeDNone
Q15. 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? UPSC Prelims 2023

Question 15 optionsAOnly oneBOnly twoCAll threeDNone
Q16. With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements :
1. None of them uses seawater.
2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district.
3. None of them is privately owned.
How many of the above statements are correct? UPSC Prelims 2023

Question 16 optionsAOnly oneBOnly twoCAll threeDNone

0 of 16 answered

Ecology, Pollution and Conservation — UPSC Prelims PYQs (Set 1)

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