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UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions PDF Download

Q1: Consider the following statements:

  1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
  2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)

  • Statement 1: Correct. The Nagoya Protocol focuses on fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. In India, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) play a key role in realizing these objectives, especially in managing local biological resources and ensuring that benefits are shared with the local communities.
  • Statement 2: Correct. The BMCs do have the authority to levy collection fees for access to biological resources within their jurisdiction under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Q2: ‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
(b) The United Nations Environment Programme
(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
(d) The World Wide Fund for Nature

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (a)
The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG), which develops the Global Invasive Species Database, operates under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It works to conserve biodiversity by reducing the threat posed by invasive species.


Q3: Consider the following statements:
Once the Central Government notifies an area as a ‘Community Reserve’

  1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
  2. Hunting is not allowed in such area
  3. People of such areas are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
  4. People of such areas are allowed traditional agricultural practices

How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)

  • Statement 1: Incorrect. Once an area is declared as a community reserve, the Community Reserve Management Committee, rather than the Chief Wildlife Warden, is responsible for its governance.
  • Statement 2: Correct. Hunting is strictly prohibited in community reserves.
  • Statement 3: Correct. People living in such areas can collect non-timber forest produce.
  • Statement 4: Correct. Traditional agricultural practices are often allowed, as long as they do not harm the ecosystem.

Q4: Consider the following infrastructure sectors:

  1. Affordable housing
  2. Mass rapid transport
  3. Health care
  4. Renewable energy

On how many of the above does the UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus on its investments?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)
The UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative primarily focuses on three infrastructure sectors:

  • Affordable housing
  • Renewable energy
  • Health care

Mass rapid transport is not a focus area for this initiative.


Q5: Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.
Statement II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.
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 is the correct explanation for Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)

  • Statement I: Correct. Marsupials (such as kangaroos and koalas) are not naturally found in India; they are primarily found in Australia and nearby regions.
  • Statement II: Incorrect. Marsupials can thrive in various environments, not just montane grasslands, and they are capable of surviving even in the presence of predators.

Q6: Which of the following organisms perform a waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?
(a) Butterflies
(b) Dragonflies
(c) Honey Bees
(d) Wasps

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)
Honey Bees perform the waggle dance to communicate with others in their hive, indicating the direction and distance of a food source.


Q7: Consider the following statements:

  1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
  2. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties.
  3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
  4. Some mushrooms have bio-luminescent properties.

How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (d)
Mushrooms are known to have all of the following properties:

  • Medicinal properties (used in traditional medicine).
  • Psychoactive properties (certain mushrooms contain hallucinogenic compounds).
  • Insecticidal properties (some mushrooms produce compounds that kill insects).
  • Bio-luminescent properties (some mushrooms glow in the dark).

Q8:  Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?
(a) Fishing cat
(b) Orangutan
(c) Otter
(d) Sloth bear

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (b)
Orangutans are known to use sticks as tools to scrape insects from holes in trees or logs.


Q9: Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels:

  1. They build nests by making burrows in the ground.
  2. They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
  3. They are omnivorous.

How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (a)

  • Statement 1: Incorrect. Indian squirrels do not typically build nests by burrowing in the ground; they prefer nesting in tree hollows.
  • Statement 2: Correct. They do store food such as nuts and seeds.
  • Statement 3: Correct. Indian squirrels are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and small insects.

Q10: Consider the following fauna:

  1. Lion-tailed Macaque
  2. Malabar Civet
  3. Sambar Deer

How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (b)

Lion-tailed Macaque: Diurnal (active during the day).

Malabar Civet: Nocturnal.

Sambar Deer: Mostly crepuscular (active during dawn and dusk), but can also be active at night.


Q11: Consider the following:

  1. Aerosols
  2. Foam agents
  3. Fire retardants
  4. Lubricants

In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocbons used?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used in:

  • Aerosols
  • Foam agents
  • Fire retardants

HFCs are not commonly used as lubricants.


Q12: Consider the following activities:

  1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
  2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
  3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters

How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)
The following activities are discussed as potential methods for carbon capture and sequestration:

  • Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands to increase CO₂ absorption.
  • Increasing ocean alkalinity by adding lime to absorb more CO₂.
  • Injecting captured carbon dioxide into abandoned mines in the form of carbonated water.

Q13: Consider the following statements:

  1. Carbon fibers are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircraft.
  2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (a)

  • Statement 1: Correct. Carbon fibers are used in manufacturing lightweight, strong components for automobiles and aircraft.
  • Statement 2: Incorrect. Carbon fibers can be recycled, although the process can be complex.

Q14: 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?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions  View Answer

Ans: (c)

  • Statement 1: Correct. Gold mining activities release mercury into the environment.
  • Statement 2: Correct. Coal-based thermal power plants are a significant source of mercury emissions.
  • Statement 3: Correct. There is no safe level of exposure to mercury, making it highly toxic even at low concentrations.
The document UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions is a part of the UPSC Course UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions.
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FAQs on UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment - UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions

1. What is the significance of the UPSC Prelims in the context of environmental studies?
Ans. The UPSC Prelims is a crucial examination for aspirants seeking to enter the Indian Civil Services. Environmental studies is an important component of the syllabus, reflecting the growing concern for ecological issues in governance. Questions related to environmental policies, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development often appear, testing candidates' awareness and understanding of current environmental challenges.
2. Which topics related to the environment are frequently covered in UPSC Prelims?
Ans. Common topics include climate change, biodiversity hotspots, environmental legislation, the role of various international treaties, conservation efforts, pollution control measures, and sustainable development practices. Candidates should also be familiar with current affairs related to these subjects, as they are often integrated into the exam.
3. How can candidates effectively prepare for the environmental section of the UPSC Prelims?
Ans. Candidates can prepare by studying NCERT textbooks on environmental science, referring to current affairs magazines, and reviewing previous years' question papers. Additionally, engaging with online resources, attending seminars, and participating in discussions can enhance understanding and retention of important concepts related to the environment.
4. Are there any specific books recommended for environmental studies in UPSC Prelims preparation?
Ans. Yes, some recommended books include "Environmental Studies: A Global Perspective" by Daniel D. Chiras, "Shankar IAS Environment Book," and "NCERT textbooks from Class 6 to 12 on Environmental Science." These resources cover a wide range of topics and provide a solid foundation for understanding environmental issues relevant to the UPSC syllabus.
5. What role do current affairs play in the environmental section of the UPSC Prelims?
Ans. Current affairs play a significant role as they inform candidates about recent developments, policies, and international agreements related to the environment. Staying updated with news articles, government reports, and research studies allows candidates to answer questions that are contextually relevant and timely, which is increasingly important in the examination.
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