What is eutrophication? What are its effects? (87/3)
What do you understand by Ecological Balance? Why is this balance necessary? What is being done in India today to maintain this balance? (87/15)
What is bioremediation? (95/2)
Discuss about ‘Environment’, its components and its awareness. (02/15)
Describe the sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and their effects on the biotic components of the atmosphere. (05/30)
Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose, is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are the natural processes this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water and other end products? (22/10)
Bio-diversity
What is biodiversity? Why should it be preserved? (92/40)
What do you understand by the term ‘biodiversity’? Examine the causes and consequences of degeneration of biodiversity. (07/30)
How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (18/15)
CONSERVATION
Conservation Measures
What do you understand by ecology? What measures are being taken to preserve the wild flora and fauna and protect the endangered species of animals in India? Name three species of animals for which special measures have been taken to preserve them. What results have so far been achieved in this regard? (81/20)
The diminishing population of vultures. (11/5)
Project Tiger
Explain the importance of Project Tiger. (83/3)
What do you know of the ‘Project Tiger’? How and when was it initiated? Name any five tiger reserves in the country. (88/10)
Describe the salient features of Project Tiger. How far has it helped in saving the tiger from extinction? (94/20)
Phase IV of the tiger monitoring programme in India. (11/5)
The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forest in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial pronouncements. (12/25)
Protected Areas
Name the sanctuaries/places where the following animals are found in India: (i) Wild Ass (ii) Rhinoceros (iii) Hangul (iv) Great Indian Bustard. (88/4)
What is “Biosphere Reserve”? Explain its significance. (90/3)
What is a biosphere reserve? (93/3)
What is “Swatch of no ground’? (99/3)
Write short note on Kaziranga National Park. (02/2)
Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India. (2023/15)
Wetlands
Discuss the wetlands and their role in ecological conservation in India. (09/15)
List any eight ‘Ramsar’ wetland sites located in India. What is the “Montreux Record’ and what Indian sites are included in this Record? (10/12)
What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (18/10)
Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (250 words) (2023/15)
Conservation Movements
What is the ‘Chipko’ movement about, and what is its significance? (85/3)
What is Sardar Sarovar Project? What is the nature of the controversy surrounding it? (89/10)
Where is Tehri Dam located and what is the scope of the project? What are the objections of the Environmentalists to the project? (90/5)
On what issues had Sunder Lal Bahuguna been lately resorting to fasts? (96/2)
Why has the Narmada River Valley Project attracted the attention of the common people? (97/20)
‘Billion Acts of Green’. (11/2)
Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures. (150 words) (2023/10)
Sustainable Development
How has the Indian State tackled the trade-off between environment and development? (05/15)
Explain the concepts “Environmental Sustainability” and “Sustainable Development of People”. (12/5)
Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects. (16/12)
Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. (19/15)
Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India - Comment. (2025/15)
Government Measures
What is the scope of the Silent Valley Project and what are the issues which have been raised in relation to it? Having regard to the different views expressed, how should the Central Government proceed further in regard to this project? (80/20)
What measures have been taken by the Government of India for the protection and preservation of historic monuments and relics? What are the responsibilities of the Archaeological Survey of India in this regard? There have been recent reports of serious damage to the world’s famous Taj Mahal at Agra. What are the reasons for the damage? What steps are being taken to protect and preserve the Taj Mahal? (82/20)
What policy has the Government of India adopted in recent years to protect our environment, control pollution and maintain ecological balance? State briefly. (95/20)
Why has there been opposition from the North-Eastern States to the Supreme Court ban on all activities inside forests? (97/10)
SUMMITS, CONVENTIONS AND PROTOCOLS
Summits, Conventions and Protocols
What are the main recommendations of the Montreal Protocol to protect the Ozone layer? What are the implications for India of the latest convention held at London? (250 words) (90/40)
What do you understand by depletion of ozone layer and why is it considered harmful? Name ozone depleting substances and processes. What international ramifications took place to protect the ozone layer and what was the target agreed upon? (03/30)
Write about: The UN conference on Environment and Development (The Earth Summit). (07/15)
Comment on Rotterdam Convention. (10/5)
UNFCCC
Discuss the significance of Kyoto Protocol. Why is U.S.A. not signing it? (00/15)
Discuss the significance of Kyoto Protocol. Why is U.S.A. not signing it? (01/15)
In the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), distinguish between “Annex-I’ and ‘Annex-II’ countries. (10/5)
Explain briefly the “Clean Development Mechanism” as provided under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (12/5)
Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. (14/12.5)
Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Conference in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021/10)
Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021/15)
Write a review on India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022? (2025/15)
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND DEGRADATION
Pollution - General
Indicate the sources of atmospheric pollution in the major urban centres in India and the steps to be taken to minimise the problem. (79/20)
The environmental pollution poses serious health hazards in developing and developed countries. Describe the various human activities that cause environmental pollution. Suggest ways and means for containing environmental pollution in India. (84/40)
State the types of environmental pollution and some of the places where it has occurred due to the progress of industrialisation in India. (88/20)
What do you understand by Environmental Pollution? Mention the various kinds of pollution and their effect on human health in India. (92/15)
Justify with necessary logic: “Biological clean-up methods can be cheaper than the conventional physical and chemical pollution treatments”. (06/30)
What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? (150 words) (2023/10)
Water and River Pollution
What are the objects of the Ganga Action Plan? Explain, in brief, the benefits of the plan. (86/10)
Scarcity of safe drinking water is an acute problem in a large number of villages in India. Point out the factors which make even the available water unfit for drinking by the rural population. What steps would you recommend to make such water potable? (250 words) (87/40)
What policy initiatives have been taken to reduce water pollution of major rivers in India? (93/6)
Describe the various measures taken under the Ganga Action Plan and their impact on the water quality of the river. (94/40)
Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions of management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? (200 words) (13/10)
Discuss the Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs? (15/12.5)
Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard. (2024/10)
Marine and Coastal Degradation
Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? (22/15)
Seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers is a major concern in India. What are the causes of seawater intrusion and the remedial measures to combat this hazard? (2025/10)
Noise Pollution
What are the harmful consequences of excessive noise? (88/3)
What is the safe level of noise for the human ear? Give the noise level of electric bell. (97/3)
Air Pollution
What is lead-free petrol? What are its merits and demerits? (95/20)
What is CNG? How can it reduce air pollution? (99/3)
Write brief note: PFCs and ‘liquid breathing’. (09/3)
Bring out the salient features of the evolution and the current status of the ‘Bharat Stage’ vehicle emission norms in the country. (10/24)
Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (GS 1) (15/12.5)
What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (20/15)
Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards? (21/10)
Discuss in detail the photochemical smog, emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. (22/10)
The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (250 words) (2023/15)
Soil Pollution
Why do environmentalists regard asbestos and polythene as pollutants? (05/15)
In the context of the growing demands for the ban of Endosulfan in the country, critically examine the issues involved. What, in your view, should be done in the matter? (12/25)
Ozone
What is Ozone pollution? (88/3)
What is ozone hole? How is it formed and what effect does it have on the earth? (96/15)
What is ozone hole? How is it caused and what are its implications for life on Earth? (99/20)
What does the Montreal Protocol deal with? Discuss its role in protecting Earth’s environment. (01/15)
What do you understand by depletion of ozone layer and why is it considered harmful? Name ozone depleting substances and processes. What international ramifications took place to protect the ozone layer and what was the target agreed upon? (03/30)
Explain the phenomenon of ozone depletion, its causes and effects. What efforts are needed to reduce it? (07/30)
Waste Management
What do you understand by ‘Karnal Technology’? What is it used for? (95/20)
Plastic hazards - Discuss. (02/30)
Comment on the spatial components in Urban solid waste management in the country. (150 words) (10/24)
The scourge of e-waste. (11/5)
Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions of management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? (200 words) (13/10)
What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes which have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (18/10)
Deforestation
Account for the varied environmental problems resulting from wide spread deforestation in both Aravalli and Himalayan regions. (91/15)
How is deforestation of Himalayas disturbing the ecological balance of north India? (99/15)
Environmental Degradation
When is the World Environment Day observed every year? What are the major factors which have contributed towards degradation of environment in India? (82/20)
There is a wide-spread concern about the degradation of environment and the problems that go with it. Assess the international response. (00/15)
“Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (GS 2) (18/10)
Mining
What are the consequences of Illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of GO and NO GO zones for coal mining sector. (13/10)
Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples. (19/10)
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining. (2025/15)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
What is meant by Environmental Impact Assessment? (98/3)
Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before a project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads. (14/12.5)
How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (20/10)
What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. (2024/10)