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UPSC Environment PYQs 2021 | Vaidra | Vaidra
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Environment UPSC PYQ 2021

24 questions from the UPSC 2021 examination.

24 questions

1Easyprelims2 marks
Pollution & Waste Management

Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics?

ALow-density polyethylene
BPolycarbonate
CPolyethylene terephthalate
DPolyvinyl chloride
2Easyprelims2 marks
Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

Which one of the following is a filter feeder?

ACatfish
BOctopus
COyster
DPelican
3Mediumprelims2 marks
International Environmental Treaties & Summits

Consider the following statements: 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. 2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. 3. ‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on seafloor in international waters. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
4Mediumprelims2 marks
Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
5Mediumprelims2 marks
Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

Which of the following are detritivores? 1. Earthworms 2. Jellyfish 3. Millipedes 4. Seahorses 5. Woodlice Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A1, 2 and 4 only
B2, 3, 4 and 5 only
C1, 3 and 5 only
D1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
6Mediumprelims2 marks
Pollution & Waste Management

‘R2 Code of Practices’ constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of

Aenvironmentally responsible prac- tices in electronics recycling industry
Becological management of ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention
Csustainable practices in the cultivation of agricultural crops in degraded lands
DEnvironmental Impact Assessment’ in the exploitation of natural resources
7Mediumprelims2 marks
Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

Consider the following statements: 1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. 2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. 3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. 4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa. 5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1, 2, 4 and 5
B3, 4 and 5
C1, 3 and 4
D1, 2, 3 and 5
8Easyprelims2 marks
Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases

What is blue carbon?

ACarbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems
BCarbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils
CCarbon contained in petroleum and natural gas
DCarbon present in atmosphere
9Mediumprelims2 marks
Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil? 1. Fern 2. Lichen 3. Moss 4. Mushroom Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A1 and 4 only
B2 only
C2 and 3
D1, 3 and 4
10Easyprelims2 marks
Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

"Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees." This is the most likely description of

Aconiferous forest
Bdry deciduous forest
Cmangrove forest
Dtropical rain forest
11Mediumprelims2 marks
Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

Consider the following kinds of organisms: 1. Copepods 2. Cyanobacteria 3. Diatoms 4. Foraminifera Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

A1 and 2
B2 and 3
C3 and 4
D1 and 4
12Easyprelims2 marks
Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

With reference to ‘palm oil’, consider the following statements : 1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia. 2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes. 3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1,2 and 3
13Mediumprelims2 marks
Pollution & Waste Management

Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? 1. Brakes of motor vehicles 2. Engines of motor vehicles 3. Microwave stoves within homes 4. Power plants 5. Telephone lines Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A1, 2, 3 and 5 only
B1, 2 and 4 only
C3, 4 and 5 only
D1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
14Mediumprelims2 marks
Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? 1. Burrowing animals and termites 2. Fire 3. Grazing herbivores 4. Seasonal rainfall 5. Soil properties Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A1 and 2
B4 and 5
C2, 3 and 4
D1, 3 and 5
15Mediumprelims2 marks
Pollution & Waste Management

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment. 2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into environment. 3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
16Hardprelims2 marks
Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? 1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are pre- dominant. 2. Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming. 3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions. 4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A1 and 3
B1, 2 and 4
C4 only
D2 and 3
17Easyprelims2 marks
Environmental Governance & Legislation

At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

AMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
BMinistry of Panchayati Raj
CMinistry of Rural Development
DMinistry of Tribal Affairs
18Easyprelims2 marks
Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

ACongress grass
BElephant grass
CLemongrass
DNut grass
19Easyprelims2 marks
Pollution & Waste Management

With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: 1. It is a product of oil refineries. 2. Some industries use it to generate power. 3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
20Mediumprelims2 marks
Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases

The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

Aassessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
Benabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
Cenabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
Dassessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time
21Mediumprelims2 marks
Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

Consider the following animals: 1. Hedgehog 2. Marmot 3. Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organism/organisms rolls up and protects its/their vulnerable parts?

A1 and 2
B2 only
C3 only
D1 and 3
22Easyprelims2 marks
Biogeochemical Cycles & Earth Systems

In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrient to enter the cycle?

ACarbon cycle
BNitrogen cycle
CPhosphorus cycle
DSulphur cycle
23Easyprelims2 marks
Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry

Consider the following statements: Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

ABoth Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
BBoth Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
CStatement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
DStatement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
24Hardprelims2 marks
Environmental Governance & Legislation

With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on Forests’, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. 2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests. 3. It is a legally binding international declaration. 4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities. 5. India was one of the signatories at its inception. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A1, 2 and 4
B1, 3 and 5
C3 and 4
D2 and 5
Environment — All Years|All Subjects