UPSC (Prelims) 2021 Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions

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?

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.

What is blue carbon?

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?

1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.
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.

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?

Consider the following animals:

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

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?

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

Which one of the following is a filter feeder?

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.

Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?

1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

With reference to 'WaterCredit', consider the following statements:

1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on the subsidies.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?

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.

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

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