Skip to content
Start free

Environment and Bio-diversity

41 questions

2025

  1. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksExamine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
  2. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksMineral 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.
  3. 2025 · GS3 · 10 marksSeawater 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?
  4. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksWrite 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?

2024

  1. 2024 · GS3 · 10 marksIndustrial 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.
  2. 2024 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat 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.
  3. 2024 · GS3 · 15 marksThe world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits

2023

  1. 2023 · GS3 · 15 marksThe 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?
  2. 2023 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTP) in relation to agricultural subsidies.
  3. 2023 · GS3 · 15 marksThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region?
  4. 2023 · GS3 · 15 marksComment 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.
  5. 2023 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?

2022

  1. 2022 · GS3 · 10 marksDiscuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol.
  2. 2022 · GS3 · 15 marksDiscuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997.
  3. 2022 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat is an Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India?
  4. 2022 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the main bottlenecks in the upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India?
  5. 2022 · GS3 · 15 marksDo you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain.

2021

  1. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksDescribe 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?
  2. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksDescribe 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?
  3. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksExplain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

2020

  1. 2020 · GS3 · 15 marksDescribe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose?
  2. 2020 · GS3 · 10 marksHow does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006?
  3. 2020 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India?
  4. 2020 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security?
  5. 2020 · GS3 · 15 marksSuggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenarios.

2019

  1. 2019 · GS3 · 10 marksCoastal 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.
  2. 2019 · GS3 · 15 marksDefine 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.

2018

  1. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksHow does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, of 2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna?
  2. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes that are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?
  3. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.

2017

  1. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksClimate Change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India be affected by climate change?
  2. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksIn December 2004, a tsunami brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for the occurrence of the Tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
  3. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksNot many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.

2016

  1. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe frequency of urban floods due to high-intensity rainfall has increased over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
  2. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksRehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts that always attract controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects.

2015

  1. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksDiscuss 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?

2014

  1. 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marksEnvironmental 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.
  2. 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marksShould 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.

2013

  1. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of “GO AND NO GO” zones for coal mining.
  2. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksEnumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies that may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for managing and handling hazardous wastes in India?
  3. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksWrite a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problems of conventional energy.