Prelims GS I · 245 questions · 2011–2026
Environment & ecology: every Prelims question, by topic
UPSC syllabus: “General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.” Below, the topics inside it — most asked first — and how often each came up year by year.
Environment & ecology in Prelims 2012: 18 questions
All years →- Q61 · Climate change & agreementsThe acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern: The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected. The growth and survival of coral r…
- Q67 · Protected areas & conservationWith reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements: The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States…
- Q68 · Ecology & ecosystemsThe Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services—provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which one of the following is a suppor…
- Q69 · Ecology & ecosystemsWhat would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason? The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected. The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected…
- Q70 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsHow does the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting Indian Agriculture? NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources. NBA directly monitors …
- Q72 · Pollution & wasteConsider the following statements: Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used: In the production of plastic foams. In the production of tubeless tyres. In cleaning certain elec…
- Q73 · Climate change & agreementsThe increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs…
- Q74 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsThe National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India? Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life …
- Q75 · Protected areas & conservationConsider the following protected areas: Bandipur Bhitarkanika Manas Sunderbans…
- Q76 · Protected areas & conservationIn which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?…
- Q77 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsVultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to:…
- Q78 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following kinds of organisms: Bat Bee Bird…
- Q79 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsThe Government of India encourages the cultivation of ‘sea buckthorn’. What is the importance of this plant: It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. It is a rich source…
- Q80 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsWhich one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?…
- Q81 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsWhat is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?…
- Q82 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following: Black-necked crane Cheetah Flying Squirrel Snow Leopard…
- Q83 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsWhich of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? Global warming Fragmentation of habitat Invasion of alien species Promotion of vegetarianism…
- Q86 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following kinds of organisms: Bacteria Fungi Flowering plants…
Environment & ecology in UPSC Prelims at a glance
UPSC has asked 245 questions on Environment & ecology in GS Paper I from 2011 to 2026 — about 15 a year, the most in 2014 (23). The most-asked topic is Biodiversity, plants & animals (62 questions).
| Year | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questions | 16 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 12 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 9 |
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault, each question under its main subject · updated 8 Nov 2026.
- Biodiversity, plants & animals62 questions · asked in 15 of 16 years
- Pollution & waste43 questions · asked in 15 of 16 years
- Climate change & agreements40 questions · asked in 14 of 16 years
- Environmental laws, bodies & conventions40 questions · asked in 15 of 16 years
- Ecology & ecosystems33 questions · asked in 11 of 16 years
- Protected areas & conservation27 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
Latest questions
- 2026 · Q21 · Climate change & agreementsजलवायु परिवर्तन पर भारत की अनुक्रिया के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए : I. भारत की दीर्घकालिक निम्न उत्सर्जन विकास रणनीति (LT-LEDS), वर्ष 2070 तक नेट-जीरो उत…
- 2026 · Q22 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsवेस्टर्न हूलॉक गिबनों के संबंध में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं ?…
- 2026 · Q23 · Ecology & ecosystemsनिम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से, जलवायु अनुकूलन (climate resilience) के संदर्भ में गरान (मैंग्रोव) पारिस्थितिकी तंत्रों के संरक्षण हेतु तर्काधार की सर्वोत्तम व्याख्या करत…
- 2026 · Q27 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsमंगोलिया से प्रत्येक वर्ष नागालैंड के दोयंग झील में अमूर बाज़ों (Amur Falcons) के आगमन के संबंध में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं ?…
- 2026 · Q32 · Protected areas & conservationमाधव राष्ट्रीय उद्यान के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं ?…
The same ground in Mains
These official Mains syllabus lines cover Environment & ecology. Prelims facts become Mains arguments.
Environment & ecology PYQs as a PDF — free
All 48 PDFs →Every Environment & ecology question from 2011 to 2026, topic-wise, with answers and explanations — 120 pages. Free; sign up once.
Environment & ecology PYQs: quick answers
How many Environment & ecology questions has UPSC asked in Prelims from 2011 to 2026?
245 questions in GS Paper I — about 15 a year, the most in 2014 (23). Every one is on this page, under its topic, with UPSC's answer and an explanation.
Which Environment & ecology topic does UPSC ask most in Prelims?
Biodiversity, plants & animals: 62 questions between 2011 and 2026, asked in 15 of 16 years. The topics are listed above, most asked first, each with its year-by-year trend.
Are the answers UPSC's official answer keys?
From 2016, yes: every answer is from UPSC's final answer key (2016–2025); for 2011–2015, where UPSC published no key online, each answer is worked out from official sources and reviewed independently; for 2026 UPSC has so far published a provisional key, and those answers are labelled. Explanations cite official sources — NCERT and government pages first.
Can I download the Environment & ecology PYQs as a PDF?
Yes — a print-ready PDF of every Environment & ecology question with answers and explanations (120 pages, 2.4 MB), free after a one-time sign-up, from the Vault's downloads page.
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault; answers are UPSC's keys.
