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 2017: 13 questions
All years →- Q4 · Protected areas & conservationFrom the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?…
- Q6 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsConsider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC): TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The mission of T…
- Q14 · Pollution & wasteIn the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique? It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process…
- Q21 · Ecology & ecosystemsDue to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences? Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. The…
- Q25 · Climate change & agreementsIn the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration? Abandoned and un…
- Q35 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsAccording to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? Gharial Indian wild ass Wild buffalo…
- Q52 · Climate change & agreementsWith reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? It is an initiative of the European Union. It provides technical and financial support to targeted…
- Q59 · Pollution & wasteBiological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for…
- Q65 · Climate change & agreementsConsider the following statements: Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries. The CCAC focuses on methane, black …
- Q67 · Protected areas & conservationIf you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?…
- Q80 · Protected areas & conservationThe term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of…
- Q91 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsIn India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?…
- Q95 · Protected areas & conservationRecently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?…
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 & agreementsConsider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change: I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool…
- 2026 · Q22 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsWith respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct?…
- 2026 · Q23 · Ecology & ecosystemsWhich of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience?…
- 2026 · Q27 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsWhich of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct?…
- 2026 · Q32 · Protected areas & conservationWith reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct?…
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.
