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 2019: 18 questions
All years →- Q18 · Protected areas & conservationWhich one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?…
- Q22 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following statements: Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.…
- Q25 · Climate change & agreementsIn the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?…
- Q26 · Pollution & wasteIn the context of which one of the following are the terms ‘pyrolysis and plasma gasification’ mentioned?…
- Q27 · Protected areas & conservationWhich of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?…
- Q28 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following statements: Some species of turtles are herbivores. Some species of fish are herbivores. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores. Some species of snakes are viviparous.…
- Q29 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following pairs: Blue-finned Mahseer — Cauvery River Irrawaddy Dolphin — Chambal River Rusty-spotted Cat — Eastern Ghats…
- Q30 · Pollution & wasteWhy is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into environment?…
- Q34 · Climate change & agreementsWhich of the following statements are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ …
- Q35 · Pollution & wasteConsider the following: Carbon monoxide Methane Ozone Sulphur dioxide…
- Q40 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsConsider the following statements: Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India. The Wetlands (Con…
- Q41 · Pollution & wasteConsider the following statements: Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment. Cattle release ammonia into environment. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into envi…
- Q55 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsConsider the following statements: As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Oth…
- Q58 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsConsider the following statements: The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, an…
- Q59 · Pollution & wasteAs per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?…
- Q62 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsWith reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country. State Governments have the pow…
- Q68 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsConsider the following statements: As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels. People's participation is mandatory in th…
- Q78 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsIn India, 'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?…
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.
