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 2025: 13 questions
All years →- Q9 · Pollution & wasteConsider the following statements: Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs. Circular economy reduces wastage in the prod…
- Q32 · Climate change & agreementsConsider the following statements: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the 'Declaration on Climate and Health'. The COP28 Declaration on Climate …
- Q34 · Climate change & agreementsConsider the following statements: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Article 6 of the Pari…
- Q36 · Climate change & agreementsWith reference to ‘Direct Air Capture’, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration. It can be a valuable approach for pla…
- Q37 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsRegarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements: It is an omnivorous crustacean. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas. In its natural habi…
- Q38 · Climate change & agreementsConsider the following statements: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region. El…
- Q39 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following pairs: Cassava — Woody shrub Ginger — Herb with pseudostem Malabar spinach — Herbaceous climber Mint — Annual shrub Papaya — Woody shrub…
- Q40 · Ecology & ecosystemsWith reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements: Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50%…
- Q44 · Pollution & wasteConsider the following: Cigarette butts Eyeglass lenses Car tyres…
- Q50 · Pollution & wasteConsider the following statements: Activated carbon is a good and an attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries. Activated carbon …
- Q64 · Climate change & agreementsThe World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C. Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above…
- Q85 · Pollution & wasteArtificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of…
- Q90 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsWhich organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?…
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.
