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 2014: 23 questions
All years →- Q2 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsIf a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?…
- Q5 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsWith reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements: It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It strives to conserve natur…
- Q6 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsWith reference to 'Global Environment Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct?…
- Q9 · Protected areas & conservationConsider the following pairs: Dampa Tiger Reserve: Mizoram Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary: Sikkim Saramati Peak: Nagaland…
- Q10 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsWith reference to a conservation organization called 'Wetlands International', which of the following statements is/are correct? It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which a…
- Q13 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsWhich of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms? Continental drift Glacial cycles…
- Q14 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsOther than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins? Construction of dams and barrages on rivers Increase in the population of crocodiles in r…
- Q16 · Pollution & wasteBrominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use? They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment. …
- Q17 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsConsider the following: Bats Bears Rodents…
- Q19 · Ecology & ecosystemsWhich of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth? Volcanic action Respiration Photosynthesis Decay of organic matter…
- Q20 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsIf you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bir…
- Q22 · Ecology & ecosystemsLichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of…
- Q24 · Pollution & wasteWhich of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India? Oxides of sulphur Oxides of nitrogen Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide…
- Q41 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsWhich of the following have coral reefs? Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gulf of Kachchh Gulf of Mannar Sunderbans…
- Q46 · Protected areas & conservationConsider the following pairs: Wetlands: Confluence of rivers Harike Wetlands: Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej Keoladeo Ghana National Park: Confluence of Banas and Chambal Kolleru Lake: Confluenc…
- Q50 · Protected areas & conservationThe most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of…
- Q53 · Climate change & agreementsThe scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3 °C above the pre-industrial level, what c…
- Q74 · Biodiversity, plants & animalsAmong the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?…
- Q78 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsConsider the following international agreements: The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification The World Heritage…
- Q80 · Ecology & ecosystemsWhich one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?…
- Q95 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsWith reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct? Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The purpose of…
- Q96 · Environmental laws, bodies & conventionsConsider the following statements: Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body. National Ganga …
- Q98 · Pollution & wasteThere is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? They can accumulate in the environment, and conta…
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.
