Test yourself

Indian Economic Development

Class 11 · Economy

Ch 7 · Environment and Sustainable Development

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Prelims 2016 · Q98

Consider the following statements:

1.The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the 'Club of Rome'.
2.The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 Indian Economic Development, Ch 7 (Environment and Sustainable Development); Class 12 Contemporary World Politics, Ch 6 (Environment and Natural Resources).

Class 11 Indian Economic Development, ch 7: the UN set 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, to be achieved by 2030 (2 true). Class 12 Contemporary World Politics, ch 6: the Club of Rome's 1972 book was 'Limits to Growth' (1 false). Answer (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2016), question 98 ↗

Prelims 2018 · Q4

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

1.The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
2.The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 Indian Economic Development, Ch 7 (Environment and Sustainable Development); Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society).

The one fact NCERT doesn't give: The CPCB was set up in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 — a law, not an executive order.

Class 11 Indian Economic Development, ch 7: pollution control boards promote cleanliness of streams and wells and improve air quality. Class 8 Exploring Society (Part 2), ch 4 names the NGT a specialised tribunal. That is statement 2. With the fact, 1 is false. Answer (b).

Beyond NCERT: the NGT was set up in October 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to decide environmental cases quickly. So the first half of statement 1 is right; only the CPCB half is wrong. Source: National Green Tribunal, About Us, greentribunal.gov.in

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 4 ↗

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