UPSC Prelims – Environment & Ecology (Objective / MCQs)

UPSC Prelims – Environment & Ecology (Objective / MCQs)

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1. Recommended Books & Resources

Book / Resource	Purpose / Details
Shankar IAS Environment Book	Comprehensive book for UPSC Prelims & Mains. Covers Ecology, Biodiversity, Environmental Issues, Climate Change, and Government Policies.
PIB (Press Information Bureau)	For latest government schemes, policies, notifications, and environmental programs.
Yojana / Kurukshetra Magazine	Articles on sustainable development, conservation, environment-related socio-economic issues.
Government Reports	UNEP, UNDP, MoEFCC reports, Climate Change reports.

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2. Strategy to Cover Environment for Prelims

Step 1: Static Environment – Shankar IAS Book

·         Focus on:

o    Ecology: Ecosystem, food chain, food web, biogeochemical cycles

o    Biodiversity: Species, hotspots, conservation methods, wildlife sanctuaries & national parks

o    Climate & Atmosphere: Greenhouse effect, ozone layer, climate zones

o    Environmental Issues: Pollution (air, water, soil), waste management, deforestation, desertification

Tips: Make tables for species, parks, rivers, and environmental conventions.

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Step 2: Government Policies & Programs – PIB & Yojana

·         Focus on recent and ongoing government initiatives:

o    National Green Mission

o    National Biodiversity Action Plan

o    Swachh Bharat Mission

o    Clean Ganga Mission

o    Renewable energy schemes (Solar, Wind, Hydro)

o    Climate change adaptation policies

Tips: Note dates, objectives, and implementation strategies.

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Step 3: Current Affairs

·         Follow recent environmental news, disasters, climate reports, treaties:

o    Paris Agreement, COP meetings

o    India’s NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions)

o    Forest cover reports, pollution indices

o    Species conservation status updates

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Step 4: Revision & Practice

·         Make charts, diagrams, and flashcards

·         Revise biodiversity hotspots, national parks, and conventions

·         Solve previous year UPSC MCQs to understand pattern

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3. Important Topics (Prelims Focus)

Section	Key Points
Ecology	Ecosystem structure, trophic levels, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles
Biodiversity	Hotspots, Red Data Book, Endangered species, Wildlife Protection Act, Conservation methods
Environmental Issues	Pollution types, E-waste, solid waste, climate change, global warming, acid rain, desertification, deforestation
Climate & Atmosphere	Greenhouse gases, Ozone depletion, Monsoon, Global warming effects
Government Initiatives	National Green Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Clean Ganga Mission, Renewable energy programs
International Conventions	Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, Ramsar Convention, CITES

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4. Sample Questions – Environment & Ecology (Prelims MCQs)

1.      Which of the following are biodiversity hotspots in India?

1.      Himalaya

2.      Indo-Burma

3.      Sundalands

4.      Western Ghats
a) 1, 2, 4
b) 1, 3, 4
c) 2, 3, 4
d) All of the above
Answer: a) 1, 2, 4

2.      The main cause of ozone layer depletion is:
a) Carbon dioxide emissions
b) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
c) Methane emissions
d) Deforestation
Answer: b) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

3.      Which of the following is a government initiative to clean rivers in India?
a) Swachh Bharat Mission
b) National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
c) National Green Mission
d) Green India Mission
Answer: b) National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)

4.      Which gas contributes most to the greenhouse effect?
a) Oxygen
b) Nitrogen
c) Carbon dioxide
d) Helium
Answer: c) Carbon dioxide

5.      Ramsar Convention is related to:
a) Endangered species protection
b) Wetlands conservation
c) Climate change mitigation
d) Forest conservation
Answer: b) Wetlands conservation

6.      Swachh Bharat Mission primarily focuses on:
a) Reducing carbon emissions
b) Sanitation and waste management
c) Forest conservation
d) Renewable energy promotion
Answer: b) Sanitation and waste management

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5. Preparation Tips – Environment & Ecology for Prelims

1.      Shankar IAS book → Base concepts, biodiversity, ecology

2.      PIB / Yojana / MoEFCC → Current schemes and policies

3.      Make charts & diagrams → Hotspots, species, conventions

4.      Revise monthly → Static + Current environment topics

5.      Solve MCQs → Previous year papers + mock tests

6.      Keep updated with current affairs → Climate, disasters, government initiatives

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Summary

·         Books: Shankar IAS Environment Book (static), PIB / Yojana (current)

·         Topics: Ecology, Biodiversity, Environmental Issues, Climate, Government Initiatives, International Conventions

·         Strategy: Read, make charts, revise, solve MCQs, follow current affairs

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