| themes |
| Biodiversity |
How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? |
2018 |
15 |
| Wetlands |
Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few of India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. |
2023 |
15 |
| What is a wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. |
2018 |
10 |
| Air Pollution and Related Issues |
What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change? |
2025 |
10 |
| Discuss in detail the photochemical smog, emphasising its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. |
2022 |
10 |
| Describe the key points of the revised Global Air-Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards? |
2021 |
10 |
| What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? |
2020 |
15 |
| Solid Wastes |
What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? |
2018 |
10 |
| Water Pollution and Related Issues |
Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater? |
2025 |
15 |
| Seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers is a major concern in India. What are the causes of seawater intrusion and the remedial measures to combat this hazard? |
2025 |
10 |
| Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard. |
2024 |
10 |
| What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? |
2023 |
10 |
| The Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the River Ganga better than incremental inputs? |
2015 |
12.5 |
| Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking the River Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river-water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for the management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? |
2013 |
10 |
| Mining and Erosion |
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy, and these are exploited through mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard caused by mining. |
2025 |
15 |
| Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal-management techniques for combating this hazard? |
2022 |
15 |
| Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyse the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples. |
2019 |
10 |
| What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of “GO AND NO-GO” zones for coal mining. |
2013 |
10 |
| River Linking and Impact |
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept, but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. |
2017 |
10 |
| Climate Change |
“Climate Change” is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How will the Himalayan and coastal states of India be affected by climate change? |
2017 |
15 |
| IPCC Reports |
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea-level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact on India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? |
2023 |
15 |
| UNFCCC |
Write a review on India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) intended by India been updated in 2022? |
2025 |
15 |
| Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. |
2022 |
15 |
| Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? |
2021 |
15 |
| Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? |
2021 |
10 |
| Should the pursuit of carbon credit and the Clean Development Mechanism set up under the UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. |
2014 |
12.5 |
| Sustainable Development |
Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for the sustainable development of a region. |
2019 |
15 |
| EVs |
The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions, and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion-engine vehicles? |
2023 |
15 |
| EIA |
What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. |
2024 |
10 |
| How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? |
2020 |
10 |
| Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects. |
2016 |
12.5 |
| Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before projects are cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at pitheads. |
2014 |
12.5 |
UPSC - 2027 - Prelims cum Mains - New Batch Starts on 10-08-2026 
