If you’re preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims, understanding Environment PYQ UPSC Prelims (Previous Year Questions) is crucial. Environment and Ecology is a high-scoring section, and knowing how many questions from the environment in UPSC Prelims appear each year can help you strategize better.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Syllabus

Environment PYQ UPSC Prelims: Year-wise Trend

Over the past decade, the number of Environment and Ecology questions in UPSC Prelims has increased significantly. The year-wise trend of Environment and Ecology questions shows that, on average, 20 questions have been asked from this section since 2018. Between 2018 and 2021, the number of questions remained high, but there was a decline in 2022 and 2023. Due to its overlap with current affairs, agriculture, and certain areas of geography, Environment remains one of the most significant subjects in the UPSC Prelims. The trend of Environment-related questions is outlined below. Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims

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UPSC Prelims Environment and Ecology Questions: Topic-Wise Analysis

Below is the table mentioning topic-wise breakup of Environment PYQs in UPSC Prelims:

Environment – Topicwise Weightage	% of Questions (2011-2024)	% of Questions (2022-2024)	No. of Questions (2011-2024)	No. of Questions (2022-2024)
A) Environment Ecology	14%	20%	34	11
B) Biodiversity in India	22%	19%	54	10
C) Environment Pollution and Remedies	15%	17%	37	9
D) Climate Change	10%	7%	25	4
E) Indian Initiatives for Environment Protection	15%	9%	37	5
F) Global Initiatives for Environment Protection	11%	11%	28	6
G) Agriculture and Environment	7%	4%	18	2
H) Renewable and Alternate Energy Sources	5%	13%	13	7

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Environment PYQs UPSC Prelims 2024

1. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?
2. a)     Locomotives using fossil fuels
3. b)     Ships using fossil fuels
4. c)     Extraction of metals from ores
5. d)     Power plants using fossil fuels

 

2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: India does not import apples from the United States of America.

Statement-II: In India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. a)     Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
2. b)     Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement I
3. c)     Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
4. d)     Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.

 

3. The organisms “Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater” are :

(a)   Birds

  (b)   Fish

(c)   Insects

(d)   Reptiles

 

4. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Many chewing gums found in the market are a source of environmental pollution.

Statement II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. a)     Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. b)     Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. c)     Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
4. d)     Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

 

5. Consider the following pairs:

Country        Animal found in its natural habitat

1.	Brazil	Indri
2.	Indonesia	Elk
3.	Madagascar	Bonobo

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

  (a)   Only one

  (b)   Only two

  (c)   All three

(d)   None

 

6. Consider the following statements:

Lions do not have a particular breeding season.

Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs don’t roar.

Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a)   1 and 2 only

(b)   2 and 3 only

  (c)   1 and 3 only

  (d)   1, 2 and 3

 

7. Consider the following:
8.     Battery storage
9.     Biomass generators
10.     Fuel cells
11.     Rooftop solar photovoltaic units

How many of the above are considered “Distributed Energy Resources”?

  (a)   Only one

  (b)   Only two

  (c)   Only three

(d)   All four

 

8. Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?

(a)   Fig

(b)   Mahua

(c)   Sandalwood

(d)   Silk cotton

 

9. Consider the following:
10.     Butterflies
11.     Fish
12.     Frogs

How many of the above have poisonous species among them?

  (a)   Only one

  (b)   Only two

(c)   All three

(d)   None

 

10. With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements:
11.     PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food and food packaging materials.
12.     PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.
13.     Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  (a)   1 and 2 only

  (b)   2 and 3 only

  (c)   1 and 3 only

(d)   1, 2 and 3

 

11. Consider the following:
12.     Carabid beetles
13.     Centipedes
14.     Flies
15.     Termites
16.     Wasps

Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?

(a)   Only two

(b)   Only three

(c)   Only four

 (d)   All five

 

12. Consider the following statements:

 Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

 Statement II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1.   Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2.     Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3.     Statement -I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
4.   Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

Also Read: Chemistry optional syllabus

Environment PYQ UPSC Prelims Preparation

Step 1: Study NCERTs & Standard Books

• Class 11-12 Biology (Ecology Chapters)
• Shankar IAS (Environment)
• PMF IAS Environment Notes

Step 2: Solve UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Environment (2013-2024)

• Identify repeating themes (e.g., Ramsar Sites appear almost yearly).
• Note tricky MCQs (e.g., matching species with IUCN status).

Step 3: Follow Current Affairs

• Down To Earth Magazine
• PIB (Ministry of Environment Releases)
• UNEP Reports

Step 4: Take Mock Tests

• Focus on elimination techniques (e.g., IUCN Critically Endangered species).

Common Mistakes in UPSC Prelims Environment Questions

1. Ignoring Diagrams (e.g., Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle).
2. Overlooking International Bodies (e.g., IPBES, CITES).
3. Missing Recent Policies (e.g., LiFE Mission 2023).

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Mastering Environment PYQ UPSC Prelims requires: Topic-wise focus (Biodiversity > Climate Change > Pollution). Regular revision of UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ of Environment. Current Affairs integration (COP28, New Species Discoveries). With 15-20 questions yearly, this section can be a game-changer.

Environment PYQ UPSC Prelims