Which one of the following statements correctly defines PM1 particles in air ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)PM1: extremely fine particles of diameter less than 1 micrometre
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Geography & Environment · Environment & Ecology
Pollution, Waste & Environmental Degradation: 21 previous year questions
UPSC has asked 21 questions on Pollution, Waste & Environmental Degradation between 2001 and 2024: CAPF 8 · CDS 6 · EPFO (APFC) 3 · CSE 3 · NDA 1. 16 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 3 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.
Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.
The use of plastics has led to a number of environment-related problems. For this, which one of the following statements is correct?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Plastics are non-biodegradable
The effluents of which among the following industries are considered to be the main cause for lowering the pH value of river water?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Lead battery manufacturing effluents lower the pH of river water
Which one of the following is the main reason of acid rains ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Main reason of acid rain: dissolution of sulphur and nitrogen oxides in rain
Which one of following is the most important factor for the formulation of smog ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Most important factor in smog formation: formation of an inversion lid
The ‗Basel Convention‘ is aimed at protecting human health and environment against adverse effects of which of the following?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Basel Convention: control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal
Consider the following statements : 2020 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment. 3. High ash content is observed in Indian coal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury | Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen | Indian coal has high ash content
Which one of the following is a major environmental issue in eastern Canada ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Acid precipitation is a major environmental issue in eastern Canada
Which of the following is/are the possible consequences of heavy sand mining in riverbeds? [2018-I] 1. Decreased salinity in the river 2. Pollution of groundwater 3. Lowering of the water table Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Heavy sand mining in riverbeds: pollution of groundwater; lowering of the water table | NOT: decreased salinity in the river
Which one of the following statements about air pollution caused by diesel engines is correct ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Diesel engines: large quantity of carbon monoxide at lower temperature and nitrogen oxides at high temperature
Which one of the following is a major effect of long term consumption of drinking water containing little (less than 0-5 ppm) or no fluoride ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Long-term drinking water with little (less than 0.5 ppm) or no fluoride: cavity of tooth
Which one of the following states has the maximum number of registered E-Waste recyclers/dismantlers?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Maximum registered e-waste recyclers/dismantlers: Karnataka (per key)
Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Acid rain reacts with buildings made from limestone 2. Burning of sulphur containing coal can contribute to acid rain 3. Eutrophication is an effective measure to control pollution Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Acid rain reacts with limestone buildings | Burning sulphur-containing coal contributes to acid rain | NOT: eutrophication is an effective pollution control measure
Contribution of the manufacturing sector to environmental degradation primarily occurs during 1. procurement and use of natural resources 2. industrial processes and activities 3. product use and disposal Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Manufacturing degrades the environment during procurement and use of natural resources, industrial processes and activities, and product use and disposal
In the study of pollution, SPM refers to
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Answer D (official UPSC key)SPM: Suspended Particulate Matter
Acid rain is due to
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Acid rain is due to sulphur dioxide pollution
Arrange the following fuels in the decreasing order of air pollution caused by burning a kilogram of each of them :
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Air pollution per kilogram burnt (decreasing): Diesel > Petrol > CNG
Which of the following ions present in low concentration in drinking water is essential for normal growth of teeth but harmful to teeth at high concentration ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Fluoride: essential for teeth in low concentration, harmful at high concentration
What is the correct sequence for treatment of polluted surface water ? 1. Disinfection and fluoridation 2. Screening and mixing 3. Flocculation and sedimentation 4. Filtration and sludge processing Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Treatment of polluted surface water: screening and mixing -> flocculation and sedimentation -> filtration and sludge processing -> disinfection and fluoridation
Which one of the following consequences will happen if large quantities of domestic sewage are continuously discharged in a stream ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Continuous discharge of domestic sewage in a stream reduces its dissolved oxygen level
Consider the following statements regarding environmental issues in India: 1. Gulf of Mannar is one of the biosphere reserves 2. The Ganga Action Plan, phase II has been merged with the National River Conservation Plan. 3. The National Museum of Natural History at New Delhi imparts non-formal education in environment and conservation 4. Environmental Information System (ENVIS) acts as a decentralized information network for environment information Which of these statements are correct?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Gulf of Mannar is a biosphere reserve | Ganga Action Plan phase II was merged with the National River Conservation Plan | National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi imparted non-formal education in environment and conservation | ENVIS: a decentralized information network for environment information
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