UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Govt. streamlines process to get green consent

Q1. Which one of the following Ministries notified the 2026 amendment to the Uniform Consent Guidelines that introduces a single integrated application for industrial environmental consents?

  • A. Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
  • D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q2. Under the amended Uniform Consent Guidelines, 2026, which one of the following is the principal authority that receives and processes the single consolidated consent-cum-authorisation application from an industry located in a State?

  • A. Central Pollution Control Board
  • B. State Pollution Control Board
  • C. State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
  • D. District Environment Committee

Q3. With reference to the 2026 amendment to the Uniform Consent Guidelines as compared to the earlier consent regime under the Air and Water Acts, consider the following statements: 1. The amendment introduces a single integrated application that combines Consent under the Air and Water Acts with authorisations under the Waste Management Rules, replacing separate filings. 2. States and Union Territories have been empowered to prescribe a one-time Consent to Operate fee covering a period that may extend up to 25 years. 3. The amendment abolishes State Pollution Control Boards and transfers all consent-granting powers exclusively to the Central Pollution Control Board. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The amendment introduces a single integrated application that combines Consent under the Air and Water Acts with authorisations under the Waste Management Rules, replacing separate filings.
  2. States and Union Territories have been empowered to prescribe a one-time Consent to Operate fee covering a period that may extend up to 25 years.
  3. The amendment abolishes State Pollution Control Boards and transfers all consent-granting powers exclusively to the Central Pollution Control Board.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. In the context of the amended Uniform Consent Guidelines, 2026, the term 'Registered Environmental Auditor' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A chartered accountant empanelled by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to audit the financial statements of State Pollution Control Boards
  • B. An officer of the Indian Forest Service deputed to verify carbon-sequestration claims under the Green Credit Programme
  • C. An environment auditor empanelled under the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, authorised to undertake site verification and inspection in place of, or alongside, State Pollution Control Board officers
  • D. A panel of experts notified by the National Green Tribunal to conduct third-party audits of environmentally compensated industries

Q5. The 2026 amendment streamlining the consent-to-establish and consent-to-operate regime for industries has been notified primarily under which one of the following statutory frameworks?

  • A. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 read with the EIA Notification, 2006
  • B. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 read with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • C. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 read with the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
  • D. The Factories Act, 1948 read with the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016