UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Transforming a waste-ridden urban India

Q1. Under the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) launched in November 2025, how many high-impact legacy dumpsites have been identified for priority remediation to meet the 'Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites' target?

  • A. 150
  • B. 214
  • C. 300
  • D. 459

Q2. With reference to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 vis-a-vis the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, consider the following statements: 1. The 2016 Rules mandated three-stream source segregation, whereas the 2026 Rules mandate four-stream source segregation of solid waste. 2. The 2026 Rules prescribe an increase in the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) substitution rate for cement plants and waste-to-energy plants from 5% to 15% over a six-year period. 3. The 2026 Rules narrow the scope of the regime by excluding railways and defence establishments, which were covered under the 2016 Rules. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2016 Rules mandated three-stream source segregation, whereas the 2026 Rules mandate four-stream source segregation of solid waste.
  2. The 2026 Rules prescribe an increase in the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) substitution rate for cement plants and waste-to-energy plants from 5% to 15% over a six-year period.
  3. The 2026 Rules narrow the scope of the regime by excluding railways and defence establishments, which were covered under the 2016 Rules.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP), 2025, consider the following statements: 1. It targets remediation of about 214 high-impact legacy dumpsites that together account for nearly 80% of India's remaining legacy waste. 2. The Government has approved projects worth about Rs 6,700 crore for remediation of these priority sites. 3. Its terminal target year for the 'Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites' goal is October 2026. 4. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, independent of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It targets remediation of about 214 high-impact legacy dumpsites that together account for nearly 80% of India's remaining legacy waste.
  2. The Government has approved projects worth about Rs 6,700 crore for remediation of these priority sites.
  3. Its terminal target year for the 'Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites' goal is October 2026.
  4. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, independent of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Under which one of the following parent statutes have the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 been notified by the Union Government?

  • A. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • B. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
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