UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Elastic rules

Q1. With reference to the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, consider the following as provisions introduced by the amendment: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Category-specific tradable Extended Producer Responsibility certificates that surplus achievers can transfer to laggards
  2. Mandatory minimum recycled-content obligations for plastic packaging categories
  3. Recycled content in imported plastic packaging counts toward the importer's obligations
  4. Reuse targets for rigid plastic packaging introduced for the first time
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, 'Category I' plastic packaging refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Rigid plastic packaging
  • B. Flexible plastic packaging
  • C. Multi-layered plastic packaging
  • D. Compostable plastic packaging

Q3. With reference to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for plastic packaging in India, consider the following as EPR-obligated entities: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Producers
  2. Importers
  3. Brand owners
  4. Urban local bodies (municipalities)
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q4. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for plastic packaging is operationalised through a centralised online portal developed and maintained by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • B. National Green Tribunal (NGT)
  • C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
  • D. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)

Q5. Regarding the evolution of plastic waste rules in India, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 set the minimum thickness of carry bags at 40 microns
  2. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 raised the minimum thickness of carry bags to 50 microns
  3. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 introduced Extended Producer Responsibility for the first time
  4. The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 applied to all villages and rural areas
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q6. Which one of the following was the first set of rules to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic waste in India?

  • A. Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
  • B. Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
  • C. Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022
  • D. Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026

Q7. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was originally constituted as a statutory body under which one of the following Acts?

  • A. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • B. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • C. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Q8. With reference to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. CPCB is a statutory organisation constituted in September 1974
  2. CPCB was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  3. CPCB was entrusted powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  4. CPCB developed the centralised EPR portal for plastic packaging
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q9. Regarding the minimum recycled-content targets under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Category I (rigid plastic): 30% in 2025-26, rising to 60% by 2028-29
  2. Category II (flexible plastic): 10% in 2025-26, rising to 20%
  3. Category III (multi-layered plastic): 5% in 2025-26, rising to 10%
  4. Category IV (compostable plastic): 30% in 2025-26, rising to 60%
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. Comparing the pre-2026 Extended Producer Responsibility regime with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The pre-2026 EPR regime was based on collection/processing targets set against the quantity of plastic introduced
  2. The 2026 Rules add mandatory recycled-content obligations layered on top of the collection targets
  3. The 2026 Rules abolished collection-based EPR targets entirely
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Which one of the following is the flagship European Union regulation, in force from February 2025, that sets minimum recycled-content thresholds for plastic packaging?

  • A. Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40)
  • B. Single-Use Plastics Directive
  • C. Waste Framework Directive
  • D. European Green Deal Communication

Q12. With reference to the compliance-flexibility and exemption features under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Recycled content in imported plastic packaging is not counted toward EPR obligations
  2. Exemptions apply where recycled-plastic use is restricted by FSSAI, CDSCO or the Central Insecticide Board
  3. Category IV compostable targets can be carried forward for up to three years
  4. Deficit carry-forward is permitted up to three years from 2026-27, with at least one-third of the deficit cleared annually
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3 only