Environment MCQs for UPSC Prelims

Q1. With reference to India's climate and energy-transition commitments as updated in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. India's updated 2035 NDC raises the target for non-fossil installed electric capacity from 50% by 2030 to 60% by 2035. 2. India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. 3. India's updated NDC raised its emissions-intensity reduction target from 45% to 65% relative to 2005 GDP levels. 4. Non-fossil sources exceed 50% of India's installed capacity but contribute only about a quarter of actual electricity generation. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. India's updated 2035 NDC raises the target for non-fossil installed electric capacity from 50% by 2030 to 60% by 2035.
2. India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
3. India's updated NDC raised its emissions-intensity reduction target from 45% to 65% relative to 2005 GDP levels.
4. Non-fossil sources exceed 50% of India's installed capacity but contribute only about a quarter of actual electricity generation.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1, 3 and 4
• C. 1, 2 and 4
• D. 2, 3 and 4

Q2. By 2030, the National Green Hydrogen Mission targets an annual green hydrogen production capacity of at least how many Million Metric Tonnes (MMT)?

• A. 5 MMT
• B. 10 MMT
• C. 25 MMT
• D. 50 MMT

Q3. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the figure of 'about 125 GW' cited among the 2030 targets refers to which one of the following?

• A. The associated renewable energy capacity addition envisaged in the country
• B. The annual green hydrogen production capacity to be created
• C. The electrolyser manufacturing capacity to be set up domestically
• D. The thermal generation capacity to be retired by 2030

Q4. The Borjuli site was notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under the provisions of which one of the following laws?

• A. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• B. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• D. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

Q5. Consider the following methods of biodiversity conservation: 1. Biosphere reserves 2. Biodiversity Heritage Sites 3. The National Gene Bank at ICAR-NBPGR 4. Sacred groves Which of the above are correctly identified as in-situ conservation methods?

1. Biosphere reserves
2. Biodiversity Heritage Sites
3. The National Gene Bank at ICAR-NBPGR
4. Sacred groves

• A. 1, 2 and 4 only
• B. 1, 3 and 4 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Which one of the following was declared as the first Biodiversity Heritage Site of the State of Jharkhand?

• A. Canary Pahad, Hazaribag
• B. Arittapatti, Madurai
• C. Borjuli, Sonitpur
• D. Nallur Tamarind Grove, Bengaluru

Q7. Consider the following as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) notified in India: 1. Arittapatti — Tamil Nadu 2. Canary Pahad — Jharkhand 3. Borjuli — Assam 4. Nameri — Assam Which of the above are correctly identified as Biodiversity Heritage Sites?

1. Arittapatti — Tamil Nadu
2. Canary Pahad — Jharkhand
3. Borjuli — Assam
4. Nameri — Assam

• A. 1, 2 and 3 only
• B. 2, 3 and 4 only
• C. 1 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. Consider the following statements distinguishing ICAR-NBPGR from other bodies: 1. The National Gene Bank at ICAR-NBPGR conserves germplasm ex-situ, whereas the Borjuli project conserves wild rice in-situ. 2. ICAR-NBPGR is headquartered at New Delhi, whereas the National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered at Chennai. 3. ICAR-NBPGR functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, whereas the NRAA functions under the Ministry of Rural Development. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The National Gene Bank at ICAR-NBPGR conserves germplasm ex-situ, whereas the Borjuli project conserves wild rice in-situ.
2. ICAR-NBPGR is headquartered at New Delhi, whereas the National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered at Chennai.
3. ICAR-NBPGR functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, whereas the NRAA functions under the Ministry of Rural Development.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. With reference to the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), consider the following statements: 1. It is headquartered at New Delhi and operates regional stations in different phyto-geographical zones. 2. It maintains the National Gene Bank for conservation of plant genetic resources. 3. It carries out quarantine of imported plant germplasm meant for research. 4. It is the statutory authority empowered to notify Biodiversity Heritage Sites. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. It is headquartered at New Delhi and operates regional stations in different phyto-geographical zones.
2. It maintains the National Gene Bank for conservation of plant genetic resources.
3. It carries out quarantine of imported plant germplasm meant for research.
4. It is the statutory authority empowered to notify Biodiversity Heritage Sites.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 3 only
• C. 2 and 4
• D. 4 only

Q10. Which one of the following is the nodal Union ministry for all matters relating to new and renewable energy in India?

• A. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• B. Ministry of Power
• C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• D. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q11. India Energy Week 2026 was held under the patronage of which one of the following Union ministries?

• A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• C. Ministry of Power
• D. Ministry of Coal

Q12. In India's recent expansion of non-fossil generation towards its net-zero pathway, which one of the following technologies has led the capacity additions?

• A. Solar
• B. Nuclear
• C. Large hydro
• D. Biomass

Q13. Which one of the following is the nodal Union ministry overseeing India's climate change policy, including its net-zero-by-2070 commitment?

• A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• C. Ministry of Power
• D. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q14. How many study reports did NITI Aayog release under its 'Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero' exercise in February 2026?

• A. 7
• B. 9
• C. 11
• D. 4

Q15. With reference to NITI Aayog's 'Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero' study released in 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. It is India's first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated study assessing Viksit Bharat 2047 alongside net-zero by 2070.
2. It was released as a set of 11 study reports in February 2026.
3. It identifies the incremental financing gap as being led by the transport sector.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q16. In the World Energy Council's energy trilemma, the dimension of 'energy equity' primarily refers to which one of the following?

• A. The accessibility and affordability of energy supplies across a population
• B. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector
• C. The diversity and reliability of a nation's energy sources against supply shocks
• D. The equitable sharing of energy revenues between the centre and states

Q17. The 'energy trilemma' framework and the associated World Energy Trilemma Index are developed and published by which one of the following bodies?

• A. World Energy Council
• B. International Energy Agency
• C. World Bank
• D. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Q18. India's 'Panchamrit' set of five climate commitments was announced by the Prime Minister at which one of the following summits?

• A. COP26, Glasgow (2021)
• B. COP21, Paris (2015)
• C. COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh (2022)
• D. COP28, Dubai (2023)

Q19. With reference to India's Nationally Determined Contribution and its recent non-fossil capacity milestones, consider the following statements. Which one of the following is NOT correct?

1. India reached 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by June 2025.
2. This milestone was achieved five years ahead of the relevant NDC target.
3. India's total installed power generation capacity crossed 505 GW.
4. India's net-zero target was first announced in its 2015 Nationally Determined Contribution.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. 3 only
• D. 4 only

Q20. The following are often listed as India's 'Panchamrit' commitments that underpin the case for a unified national energy framework. Which one of the following is NOT correct?

1. 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
2. Reduction of projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030.
3. Net-zero emissions by 2070.
4. Doubling of domestic coal production capacity by 2030.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. 3 only
• D. 4 only

Q21. Under the Paris Agreement's own procedure, the United States conveyed its formal notification of withdrawal in 2025 to which one of the following?

• A. The Secretary-General of the United Nations (the treaty's depositary)
• B. The Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Secretariat
• C. The President of the ongoing session of the COP
• D. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund

Q22. The Paris Agreement was adopted in which year and at which session of the Conference of the Parties (COP)?

• A. 2015, at COP21
• B. 1997, at COP3
• C. 2016, at COP22
• D. 2009, at COP15

Q23. Within the International Maritime Organization framework — the same authority under which the Hong Kong Convention was adopted — the prevention of pollution from ships is primarily governed by which of the following instruments?

• A. MARPOL
• B. SOLAS
• C. UNCLOS
• D. Basel Convention

Q24. The technical guidelines operationalising the Hong Kong Convention's requirements — including the Inventory of Hazardous Materials — were developed by which organ of the International Maritime Organization?

• A. Maritime Safety Committee
• B. Marine Environment Protection Committee
• C. Legal Committee
• D. Technical Cooperation Committee

Q25. In the India–EU ship recycling discussions of July 2026, how many Indian yards had completed all compliance procedures and were declared ready for formal recognition under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation?

• A. 3
• B. 6
• C. 30
• D. 115

Q26. As reported when India became the world's top ship-recycling nation in 2025, how many Indian ship recycling facilities had achieved Hong Kong Convention compliance?

• A. 95
• B. 105
• C. 115
• D. 125

Q27. Consider the following statements comparing India's ship recycling performance between 2024 and 2025: 1. India's share in global ship recycling rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025. 2. India's ship recycling volume increased from 1.86 million GT in 2024 to 2.29 million GT in 2025. 3. India achieved the Maritime India Vision 2030 ship-recycling target five years ahead of schedule. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. India's share in global ship recycling rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
2. India's ship recycling volume increased from 1.86 million GT in 2024 to 2.29 million GT in 2025.
3. India achieved the Maritime India Vision 2030 ship-recycling target five years ahead of schedule.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q28. Under the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, existing ships were given a compliance window of how many years to meet the restriction on hazardous materials and obtain the Inventory of Hazardous Materials certificate?

• A. 2 years
• B. 3 years
• C. 5 years
• D. 7 years

Q29. With reference to the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, consider the following statements: 1. It designates the Directorate General of Shipping as the National Authority for Ship Recycling. 2. Every covered ship must carry a certified Inventory of Hazardous Materials, renewable every five years. 3. Ships may be recycled only in authorized facilities and in accordance with a ship-specific recycling plan. 4. The Act applies to every ship, including warships and non-commercial ships operated by the Government. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. It designates the Directorate General of Shipping as the National Authority for Ship Recycling.
2. Every covered ship must carry a certified Inventory of Hazardous Materials, renewable every five years.
3. Ships may be recycled only in authorized facilities and in accordance with a ship-specific recycling plan.
4. The Act applies to every ship, including warships and non-commercial ships operated by the Government.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 3 only
• D. 4 only

Q30. The IMO identifies four major ship-recycling countries that are Contracting Parties to the Hong Kong Convention. Which of the following are correctly identified as being among these four? 1. India 2. Bangladesh 3. China 4. Türkiye Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. India
2. Bangladesh
3. China
4. Türkiye

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4