Environment MCQs for UPSC Prelims — May 2026

Q1. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which presently serves as the nodal implementing agency for Project Cheetah, was constituted as a statutory authority under which one of the following?

  • A. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as originally enacted
  • B. The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006
  • C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Q2. Among the following species-specific conservation projects of the Government of India, which one was launched the earliest?

  • A. Project Snow Leopard
  • B. Project Lion
  • C. Project Tiger
  • D. Project Dolphin

Q3. Which one of the following is the nodal implementing agency for Project Cheetah in India?

  • A. Wildlife Institute of India
  • B. Central Zoo Authority
  • C. National Tiger Conservation Authority
  • D. Madhya Pradesh Forest Department

Q4. After the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 (which came into force on 1 April 2023), how many Schedules does the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 contain?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Six

Q5. With reference to the contingent of cheetahs received by India in February 2026, as compared with earlier translocations under Project Cheetah, consider the following statements: 1. The 2026 contingent from Botswana was numerically the largest single batch of cheetahs received by India under Project Cheetah, exceeding the batches received from Namibia and South Africa. 2. With the 2026 arrivals, Kuno National Park has now received cheetahs from three African source countries — Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. 3. Unlike the earlier batches, the 2026 contingent from Botswana was transported to India aboard an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2026 contingent from Botswana was numerically the largest single batch of cheetahs received by India under Project Cheetah, exceeding the batches received from Namibia and South Africa.
  2. With the 2026 arrivals, Kuno National Park has now received cheetahs from three African source countries — Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.
  3. Unlike the earlier batches, the 2026 contingent from Botswana was transported to India aboard an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Under Project Cheetah, which one of the following source countries has contributed the single largest contingent of cheetahs translocated to Kuno National Park in any one batch?

  • A. Namibia
  • B. South Africa
  • C. Botswana
  • D. Kenya

Q7. With reference to the two founder batches of African cheetahs translocated to Kuno National Park under Project Cheetah, consider the following statements: 1. The batch translocated from Namibia in September 2022 was larger in number than the batch translocated from South Africa in February 2023. 2. Both founder batches were released at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. 3. The Namibia translocation preceded the South Africa translocation by about five months. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The batch translocated from Namibia in September 2022 was larger in number than the batch translocated from South Africa in February 2023.
  2. Both founder batches were released at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
  3. The Namibia translocation preceded the South Africa translocation by about five months.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. With reference to the historical timeline of Project Cheetah in India, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The cheetah was officially declared extinct in India in 1952.
  2. The Supreme Court of India, in 2020, permitted the introduction of African cheetahs on an experimental basis.
  3. The first batch of eight cheetahs translocated to Kuno National Park in September 2022 was brought from South Africa.
  4. The second batch of twelve cheetahs that arrived in February 2023 was brought from South Africa.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which became fully operational in 2025, which one of the following best describes its institutional character?

  • A. A non-binding voluntary coalition of range states convened under the IUCN Species Survival Commission
  • B. A treaty-based intergovernmental international organisation headquartered in India
  • C. A specialised programme of the CITES Secretariat for regulating trade in big cat parts and derivatives
  • D. A bilateral conservation partnership between India and African range states under a Memorandum of Understanding

Q10. The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which held its 1st Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi in June 2026, has a mandate for the conservation of how many big cat species?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Seven
  • D. Eight

Q11. How many subspecies of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) are currently recognised by the IUCN?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q12. Under which Appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) listed?

  • A. Appendix I
  • B. Appendix II
  • C. Appendix III
  • D. It is not listed under any CITES Appendix

Q13. With reference to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, both associated with Project Cheetah, consider the following statements: 1. Both protected areas are located in the State of Madhya Pradesh. 2. Unlike Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuno National Park is named after a river which is a tributary of the Chambal. 3. Both Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary lie entirely within Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Both protected areas are located in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
  2. Unlike Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuno National Park is named after a river which is a tributary of the Chambal.
  3. Both Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary lie entirely within Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q14. With reference to Project Cheetah, consider the following statements: 1. The project is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Kuno National Park, the primary reintroduction site, is located in the State of Rajasthan. 3. The first batch of cheetahs translocated to India in September 2022 was sourced from Namibia. 4. The Wildlife Institute of India is one of the collaborating institutions in the implementation of the project. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The project is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  2. Kuno National Park, the primary reintroduction site, is located in the State of Rajasthan.
  3. The first batch of cheetahs translocated to India in September 2022 was sourced from Namibia.
  4. The Wildlife Institute of India is one of the collaborating institutions in the implementation of the project.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q15. Project Cheetah, described as the world's first intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore, was formally launched in India in which one of the following years?

  • A. 2020
  • B. 2021
  • C. 2022
  • D. 2023

Q16. As per the rationale of the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, which one of the following downstream products that coal-gasification-based syngas can substitute has the highest import dependence for India?

  • A. Methanol
  • B. Urea
  • C. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
  • D. Ammonia

Q17. As per the rationale of the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, which one of the following downstream products that coal-gasification-based syngas can substitute has the highest import dependence for India?

  • A. Methanol
  • B. Urea
  • C. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
  • D. Ammonia

Q18. In the context of India's Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) communicated under the Paris Agreement, the term 'emissions intensity of GDP' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Total absolute greenhouse gas emissions released by the country in a given year
  • B. Greenhouse gas emissions per unit of Gross Domestic Product
  • C. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions of the country
  • D. Greenhouse gas emissions per unit of primary energy consumed

Q19. India's first cluster of Carbon Capture & Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in academia–industry collaboration, launched in 2025 on National Technology Day, was set up in the cement sector. How many testbeds were approved in this first cluster?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Seven
  • D. Ten

Q20. As per India's Panchamrit pledges announced at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021) and translated into the Updated NDC, by what percentage is India committed to reducing the carbon intensity of its economy by 2030 over 2005 levels?

  • A. 33 per cent
  • B. 40 per cent
  • C. 45 per cent
  • D. 50 per cent

Q21. How many distinct categories of batteries are brought within the scope of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q22. In the context of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, which one of the following best describes 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR)?

  • A. The obligation cast on producers (including importers) of batteries for collection, recycling or refurbishment of waste batteries and use of recovered materials in new batteries.
  • B. The obligation cast on consumers to deposit used batteries at authorised collection centres against a refundable deposit.
  • C. The obligation cast on recyclers to certify the country of origin of all critical raw materials used in new batteries.
  • D. The obligation cast on State Pollution Control Boards to establish and operate public-funded recycling infrastructure for waste batteries.

Q23. With how many tiger reserves was Project Tiger launched by the Government of India in 1973?

  • A. 5
  • B. 7
  • C. 9
  • D. 11

Q24. With reference to the two reintroduction/expansion sites of Project Cheetah in India, consider the following statements: 1. Both Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary are located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. 2. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary received the first batch of African cheetahs in 2022, whereas Kuno National Park has been prepared as the second-phase expansion habitat. 3. The long-term objective of Project Cheetah is to establish a self-sustaining metapopulation of 60–70 cheetahs across approximately 17,000 sq km by 2032. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Both Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary are located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
  2. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary received the first batch of African cheetahs in 2022, whereas Kuno National Park has been prepared as the second-phase expansion habitat.
  3. The long-term objective of Project Cheetah is to establish a self-sustaining metapopulation of 60–70 cheetahs across approximately 17,000 sq km by 2032.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q25. With reference to Project Cheetah, which one of the following is the nodal agency designated for the monitoring and implementation of cheetah reintroduction in India?

  • A. Wildlife Institute of India
  • B. Central Zoo Authority
  • C. National Tiger Conservation Authority
  • D. Zoological Survey of India

Q26. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which classifies the seven big cat species covered under the International Big Cat Alliance, is prepared and maintained under the authority of which one of the following?

  • A. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • B. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat
  • C. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • D. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat

Q27. With reference to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the category 'Near Threatened' is best described as a taxon which:

  • A. is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future
  • B. is close to qualifying for, or is likely to qualify for, a threatened category in the near future
  • C. is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
  • D. has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for any threatened category at present

Q28. With reference to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) vis-à-vis Project Tiger, consider the following statements: 1. The IBCA was launched by the Prime Minister at the event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger. 2. Unlike Project Tiger, which is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Government of India, the IBCA is a treaty-based intergovernmental international organisation. 3. Both the IBCA Secretariat and Project Tiger are implemented in India by the Wildlife Institute of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The IBCA was launched by the Prime Minister at the event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger.
  2. Unlike Project Tiger, which is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Government of India, the IBCA is a treaty-based intergovernmental international organisation.
  3. Both the IBCA Secretariat and Project Tiger are implemented in India by the Wildlife Institute of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q29. With reference to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which one of the following is the nodal Indian organisation through which the Government of India established the IBCA?

  • A. Wildlife Institute of India
  • B. National Tiger Conservation Authority
  • C. Central Zoo Authority
  • D. Zoological Survey of India

Q30. The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), launched by India in 2023 and entered into force as a treaty-based inter-governmental organization in 2025, focuses on the conservation of how many big cat species?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Seven
  • D. Nine
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