On this page you will find articles that fall under subject Environment for UPSC IAS Mains 2024 examination.
Environment Current Affairs For UPSC IAS Mains 2024 Examination
River Interlinking and challenges
Source: This post on River Interlinking and challenges has been created based on article “The right to food and the struggle with the PDS” published in The Hindu on 9th January 2025. UPSC Syllabus-GS 3- Environment Context: The article critically examines India’s ambitious river interlinking project, with a focus on the Ken-Betwa River… Continue reading River Interlinking and challenges
The End of Global Climate Policy
Source: This post on Shift in global climate policy has been created based on article “The End of Global Climate Policy“ published in The Hindu on 7th January 2025. UPSC Syllabus topic: GS 3-Environment Context: The article examines a pivotal shift in global climate policy following the 2024 climate conference in Baku, which marked a… Continue reading The End of Global Climate Policy
Rising Nitrate Levels in India’s Groundwater
Source: This post on Rising Nitrate Levels in India’s Groundwater has been created based on article “India, cross-border insolvency and legal reform ” published in The Hindu on 4th January 2025. UPSC Syllabus topic: GS-3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment Context: India’s groundwater quality is facing a significant threat, as highlighted by… Continue reading Rising Nitrate Levels in India’s Groundwater
How Electric Vehicles Can Improve Delhi’s Air
Source: The post How Electric Vehicles Can Improve Delhi’s Air has been created, based on the article “Why Delhi needs to shift to EVs” published in “Indian Express” on 4th January 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Environment Context: The article discusses the benefits of converting all vehicles in Delhi to electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce… Continue reading How Electric Vehicles Can Improve Delhi’s Air
Community Action and Governance in Environmental Issues
Source: The post Community Action and Governance in Environmental Issues has been created, based on the article “Bishnois v Delhiites: Two different mindsets” published in “Down to Eat” on 28th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context: The article highlights two cases: Salman Khan’s arrest for poaching in Jodhpur and Delhi’s failure to… Continue reading Community Action and Governance in Environmental Issues
Captive Elephants in India Face Rising Exploitation
Source: The post Captive Elephants in India Face Rising Exploitation has been created, based on the article “Rules that still manacle the captive elephant” published in “The Hindu” on 28th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Ecological and Environment Context: The article discusses the mistreatment of captive elephants in India, despite their protection under… Continue reading Captive Elephants in India Face Rising Exploitation
18th biennial State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023)
Source: The post 18th biennial State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023) has been created, based on the article “Why growth of India’s overall green cover is not all good news” published in “Indian Express” on 24th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context: The article discusses the 18th biennial State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023),… Continue reading 18th biennial State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023)
India’s Electric Vehicle Growth and CAFE Norms
Source: The post India’s Electric Vehicle Growth and CAFE Norms has been created, based on the article “Fuel efficiency norms could accelerate clean mobility” published in “Live mint” on 23rd December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context: The article highlights India’s electric vehicle growth, supported by government policies and investments. It emphasizes the… Continue reading India’s Electric Vehicle Growth and CAFE Norms
The Global Warming Challenge for India
Source: The post The Global Warming Challenge for India has been created, based on the article “The global warming fight has a challenge for India ” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS-3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment Context: The article addresses the critical challenges India faces… Continue reading The Global Warming Challenge for India
World Bank Report Addresses Climate Change Impact on Low-Income Countries
Source: The post World Bank Report Addresses Climate Change Impact on Low-Income Countries has been created, based on the article “Water at heart of climate solutions: World Bank report outlines policy priorities & steps to address finance gaps” published in “Down to earth ” on 21st December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context:… Continue reading World Bank Report Addresses Climate Change Impact on Low-Income Countries
Arctic Tundra Emitting More Carbon Than Absorbing It
Source: The post Arctic Tundra Emitting More Carbon Than Absorbing It has been created, based on the article “Why Arctic tundra is emitting more carbon than it absorbs, for first time in many millennia” published in “Indian Express on 18th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS –3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.… Continue reading Arctic Tundra Emitting More Carbon Than Absorbing It
La Niña delays impact India’s weather patterns
Source: The post La Niña delays impact India’s weather patterns has been created, based on the article “How does La Niña affect India’s climate?” published in “The Hindu” on 17th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context: The article discusses La Niña, a climate phenomenon that affects global weather. It explains its delayed… Continue reading La Niña delays impact India’s weather patterns
How Carbon Markets Work and Their Challenges
Source: The post How Carbon Markets Work and Their Challenges has been created, based on the article “How would a carbon market function?” published in “The Hindu” on 16th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context: The article explains carbon markets, where businesses buy and sell the right to emit carbon. It highlights… Continue reading How Carbon Markets Work and Their Challenges
India’s need to triple climate investments to meet its targets
Source: The post India’s need to triple climate investments to meet its targets has been created, based on the article “India needs to triple green investments for meeting climate targets: Report” published in “Down to Earth” on 14th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Environment Context: The article discusses India’s need to triple climate… Continue reading India’s need to triple climate investments to meet its targets
Beijing’s War Against Air Pollution: Lessons for Delhi
Source: The article on Beijing’s War Against Air Pollution: Lessons for Delhi has been based on article “Beijing’s war against air pollution” published in The Hindu on 13th December 2024. UPSC Syllabus topics: GS Paper-3- Environment – Environmental Pollution and Degradation Context: The article discusses Beijing’s significant reduction in air pollution between 2013 and 2017… Continue reading Beijing’s War Against Air Pollution: Lessons for Delhi
India’s claim of decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions
Source: The post India’s claim of decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions has been created, based on the article “The issue of India’s economic growth versus emissions” published in “The Hindu” on 9th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Environment Context: The article explains India’s claim of decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas… Continue reading India’s claim of decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions
Brazil’s Cadastro Ambiental Rural (CAR) system
Source: The post Brazil’s Cadastro Ambiental Rural (CAR) system has been created, based on the article “Let digital public infrastructure help meet climate aims”published in “Live mint” on 6th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Environment Context: The article discusses Brazil’s Cadastro Ambiental Rural (CAR), a digital platform to map and monitor rural… Continue reading Brazil’s Cadastro Ambiental Rural (CAR) system
Cash Transfer Schemes for Women
Source: The post Global Plastics Treaty has been created, based on the article “A cut in time” published in “The Hindu” on 5th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context: In the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, cash transfer schemes targeting women voters took center stage.… Continue reading Cash Transfer Schemes for Women
Global Plastics Treaty
Source: The post Global Plastics Treaty has been created, based on the article “A cut in time” published in The Hindu on 5th December 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Environment – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context: The article discusses the ongoing global negotiations and disagreements surrounding the proposed… Continue reading Global Plastics Treaty
Theatre of Negotiations’ experiment
Source: The post Theatre of Negotiations’ experiment has been created, based on the article “Rethinking ‘representation’ for a meaningful COP30” published in “The Hindu” on 4th December 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3 – Environment Context: The article discusses the challenges of climate change negotiations at COP29 and suggests a new approach to representation. It… Continue reading Theatre of Negotiations’ experiment
How Crises Improved Medical Waste Management Systems
Source: The post How Crises Improved Medical Waste Management Systems has been created, based on the article “Stigma of HIV and birth of biomedical waste regulations” published in “THE Hindu” on 29th November 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Environment-Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Context: The article discusses the impact of the 1987 Syringe Tide… Continue reading How Crises Improved Medical Waste Management Systems
Seaweed in cattle feed reduces methane emissions
Source: The post Seaweed in cattle feed reduces methane emissions has been created, based on the article “Seaweed cure in sight for bovines’ methane burps” published in “Live Mint” on 28th November 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context: The article discusses using red seaweed in cattle feed to reduce methane emissions from bovine… Continue reading Seaweed in cattle feed reduces methane emissions
Disappointment of the 29th UN climate conference (CoP 29)
Source: The post disappointment of the 29th UN climate conference (CoP 29) has been created, based on the article “Express view: Disappointment at CoP — developing countries left unheard” published in “Indian Express” on 26th November 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Environment Context: The article discusses the disappointment of the 29th UN climate… Continue reading Disappointment of the 29th UN climate conference (CoP 29)
Satellite Tracking of Stubble Burning in Delhi
Source: The post Satellite Tracking of Stubble Burning in Delhi has been created, based on the article “On stubble burning and satellite data” published in “The Hindu” on 26th November 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment Context: The article discusses the issue of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana, which worsen air quality in… Continue reading Satellite Tracking of Stubble Burning in Delhi
Delhi’s severe air pollution and its solution
Source: The post Delhi’s severe air pollution and its solution has been created, based on the article “Three solutions for clean air” published in “Indian Express” on 25th November 2024 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Environment Context: The article discusses Delhi’s severe air pollution, highlighting stubble burning, transport, and local sources as causes. It suggests crop… Continue reading Delhi’s severe air pollution and its solution
How to Read Environment for UPSC?
Environment is part of UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains examination. In Prelims, it is part of General Studies (Paper I) and in Mains, it is part of General Studies Paper III. Every year around 15 to 20% questions are asked from this subject in Prelims and around 2-3 questions are asked in Mains. After 2013, when Prelims for Indian Forest Service got combined with the UPSC Civil Services, the weightage of Environment and Ecology has increased. So, it is very important for the students to prepare well Environment for UPSC.
In this article, we will discuss about How to Read Environment for UPSC. First of all, we will see the past 8 years’ trend of number of questions asked in UPSC Prelims from Environment and Ecology.
2021- 15
2022- 19
2023- 20
| Year | Number of questions asked |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2014 | 31 |
| 2013 | 22 |
Overview of the syllabus of Environment and Ecology:
| Examination | Syllabus |
| UPSC Prelims- General Studies –Paper I | General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – (do not require subject specialization) |
| UPSC Mains- General Studies -Paper III | Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management, EIA |
Strategy to read Environment for UPSC: Before starting the preparation for Environment and Ecology, it is important for the students to keep in mind that this topic is not a separate topic. It is interlinked with other subjects like Geography, Science, Economy, Government Schemes, Current affairs (National and International). In this era of 21st century, when climate change and sustainable development have become important topics, it is important to pay attention to Environment for UPSC.
- Start with the syllabus: It is important to start your preparation after going through the syllabus of Environment and Ecology. It will help students when they will read the topics from books, magazines and most importantly newspapers. It will help them to always remain in right track.
- Selection of reading materials:For good knowledge and content, it is important to select your materials very specifically and revise them again and again rather than referring too many sources. Here we will discuss some important sources for Environment and Ecology:
- Study material of good institutions and revise them multiple times.
- Last 4 chapters of Class XII Biology NCERT textbook.
- One Newspaper which one needs to ready daily to cover current affairs related to Environment and Ecology. It will help in both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
- One monthly current affairs magazine.
- One can also refer Down to Earth magazine for enriching their content in Mains.
- Reading the same sourcing multiple times:If you want to win the race and not fall behind others, then it is important that you read the same materials again and again. This is very important practice for a UPSC aspirants as the sources for UPSC preparation are never ending. So, one needs to stick to the same source to build their command over the subject.
- Connect and update the static knowledge with the current affairs: If you will keep reading the same static source without updating it with current events, then your materials and notes will become outdated. So, co-relation is very important in this subject as most of the topics are current events based. For example, Ramsar Sites in India.
- Make a list of important topics: Students need to make a note of important topics for the exam and should go through them multiple times. Some important topics are:
- International Institutions
- National and International initiatives
- Biodiversity
- Ecology
- Protected Areas
- Climate change and pollution
- Sustainable development
- Refer previous UPSC Papers: To get the proper idea about which kind of questions are asked in UPSC Prelims and Mains, Past Year UPSC papers are very useful. Through this, one can also analyze from which topic most of the questions are asked. And accordingly, one can continue to their preparation. It will also provide the basic understanding of the level of the UPSC Prelims and Mains exam.
- Solve multiple MCQs and practice answer writing daily:It is important for the students to solve MCQs just after they complete one chapter. And after completing the whole syllabus, they should solve MCQs on a daily basis at least 20 MCQs. In case of Mains, one should start their answer writing practice after completing the whole UPSC Syllabus for Mains related to Environment and Ecology. Daily answer writing will enhance their writing capability and will also enrich their content. It will help them when they will write the answer finally in Mains exam.
Environment and Ecology is one of the most interesting and important subjects in UPSC syllabus. It has both static as well as dynamic linkage. Students should prepare it well.
