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
Green credits-Significance & Challenges
Source-This post on Green credits-Significance & Challenges has been created based on the article “Can green credits benefit India’s forests?” published in “The Hindu” on 26 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context-The article presents a critical analysis of Green Credit Programme.This is a is a market-based initiative… Continue reading Green credits-Significance & Challenges
What challenges does the NCAP face: On the National Clean Air Programme
Source: The post “What challenges does the NCAP face?” has been created, based on the article “On the National Clean Air Programme” published in “The Hindu” on 25th April 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Environment-environmental pollution News: The article discusses India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce air pollution by setting… Continue reading What challenges does the NCAP face: On the National Clean Air Programme
Implication of SC ruling on right against climate change
Source: This post significance of SC ruling on right against climate change is based on the article ‘How Supreme Court’s verdict on climate change can push climate litigation in India’, published in Indian Express, on 22nd April 2024. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Environment – Climate change Context: Supreme Court (SC) recently recognized the… Continue reading Implication of SC ruling on right against climate change
Impact of large-scale solar parks in India: The challenges of renewable energy
Source: The post impact of large-scale solar parks in India has been created, based on the article “The challenges of renewable energy” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd April 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- environment-climate change and economy- infrastructure (renewable energy) News: The article discusses the impact of large solar parks in India… Continue reading Impact of large-scale solar parks in India: The challenges of renewable energy
Issues associated with the establishment of new wildlife sanctuaries in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Source: The post issues associated with the establishment of new wildlife sanctuaries in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been created, based on the article “Empower the guardians of the earth, do not rob them” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd April 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental… Continue reading Issues associated with the establishment of new wildlife sanctuaries in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Reasons for heavy rains in the UAE: What’s behind heavy rainfall in Dubai
Source: The post reasons for heavy rains in the UAE has been created, based on the article “What’s behind heavy rainfall in Dubai” published in “Indian express” on 18th April 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- environment-environmental pollution and degradation, And Disaster and disaster management. News: The article describes a record-breaking rainstorm in the… Continue reading Reasons for heavy rains in the UAE: What’s behind heavy rainfall in Dubai
Just Transition Framework-A path to ecological justice
Source-This post on Just Transition Framework-A path to ecological justice has been created based on the article “The Great Indian Bustard and climate action verdict” published in “The Hindu” on 17 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context- The recent Supreme Court judgment acknowledges a fundamental right to… Continue reading Just Transition Framework-A path to ecological justice
Current state of global coal power – problem with coal
Source: The post current state of global coal power has been created, based on the article “Express View: Problem with coal” published in “Indian express” on 13th April 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Environment – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation For details information on Coal-based Power Generation read here News: The article discusses the… Continue reading Current state of global coal power – problem with coal
Issues related to animal rescue and capture
Source-This post on Issues related to animal rescue and capture has been created based on the article “The blurry lines between wildlife ‘capture’ and ‘rescue’” published in “The Hindu” on 12 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context-The article highlights the significance of properly rescuing animals in the… Continue reading Issues related to animal rescue and capture
Fragility of Himalayan Ecosystem
Source – This post on Fragility of Himalayan Ecosystem has been created based on the article “A battle to save Ladakh, and all of humanity” published in “The Hindu” on 11 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context– Ramon Magsaysay award winner and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has… Continue reading Fragility of Himalayan Ecosystem
Need for new definition of elephant corridors
Source-This post on Need for new definition of elephant corridors must be carefully planned has been created based on the article “Efforts to reconnect elephant corridors must be carefully planned” published in “Down to Earth” on 5 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus- GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context-The article highlights the… Continue reading Need for new definition of elephant corridors
Climate engineering – Potential & Concerns
Source-This post on climate engineering -Potential & Concerns has been created based on the article “Climate engineering carries serious national security risks — countries facing extreme heat may try it anyway, and the world needs to be prepared” published in “Down to Earth” on 5 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation,… Continue reading Climate engineering – Potential & Concerns
Indias water crisis- Need a well-integrated action plan
Source-This post on Indias water crisis- Need a well-integrated action plan has been created based on the article “Solving India’s water crisis calls for a well-integrated action plan” published in “Live Mint” on 4 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context– There has been an acute water crisis… Continue reading Indias water crisis- Need a well-integrated action plan
Sustainable building materials
Source-This post on sustainable building materials has been created based on the article “On sustainable building materials” published in “The Hindu” on 26 March 2024. UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3- Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context- India housing construction sector is booming, with over 3,00,000 housing units built annually. However, the building sector is a… Continue reading Sustainable building materials
Black Carbon Emission
Source-This post on Black Carbon Emission has been created based on the article “The need to curb black carbon emissions” published in “The Hindu” on 26 March 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Context– According to a 2016 study, the residential sector contributes 47% of India’s total black carbon emissions… Continue reading Black Carbon Emission
Water- An instrument of global conflict and build world peace
Source-This post on Water- An instrument of global conflict and build world peace has been created based on the articles “Water, an instrument to build world peace” published in “The Hindu” on 21 March 2024. “Navigating the global waterscape, its challenges” published in “The Hindu” on 21 March 2024. UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution… Continue reading Water- An instrument of global conflict and build world peace
India’s severe air pollution problem: Express View on IQAir’s pollution report
Source: The post India’s severe air pollution problem has been created, based on the article “Express View on IQAir’s pollution report: Delhi to Begusarai” published in “Indian express” on 21st March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Environment – Environmental Pollution and Degradation News: The article discusses India’s severe air pollution problem. It… Continue reading India’s severe air pollution problem: Express View on IQAir’s pollution report
IPCC Assessment Reports: The problem of equity in IPCC reports
Source: The post IPCC Assessment Reports has been created, based on the article “The problem of equity in IPCC reports” published in “The Hindu” on 18th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- environment-Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. News: The article discusses a study that reviewed over 500 climate change scenarios… Continue reading IPCC Assessment Reports: The problem of equity in IPCC reports
Severe water shortage in Bengaluru: Express View on Bengaluru’s looming water crisis: The warning
Source: The post severe water shortage in Bengaluru has been created, based on the article “Express View on Bengaluru’s looming water crisis: The warning”published in “Indian express” on 16th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Environment- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, News: The article discusses the severe water shortage in Bengaluru, Karnataka, due… Continue reading Severe water shortage in Bengaluru: Express View on Bengaluru’s looming water crisis: The warning
SC observation on National Park conservation practices- A slippery slope
Source: The post SC observation on National Park conservation practices has been created, based on the article “A slippery slope: Tourism in wildlife parks should not be at odds with conservation efforts” published in “The Hindu” on 8th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-ecology and environment- conservation News: The Supreme Court (SC) criticized… Continue reading SC observation on National Park conservation practices- A slippery slope
Problems of plastic waste in Himalayan states
Source-This post on Problems of plastic waste in Himalayan states has been created based on the article “Mountains of plastic are choking the Himalayan States” published in “The Hindu” on 2 March 2024. UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3– Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. News-The article discusses issues of unsustainable plastic waste management practice. Problems of… Continue reading Problems of plastic waste in Himalayan states
Green elections – Stop the dithering and encourage green elections in India
Source: The post on green elections has been created, based on the article “Stop the dithering and encourage green elections in India” published in “The Hindu” on 28th February 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Environment- conservation News: The article discusses the need for environmentally friendly elections in India. It highlights the harmful environmental… Continue reading Green elections – Stop the dithering and encourage green elections in India
Challenges of land reforms in India – An expansive land management policy is overdue
Source: The post challenges India faces in managing its land has been created, based on the article “An expansive land management policy is overdue” published in “The Hindu” on 27th February 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – environment- conservation News: The article discusses the challenges India faces in managing its land due to… Continue reading Challenges of land reforms in India – An expansive land management policy is overdue
Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 controversy- Red signal for green dilution
Source: The post Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 controversy has been created, based on the article “Red signal for green dilution” published in “Business standard” on 26th February 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-environment- conservation News: The article discusses a recent Supreme Court decision in India. The court ruled that the government must use… Continue reading Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 controversy- Red signal for green dilution
India’s renewable energy (RE) status-Renewable power, when it isn’t sunny or windy
Source: The post India’s renewable energy (RE) status has been created, based on the article “Renewable power, when it isn’t sunny or windy” published in “The Hindu” on 10th February 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper3-infrastructure- Energy News: The article discusses India’s efforts to increase its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, focusing… Continue reading India’s renewable energy (RE) status-Renewable power, when it isn’t sunny or windy
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.
