1. Trend Analysis of the Environment Biodiversity MCQs in UPSC prelim exams?
  2. How to prepare Environment and biodiversity for Prelims – 2022?
  3. How to prepare Environment and biodiversity for UPSC Mains GSM3–2022?
  4. Answerkey: Environment questions asked in UPSC Prelims 2021
    1. Flora Fauna Organisms
    2. Environment: FOREST / Biome Type
    3. Environment: WATER, Mineral Resources
    4. Environment: Pollution
    5. Environment Intl. Org, Awards, Agreement

Trend Analysis of the Environment Biodiversity MCQs in UPSC prelim exams?

UPSC Prelim-2021 Answerkey Topicwise Analysis

Environment in Prelims-2019 and before Prelim-2020: Continuity and Change Prelims-2021
– 2018: 3 Easy, while the rest of the environment MCQs were in the medium to tough category.

– 2019: same as above

 – only 1 easy out of 15 MCQs, rest is environment MCQs were medium to tough – 6 easy out of 20 MCQS, rest is medium to tough.
Ever since the merger of forest service prelims with Indian civil services (IAS/IPS) prelims, UPSC had been devoting about 1/5th of the Prelim paper-1 to environment, biodiversity topics but in 2017 and 2018 less number of questions were asked. same scene, but more so, to make space for a large number of agriculture questions. 1/5 of the paper is dedicated to environment just like the scene in 2016 and 2019.
Traditional preparation sources giving decreasing utility in Prelims

– ShankarIAS book could solve just 2-2 MCQs in 2018 and 2019’s prelims.

– India Yearbook: 0 MCQ (2017), 1 MCQ (2018), 0 MCQ (2019)

– hardly 1-2 MCQs from NCERT, NIOS type textbooks.

 – No question could be solved from Shankar or IYB.

– NIOS helped only in ’50:50′ elimination of some MCQs. but no direct answers.

 – Two questions could be solved from Shankar

– six MCQs from NCERT
– Before 2019: questions from the ‘About us’ websites of obscure International organisations and funds – TEEB, CCAC, GCCA, PAGE, GACSA, Biocarbon fund, Forest carbon facility, birdlife international etc.

– But this nonsense was stopped in 2019.

 – Thankfully no random question from “About us” pages of low-profile bodies. – The lunacy regarding “About us” pages returns with New York declaration on Forest, R2  practices, Watercredit, Common carbon metric et cetera questions
2-3 questions from flora-fauna. same Examiner gone crazier than usual with regarding flora fauna 9 out of 20 questions are dedicated to it! 😰😰
Wildlife Park and Sanctuary related questions are asked from obscure and contrived angles. They’re never easy. Same sadistic game is continued. Instead of focusing on individual parks and sanctuaries, this time focused on forest types and biomes in general
Usually a few questions on R&D such as fuel cell, bio toilets, bioremediation, algae fuel, carbon sequester, H-CNG, Remote Sensing etc. Seems all that R&D quota of MCQs were exhausted in the science tech and agriculture portion of the Prelims-2020 Paper. Nothing left to ask here, in the environment. Some environmental chemistry type questions from copper smelting furnace oil etc, but Relatively less lunatic than 2020
pollution  / water conversation = was the single largest sub-topic asked within Environment in 2018 and 2019. Pollution-Prem continues. 7 out of the 15 MCQs devoted to pollution  / water conversation. Pollution is second largest topic of this time within environment (after Flora fauna).
  • Large number of environment MCQs had 3 statements / more, then you had to find which of them were correct= very lengthy and mentally taxing paper.
  • To conclude, the environment section is medium to tough. But, it feels ‘monotonous’ because excessive MCQs just require you to know about flora-fauna/ species. In Previous years, UPSC examiners ensured that there was an internal ‘variety’ of MCQs/topics within a subject.

How to prepare Environment and biodiversity for Prelims – 2022?

  • For detailed strategy and booklist, refer to Mrunal’s UPSC Roadmap-2022 lecture with UPSC Topper Rank#2: Jagrati Awasthi. 🔖Unlock Free content with Code: ‘Mrunal.org’
  • To cultivate the logical elimination 50:50 skill, You must have strong foundation in environment. So avoid mentality- that why waste time/money on NCERT/NIOS when no direct questions are coming. You should prepare them irrespectively.
  • (Optional) ShankarIAS Environment Book (6th Ed) as base-book for advanced theories and contemporary issues on environment. Yes, relatively less MCQs came from here in 2019 and 2020 and 2021
    • OR you may even refer to free PDF compilations by various coaching institutes regarding the environment segment.
  • Essential of ecology by Colin Townsend – around 7 out of 20 questions on environment could be solved from this. There were some questions directly lifted from the paragraphs of this book. But I hesitate recommending this for following reasons:
    • Some MCQs overlap with NCERT / NIOS/ GCL.
    • No guarantee of repeat success NEXT exam.
    • Very expensive academic book. Imported version costing nearly ₹10,000
  • (When it is published next year) India Yearbook 2022 by Ministry of information and Broadcasting: Ch. 12 on Environment and Ch.1 on Land and People. There is no need to actually buy it because plenty of free summaries will be released by e-learning website
  • Selective Study any one “base-book” on Indian Geography: Majid Husain | हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध ch. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
    • Some of the flora-fauna / park-sanctuary questions require background knowledge of weather/climate/elevation/drainage so you need command over geography as well.
  • Selective study of the State of Forest Report
  • To keep the paper tough, UPSC examiner even lifts statements from bare acts and rules but if you engage in preparing those things, it’ll give poor cost:benefit.
  • In 2019, few questions were ‘National Geographic Kids GK’ like viviparous snakes & herbivore turtles. It’s futile to make a compilation of such wildlife GK, because UPSC examiner can always ask something random or technical that only an IFS (Forest) candidate with B.Sc (Agriculture / Zoology / Botany) can attempt it. Remember that some questions are meant to test the Forest Service candidates. UPSC examiner is not mandating you, as a non-IFS aspirant, must have impeccable command over zoology and botany.
  • In 2020, similarly excessive focus on flora-fauna-parks. But beyond a point, it gives poor cost benefit in investing your time in this.
  • For Current Affairs: IndianExpress OR Hindu, and whichever PDF compilation you like/ feel comfortable with.
    • Focus should be on the CA related to Pollution, Clean Energy, New legal amendments, SC/NGT Judgement, international treaties, funds, R&D, reports-rankings.
  • For Contemporary Affairs: In the environment segment the focus of UPSC examinations on contemporary office usually after a lag of one to two years. So, accordingly for Prelims-2021 you should prepare environment topics that were in news during 1/1/2019 from any ONE (free) PDF compilations you like. Don’t try to be Half-Blood-Prince, “I’ll make super-secret notes by compiling all Environment CA-PDF from VisionIAS, IASparliament and 5 other sources. because even in the best case scenario such compilation will only help you arrive at 50:50 elimination stage.

How to prepare Environment and biodiversity for UPSC Mains GSM3–2022?

Covered in a separate article Mains GS Paper-3- including topicwise previous papers!

Answerkey: Environment questions asked in UPSC Prelims 2021

Let’s solve the Environment and biodiversity questions that were asked in the latest UPSC Prelims!

Flora Fauna Organisms 

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.76)  Which one of the following is a filter feeder?

  1. Catfish
  2. Octopus
  3. Oyster
  4. Pelican

Difficulty : Medium to Tough🥵

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • Filter feeding, in zoology, a form of food procurement in which food particles or small organisms are randomly strained from water.
  • Oysters like other shellfish have unique filter-feeding ability, in the sense it takes in water through its gills, which then filters it for nutrients like suspended fragments of plankton, while automatically draining out the rest of the water.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A. 

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.71)  Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

  1. Congress grass 
  2. Elephant grass
  3. Lemongrass
  4. Nut grass

Difficulty : Medium to Tough🥵

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • You could apply some logic that to act as mosquito repellent the grass needs to have an aromatic smell. So Elephant grass could not be the answer and lemongrass may have been the answer. 
  • Lemongrass leaves are the most commonly found plants found in India. You can use lemongrass oil or can crush the leaves and then applying the oily mixture directly to the skin. Therefore, Correct Answer is “C”. 

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.72)  Consider the following kinds of organisms: 

  1. Copepods
  2. Cyanobacteria 
  3. Diatoms
  4. Foraminifera

Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

  1. 1 and 2 
  2. 2 and 3 
  3. 3 and 4 
  4. 1 and 4 

Difficulty : Medium🧐 Depending on your preparation of environment and oceanography.

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • Diatoms are found in fresh water as well as in marine environments. They are microscopic and float passively in water currents (plankton).  Most of them are photosynthetic. Diatoms are the chief ‘producers’ in the oceans.  → #3 is right. We are 50:50 between B or C. 
  • Cyanobacteria (also referred to as blue-green algae) have chlorophyll, similar to green plants and are photosynthetic autotrophs.  #2 is right.
  • Therefore correct answer B] 2 and 3. 

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.90)  In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?

  1. Fern
  2. Lichen
  3. Moss
  4. Mushroom

Select the correct answer using the code given below

  1. 1 and 4 Only
  2. 2 Only
  3. 2 and 3
  4. 1, 3 and 4

Difficulty :Tough🥵 Depending on which chapter of NCERT book you are reading, you may arrive at different answer.

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • Since mosses form dense mats on the soil, they reduce the impact of falling rain and prevent soil erosion → #3 is wrong. we are 50:50 between A or B. Everything now depends on the validity of statement#2.
  • Lichens (#2) grow on any undisturbed surface–bark, wood, mosses, rock, soil, peat, glass, metal, plastic, and even cloth.ichens can absorb water through any part of their thalli and have no need of roots. According to, Pennsylvania University article. 
  • Land without soil can support only very small primitive plants such as lichens and mosses that can cling onto a rock surface, says the book Essentials of Ecology Third Edition, 3rd Edition. So, Answer should be “C”: 2 and 3.

📚 Source(s):

  • NCERT Biology Class11. but I am not counting the main source for this one. Because I had to check internet to cross verify.
  • 407 Essentials of Ecology Third Edition

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.78)  Which of the following are detritivores?

  1. Earthworms
  2. Jellyfish
  3. Millipedes
  4. Seahorses
  5. Woodlice

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1, 2 and 4 Only
  2. 2, 3, 4 and 5 Only
  3. 1, 3 and 5 Only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Difficulty : Medium🧐 by elimination.

Type: Theory 📚

Explanation:

  • Detritivores (e.g., earthworm) break down detritus into smaller particles. This process is called fragmentation. Detritus consists of dead plant remains and dead remains of animals. #1 is wrong. And if earthworm belong to this group then jellyfish (#2) and seahorse (#4) cannot be part of this group. Thus A, B and D are eliminated & we are left with correct Option “C”
  • Alternatively you could apply some logic that earthworm and woodlice look like insects whereas Jellyfish and seahorses live in sea so 2 and 4 are ‘odd men’ so eliminate them.

📚 Source(s):

  • NCERT Class12 Biology
  • 370 Essentials of Ecology Third Edition
  • ShankarIAS has mentioned the term but species example not given

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.80)  Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?

  1. Cnidarians
  2. Fungi
  3. Protozoa

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  1. 1 and 2 Only
  2. 2 and 3 Only
  3. 1 and 3 Only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Difficulty : Tough🥵 requires knowledge of class 11-12 NCERT Biology and you can’t arrive at final answer until you know what is Cnidarians?

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • Lichens:  Lichens  are  symbiotic  associations. Algae prepare food for fungi and fungi provide shelter and absorb mineral nutrients and water for its partner. So close is their association that if one saw a lichen in nature one would never imagine that they had two different organisms within them.  → #2 is right. 
  • CNIDARIA: Some of these species live in colonies (corals), while others have a solitary like–span (Hydra). Coral exhibit symbiosis with Algae. So, #1 is right.
  • NCERT Class11: “All protozoans are heterotrophs and live as predators or parasites.” If they live as parasites then symbiosis difficult. So, #3 is wrong. → Therefore, Correct Answer is “A” only 1 and 2.
  • Some webpages say that termites have a symbiotic relationship with protozoa that live in the termite’s gut → #3 is correct so answer is “D”] Only 1 and 2 and 3. 
  • Final Answer A or D? Have to wait for the UPSC Official Answer Key.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.73)  Consider the following animals:

  1. Hedgehog
  2. Marmot
  3. Pangolin

To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/ protect its/their vulnerable parts?

  1. 1 and 2 
  2. 2 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1 and 3

Difficulty : Medium🧐 to Tough🥵

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. Option #1 is correct. We are 50:50 between A or D. 
  • A startled pangolin will cover its head with its front legs, exposing its scales to any potential predator. If touched or grabbed it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out. Option #3 is correct.
  • Therefore, correct answer is “D”: 1 and 3
  • Marmots live in burrows and hide themselves in holes when there is a predator. Option #2 is incorrect.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

Environment: FOREST / Biome Type

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.31) The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?

  1. Burrowing animals and termites
  2. Fire
  3. Grazing herbivores
  4. Seasonal rainfall
  5. Soil properties

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

  1. A) 1 and 2
  2. b) 4 and 5
  3. c) 2, 3 and 4
  4. d) 1, 3 and 5

Difficulty :Medium🧐 to Tough🥵

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • NIOS Environment: Page 97-98: Grasslands occur in both tropical and temperate regions where rainfall is not enough to support the growth of trees. So, #4 is right. we are 50:50 between B or C.
  • The vegetation of savanna characteristically consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees.  In some savannas, herds of grazing herbivores have a profound influence on the vegetation, favoring grasses (which protect their embryonic, actively dividing tissues in buds at or just below ground level) and hindering the regeneration of trees (because these same tissues are exposed to browsing animals and to fire).  → #3 is right. 
  • Fire, whether natural or human-induced, can be a common hazard in the dry season.  → #2 is right.
  • So final answer: c) 2, 3 and 4

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.50)  “Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees”. This is the most likely description of 

  1. A)  coniferous forest
  2. b) dry deciduous forest
  3. c) mangrove forest
  4. d) tropical rainforest

Difficulty : Easy🤩 to Medium🧐 

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • Tropical Rainforest best fits this description. 

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

Environment: WATER, Mineral Resources

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.32) With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements:

  1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
  2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A)  1 Only
  2. b) 2 Only
  3. c) Both 1 and 2
  4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Difficulty : Easy🤩 to Medium🧐 

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • Out of the total water available on Earth: 97% in ocean, 2% in icecaps, 0.68% in groundwater, 0.009 in lakes and 0.0001% in rivers. 
  • So accordingly statement#1 is wrong but statement#2 is right. Therefore, Correct Answer is B: 2 Only

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.77)  In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrient to enter the cycle?

  1. Carbon cycle
  2. Nitrogen cycle
  3. Phosphorus Cycle
  4. Sulphur Cycle

Difficulty : Medium🧐 to Tough🥵 Depending on whether you have read the the environment related chapters from Class 12 NCERT Biology book or not 

Type: Theory 📚 Current/Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • The natural reservoir of phosphorus is rock, which contains phosphorus in the form of phosphates. When rocks are weathered, minute amounts of these phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are absorbed by the roots of the plants. Therefore, Correct Answer is “C” Phosphorus cycle.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.84)  With reference to ‘WaterCredit’, consider the following statements:

  1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
  2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
  3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 Only
  2. 2 and 3 Only
  3. 1 and 3 Only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Difficulty : Tough🥵 not given in routine prep sources.

Type: Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • Water credit is a program by Water.org and World Bank. So, #2 is wrong thus A/B/D are eliminated & we are left with Option “C”: is the correct answer.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: Yesapplicable. GM-Rule#3: Parent Org / Dept is always wrong in statement then #2 should  be wrong, we arrive at corect answer by eliminition. 

Environment: Pollution

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.75)  Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? 

  1. Brakes of motor vehicles 
  2. Engines of motor vehicles 
  3. Microwave stoves within homes
  4. Power plants
  5. Telephone lines

Select the correct answer using the code given below

  1. 1, 2, 3 and 5 Only 
  2. 1, 2 and 4 Only
  3. 3, 4 and 5 Only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Difficulty : Tough🥵

Type: Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • They are formed and emitted from vehicle brake wear.  → #1 is right 
  • They are formed by in-cylinder melting of engine fragments → #2 is right.
  • They are found on the on leaf surface near power generating plants → #4 is right.  → we are 50:50 between B or D. 
  • I could not find definitive internet sources that mention microwaves or telephone lines as source of magnetite particle so presently the answer could be “B”, Although some coaching institutes in insist that answer could be “D”. 
  • So what is the final answer? we have to wait for UPSC answer key. 

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.89)  What is blue carbon?

  1. a) Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems
  2. b) Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils
  3. c) Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas.
  4. d) Carbon present in atmosphere

Difficulty : Easy🤩 given in ShankarIAS book

Type: Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • Blue carbon is the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems. Option #1 is correct.
  • As it is mainly concerned with coastal and marine ecosystems option B,C and D are eliminated. Therefore, option “A” is correct.

📚 Source(s):

  • ShankarIAS Environment book page. 228 

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: Yes, Possible through word Association that blue colour matches with ocean 

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.87)  Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants?

  1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into the environment.
  2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into the environment.
  3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  1. A) 1 and 2 Only
  2. b) 2 and 3 Only
  3. c) 1 and 3 Only
  4. d) 1, 2 and 3

Difficulty : Medium🧐 to Tough🥵

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • Arsenic a heavy metal is associated with copper, iron and silver ores.  → #2 may be right.
  • Smelting of metals produce sulphur dioxide → #2 may be right.
  • I was unable to find Reliable source to validate #1 so it may be wrong.
  • So Answer: B] 2 and 3 only. 

📚 Source(s):

  • NIOS Environment book for Statement#2. Shankar for Statement#3. 

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: Partially applicable. Statement#1 contains active order Lethal quantity so it may be is wrong as per gm-rule#1.

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.88)  With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements:

  1. It is a product of oil refineries.
  2. Some industries use it to generate power.
  3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into Environment.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 Only
  2. 2 and 3 Only
  3. 1 and 3 Only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Difficulty : Tough🥵 This fuel is not widely covered in routing preparation sources. 

Type: Theory 📚 

Explanation:

  • Fuel oil, also called furnace oil, fuel consisting mainly of residues from crude-oil distillation. It is used primarily for steam boilers in power plants. So #1 and #2 are right.
  • Furnace oil also has high levels of Sulphur — up to 4.5 per cent. Option #3 is correct.
  • Therefore, correct option is “D”.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

Environment Intl. Org, Awards, Agreement

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.79) The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

  1. assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
  2. enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
  3. enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
  4. assessing the overall carbon foot-print caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time

Difficulty : Tough🥵

Type: Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • Common Carbon Metric is the calculation used to define measurement, reporting, and verification for  GHG emissions associated with the operation of buildings types of particular climate regions. 
  • Therefore, Correct Answer is “A”.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM:N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.74)  With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on Forests’. Which of the following statements are correct?

  1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. 
  2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
  3. It is a legally binding international declaration. 
  4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
  5. India was one of the signatories at its inception. 

Select the Correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1,2 and 4
  2. 1,3 and 5 
  3. 3 and 4 
  4. 2 and 5 

Difficulty :Tough🥵

Type: Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • The New York Declaration on Forests was endorsed at the 2014 Climate Summit. → #1 is correct. So, we are 50:50 between Option A or B. 
  • The declaration includes ambitious targets to end natural forest loss by 2030, with a 50% reduction by 2020. So, #2 is right because there is a deadline. → #2 is right.
  • There is only one combination where statement #1 and statement #2 are together. 
  • Therefore, correct option is “A”

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.86)  ‘R2 Code of Practices’ constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of

  1. environmentally responsible practices in electronics recycling industry
  2. ecological management of ‘wetlands of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention
  3. sustainable practices in the cultivation of agricultural crops in degraded lands
  4. ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ in the exploitation of natural resources

Difficulty : Tough🥵

Type: Contemporary 🗞

Explanation:

  • The Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard provides a common set of processes, for businesses that repair and recycle used electronics.
  • Therefore, option “A” is correct.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: N/A.

[CSP21-SET-C] Q.7) Consider the following statements:

  1. Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.
  2. Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1
  2. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation of Statement 1
  3. Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
  4. Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

Difficulty : Tough🥵 While it was in news but difficult in real life to memorise and recall the information which is sought here.

Type: Current from last 1 year before exam (Award in 2020).

Explanation:

  • Hyderabad was recognised as Tree City of the World by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. So, Statement #1 is wrong. Statement #2 is correct.
  • Therefore, correct answer is “D”.

📚 Source(s):

🎲 GuessMaster-GiriTM: Applicable. Because as per GM-Rule#3: Parent Org / Dept is always wrong in statement then statement#1 should be wrong  → then you arrive at correct answer.