These essential MCQ questions are selected from the most important topics in UPSC Civil Services Prelims Environment and Ecology 2026. Sections include Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Laws, International Conventions, National Parks and Protected Areas as per the UPSC syllabus. For truely unlimited daily MCQ practice, visit Vooo AI Education.
🌿 UPSC Environment & Ecology
1The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to limit global temperature rise to:
Answer: D — Both 1.5°C and 2°C
The Paris Agreement aims to hold global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) stating their climate action plans. India's NDC includes achieving 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
The Paris Agreement aims to hold global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) stating their climate action plans. India's NDC includes achieving 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
2The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed at:
Answer: B — Rio de Janeiro, 1992
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It has three objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol (2010) is a supplementary agreement on access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It has three objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol (2010) is a supplementary agreement on access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources.
3Which ecosystem has the highest biodiversity?
Answer: C — Tropical rainforests
Tropical rainforests have the highest terrestrial biodiversity — covering only 6% of Earth's surface but housing over 50% of the world's species. The Amazon, Congo Basin and Southeast Asian rainforests are the three largest. High biodiversity results from year-round warmth, abundant rainfall, multiple canopy layers and evolutionary time.
Tropical rainforests have the highest terrestrial biodiversity — covering only 6% of Earth's surface but housing over 50% of the world's species. The Amazon, Congo Basin and Southeast Asian rainforests are the three largest. High biodiversity results from year-round warmth, abundant rainfall, multiple canopy layers and evolutionary time.
4Project Tiger was launched in India in:
Answer: C — 1973
Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 by PM Indira Gandhi to protect the Bengal Tiger from extinction. It began with 9 tiger reserves; India now has 55 tiger reserves. India's tiger population has grown from about 1,827 (2010) to over 3,167 (2022 census), making India home to over 70% of the world's wild tigers.
Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 by PM Indira Gandhi to protect the Bengal Tiger from extinction. It began with 9 tiger reserves; India now has 55 tiger reserves. India's tiger population has grown from about 1,827 (2010) to over 3,167 (2022 census), making India home to over 70% of the world's wild tigers.
5Ramsar Convention is related to:
Answer: B — Wetland conservation
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971, Iran) is an international treaty for the conservation of wetlands. Countries designate wetlands of international importance as Ramsar Sites. India has over 75 Ramsar sites — the highest number in Asia. Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana (Rajasthan) were India's first Ramsar sites (1981).
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971, Iran) is an international treaty for the conservation of wetlands. Countries designate wetlands of international importance as Ramsar Sites. India has over 75 Ramsar sites — the highest number in Asia. Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana (Rajasthan) were India's first Ramsar sites (1981).
6The term "Carbon Credit" means:
Answer: B — A permit allowing emission of one tonne of CO₂
A Carbon Credit (or Carbon Offset) is a permit that allows a company or country to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gas. Companies that emit less than their limit can sell excess credits to those that emit more. The carbon trading market was established under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
A Carbon Credit (or Carbon Offset) is a permit that allows a company or country to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gas. Companies that emit less than their limit can sell excess credits to those that emit more. The carbon trading market was established under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
7Which is India's first Biosphere Reserve?
Answer: A — Nilgiri
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) was India's first Biosphere Reserve, established in 1986. India currently has 18 Biosphere Reserves, of which 12 have been recognised by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Biosphere Reserves have three zones: Core, Buffer and Transition.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) was India's first Biosphere Reserve, established in 1986. India currently has 18 Biosphere Reserves, of which 12 have been recognised by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Biosphere Reserves have three zones: Core, Buffer and Transition.
8The "Tragedy of the Commons" concept relates to:
Answer: B — Overexploitation of shared resources
The "Tragedy of the Commons" is a concept by Garrett Hardin (1968) describing how shared resources (commons) are inevitably overexploited when individuals act in their self-interest. Classic examples: overgrazing of common pastures, overfishing of oceans, air pollution. Solutions include regulation, privatisation or community management (Elinor Ostrom — Nobel 2009).
The "Tragedy of the Commons" is a concept by Garrett Hardin (1968) describing how shared resources (commons) are inevitably overexploited when individuals act in their self-interest. Classic examples: overgrazing of common pastures, overfishing of oceans, air pollution. Solutions include regulation, privatisation or community management (Elinor Ostrom — Nobel 2009).
9CITES regulates:
Answer: B — International trade in endangered species
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1975) regulates international trade in over 38,000 species of plants and animals. Species are listed in three appendices based on threat level (Appendix I = most threatened, no commercial trade). India is a signatory and has protected tigers, elephants and rhinos under CITES.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1975) regulates international trade in over 38,000 species of plants and animals. Species are listed in three appendices based on threat level (Appendix I = most threatened, no commercial trade). India is a signatory and has protected tigers, elephants and rhinos under CITES.
10The IUCN Red List categorises species as extinct, critically endangered, etc. IUCN stands for:
Answer: A — International Union for Conservation of Nature
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), founded in 1948 and headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, is the world's leading conservation organisation. Its Red List of Threatened Species is the world's most comprehensive inventory of species conservation status. Categories: Extinct (EX), Extinct in Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC).
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), founded in 1948 and headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, is the world's leading conservation organisation. Its Red List of Threatened Species is the world's most comprehensive inventory of species conservation status. Categories: Extinct (EX), Extinct in Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC).
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