In which one of the following regions of the Earth is the ozone hole prominently observed in the stratosphere?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ozone hole is prominently observed in the stratosphere over the Antarctic region
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Geography & Environment · Environment & Ecology
Climate Change, Greenhouse Gases & Ozone Depletion: 45 previous year questions
UPSC has asked 45 questions on Climate Change, Greenhouse Gases & Ozone Depletion between 2009 and 2026: CAPF 16 · CDS 13 · CSE 5 · Geo-Scientist 5 · CISF (LDCE) 3 · EPFO (APFC) 2 · NDA 1. 40 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 5 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.
Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.
Which one among the following elements is not a part of the “Panchamrit’ of India’s climate action presented at COP-26?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)NOT: net zero emissions by 2047 in Panchamrit; India's net zero target is 2070 (Panchamrit presented at COP-26, Glasgow, November 2021)
Which among the following is/are the mission(s) under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)? 1. National Solar Mission 2. National Water Mission 3. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer D (official UPSC key)NAPCC (2008) has 8 missions, including National Solar Mission, National Water Mission and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
Which of the following statements about the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH) is/are correct? 1. It aims at promoting low-carbon urban growth towards reducing GHG emission intensity for achieving India‘s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). 2. It aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33–35% by 2035 from 2005 levels. Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)National Mission on Sustainable Habitat promotes low-carbon urban growth to reduce GHG emission intensity for India's NDC | NOT: 33-35% GDP emissions-intensity target (outdated)
The United Nations Carbon Offset Platform is an e-commerce platform to compensate greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing carbon credits. Who among the following can buy these carbon credits? 1. A company 2. An organization 3. A citizen Select the answer using the code given below.
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Answer A (official UPSC key)UN Carbon Offset Platform: carbon credits can be bought by companies, organizations and citizens
Consider the following statements about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): 1. It is an international body for assessing the science related to climate change. 2. It was set up in the year 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)IPCC: international body for assessing climate change science | Set up in 1988 by WMO and UNEP
India’s key climate targets include 1. reduction of 33%-35% in greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 2030 2. increase in non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW 3. achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 Select the answer using the code given below.
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Answer B (official UPSC key)India's climate targets: 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity; net-zero emissions by 2070 | NOT: 33%-35% emissions-intensity cut by 2030; updated target is more than 45% by 2030 (vs 2005)
Which one among the following is not a greenhouse gas?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Sulphur dioxide is NOT a greenhouse gas (air pollutant causing acid rain) (of: sulphur dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gas)
World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35°C. Which of the following statements best reflects the implication of the above-mentioned report? I. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts. II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Wet-bulb temperatures routinely above 35°C in India would mean: Peninsular India likely to suffer flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts | Survival of animals including humans affected as shedding body heat through perspiration becomes difficult
Which one of the following statements with regard to greenhouse effect is correct ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Greenhouse effect can take place in a glass chamber where short-wavelength radiation passes in but long-wavelength infrared cannot pass back out
Which of the following statements about CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms) is/are correct ? A. These are an emerging set of trade policy tools to allow movement of carbon-intensive economic activity from a jurisdiction having less stringent climate policy to a jurisdiction having stringent climate policy B. These are meant to increase the environmental effectiveness of climate policies Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer B (official UPSC key)CBAMs are meant to increase the environmental effectiveness of climate policies | NOT: they allow movement of carbon-intensive activity; they prevent its movement from stringent to less stringent jurisdictions
Which greenhouse gas has maximum average residence time in the atmosphere?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)CFCs have the maximum average residence time among greenhouse gases (44-180 years) (of: CFC, CH4, N2O, water vapour)
Which of the following statements about ‗Marrakech Partnership‘ is/are correct? 1. It is an intergovernmental partnership for global climate action. 2. It is not only an intergovernmental partnership for global climate action but also a collaboration between governments and other stakeholders like cities, businesses and investors. 3. This partnership is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Marrakech Partnership: intergovernmental partnership for global climate action; also collaboration of governments with cities, businesses and investors; guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Ozone hole is a region over :
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ozone hole is a region over the Antarctic caused mainly by CFC gases
Which one of the following is not among the thematic areas of National Mission on Sustainable Habitat ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)NOT: 'Rural Planning, Green Cover and Biodiversity' as an NMSH thematic area; it is 'Urban Planning, Green Cover and Biodiversity' | Other areas: Energy and Green Building; Mobility and Air Quality; Waste Management
Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy envisions : 1. a transition from fossil fuels in a just, smooth, sustainable manner. 2. increased use of bio-fuels. 3. climate resistant urban development. 4. financing of sustainable development through Green Bonds. Select the answer using the code given below :
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Answer B (official UPSC key)India's Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (submitted at COP27, 2022) envisions: just, smooth, sustainable transition from fossil fuels; increased use of bio-fuels; climate resilient urban development | NOT (per key): financing through Green Bonds
In June 2024, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with USA for supporting Indian Railways to achieve Mission Net Zero Carbon Emission by the year :
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Answer A (official UPSC key)India-USA (USAID) MoU supports Indian Railways' Mission Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030 (Cabinet approval 14 June 2023)
Consider the following statements : Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation. Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere arc good absorbers of long wave radiation. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)NOT: atmosphere heated more by incoming solar radiation; it is heated more by terrestrial (long-wave) radiation | Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are good absorbers of long-wave radiation
Consider the following statements about Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) : 1. CFCs remain inert in the troposphere but slowly diffuse into the stratosphere. 2. CFCs in the upper atmosphere are subjected to UV radiations, generating free radical chlorine that immediately reacts with O3 to form a radical called chlorine monoxide (CIO). 3. Each CIO can initiate a series of chemical reactions, leading to the destruction of the ozone layer. How many of the statements given above is/are correct ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)All three correct: CFCs are inert in the troposphere and slowly diffuse into the stratosphere; UV breaks them into free chlorine that reacts with ozone to form chlorine monoxide (ClO); each ClO starts reactions destroying the ozone layer
The depletion in atmospheric ozone layer in last century was due to :
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ozone layer depletion in the last century was due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Which of the following statements about National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with reference to India is/are correct ? 1. It emphasises that maintaining a high, growth rate is essential for raising the living standards of the vast majority of the people of India and reducing their vulnerability to the impact of climate change. 2. It was released in 2014. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer A (official UPSC key)NAPCC emphasises that a high growth rate is essential to raise living standards and reduce vulnerability to climate change | NOT: released in 2014; NAPCC was launched in 2008
Which of the following statements is not correct as per the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)-2023 ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)NOT (CCPI-2023, per key): India placed lower than Norway and the United Kingdom
The main cause of ocean acidification is
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Main cause of ocean acidification: carbon dioxide (oceans absorb about 30-40% of atmospheric carbon dioxide, forming carbonic acid)
Which one of the following is not a main greenhouse gas?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Oxygen is NOT a main greenhouse gas (of: water vapour, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane)
As compared to natural greenhouse effect, the enhanced greenhouse effect refers to increase in average surface temperature of the Earth due to
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Enhanced greenhouse effect: rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to anthropogenic activities
Which one of the following important greenhouse gases is not considered to be largely changed in its amount due to human activities?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Water vapour is the greenhouse gas not largely changed by human activities (of: water vapour, carbon dioxide, CFC, methane)
Which one of the following greenhouse gases is man-made?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are entirely man-made greenhouse gases
Which one among the following is true about Ozone Hole?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Ozone hole: loss of stratospheric ozone over Antarctica (mainly in spring, September-November)
Which one of the following statements with regard to ozone is not correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)NOT: 16 November as Ozone Day; International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is 16 September
Which one among the following was the first country to declare ‘Climate Emergency’ ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)UK was the first country to declare a 'Climate Emergency' (1 May 2019)
Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of methane hydrate? [2019-I] 1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits. 2. Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor. 3. Methane in the atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Methane hydrate: global warming might trigger methane release from these deposits | Large deposits are in Arctic tundra and under the seafloor | Atmospheric methane oxidises to carbon dioxide after a decade or two
Which one of the following statements about the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change is not correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)NOT: ICAR is the National Implementing Entity of the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change; it is NABARD | NAFCC: Central Sector Scheme since 2015-16
Which of the following statements best describes "carbon fertilization"? [2018-I]
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Carbon fertilization: increased plant growth (photosynthesis) due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
What are the main constituents of biogas?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Main constituents of biogas: methane (50-75%) and carbon dioxide (25-50%)
Consider the following statements Statement I: Global warming signifies the rise in global surface temperature. Statement II: The increase of concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causes the rise in global surface temperature. Code
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Global warming is the rise in global surface temperature | Increasing concentration of greenhouse gases causes it (Statement II explains Statement I)
Which one of the following gases is released mostly from landfills in urban areas?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Methane is the gas released mostly from urban landfills (anaerobic decomposition of organic waste)
It is reported that there is an ongoing decrease in the pH value of ocean water because of global warming. It happens due to :
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ongoing decrease in ocean pH (ocean acidification) is due to larger uptake of carbon dioxide by ocean water
Which one among the following substances is NOT a ‘green house’ gas ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Nitrogen (about 78% of the atmosphere) is NOT a greenhouse gas | Water vapour, CFCs and methane are greenhouse gases
Ozone layer of the Earth's atmosphere is important for living organisms because it
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ozone layer is important because it prevents entry of ultraviolet rays
The term ‘Carbon footprint’ means
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Carbon footprint: total greenhouse gases produced (directly or indirectly) by day-to-day activities of an individual, organization, product or activity
Methane is a very potent green house gas. It is converted to carbon dioxide to ease its overall effect on global warming. This process is known as :
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Flaring: burning methane to convert it into carbon dioxide (and water) to reduce its warming effect
Which one among the following is not a goal of National Action Plan for Climate Change?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)NOT (per key): improvement in water-use efficiency through pricing and other measures as an NAPCC goal
Which of the following processes would explain ozone losses in the atmosphere ? When ozone is exposed to 1. CFCs and UV radiation. 2. long winter circumpolar winds to form ice crystals. 3. singlet oxygen atom and chlorine monoxide. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ozone loss occurs when ozone is exposed to: CFCs and UV radiation; polar stratospheric ice crystals formed under long winter circumpolar winds; singlet oxygen atom and chlorine monoxide
Due to their extensive rice cultivation, some regions may be contributing to global warming. To what possible reason/ reasons are this is attributable? 1. The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation cause the emission of methane. 2. When nitrogen-based fertilizers are used, nitrous oxide is emitted from the cultivated soil. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Rice cultivation and global warming: anaerobic flooded fields emit methane (methanogens) | Nitrogen-based fertilizers emit nitrous oxide from the soil
The laboratory from where carbon dioxide measurements have been taken since 1958 A.D., which form the basis of present global warming data base is :
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Mauna Loa Observatory (Hawaii) has measured carbon dioxide since 1958; basis of the Keeling Curve and global warming data
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