Climate Change: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
3 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Climate Change (Environment and Ecology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 2010Environment and Ecology · Climate Change
Q1. What are the possible limitations of India in mitigating the global warming at present and in the immediate future? 1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available. 2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development. 3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statements 1 is correct: India lacks sufficient alternative technologies, such as those for renewable energy and waste management, which are essential for mitigating global warming. This gap hampers the country’s ability to address climate change effectively. Statements 2 is correct: As a developing country, India faces challenges in investing significant funds into research and development due to its economic constraints.
Statement 3 is incorrect: It is not accurate to claim that developed countries have primarily set up polluting industries in India. Developed countries have shifted some industries to developing nations due to lower environmental regulations and labor costs (a process known as carbon leakage) but this is not a dominant factor in India’s overall emissions. India has strict environmental regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) norms.
UPSC 2010Environment and Ecology · Climate Change
Q2. Consider the following which can be found in the ambient atmosphere: 1. Soot 2. Sulphur hexafluoride 3. Water vapour Which of the above contribute to the warming up of the atmosphere?
Explanation
The Earth’s atmosphere contains gases and particles that contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and leading to global warming. These gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, while particles like soot can alter solar radiation balance and reduce the reflectivity of surfaces like ice and snow, further influencing climate change.
Option (d) is correct:
Soot directly contributes to warming by absorbing sunlight and reducing the reflectivity of snow and ice. Sulphur hexafluoride is a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. Water vapour is the most significant greenhouse gas and amplifies the warming effect through feedback mechanisms. Other gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and cause global warming are Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
UPSC 2010Environment and Ecology · Climate Change
Q3. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty drawn at:
Explanation
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was drawn up at the UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992. This conference, also known as the Earth Summit, set the foundation for global cooperation on climate change and sustainable devel-opment.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2010
(a) 1 and 2 only
2
2010
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3
2010
(b) UN ‘Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Climate Change?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Climate Change (Environment and Ecology), asked from 2008 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Climate Change?
Questions on Climate Change (Environment and Ecology) are available for 14 years, from 2008 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
