Pollution: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
3 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Pollution (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 2023Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q1. Consider the following: 1. Aerosols 2. Foam agents 3. Fire retardants 4. Lubricants In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?
Explanation
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a climate "Super-Pollutant" - Greenhouse gases with hundreds to thousands of times the heat-trapping power of carbon dioxide (CO₂). HFCs are synthetic gases used in air conditioning systems, aerosol propellants, foam- blowing agents, solvents, and flame retardants. These gases were first developed as alternatives to ozone- depleting chemicals, but after their rollout, it was learned that their release to the atmosphere during manufacturing processes and leakage during use, servicing, and retirement/replacement of equipment poses a grave threat to our climate. Lubricants are typically based on oils and synthetic esters, not HFCs.
UPSC 2023Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Mercury is used in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM). The majority of the mercury emissions associated with the ASGM sector come from the burning of mercury-gold amalgam, which is responsible for 38% of all anthropogenic mercury emissions to the atmosphere.
Statement 2 is correct: Mercury is released into the atmosphere via the burning of coal and other fossil fuels. Because coal has far higher mercury content than other fossil fuels, coal-fired power stations frequently produce more mercury pollution than power plants that burn other fossil fuels.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers mercury vapor concentrations above 0.01 mg/m³ hazardous for prolonged exposure, with an acceptable limit of 0.1 mg/m³ based on an 8-hour time-weighted average. Both American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommend even lower exposure levels to minimize health risks.
UPSC 2023Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q3. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of the world’s population living in its Territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Statement-I is correct: According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report 2022, India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year. This indicates that India has a significant reliance on groundwater resources for various purposes, including irrigation, drinking water, and industrial use. Statement-II is not correct: Approximately 89% of India’s groundwater is utilised for irrigation purposes. The primary portion of the total groundwater extracted in India serves irrigation needs rather than being allocated for drinking and sanitation purposes. Only a small portion of groundwater is utilized for domestic and industrial purposes.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2023
(c) Only three
2
2023
(b) Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3
2023
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Pollution?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Pollution (Environment and Ecology), asked from 2005 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 Pollution?
Questions on Pollution (Environment and Ecology) are available for 14 years, from 2005 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
