Q451. Watershed management is a holistic approach applied primarily for the sustainable management of which natural resources?
Health, Environment and Agriculture: RAS Prelims MCQs
662 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on health, environment and agriculture are on this page, in 4 chapters. They cover human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes, environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment, biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 451–460 of 662 questions
Browse Health, Environment and Agriculture chapters
Q452. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Statement I: Afforestation and reforestation are key strategies in forest resource management to combat desertification.
Statement II: Monoculture plantations offer the same level of biodiversity and ecological resilience as natural, multi-species forests.
Statement I: Afforestation and reforestation are key strategies in forest resource management to combat desertification.
Statement II: Monoculture plantations offer the same level of biodiversity and ecological resilience as natural, multi-species forests.
Explanation
Afforestation and reforestation are essential strategies for restoring forest cover and halting desertification. However, the second statement is incorrect because monoculture plantations, which consist of a single species, do not provide the same levels of biodiversity or ecological resilience as natural, multi-species forests. Natural forests support a wider range of life forms and are better equipped to withstand environmental stresses.
Q453. All of the following are consequences of poor water resource management, EXCEPT:
Explanation
Poor water resource management leads to several negative environmental outcomes, including the depletion of aquifers, saltwater intrusion in coastal regions, and the deterioration of water quality due to unchecked pollution. In contrast, an increase in groundwater tables is a positive result of effective management and recharge efforts, making it the only option that is not a consequence of poor management practices.
Q454. The CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds are primarily utilized for:
Explanation
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority was created to manage funds collected from project proponents who divert forest land for non-forest purposes. These CAMPA funds are strictly intended for compensatory afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, and the protection of forests. This mechanism ensures that the loss of forest cover in one area is balanced by the creation of new forests.
Q455. Unregulated deforestation in hilly regions directly leads to which of the following effects?
Explanation
In hilly regions, tree roots play a crucial role in binding the soil and regulating the flow of rainwater. When unregulated deforestation occurs, this protective cover is lost, leading to increased soil instability. Consequently, the region becomes much more vulnerable to frequent and severe landslides and flash floods, as the land can no longer absorb heavy rainfall or resist gravity-driven erosion.
Q456. Find the odd one out among natural resources based on renewability.
Explanation
Solar energy is an inexhaustible resource, while forests and groundwater can be considered renewable if they are harvested and managed sustainably over time. Coal, however, is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years from decaying organic matter and is depleted as it is consumed. This lack of replenishment on a human timescale makes coal a non-renewable resource and the out.
Q457. The headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an initiative launched jointly by India and France, is located in:
Explanation
The International Solar Alliance is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization launched by India and France to promote the efficient exploitation of solar energy. Its primary goal is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The headquarters of the ISA is located at the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram, India, making it the first such international organization to be headquartered in India.
Q458. Identify the correct statement regarding wind energy in India.
Explanation
India has significant wind energy potential, particularly along its long coastline. The states of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have emerged as leaders in wind power installation due to favorable wind speeds and government support. Unlike polluting fossil fuels, wind energy is a clean, renewable source that generates electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, playing a key role in India’s transition to sustainable power.
Q459. Identify the incorrect statement regarding biomass energy.
Explanation
Biomass energy is a renewable resource derived from organic materials like plant and animal waste. Biogas is a key product of this energy source, produced through anaerobic digestion. Because plants can be regrown in a relatively short time, the claim that biomass is non-renewable due to a million-year growth cycle is factually incorrect. Biomass provides a sustainable way to manage waste.
Q460. While both generate electricity from sunlight, how does Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology fundamentally differ from Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)?
Explanation
Solar Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials. In contrast, Concentrated Solar Power uses mirrors or lenses to focus a large area of sunlight onto a receiver. This heat is then used to drive a steam turbine that generates power. This fundamental difference in energy conversion mechanisms distinguishes the two most common types of large-scale solar technologies.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 451 | (b) Soil and water in a defined drainage basin |
| 452 | (a) Statement I is correct, and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 453 | (c) Increase in groundwater tables in over- exploited blocks |
| 454 | (d) Afforestation and regeneration to compensate for diverted forest land. |
| 455 | (c) Greater frequency and severity of landslides and flash floods. |
| 456 | (b) Coal |
| 457 | (a) Gurugram, India |
| 458 | (c) Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are among the leading states in wind power installation in India. |
| 459 | (a) Biomass energy is a non-renewable source because plants take millions of years to grow. |
| 460 | (d) PV uses semiconductors for electricity, while CSP uses mirrors and heat. |
Key facts from Health, Environment and Agriculture
- The RPSC General Science syllabus includes human health and nutrition, environmental change, biodiversity and the agriculture of Rajasthan.
- Health questions pair a deficiency or a programme with its cause or target, for example iron with anaemia.
- Environment questions cover ecosystems, pollutants, laws and treaties, including carbon markets.
- Rajasthan agriculture questions deal with dryland farming, crops of the arid zones and the State’s agro-climatic zones.
- Science and technology, policies and defence are on the Science and Technology page.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Health, Environment and Agriculture?
This page has 662 practice MCQs on Health, Environment and Agriculture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does this set cover?
Four chapters: human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes; environmental and ecological changes and their impact assessment; biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development; and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan.
Are health, environment and agriculture part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The General Knowledge and General Science paper includes human health, nutrition, environment, biodiversity and the agriculture sector of Rajasthan, so these topics can be asked every year.
How can I revise this part of the syllabus?
Make short lists of deficiency diseases, pollutants, laws and treaties, and Rajasthan crops and zones. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations of the misses and revisit the lists after a few days.