UPSC Prelims Mega Set (50 Questions)
Section 1: Water Hyacinth & Invasive Aquatic Species (10 Qs)
1. Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is native to:
A. Africa B. South America C. Southeast Asia D. North America
Answer: B. South America
Explanation: Native to the Amazon basin, introduced in India as ornamental.
2. Dense mats of water hyacinth cause:
A. Soil erosion B. Eutrophication and oxygen depletion C. Desertification D. Flood prevention
Answer: B. Eutrophication and oxygen depletion
Explanation: Blocks sunlight and oxygen, harming aquatic life.
3. Which Indian state’s rice bowl is most affected by water hyacinth?
A. Punjab B. Kerala C. West Bengal D. Assam
Answer: B. Kerala
Explanation: Kuttanad region’s irrigation channels get blocked.
4. Methane release from decaying water hyacinth contributes to:
A. Global warming B. Acid rain C. Ozone depletion D. Soil salinity
Answer: A. Global warming
Explanation: Methane is over 25x more potent than CO₂.
5. Biological control of water hyacinth can be done using:
A. Grasshoppers B. Weevils C. Snails D. Frogs
Answer: B. Weevils
Explanation: Certain weevil species feed on hyacinth, controlling its spread.
6. Which river system is heavily affected by water hyacinth?
A. Ganga B. Godavari C. Brahmaputra D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Invasive hyacinth spreads in multiple freshwater systems.
7. Water hyacinth can be used for:
A. Biogas production B. Handicrafts C. Compost D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Converts pest into renewable resource.
8. Prosopis juliflora is classified as:
A. Endangered species B. Invasive alien species C. Medicinal plant D. Native aquatic plant
Answer: B. Invasive alien species
Explanation: Rapidly spreads in arid regions, harming native flora.
9. Which of the following is NOT an aquatic invasive species in India?
A. Salvinia molesta B. Eichhornia crassipes C. Lantana camara D. Hydrilla verticillata
Answer: C. Lantana camara
Explanation: Lantana is terrestrial, not aquatic.
10. Which ecosystem service is affected most by water hyacinth?
A. Pollination B. Aquatic biodiversity support C. Soil fertility D. Groundwater recharge
Answer: B. Aquatic biodiversity support
Explanation: Dense mats suffocate fish and native aquatic flora.
Section 2: Wetlands & Ramsar Sites (10 Qs)
11. Ramsar Convention was signed in:
A. 1971 B. 1981 C. 1991 D. 2001
Answer: A. 1971
Explanation: Treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands.
12. India’s largest Ramsar site is:
A. Chilika Lake B. Vembanad Lake C. Loktak Lake D. Ashtamudi Wetland
Answer: A. Chilika Lake
13. Loktak Lake is famous for:
A. Floating agriculture B. Sangai deer C. Migratory birds D. Coral reefs
Answer: B. Sangai deer
Explanation: Floating phumdis provide habitat for endangered deer.
14. National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) launched in:
A. 1985 B. 1987 C. 1991 D. 1996
Answer: B. 1987
15. Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules were enacted in:
A. 2010 B. 2015 C. 2017 D. 2019
Answer: C. 2017
Explanation: Provides framework for wetland regulation and conservation.
16. East Kolkata Wetlands is unique because:
A. It has coral reefs B. It is urban wetland used for sewage treatment and agriculture C. It is a desert wetland D. It is a mangrove swamp
Answer: B. Urban wetland used for sewage treatment and agriculture
17. Which state has the most Ramsar sites in India?
A. Kerala B. Tamil Nadu C. Odisha D. Gujarat
Answer: C. Odisha
18. Pulicat Lake is located in:
A. Kerala B. Tamil Nadu C. Odisha D. West Bengal
Answer: B. Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Important for migratory birds and brackish water ecosystem.
19. Vembanad-Kol Wetland is in:
A. Kerala B. Karnataka C. Tamil Nadu D. Odisha
Answer: A. Kerala
20. Which government body regulates Ramsar sites?
A. CPCB B. MoEFCC C. NBA D. WII
Answer: B. MoEFCC
Section 3: Biodiversity & Endangered Species (10 Qs)
21. The Sangai deer is found in:
A. Assam B. Manipur C. Kerala D. Odisha
Answer: B. Manipur
22. Which of the following are endemic to India?
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Lion-tailed macaque 2. Great Indian Bustard 3. Snow Leopard
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. All of the above D. 1 and 3 only
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
23. Lantana camara affects which ecosystem?
A. Wetlands B. Forests C. Alpine regions D. Coastal dunes
Answer: B. Forests
24. Mangroves in India are mainly found in:
A. Andaman & Nicobar, Sunderbans B. Rajasthan, Gujarat C. Kerala highlands D. Himachal Pradesh
Answer: A. Andaman & Nicobar, Sunderbans
25. Which of these is a critically endangered freshwater turtle in India?
A. Olive Ridley B. Swamp Turtle C. South Asian River Terrapin D. Hawksbill Turtle
Answer: C. South Asian River Terrapin
26. CITES regulates:
A. Wetlands B. Endangered species trade C. Climate change D. Deforestation
Answer: B. Endangered species trade
27. Great Indian Bustard is primarily found in:
A. Thar Desert B. Western Ghats C. Sundarbans D. Assam Plains
Answer: A. Thar Desert
28. Coral reefs are concentrated in:
A. Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar B. Kerala Backwaters C. Chilika Lake D. Pulicat Lake
Answer: A. Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar
29. Olive Ridley turtles are known for:
A. Mass nesting called Arribada B. Migrating in Himalayas C. Living in freshwater rivers D. Flying long distances
Answer: A. Mass nesting called Arribada
30. Which of the following is an invasive fish species in India?
A. Tilapia B. Rohu C. Catla D. Mahseer
Answer: A. Tilapia
Section 4: Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases (10 Qs)
31. Methane has how many times the global warming potential of CO₂?
A. 10 B. 25 C. 50 D. 100
Answer: B. 25
32. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes:
A. Solar Mission B. Energy Efficiency Mission C. Water Mission D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
33. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?
A. Nitrogen B. Methane C. Oxygen D. Helium
Answer: B. Methane
34. Kyoto Protocol aims to:
A. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions B. Promote biodiversity C. Protect wetlands D. Regulate wildlife trade
Answer: A. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
35. Which gas is released from decaying aquatic vegetation like water hyacinth?
A. CO₂ B. CH₄ C. O₃ D. NO₂
Answer: B. CH₄
36. Which of the following impacts are associated with invasive species?
-
Biodiversity loss 2. Nutrient cycling disruption 3. Disease spread
A. 1 and 2 B. 1 and 3 C. All of the above D. 2 and 3
Answer: C. All of the above
37. NAPCC was launched in:
A. 2005 B. 2008 C. 2010 D. 2012
Answer: A. 2008
38. Which of the following is a coastal vulnerability to climate change?
A. Sea-level rise B. Coral bleaching C. Salinization of soils D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
39. Which of the following contributes most to methane emissions in India?
A. Vehicles B. Agriculture and decaying biomass C. Coal mining D. Industrial gases
Answer: B. Agriculture and decaying biomass
40. Wetlands act as carbon sinks by:
A. Releasing methane B. Trapping carbon in biomass and soil C. Producing oxygen only D. Reducing rainfall
Answer: B. Trapping carbon in biomass and soil
Section 5: Environmental Policies & Government Schemes (10 Qs)
41. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established under:
A. Wildlife Protection Act 1972 B. Biodiversity Act 2002 C. Environment Protection Act 1986 D. Forest Conservation Act 1980
Answer: B. Biodiversity Act 2002
42. National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in:
A. 2005 B. 2010 C. 2012 D. 2015
Answer: B. 2010
43. Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, are under which Ministry?
A. Ministry of Water Resources B. MoEFCC C. Ministry of Agriculture D. Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: B. MoEFCC
44. National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) launched in:
A. 1985 B. 1995 C. 2000 D. 2005
Answer: B. 1995
45. Which of the following schemes promotes wetland-based livelihoods?
A. NWCP B. NBAP C. MGNREGA D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
46. Which authority oversees invasive species management in India?
A. National Biodiversity Authority B. Ministry of Agriculture C. MoEFCC D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
47. National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing is linked with:
A. NBAP B. NWCP C. NAPCC D. NGT
Answer: A. NBAP
48. Which Indian State has used water hyacinth extensively for handicrafts?
A. Odisha B. Kerala C. West Bengal D. Assam
Answer: A. Odisha
49. Which legislation regulates invasive alien species in India?
A. Wildlife Protection Act B. Biodiversity Act 2002 C. Forest Conservation Act D. Environment Protection Act 1986
Answer: B. Biodiversity Act 2002
50. Which international body tracks wetland conservation globally?
A. UNEP B. Wetlands International C. IUCN D. WWF
Answer: B. Wetlands International
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