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Tuesday, November 18, 2025

UPSC (2026) Practice MCQs Topic Focus: Environmental Jurisprudence, ECs, EIA, Supreme Court Judgments, Governance

 

UPSC (2026) Practice MCQs 

Topic Focus: Environmental Jurisprudence, ECs, EIA, Supreme Court Judgments, Governance


1. Consider the following:

  1. Precautionary Principle

  2. Polluter Pays Principle

  3. Sustainable Development

These principles have been recognised by the Supreme Court of India under which Article?

A. Article 14
B. Article 21
C. Article 32
D. Article 48A

Answer: B

Explanation:
SC has expanded Article 21 to include right to a clean and healthy environment. Most environmental principles stem from this interpretation.


2. "Ex-post facto Environmental Clearance" refers to:

A. Clearance granted before project conception
B. Clearance given after construction/operation has started
C. Clearance granted only by the National Green Tribunal
D. Clearance granted only for protected areas

Answer: B


3. Which one of the following committees is involved in granting Environmental Clearance (EC) at the Central level?

A. National Biodiversity Authority
B. Expert Appraisal Committee
C. NITI Aayog Steering Committee
D. Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Committee

Answer: B


4. Under the EIA Notification 2006, which of the following require PRIOR environmental clearance?

  1. Thermal power plants

  2. Highways

  3. Building/construction projects above notified limits

  4. Mining projects

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: C


5. Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court’s power of Review:

  1. It is derived from Article 137.

  2. The Court can recall its judgment if an error is apparent on the face of the record.

  3. A review petition is heard by the same bench or judges (if available).

Which of the above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D


6. “Environmental Clearance” in India is issued under which law?

A. Forest Conservation Act, 1980
B. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
C. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
D. Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Answer: C


7. The May 16 Supreme Court judgment (now recalled) was based primarily on which principle?

A. In-situ conservation
B. Precautionary principle
C. Principle of Eminent Domain
D. Intergenerational equity

Answer: B


8. With reference to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), consider the following:

  1. It has original jurisdiction on environmental matters.

  2. It applies the principles of natural justice.

  3. It can punish for criminal offences.

Which are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: A

Explanation:
NGT cannot impose criminal penalties; only compensation and relief.


9. “Polluter Pays Principle” implies:

A. The State pays for ecological damage
B. The polluting industry must compensate for the damage it caused
C. Pollution tax is mandatory for all industries
D. Polluters can continue operations without restrictions

Answer: B


10. Which of the following bodies has the power to issue general directions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

A. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
B. State Government
C. Central Government
D. Central Pollution Control Board

Answer: C


11. Consider the following statements:

  1. Environmental clearance is mandatory for all building projects in India.

  2. Violations of EC conditions are adjudicated by NGT.

  3. The Supreme Court can impose environmental compensation.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:
Only large building projects require EC.


12. Which of the following is NOT a part of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?

A. Baseline Environmental Study
B. Public Hearing
C. Consent for Establishment (CFE) from SPCB
D. Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

Answer: C


13. The doctrine of “public trust” in environmental law means:

A. Government owns all resources
B. Government holds natural resources for the public
C. Only citizens can manage natural resources
D. Judiciary has exclusive rights over environmental decisions

Answer: B


14. With reference to the Supreme Court’s environmental jurisprudence, consider:

  1. Right to clean air

  2. Right to safe drinking water

  3. Right to protect forest dwellers

Which are part of Article 21 interpretations?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only

Answer: C


15. Under the EIA Notification, a project can be exempted from public hearing if:

A. The project is of strategic defence importance
B. It is inside eco-sensitive zones
C. It is a large mining project
D. It is a cement factory

Answer: A


16. In India, the doctrine of “Intergenerational Equity” was emphasised in which case?

A. Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India
B. MC Mehta vs Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak)
C. TN Godavarman Case
D. Coelho Case

Answer: A


17. Which of the following are powers of the Supreme Court under Article 142?

  1. Complete justice

  2. Modify environmental regulations

  3. Issue binding guidelines in absence of law

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: A

Explanation:
SC cannot “modify” a regulation, but can issue directions.


18. Features of EIA include:

  1. Identifying environmental impacts

  2. Reducing project cost

  3. Improving project design

  4. Mandatory re-evaluation after construction

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3 and 4

Answer: A


19. Which of the following best describes the 2025 SC recall judgment?

A. SC held retrospective ECs unconstitutional
B. SC allowed retrospective ECs in exceptional cases
C. SC banned all construction without EC
D. SC handed EC authority to NGT

Answer: B


20. The principle “development cannot be at the cost of environment” relates to:

A. Polluter pays
B. Precautionary principle
C. Sustainable development
D. Eco-centrism

Answer: C


21. Consider the following:

  1. Expert Appraisal Committee

  2. State Expert Appraisal Committee

  3. State Environment Impact Assessment Authority

Which are statutory bodies under EPA, 1986?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C

Explanation:
SEIAA = statutory body.
EAC & SEAC = committees formed by notification, not statutory.


22. Who chairs the NGT?

A. Retired Supreme Court Judge
B. Retired Chief Justice of High Court
C. Only sitting High Court judge
D. Any expert in environmental science

Answer: A


23. Public hearings under EIA are conducted by:

A. CPCB
B. SPCB / UT Pollution Control Committee
C. District Collector
D. Ministry of Environment

Answer: B


24. The Supreme Court can impose environmental compensation under which power?

A. Article 142
B. Article 124
C. Water Act, 1974
D. Biodiversity Act, 2002

Answer: A


25. The dissent in the 2025 judgment criticised the majority mainly because:

A. It ignored economic development
B. It weakened environmental compliance
C. It banned construction projects
D. It favoured only the government

Answer: B

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