The strategy is based on an analysis of all the questions related to environment and ecology that appeared in the Preliminary Examinations (2011-2025) and Main Examinations (2011-2024).

In the strategy given below, the subtopics are ranked by the total number of questions asked during the period 2011-2025. Focus on the high and medium priority subtopics.

Suggested Strategy for the Preliminary Examination

In the Preliminary Examination from 2011 to 2025, there were 343 questions on Environment, Ecology and Disaster Management. The number of questions on each topic is given in brackets in the lists below.

 High Priority Subtopics:

1.   Biodiversity Basics and Conservation (75)

2.   Energy Resources: Global and Indian (43)

3.   Global Warming, Climate Change, Ozone Depletion, and Acid Rain (39)

4.   Pollution of Land, Water, Ocean, and Air (36)

5.   Land Resources: Desertification, Agriculture, and Mining (30)

6.   Environmental Organizations and Agreements (26)

7.   Water Resources: Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands (24)

8.   Forest, Grassland, Desert, and Mountain Ecosystems (23)

Clearly, Biodiversity is the examiners’ most favourite subtopic.

Medium Priority Subtopics:

1.   Ecology and Ecosystems (17)

2.   Ocean, Ocean Resources, Coral Reefs, and Mangroves (15)

Subtopics to Study for General Awareness:

1.   Sustainable Development (7)

2.   Environmental Rights, Laws, Ethics, and Governance (6)

3.   Population Growth and Urbanization (2)

4.   Disasters and Disaster Management (1)

Suggested Strategy for the Main Examination

In the Main Examination from 2011 to 2024, there were 135 questions on Environment, Ecology and Disaster Management. The number of questions on each topic is given in brackets in the lists below.

High Priority Subtopics:

1.   Energy Resources: Global and Indian (21)

2.   Water Resources: Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands (21)

3.   Disasters and Disaster Management (16)

4.   Global Warming, Climate Change, Ozone Depletion, and Acid Rain (15)

5.   Pollution of Land, Water, Ocean, and Air (12)

Medium Priority Subtopics:

1.   Land Resources: Desertification, Agriculture, and Mining (10)

2.   Population Growth and Urbanization (10)

3.   Ocean, Ocean Resources, Coral Reefs, and Mangroves (8)

4.   Environmental Rights, Laws, Ethics, and Governance (7)

5.   Sustainable Development (6)

Low Priority Subtopics:

1.   Forest, Grassland, Mountain, and Desert Ecosystems (4)

2.   Biodiversity Basics and Conservation (3)

3.   Ecosystems: Basic Concepts (1)

4.   Environmental Organizations and Agreements (0)