In the 2025 Prelims, there were 20 questions on the subject Environment and Ecology. Here are Questions 1-10. 

Q1. Consider the following types of vehicles:  

1. Full battery electric vehicles  

2. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles  

3. Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles  

How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?  

(a) Only one  

(b) Only two  

(c) All the three  

(d) None  

Q2.  Consider the following:  

1. Cigarette butts  

2. Eyeglass lenses  

3. Car tyres  

How many of them contain plastic? 

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two  

(c) All the three  

(d) None 

Q3. Consider the following substances:  

1. Ethanol 

2. Nitroglycerine  

3. Urea  

Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?  

(a) Only one  

(b) Only two  

(c) All the three  

(d) None

Q4.  Consider the following statements: 

Statement I: Activated carbon is a good and an attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries. 

Statement II: Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals. 

Statement III: Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content.  

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?  

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I  

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I 

(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I  

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Q5. Consider the following statements:  

Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the 'Declaration on Climate and Health'.  

Statement II: The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize the health sector.  

Statement III: If India's health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised. 

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?  

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I.

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I.  

(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I.  

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct.

Q6. Consider the following statements:  

Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change.  

Statement II: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets.  

Statement III: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets.  

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?  

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I  

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I  

(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I  

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct  

Q7. Which one of the following launched the ‘Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific'?  

(a) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) 

(b) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) 

(c) The New Development Bank (NDB)  

(d) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) 

Q8. With reference to 'Direct Air Capture' (DAC), which of the following statements is/are correct? 

1. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration. 

2. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing. 

3. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.  

Select the correct answer using the codes given below. 

(a) I and II only  

(b) III only  

(c) I, II and III  

(d) None of the above statements is correct. 

Q9. Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:  

1. It is an omnivorous crustacean. 

2. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas. 

3. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

(a) 1 only  

(b) 1 and 2 only  

(c) 2 only 

(d) 2 and 3 only 

Q10. Consider the following statements:  

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/ capita.  

2. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region.  

3. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of СО2 emissions in India.  

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

(a) 1 and 3 only  

(b) 2 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only  

(d) I, 2, and 3 

(See the next post for the correct answers, explanations, and background information.)