Q.1 Which international treaty aims to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
Kyoto Protocol
CITES
Montreal Protocol
Basel Convention
Explanation - The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that sets binding targets for industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Correct answer is: Kyoto Protocol
Q.2 The principle 'polluter pays' in environmental law means:
Polluters should receive subsidies
Polluters are financially responsible for damage they cause
Pollution should be ignored if unavoidable
Polluters can pay fines instead of cleaning
Explanation - The 'polluter pays' principle assigns financial liability to those who produce pollution, ensuring they bear the costs of prevention and remediation.
Correct answer is: Polluters are financially responsible for damage they cause
Q.3 Which of the following is NOT a key objective of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 (India)?
Prevent and control pollution
Regulate industrial emissions
Provide subsidies for fossil fuel use
Ensure environmental safety
Explanation - The Environmental Protection Act focuses on controlling pollution and protecting the environment, not promoting fossil fuel consumption.
Correct answer is: Provide subsidies for fossil fuel use
Q.4 Which body is primarily responsible for implementing environmental laws in India?
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Supreme Court of India
NITI Aayog
Explanation - The CPCB is tasked with implementing environmental laws, monitoring pollution, and advising the government on environmental policies.
Correct answer is: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Q.5 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required primarily to:
Predict economic growth
Assess environmental consequences of projects
Determine tax liabilities
Approve industrial loans
Explanation - EIA evaluates the potential environmental effects of proposed projects to minimize negative impacts before approval.
Correct answer is: Assess environmental consequences of projects
Q.6 Which of the following international agreements focuses on protecting endangered species of flora and fauna?
CITES
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
Stockholm Convention
Explanation - CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulates international trade in endangered animals and plants to prevent their extinction.
Correct answer is: CITES
Q.7 The 'precautionary principle' in environmental law implies:
Action should be delayed until full scientific certainty is achieved
Proactive measures should be taken to prevent harm even without full proof
Only proven harmful activities should be restricted
Economic growth should take priority over environmental concerns
Explanation - The precautionary principle allows preventive action when environmental harm is possible, even if scientific evidence is not conclusive.
Correct answer is: Proactive measures should be taken to prevent harm even without full proof
Q.8 Which Indian law specifically deals with the management of hazardous waste?
Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Explanation - These rules govern the generation, handling, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment.
Correct answer is: Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989
Q.9 Which of the following is a key principle of sustainable development?
Using resources faster than they regenerate
Meeting present needs without compromising future generations
Maximizing industrial profits at all costs
Ignoring environmental regulations for economic growth
Explanation - Sustainable development balances environmental protection, economic growth, and social well-being to ensure long-term resource availability.
Correct answer is: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations
Q.10 Which of the following is NOT regulated under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981?
Industrial emissions
Vehicle emissions
Water discharge into rivers
Ambient air quality standards
Explanation - The Air Act focuses on preventing air pollution and does not directly regulate water discharges, which fall under the Water Act.
Correct answer is: Water discharge into rivers
Q.11 Environmental law often includes the concept of 'public trust doctrine'. This means:
The government holds certain natural resources for public use
All resources can be privately owned without restrictions
Only corporations manage natural resources
Resources must be sold for maximum profit
Explanation - The public trust doctrine ensures that resources like air, water, and forests are preserved for public use and cannot be exploited for private gain.
Correct answer is: The government holds certain natural resources for public use
Q.12 The Montreal Protocol primarily deals with:
Ozone layer protection
Climate change mitigation
Wildlife conservation
Soil degradation
Explanation - The Montreal Protocol aims to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer, like CFCs, to protect the Earth's atmosphere.
Correct answer is: Ozone layer protection
Q.13 Which of the following is considered a renewable resource?
Coal
Oil
Solar energy
Natural gas
Explanation - Solar energy is continuously replenished by the sun, making it a renewable resource unlike fossil fuels which are finite.
Correct answer is: Solar energy
Q.14 Which authority grants environmental clearance for major projects in India?
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Supreme Court of India
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Explanation - MoEFCC evaluates Environmental Impact Assessments and grants clearances for projects based on their environmental impact.
Correct answer is: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Q.15 Which of the following gases is primarily responsible for acid rain?
Carbon dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Oxygen
Methane
Explanation - Sulfur dioxide reacts with water in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, contributing to acid rain.
Correct answer is: Sulfur dioxide
Q.16 The Basel Convention is concerned with:
Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes
Protection of endangered species
Climate change mitigation
Air pollution control
Explanation - The Basel Convention regulates international shipment of hazardous waste to protect human health and the environment.
Correct answer is: Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes
Q.17 Which of the following is an example of point-source pollution?
Effluent from a factory pipe
Runoff from agricultural land
Air pollution from vehicles on a highway
Plastic litter in oceans
Explanation - Point-source pollution originates from a single, identifiable source, such as a discharge pipe from a factory.
Correct answer is: Effluent from a factory pipe
Q.18 Which environmental legislation in India deals with the protection of wildlife?
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Forest Conservation Act, 1980
Air Act, 1981
Environment Protection Act, 1986
Explanation - The Wildlife Protection Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants and the establishment of sanctuaries and national parks.
Correct answer is: Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Q.19 The Stockholm Declaration (1972) is significant because it:
Laid the foundation for modern international environmental law
Created the Kyoto Protocol
Banned nuclear energy globally
Established the Montreal Protocol
Explanation - The Stockholm Declaration set principles for environmental protection and sustainable development, influencing later treaties and national laws.
Correct answer is: Laid the foundation for modern international environmental law
Q.20 Which of the following is a consequence of deforestation?
Loss of biodiversity
Soil erosion
Climate change acceleration
All of the above
Explanation - Deforestation leads to habitat loss, soil degradation, and contributes to climate change by reducing carbon sequestration.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.21 Which of the following waste management methods involves converting waste into energy?
Landfill
Incineration
Composting
Recycling
Explanation - Incineration involves burning waste to reduce its volume and generate energy in the process.
Correct answer is: Incineration
Q.22 The term 'biodiversity hotspot' refers to:
Areas with high species richness and endemism
Urban industrial zones
Regions with high pollution
Deserts with low vegetation
Explanation - Biodiversity hotspots are regions rich in species that are unique to the area and often under threat of habitat loss.
Correct answer is: Areas with high species richness and endemism
Q.23 Which of the following is an example of non-point source pollution?
Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers
Discharge from a chemical plant
Effluent from a sewage treatment plant
Smoke from a factory chimney
Explanation - Non-point source pollution originates from diffuse sources that are not easily traceable, like agricultural runoff.
Correct answer is: Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers
Q.24 Which act governs the management of forests in India?
Forest Conservation Act, 1980
Environment Protection Act, 1986
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Air Act, 1981
Explanation - This Act regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes and aims to ensure sustainable forest management.
Correct answer is: Forest Conservation Act, 1980
Q.25 Which gas contributes most significantly to global warming?
Nitrogen
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Explanation - Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
Correct answer is: Carbon dioxide