Q.1 Which of the following is the primary objective of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
To ensure industrial profitability
To predict and mitigate adverse environmental impacts
To promote rapid industrialization without checks
To provide subsidies for renewable energy
Explanation - EIA is conducted to assess potential environmental consequences of projects and recommend mitigation measures before approval.
Correct answer is: To predict and mitigate adverse environmental impacts
Q.2 Under which legislation was the Environmental Impact Assessment process introduced in India?
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Explanation - EIA in India was introduced under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Correct answer is: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Q.3 Which ministry is responsible for the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification in India?
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Ministry of Power
Ministry of Agriculture
Explanation - The MoEFCC issues and monitors EIA notifications in India.
Correct answer is: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Q.4 Which year marks the first EIA Notification in India?
1986
1991
2006
2010
Explanation - The first comprehensive EIA notification was issued in 1991 under the EPA, 1986.
Correct answer is: 1991
Q.5 EIA Notification 2006 replaced which earlier notification?
Notification of 1986
Notification of 1991
Notification of 2002
Notification of 2004
Explanation - The EIA Notification, 2006 replaced the earlier notification issued in 1991.
Correct answer is: Notification of 1991
Q.6 Which of the following projects require mandatory EIA under Category A as per EIA Notification 2006?
Small-scale industries
Nuclear power plants
Village-level road construction
Minor irrigation projects
Explanation - Category A projects, such as nuclear power plants, require mandatory EIA and clearance at the central level.
Correct answer is: Nuclear power plants
Q.7 Public hearing in the EIA process is mainly conducted at which stage?
Screening
Scoping
Appraisal
Impact analysis
Explanation - Public hearing is a part of the appraisal process to gather stakeholder views before granting environmental clearance.
Correct answer is: Appraisal
Q.8 Which body conducts environmental appraisal for Category A projects?
State Pollution Control Boards
State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority
Expert Appraisal Committee
District Collector’s Office
Explanation - The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at the central level appraises Category A projects.
Correct answer is: Expert Appraisal Committee
Q.9 What is the main difference between Category A and Category B projects under EIA Notification 2006?
Type of industry
Scale of impact and level of appraisal authority
Ownership pattern
Funding source
Explanation - Category A projects have national-level impacts and are appraised by the central authority, while Category B projects are appraised by state-level authorities.
Correct answer is: Scale of impact and level of appraisal authority
Q.10 Which stage of EIA identifies potential environmental issues early in the project cycle?
Screening
Scoping
Mitigation
Monitoring
Explanation - Screening helps determine whether a project requires a detailed EIA by identifying potential environmental issues early.
Correct answer is: Screening
Q.11 The concept of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is different from EIA because it focuses on:
Individual projects
Policies, plans, and programmes
Micro-level ecosystems only
Post-construction monitoring
Explanation - SEA applies environmental assessment to policies, plans, and programmes rather than individual projects.
Correct answer is: Policies, plans, and programmes
Q.12 Which of the following is a limitation of the EIA process in India?
Strong enforcement of conditions
Effective monitoring
Delays in project clearance
Wide stakeholder participation
Explanation - One of the key criticisms of EIA in India is procedural delays leading to project clearance issues.
Correct answer is: Delays in project clearance
Q.13 Which principle of environmental governance is closely linked with the EIA process?
Polluter Pays Principle
Precautionary Principle
Sustainable Harvest Principle
Intergenerational Equity
Explanation - EIA is based on the Precautionary Principle by anticipating and preventing environmental harm before project execution.
Correct answer is: Precautionary Principle
Q.14 Which international conference is credited with popularizing the idea of Environmental Assessment globally?
Stockholm Conference, 1972
Rio Earth Summit, 1992
Kyoto Protocol, 1997
Paris Agreement, 2015
Explanation - The 1972 Stockholm Conference placed environmental considerations, including assessment, on the global agenda.
Correct answer is: Stockholm Conference, 1972
Q.15 Who prepares the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in the EIA process?
Project proponent
Local community
NGOs
Judiciary
Explanation - The project proponent is responsible for preparing the Environmental Management Plan, detailing mitigation measures.
Correct answer is: Project proponent
Q.16 Which of the following is NOT a component of the EIA report?
Baseline environmental data
Cost-benefit analysis
Mitigation measures
Judicial review
Explanation - Judicial review is outside the scope of the EIA report; it is a legal process.
Correct answer is: Judicial review
Q.17 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 was enacted after which global disaster?
Chernobyl nuclear disaster
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Three Mile Island accident
Exxon Valdez oil spill
Explanation - The 1986 Act was a response to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984, strengthening India’s environmental governance.
Correct answer is: Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Q.18 Which authority grants clearance for Category B1 projects?
Expert Appraisal Committee
State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
National Green Tribunal
Ministry of Power
Explanation - Category B1 projects are appraised and cleared by the SEIAA at the state level.
Correct answer is: State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
Q.19 What is the role of baseline data in an EIA study?
Predict future profits
Understand existing environmental conditions
Calculate tax benefits
Determine construction techniques
Explanation - Baseline data provides a reference point of current environmental conditions for impact prediction and comparison.
Correct answer is: Understand existing environmental conditions
Q.20 Which organization in India has been empowered to adjudicate environmental disputes, including EIA matters?
Central Pollution Control Board
State Pollution Control Board
National Green Tribunal
Planning Commission
Explanation - The National Green Tribunal (NGT) handles environmental disputes, including those arising from EIA clearances.
Correct answer is: National Green Tribunal
Q.21 What is the role of cumulative impact assessment in EIA?
To focus only on individual project impacts
To ignore regional development effects
To assess combined effects of multiple projects
To analyze economic cost only
Explanation - Cumulative impact assessment looks at the combined environmental effects of multiple projects in a region.
Correct answer is: To assess combined effects of multiple projects
Q.22 Which of the following sectors often require environmental clearance through EIA?
Information Technology services
Thermal power plants
E-commerce startups
Handloom weaving
Explanation - Large infrastructure and industrial projects such as thermal power plants require environmental clearance under EIA.
Correct answer is: Thermal power plants
Q.23 Which Indian body develops guidelines for conducting EIA studies?
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Central Pollution Control Board
MoEFCC
NITI Aayog
Explanation - The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change develops guidelines for EIA processes.
Correct answer is: MoEFCC
Q.24 Post-project environmental monitoring is done to:
Stop project funding
Check compliance with clearance conditions
Evaluate financial profits
Decide employment levels
Explanation - Monitoring ensures that the mitigation measures and clearance conditions prescribed in the EIA are properly implemented.
Correct answer is: Check compliance with clearance conditions
Q.25 Which of the following best describes the precautionary approach in EIA?
Allowing projects without checks
Approving projects only after accidents
Anticipating and preventing potential harm
Focusing solely on economic benefits
Explanation - The precautionary approach in EIA means acting in advance to prevent environmental harm even when scientific certainty is lacking.
Correct answer is: Anticipating and preventing potential harm