Q.1 Which of the following best defines sustainable development?
Economic growth without any restrictions
Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
Rapid industrialization regardless of environmental impact
Maximizing resource use for immediate benefit
Explanation - Sustainable development ensures that current needs are fulfilled without depleting resources or harming the environment, thereby safeguarding future generations' ability to meet their needs.
Correct answer is: Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
Q.2 The Brundtland Report (1987) is officially titled:
Our Green Future
Our Common Future
The Future We Want
Sustainable Earth
Explanation - The Brundtland Commission’s report 'Our Common Future' first popularized the concept of sustainable development globally.
Correct answer is: Our Common Future
Q.3 Which of the following is a pillar of sustainable development?
Economic growth only
Environmental protection only
Economic, social, and environmental balance
Technological advancement only
Explanation - Sustainable development rests on three interconnected pillars: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
Correct answer is: Economic, social, and environmental balance
Q.4 Which international agreement first set legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Paris Agreement
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
Rio Declaration
Explanation - The Kyoto Protocol (1997) was the first legally binding international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Correct answer is: Kyoto Protocol
Q.5 Which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is related to climate action?
SDG 7
SDG 12
SDG 13
SDG 15
Explanation - SDG 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Correct answer is: SDG 13
Q.6 Agenda 21 was adopted at which global event?
Kyoto Summit, 1997
Rio Earth Summit, 1992
Johannesburg Summit, 2002
Stockholm Conference, 1972
Explanation - Agenda 21, a global plan of action for sustainable development, was adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Earth Summit) in 1992.
Correct answer is: Rio Earth Summit, 1992
Q.7 Which Indian constitutional article directs the state to protect and improve the environment?
Article 21
Article 32
Article 48A
Article 370
Explanation - Article 48A, a Directive Principle of State Policy, directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
Correct answer is: Article 48A
Q.8 Carrying capacity refers to:
The maximum population size that the environment can sustain
The weight an ecosystem can support
The total resources available on Earth
The speed of economic growth
Explanation - Carrying capacity describes the maximum population size an environment can support without environmental degradation.
Correct answer is: The maximum population size that the environment can sustain
Q.9 Which Indian initiative promotes solar power as part of sustainable development?
Make in India
National Solar Mission
Digital India
Skill India
Explanation - The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission promotes solar energy to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.
Correct answer is: National Solar Mission
Q.10 The concept of 'Ecological Footprint' measures:
Carbon emissions only
Resource consumption and waste generation compared to Earth's capacity
Energy efficiency of industries
Soil fertility
Explanation - Ecological Footprint measures human demand on nature compared to the planet's ecological capacity to regenerate.
Correct answer is: Resource consumption and waste generation compared to Earth's capacity
Q.11 Which of the following is NOT a renewable energy source?
Solar energy
Wind energy
Coal
Hydropower
Explanation - Coal is a fossil fuel and non-renewable resource, unlike solar, wind, and hydropower.
Correct answer is: Coal
Q.12 The UN’s Decade of Sustainable Energy for All was launched for which period?
2000–2010
2014–2024
2012–2022
2016–2026
Explanation - The UN declared 2014–2024 as the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, to promote renewable energy and efficiency.
Correct answer is: 2014–2024
Q.13 In the Indian context, the term 'Green GDP' refers to:
GDP excluding agricultural output
GDP adjusted for environmental damage and resource depletion
GDP from the green energy sector
GDP including only rural income
Explanation - Green GDP measures the conventional GDP while accounting for the environmental costs of economic activities.
Correct answer is: GDP adjusted for environmental damage and resource depletion
Q.14 Which of the following best illustrates intergenerational equity?
Ensuring equal opportunities for men and women
Providing the same resources to future generations as today
Reducing wealth gap within a country
Equal representation in parliament
Explanation - Intergenerational equity emphasizes fairness in using resources so that future generations are not deprived.
Correct answer is: Providing the same resources to future generations as today
Q.15 Which river in India was declared as a ‘living entity’ to promote sustainable environmental practices?
Ganga
Yamuna
Narmada
Brahmaputra
Explanation - In 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court declared the Ganga and Yamuna as ‘living entities’ to enhance protection and sustainable practices.
Correct answer is: Ganga
Q.16 Which principle was emphasized in the Rio Declaration, 1992?
Precautionary principle
Right to pollute
Exclusive sovereignty over resources
Unlimited exploitation of resources
Explanation - The Rio Declaration highlighted the precautionary principle, which advocates preventive action in the face of environmental threats.
Correct answer is: Precautionary principle
Q.17 Which global event adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Rio+20 Summit, 2012
UN General Assembly, 2015
Kyoto Protocol, 1997
Stockholm Conference, 1972
Explanation - The 17 SDGs were adopted at the UN General Assembly in September 2015 under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Correct answer is: UN General Assembly, 2015
Q.18 Which one of the following is NOT a strategy for sustainable agriculture?
Organic farming
Use of renewable energy in irrigation
Excessive use of chemical fertilizers
Agroforestry
Explanation - Excessive chemical fertilizer use degrades soil and harms ecosystems, going against sustainability.
Correct answer is: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers
Q.19 ‘Carrying capacity’ is closely related to which concept?
Ecological balance
Overpopulation
Economic growth rate
Industrialization
Explanation - When population exceeds carrying capacity, it leads to overpopulation and unsustainable practices.
Correct answer is: Overpopulation
Q.20 Which of the following practices contributes most to sustainable water management?
Over-extraction of groundwater
Rainwater harvesting
Industrial effluent discharge
Building large dams everywhere
Explanation - Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable method of conserving and reusing water.
Correct answer is: Rainwater harvesting
Q.21 Which Indian program promotes energy efficiency in households and industries?
UJALA Scheme
PM-Kisan
Ayushman Bharat
Make in India
Explanation - The UJALA scheme distributes LED bulbs to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Correct answer is: UJALA Scheme
Q.22 Which international protocol deals specifically with the protection of the ozone layer?
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
Basel Convention
Paris Agreement
Explanation - The Montreal Protocol (1987) targets the phasing out of substances that deplete the ozone layer.
Correct answer is: Montreal Protocol
Q.23 Which of the following is an example of sustainable transport?
Use of electric buses
Diesel-based vehicles
Increased private car usage
Coal-powered railways
Explanation - Electric buses reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, making them sustainable.
Correct answer is: Use of electric buses
Q.24 India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes how many national missions?
4
6
8
10
Explanation - The NAPCC, launched in 2008, has 8 national missions addressing climate change and sustainability.
Correct answer is: 8
Q.25 Which term describes development that reduces poverty while ensuring environmental protection?
Inclusive growth
Sustainable development
Green revolution
Industrial development
Explanation - Sustainable development balances poverty reduction with environmental protection and economic growth.
Correct answer is: Sustainable development