Are you preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims 2026? Check your progress and revise your topics through this quiz on Environment and Geography.
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Environment and Geography to check your progress.
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QUESTION 1
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a statutory body under the:
(a) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
(b) Environment Protection Act, 1986
(c) Forest Conservation Act, 1980
(d) Indian Forest Act, 1927
Explanation
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-- The Union Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), which scrutinises proposals for the diversion of forest land for non-forestry activity, has recommended rationalisation and uniformity in penal provisions levied over the violation of Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. The expert panel has said that penal compensatory afforestation shall be charged on an equal extent of the forest land involved in the cases of violation.
-- The Van Adhiniyam (formerly Forest Conservation Act, 1980) is considered to be violated when forest land is permitted for "de-reservation, non-forest use, lease, or clear felling" without prior approval of the Centre under the law.
-- The FAC recommended penal compensatory afforestation in addition to penal provisions provided in the Van Adhiniyam Rules, 2023. Penal compensatory afforestation refers to restoration efforts which are ordered in addition to the legally mandated compensatory afforestation for non-forestry use of forest land for infrastructure projects, industries.
-- The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a statutory body under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which advises the government on matters related to the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes like mining or industry.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
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QUESTION 2
With reference to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), consider the following statements:
1. It is a global non-binding treaty.
2. International shipment of endangered species is allowed with export and import permits from the CITES authorities.
3. India became a party to CITES in 1986.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
-- Cautioning against "illegal harvest of wild animals that are later declared as captive bred", a verification mission of the CITES has recommended that India stop importing critically-endangered species -- such as gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and snow leopards -- until the government reinforces "due diligence and controls" to safeguard against illegal animal trade and provides "evidence to the satisfaction of the Secretariat" based in Geneva.
About CITES
-- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a global treaty with 185 signatories.
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-- CITES is a legally binding international agreement between states that was adopted in 1973 and has been in existence since 1975. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
-- India became a party to CITES in 1976. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
-- Every member country designates their own CITES authorities.
-- No international shipment of endangered species is allowed without export and import permits from the CITES authorities of the two countries involved. CITES allows regulated trade. Export and import of listed species (in its three Appendices) are only permitted with valid CITES licenses granted by the designated national authority. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
QUESTION 3
With reference to the upper air cyclonic circulation, consider the following pairs:
1. It is a high-pressure system in the upper stratosphere.
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2. In this region, air circulates counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
-- Weather experts had attributed the influx of unseasonal showers in October to a deep depression as well as a trough running along the upper air cyclonic circulation system associated with the depression.
-- An upper air cyclonic circulation is a low-pressure system in the upper atmosphere, usually in the troposphere, in which air circulates counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.
-- It is caused by a balance of the pressure gradient force (pushing air from high to low pressure) and the Coriolis force (deflecting air due to the Earth's rotation), resulting in geostrophic winds that flow parallel to isobars.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
(Other Source: mausam.imd.gov.in)
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QUESTION 4
With reference to the Hygroscopic clouds, consider the following statements:
1. They typically appear during the pre-monsoon period and throughout the monsoon.
2. These clouds are formed due to the freezing of water vapour at very high altitudes
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
-- Cloud seeding is a form of engineering of natural weather, where substances like silver iodide or sodium chloride are introduced into a particular class of clouds to artificially trigger rain. The underlying physics is straightforward -- these chemicals act as cloud condensation nuclei or ice nuclei, around which water vapour condenses (or ice crystals form). Their accumulation may produce rain.
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-- Crucially, seeding only works with a particular class of clouds, known as hygroscopic or warm-rain clouds, because they have abundant water content and respond quickly when extra nuclei are introduced.
-- Hygroscopic clouds are rare and form under specific atmospheric conditions. They typically appear during the pre-monsoon period and throughout the monsoon. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
-- Hygroscopic clouds arise at lower altitudes as moisture-laden air cools around hygroscopic particles, rather than by freezing. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
QUESTION 5
Similipal Tiger Reserve was in the news due to a rare black tiger. It is located in:
(a) Karnataka
(b) Kerala
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Odisha
Explanation
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-- The striking black tiger that graces the October 2025 cover of National Geographic was captured by Indian photographer and former molecular ecologist Prasenjeet Yadav in a rare and unprecedented achievement. His 120-day pursuit in Odisha's Similipal brought the world's attention to a tiger unseen for centuries, marking the first time in the magazine's history that an Indian story has been written, photographed, and featured on the cover by an Indian.
-- Similipal Tiger Reserve, located in Mayurbhanj, Northern Odisha, is a location where Nature captivates you with its breathtaking beauty, grace, power, and tranquillity. The Similipal Tiger Reserve, which covers an area of 2750 square kilometres, is Odisha's premier wildlife sanctuary.Similipal is named from red silk cotton semul trees, which are widespread in the area.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz
Daily Subject-wise quiz -- History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 129 and 130)
Daily subject-wise quiz -- Polity and Governance (Week 135)
Daily subject-wise quiz -- Science and Technology (Week 134)
Daily subject-wise quiz -- Economy (Week 134)
Daily subject-wise quiz -- Environment and Geography (Week 134)
Daily subject-wise quiz - International Relations (Week 134)
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