Environment and Ecology Notes for UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam
Environment is included in both the UPSC CSE (Main) GS III Paper and the General Studies section of the Prelims exam. The weighting of the environmental topic has grown since 2013 when the Indian Forest Services Prelims Exam were integrated with the UPSC Civil Services Prelims. The environment topic can come up in up to 33% of the questions on the General Studies paper, so it is crucial to prepare it thoroughly.
Second, having a solid understanding of this subject will assist aspiring bureaucrats to ensure that they are able to apply their knowledge in formulating policy. Challenges like global warming and climate change have grown to be some of the most significant challenges of the 21st century.
Environment and Ecology
- Ethanol Blending Programmes, Advantages, Issues and Concerns
- Cabinet approves the Clean Plant Programme (CPP)
- Rights Against Climate Change a Human Right
- Forest Conservation Act 1980, Objectives, Features, Amendments
- What is Cloudburst? Its Causes, Effects, and Forecasting
- Climate Right, Background and Climate Legislation
- Forest Fires in India 2024, Causes, Government Measures
- Eco-Sensitive Zones, Purpose and Significance of ESZs
- India is World’s Second Largest Emitter of Nitrous Oxide
- Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India, Challenges and Criticisms
UPSC Environment Notes
Environment & Ecology is one of the important subjects of civil services examination. In both the UPSC Prelims and Mains, questions from this section have been asked often. It is crucial to take notes on crucial environmental themes in preparation for the IAS Exam. Both the UPSC Prelims Syllabus and the UPSC Mains Syllabus (GS III) cover themes pertaining to the environment. Environment-related subjects can occasionally be included in the IAS Mains Essay paper.
You can use the relevant articles on environment and ecology on this page to help you with your preparation for the Civil Services Exam.
Environment and Ecology
- Environment and its Types
- Components of Environment
- Ecology, its Principles and Types
- Ecological Succession and its Types
- Ecosystem, its Function and Types
- Biomes
Biodiversity
- Biodiversity, its Levels, Extent and Significance
- Biodiversity Loss-Extent, Causes and Impact
- Biodiversity In India
- Biogeographic Zones in India
- Biodiversity Hotspots in India
- Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation Global
- Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation Indian
- Species Based Conservation Programme in India
- Ramsar Sites in India
Environmental Issues
- Desertification
- Soil Erosion
- Pollution and Its Types
- Waste Management
- Air Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Ozone Depletion
- Noise Pollution
- Radioactive pollution
Climate Change
- Greenhouse Gases
- Global Warming
- Climate Change and Its Impact
- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
- Indian Initiatives to Address Climate Change
- Ocean Warming
- Land Degradation
Clean Energy
- Solar Energy
- Wind Energy
- Hydro Energy
- Bio Energy
- Methanol
- Hydrogen Energy
- Geothermal Energy
- Ocean Energy
Sustainable Development
- Introduction to Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG and Challenges in achieving SDGs in India
- Green Economy
- Blue Economy
Environment Protection Movements in India
- Appiko Movement
- Silent Valley Movement
- Narmada Bachao Andolan
- Chipko Movement
International Environmental Conventions and Protocols
- List of Environmental Conventions and Protocols
- Ramsar Convention
- Vienna Convention
- Kyoto Protocol
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- United Nation Environment Programme
Important Laws on Environment Protection in India
- Wildlife Protection Act 1972
- Forest Conservation Act 1980
- Biodiversity Act 2002
National Parks in India
- Eravikulam National Park
- Valley of Flower National Park
- Periyar National Park
- Rajaji National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
- Dachigam National Park
- Jaldapara National Park
- Orang National Park
- Pench National Park
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park
- Bannerghatta National Park
- Manas National Park
- Dudhwa National Park
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Kaziranga National Park
- Ranthambore National Park
- Gir National Park
- Kuno National Park
- Kanha National Park
- Bandipur National Park
- Bandhavgarh National Park
Biosphere Reserve in India
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Tiger Reserves and Bird Sanctuaries in India
- Sariska Tiger Reserve
- Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
- Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
- Periyar Tiger Reserve
- Pench Tiger Reserve
- Valmiki Tiger Reserve
- Panna Tiger Reserve
- Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve
- Anamalai Tiger Reserve
- Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Kanha Tiger Reserve
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
- Amrabad Tiger Reserve
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
- Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve
- Satpura Tiger Reserve
- Melghat Tiger Reserve
- Ranipur Tiger Reserve
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve
- Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
- Amangarh Tiger Reserve
- Tadoba Tiger Reserve
- Bird Sanctuaries in India
Environment UPSC Preparation
The syllabus for current events, science and technology, and geography overlaps significantly. Consequently, you will undoubtedly have a competitive advantage in the other subjects if you successfully complete the environment and ecological portion of the syllabus. Here is the pre-planning method developed by professionals in StudyIQ:
- Read the Syllabus: Look at the course outline for that subject and make an effort to study it so you can map out the contents in your head. You’ll be able to weed out pointless reading material and maintain your preparation’s focus if you do this.
- Look over the Previous Year Questions: PYQs will provide you with a fundamental idea of the difficulty of the questions that are asked, enabling you to choose your resources wisely.
- Read Biology NCERT Class XII: The final four chapters of this book provide a clear explanation of all the fundamental ideas. As a result, reading them would familiarise you with some terms that might appear on the test.
Current events Another crucial area in relation to environmental and ecological issues is current affairs. Take notes from editorials from the Hindu and articles from periodicals like Yojana and Kurukshetra. After that, keep editing them so you remember the ideas.
Environment UPSC Syllabus
Environment is every living and non-living thing that surrounds us as well as interacts with us in our day-to-day life. Environment is the natural component in which biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors interact among themselves and with each other. These interactions shape the habitat and ecosystem of an organism.
In a biological sense, the environment constitutes the physical (nutrients, water, air) and biological factors (biomolecules, organisms) along with their chemical interactions (chemical cycles – carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle etc.) that affect an organism or a group of organisms. All organisms are dependent on the environment to carry out their natural life processes and to meet their physical requirements (food, energy, water, oxygen, shelter etc.).
Chapter | Topics |
Conservation | What is Biodiversity?, Types of Biodiversity – Genetic, Species, Ecosystem, etc., Importance of Biodiversity – Ecosystem Services, BioResources of Economic Importance, Social Benefits, etc., Reasons for Loss of Biodiversity |
Conservation: In-situ & Ex-Situ, Eco-Sensitive Areas, Ecological Hotspots, National Guidelines, Legislations & Other Programmes.
Ozone Layer Depletion and Ozone Hole, Greenhouse Gas Effect & Global Warming, Eutrophication, Desertification, Acid Rain, Hazardous Waste, etc.
Causes/Sources of Pollution & Degradation, Prevention & Control of Pollution & Degradation, National Environment Agencies, Legislations and Policies
FAQs
How can I study Environment?
The major tip is to focus on how to prepare Environment for UPSC including reading NCERT books to have better insights into the topics as the NCERT books are more lucid and comprehensive.
Is Environment easy for UPSC?
It depends on the understanding of the candidates, although it is a static subject with some technical aspects.
Which book one should follow for Environment?
There is no specific book for environment as questions asked are mostly from current affairs although for the static portion you can follow Study IQ Environment Book.
Which website is best for Environment for UPSC?
Study IQ is without a doubt the best site for preparing Environment and other subjects as asked in UPSC.
Can a very weak student crack UPSC?
Yes there are several aspirants who were “average” students and yet cleared the exam proving that you need not be a topper to crack the IAS Exam.
How many questions come from Environment in UPSC?
On an average 15 to 20 questions are asked from Environment in UPSC.
How much time is required to prepare Environment for UPSC?
At maximum 1 to 2 months are required to cover the entire syllabus of Environment.
Is NCERT needed for UPSC Environment?
Yes NCERT strengthened the foundation of Environment as a subject.
Which subjects are included in the UPSC General Studies Paper 3?
The GS Paper 3 includes Economy, Environment, Science and Tech, Disaster Management and Internal Security.
How to start preparing for Indian Environment?
One should first go through the Previous Year Questions for understanding the demand of Environment as a subject in UPSC Exam.
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