23/06/2026
# # Section 1: Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics
**Q1. Which of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?**
* (a) Diatoms \rightarrow Crustaceans \rightarrow Herrings
* (b) Crustaceans \rightarrow Diatoms \rightarrow Herrings
* (c) Diatoms \rightarrow Herrings \rightarrow Crustaceans
* (d) Herrings \rightarrow Diatoms \rightarrow Crustaceans
> **Answer: (a)** *Explanation: Diatoms are primary producers (phytoplankton), crustaceans are primary consumers (zooplankton), and herrings are secondary consumers (fish).*
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**Q2. The term "Ecosystem" was first coined by:**
* (a) Ernst Haeckel
* (b) A.G. Tansley
* (c) E.P. Odum
* (d) Charles Elton
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: A.G. Tansley coined the term in 1935. Ernst Haeckel coined "Ecology".*
>
**Q3. The transition zone between two distinct ecosystems or biomes is known as:**
* (a) Ecotype
* (b) Ecesis
* (c) Ecotone
* (d) Edge effect
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: An ecotone is a zone of junction between two diverse ecosystems, such as a mangrove forest between marine and terrestrial ecosystems.*
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**Q4. The driving force of any ecosystem is:**
* (a) Biomass
* (b) Solar energy
* (c) Producer carbohydrates
* (d) Decomposers
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q5. In a deep-sea ecosystem, the primary producers are mostly:**
* (a) Green algae
* (b) Chemosynthetic bacteria
* (c) Phytoplankton
* (d) Cyanobacteria
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: Due to the absence of sunlight in the deep sea, organisms rely on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis.*
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**Q6. What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next higher trophic level?**
* (a) 1%
* (b) 5%
* (c) 10%
* (d) 20%
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: This is Lindeman's 10% Law of energy transfer.*
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**Q7. Which ecosystem has the highest net primary productivity per unit area?**
* (a) Tropical Rainforests
* (b) Deserts
* (c) Oceans
* (d) Mangroves
> **Answer: (a)**
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**Q8. The final stable community in an ecological succession is called:**
* (a) Seral community
* (b) Pioneer community
* (c) Climax community
* (d) Biotic community
> **Answer: (c)**
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**Q9. Which biogeochemical cycle does not have a gaseous phase in the atmosphere?**
* (a) Carbon cycle
* (b) Nitrogen cycle
* (c) Phosphorus cycle
* (d) Sulphur cycle
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: The phosphorus cycle is primarily a sedimentary cycle.*
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**Q10. Lichens are classic indicators of pollution from which gas?**
* (a) Carbon monoxide
* (b) Nitrous oxide
* (c) Sulphur dioxide
* (d) Ozone
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: Lichens are highly sensitive to SO_2 and fail to grow in heavily polluted urban or industrial areas.*
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# # Section 2: Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation
**Q11. The concept of "Biodiversity Hotspots" was first introduced by:**
* (a) Norman Myers
* (b) Walter G. Rosen
* (c) Raymond Dasmann
* (d) IUCN
> **Answer: (a)** *Explanation: Norman Myers introduced the concept in 1988.*
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**Q12. How many Biodiversity Hotspots are partly or fully located within India?**
* (a) 2
* (b) 3
* (c) 4
* (d) 5
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: The four are the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland (Nicobar islands).*
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**Q13. The "Red Data Book" which contains a list of endangered species is published by:**
* (a) WWF
* (b) UNEP
* (c) IUCN
* (d) CITES
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains this list.*
>
**Q14. Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in which year?**
* (a) 1972
* (b) 1973
* (c) 1980
* (d) 1992
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q15. Which of the following is an example of an *ex-situ* conservation method?**
* (a) National Park
* (b) Biosphere Reserve
* (c) Wildlife Sanctuary
* (d) Seed Bank
> **Answer: (d)** *Explanation: Ex-situ means conservation outside the natural habitat (e.g., seed banks, zoos, botanical gardens).*
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**Q16. Which National Park in India is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros?**
* (a) Gir National Park
* (b) Kaziranga National Park
* (c) Jim Corbett National Park
* (d) Kanha National Park
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q17. In which state/UT is the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve located?**
* (a) Jammu and Kashmir
* (b) Himachal Pradesh
* (c) Ladakh
* (d) Uttarakhand
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is located in Himachal Pradesh (includes Pin Valley National Park).*
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**Q18. The "Keibul Lamjao National Park", the world's only floating national park, is located on which lake?**
* (a) Chilika Lake
* (b) Loktak Lake
* (c) Wular Lake
* (d) Vembanad Lake
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: Located in Manipur, it is famous for the endangered Sangai (brow-antlered deer).*
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**Q19. Which animal is the mascot of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)?**
* (a) Red Panda
* (b) Giant Panda
* (c) Tiger
* (d) Polar Bear
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q20. "Mycorrhiza" is a symbiotic association between:**
* (a) Algae and Fungi
* (b) Fungi and roots of higher plants
* (c) Bacteria and roots of legumes
* (d) Algae and Bryophytes
> **Answer: (b)**
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# # Section 3: Environmental Pollution & Waste Management
**Q21. Minamata disease was caused by eating fish contaminated with:**
* (a) Cadmium
* (b) Mercury
* (c) Lead
* (d) Arsenic
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q22. "Itai-Itai" disease is caused by chronic poisoning of which heavy metal?**
* (a) Lead
* (b) Cadmium
* (c) Mercury
* (d) Chromium
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q23. Which index is used to measure the organic pollution load in a wastewater sample?**
* (a) Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
* (b) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
* (c) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
* (d) pH
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q24. Blue Baby Syndrome (Methaemoglobinaemia) is caused by the contamination of drinking water with excess:**
* (a) Fluoride
* (b) Nitrate
* (c) Arsenic
* (d) Lead
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q25. "Fly ash" is an environmental pollutant produced predominantly by:**
* (a) Oil refineries
* (b) Thermal power plants
* (c) Fertilizer industries
* (d) Stone crushers
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: Fly ash is residue generated from the combustion of coal in thermal plants.*
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**Q26. Which of the following is the main contributor to "Acid Rain"?**
* (a) CO and CO_2
* (b) SO_2 and NO_x
* (c) O_3 and Dust
* (d) CFCs
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q27. The permissible noise limit for a residential area during the daytime in India is:**
* (a) 50 dB
* (b) 55 dB
* (c) 65 dB
* (d) 75 dB
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q28. The gas responsible for the infamous Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984 was:**
* (a) Potassium Isocyanate
* (b) Methyl Isocyanate
* (c) Methyl Alcohol
* (d) Ethyl Cyanide
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q29. What type of radiation is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to cause global warming?**
* (a) Ultraviolet radiation
* (b) Infrared radiation
* (c) Cosmic rays
* (d) X-rays
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: Greenhouse gases allow shortwave solar radiation to pass but trap outgoing longwave infrared radiation.*
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**Q30. "Bioremediation" refers to:**
* (a) Eradication of pests using chemical agents
* (b) Use of microorganisms to degrade or detoxify pollutants
* (c) Genetic modification of crop plants
* (d) Medical treatment using natural herbs
> **Answer: (b)**
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# # Section 4: Climate Change and Global Conventions
**Q31. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted during which historic summit?**
* (a) Stockholm Conference 1972
* (b) Rio Earth Summit 1992
* (c) Johannesburg Summit 2002
* (d) Kyoto Protocol 1997
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q32. The concept of "Carbon Credit" originated from which international agreement?**
* (a) Kyoto Protocol
* (b) Paris Agreement
* (c) Montreal Protocol
* (d) Cartagena Protocol
> **Answer: (a)**
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**Q33. The "Kigali Amendment" is an amendment to which international environmental treaty?**
* (a) Basel Convention
* (b) Montreal Protocol
* (c) CITES
* (d) Ramsar Convention
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: The Kigali Amendment (2016) aims to phase down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).*
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**Q34. The "Copernicus" program, frequently mentioned in climate change news, is the Earth observation program managed by:**
* (a) NASA
* (b) ISRO
* (c) European Union
* (d) JAXA
> **Answer: (c)**
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**Q35. The term "Conference of Parties" (COP) serves as the supreme decision-making body of which convention?**
* (a) UNFCCC
* (b) C*D
* (c) UNCCD
* (d) All of the above
> **Answer: (d)** *Explanation: COP is the governing body for all major UN environmental conventions.*
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**Q36. "Agenda 21", adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit, is a blueprint action plan for:**
* (a) Eliminating nuclear weapons
* (b) Achieving Sustainable Development
* (c) Preventing ozone depletion
* (d) Protecting migratory birds
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q37. The global initiative "Bonn Challenge" is closely related to:**
* (a) Reducing plastic pollution in oceans
* (b) Phasing out coal-fired power plants
* (c) Restoring degraded and deforested lands
* (d) Protecting coral reefs from bleaching
> **Answer: (c)**
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**Q38. Which index is jointly published by Germanwatch to track the climate protection performance of countries?**
* (a) Environmental Performance Index (EPI)
* (b) Global Green Economy Index (GGEI)
* (c) Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)
* (d) Sustainable Development Report
> **Answer: (c)**
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**Q39. What is the main objective of the "Basel Convention"?**
* (a) Protection of the Ozone layer
* (b) Control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes
* (c) Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
* (d) Wetland conservation
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q40. The "Stockholm Convention" is dedicated to eliminating or restricting the production and use of:**
* (a) Heavy metals
* (b) Greenhouse gases
* (c) Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
* (d) Radioactive waste
> **Answer: (c)**
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# # Section 5: Indian Environmental Legislation & Acts
**Q41. Under which article of the Constitution of India is it a fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment?**
* (a) Article 48A
* (b) Article 51A(g)
* (c) Article 21
* (d) Article 39A
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: Article 48A is a Directive Principle (DPSP), while 51A(g) is a Fundamental Duty.*
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**Q42. The Environment (Protection) Act of India was enacted in 1986 as a direct legislative response to which catastrophic event?**
* (a) Chernobyl Disaster
* (b) Bhopal Gas Tragedy
* (c) Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
* (d) Stockholms Environment Conference
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q43. Which of the following Acts was passed first by the Indian Parliament?**
* (a) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
* (b) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
* (c) The Wildlife (Protection) Act
* (d) The Forest (Conservation) Act
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: Timeline: Wildlife Protection (1972), Water Act (1974), Forest Conservation (1980), Air Act (1981).*
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**Q44. The Biological Diversity Act in India was enacted to fulfill obligations under which international convention?**
* (a) Ramsar Convention
* (b) Convention on Biological Diversity (C*D)
* (c) CITES
* (d) Vienna Convention
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: Enacted in 2002.*
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**Q45. The statutory body "Central Pollution Control Board" (CPCB) was established under the provisions of which Act?**
* (a) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
* (b) Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
* (c) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
* (d) National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
> **Answer: (b)**
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# # Section 6: Focus on Jammu & Kashmir Environment & Geography
**Q46. Which mountain range separates the Jammu region from the Kashmir Valley?**
* (a) Zanskar Range
* (b) Pir Panjal Range
* (c) Karakoram Range
* (d) Dhauladhar Range
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q47. The highly fertile lacquer-like lacustrine deposits found in the Kashmir Valley, which are world-famous for Saffron cultivation, are known locally as:**
* (a) Khadar
* (b) Karewas
* (c) Bangar
* (d) Bhabhar
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q48. Which bird is officially designated as the Union Territory Bird of Jammu and Kashmir?**
* (a) Black-necked Crane
* (b) Kalij Pheasant
* (c) Western Tragopan
* (d) House Sparrow
> **Answer: (b)** *Explanation: Following the bifurcation of J&K and Ladakh, Ladakh kept the Black-necked Crane, and J&K designated the Kalij Pheasant (*Lophura leucomelanos*) as its UT bird.*
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**Q49. "Hemis National Park", famously known for harboring a high density of the elusive Snow Leopard, is now located in which administrative territory?**
* (a) Jammu Division
* (b) Kashmir Division
* (c) Union Territory of Ladakh
* (d) Himachal Pradesh
> **Answer: (c)** *Explanation: Following the J&K Reorganisation Act, Hemis falls under the UT of Ladakh.*
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**Q50. The "Surinsar-Mansar Lakes", a combined Ramsar wetland site, is located in which district/region of Jammu and Kashmir?**
* (a) Srinagar
* (b) Jammu
* (c) Baramulla
* (d) Leh
> **Answer: (b)**
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**Q51. Which river, originating from the Verinag Spring in Kashmir, flows through Wular Lake before cutting across into Pakistan?
* (a) Chenab
* (b) Jhelum
* (c) Indus
* (d) Ravi
> **Answer: (b)
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**Q52. "Shallbugh Wetland", added to India's list of Ramsar sites, is located in which district of J&K?**
* (a) Ganderbal
* (b) Kathua
* (c) Samba
* (d) Poonch
> **Answer: (a)**
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**Q53. The dominant forest type found in the temperate high-altitude regions of Jammu and Kashmir (consisting of Deodar, Blue Pine, and Silver Fir) is:**
* (a) Tropical Moist Deciduous
* (b) Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest
* (c) Tropical Dry Evergreen
* (d) Alpine Scrub
> **Answer: (b)**
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