(As per NTA UGC NET Paper 1 – Latest 2024–25 Pattern)
Each question is concept-based, factual, and analytical — exactly as asked in the actual exam.
🌿 Section A: Basics of Environment and Ecology (Q.1–10)
Q1. The term “Ecology” was first coined by:
A) Charles Darwin
B) Ernst Haeckel
C) E. P. Odum
D) Linnaeus
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Ernst Haeckel coined ecology in 1869, meaning “study of organisms and their environment.”
Q2. The branch of science dealing with relationships of organisms to their environment is:
A) Biology
B) Ecology
C) Anthropology
D) Geology
✅ Answer: B
Q3. Which of the following correctly represents the order of ecological hierarchy?
A) Species → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere
B) Ecosystem → Community → Species → Biosphere
C) Population → Ecosystem → Community → Biosphere
D) Community → Species → Population → Ecosystem
✅ Answer: A
Q4. The biotic components of an ecosystem include:
A) Water, air, soil
B) Producers, consumers, decomposers
C) Sunlight, nutrients, temperature
D) None of these
✅ Answer: B
Q5. The “10% energy law” in ecology was proposed by:
A) Charles Elton
B) Lindeman
C) Tansley
D) Odum
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Lindeman proposed that only 10% of energy transfers to the next trophic level.
Q6. An example of abiotic component of an ecosystem is:
A) Fungi
B) Air
C) Fish
D) Algae
✅ Answer: B
Q7. The interrelated network of food chains is called:
A) Food cycle
B) Food pyramid
C) Food web
D) Ecological niche
✅ Answer: C
Q8. Decomposers are vital because they:
A) Capture solar energy
B) Fix nitrogen
C) Recycle nutrients
D) Provide shelter
✅ Answer: C
Q9. The term biome refers to:
A) Natural species variation
B) A large ecosystem characterized by climate and vegetation
C) Single organism’s habitat
D) Oceanic region only
✅ Answer: B
Q10. The main energy source for Earth’s ecosystem is:
A) Wind
B) Sunlight
C) Water
D) Biomass
✅ Answer: B
🏞️ Section B: Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (Q.11–20)
Q11. Non-renewable resources are those which:
A) Can be regenerated quickly
B) Are available in unlimited quantity
C) Cannot be replaced after use
D) Are found only underwater
✅ Answer: C
Q12. Which of the following is not a renewable resource?
A) Solar energy
B) Wind energy
C) Petroleum
D) Biomass
✅ Answer: C
Q13. The Brundtland Report (1987) is titled:
A) Our Common Planet
B) Our Common Future
C) Future of Development
D) Sustainable Earth
✅ Answer: B
Q14. The Brundtland Report introduced which key concept?
A) Resource efficiency
B) Sustainable development
C) Global warming
D) Green GDP
✅ Answer: B
Q15. Agenda 21 was adopted in:
A) Kyoto Conference
B) Rio Earth Summit (1992)
C) Paris Agreement (2015)
D) Stockholm Conference (1972)
✅ Answer: B
Q16. Which of the following is a renewable energy source?
A) Coal
B) Natural Gas
C) Geothermal Energy
D) Petroleum
✅ Answer: C
Q17. The “Carrying Capacity” of the environment refers to:
A) The total resources available
B) The maximum population the environment can support
C) Population density
D) Productivity of land
✅ Answer: B
Q18. The indicator combining life expectancy, literacy, and income is:
A) GNP
B) HDI
C) ESI
D) GDP
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Human Development Index = life expectancy + education + income.
Q19. Green GDP measures:
A) GDP adjusted for environmental degradation
B) Total agricultural output
C) GDP from renewable sources
D) GDP at constant prices
✅ Answer: A
Q20. Ecological Footprint measures:
A) Human dependence on fossil fuels
B) The impact of human demand on Earth’s ecosystems
C) Pollution caused by industries
D) Agricultural land area only
✅ Answer: B
☁️ Section C: Pollution and Climate Change (Q.21–30)
Q21. Which gas is the major contributor to the greenhouse effect?
A) Oxygen
B) Carbon Dioxide
C) Ozone
D) Argon
✅ Answer: B
Q22. Ozone layer is found in:
A) Troposphere
B) Stratosphere
C) Mesosphere
D) Ionosphere
✅ Answer: B
Q23. The chief cause of ozone depletion is:
A) CFCs
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Methane
D) Sulphur dioxide
✅ Answer: A
Q24. Acid rain mainly results from emissions of:
A) CO₂ and O₃
B) SO₂ and NOₓ
C) CFCs and H₂S
D) CO and HCl
✅ Answer: B
Q25. Eutrophication is caused by excessive:
A) Oxygen
B) Nutrient discharge into water bodies
C) Sedimentation
D) Water temperature rise
✅ Answer: B
Q26. “Silent Spring,” the famous book on pesticides and ecology, was written by:
A) Rachel Carson
B) E. P. Odum
C) Charles Darwin
D) M.S. Swaminathan
✅ Answer: A
Q27. The Montreal Protocol deals with:
A) Global warming
B) Ozone layer protection
C) Biodiversity conservation
D) Desertification
✅ Answer: B
Q28. The Kyoto Protocol (1997) was aimed at:
A) Reducing GHG emissions
B) Ending deforestation
C) Stopping industrialization
D) Managing biodiversity
✅ Answer: A
Q29. Carbon Credit means:
A) Tax for pollution
B) Tradeable certificate for CO₂ reduction
C) Subsidy for green technology
D) None of these
✅ Answer: B
Q30. The Paris Agreement (2015) aimed to limit global temperature rise to:
A) Below 1°C
B) Below 2°C
C) Below 3°C
D) Below 4°C
✅ Answer: B
🌾 Section D: Biodiversity and Conservation (Q.31–40)
Q31. India’s Biodiversity Hotspots include:
A) Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, Himalayas, Sundarbans
B) Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, Sundaland
✅ Answer: B
Q32. Ex-situ conservation means:
A) Conservation within natural habitat
B) Conservation outside natural habitat
C) In-field protection
D) In-site reforestation
✅ Answer: B
Q33. Which of the following is not an in-situ conservation area?
A) National Park
B) Wildlife Sanctuary
C) Botanical Garden
D) Biosphere Reserve
✅ Answer: C
Q34. “Project Tiger” was launched in:
A) 1970
B) 1973
C) 1980
D) 1986
✅ Answer: B
Q35. The number of Biosphere Reserves in India (as of 2024) is approximately:
A) 10
B) 18
C) 20
D) 25
✅ Answer: B
Q36. Chipko Movement was associated with:
A) River pollution
B) Forest conservation
C) Wildlife poaching
D) Air quality
✅ Answer: B
Q37. The Narmada Bachao Andolan was against:
A) Chemical pollution
B) Construction of big dams
C) Urban waste
D) Mining
✅ Answer: B
Q38. The Silent Valley Movement took place in:
A) Assam
B) Kerala
C) Gujarat
D) Rajasthan
✅ Answer: B
Q39. In which Indian state did the Appiko Movement start?
A) Karnataka
B) Uttarakhand
C) Odisha
D) Sikkim
✅ Answer: A
Q40. The term “Biodiversity” was first used by:
A) Walter Rosen
B) E. O. Wilson
C) Charles Darwin
D) Paul Ehrlich
✅ Answer: A
⚙️ Section E: Policies, Acts, and Global Initiatives (Q.41–50)
Q41. The first global conference on the human environment was held in:
A) Paris, 2015
B) Stockholm, 1972
C) Rio, 1992
D) New York, 1987
✅ Answer: B
Q42. The Environment Protection Act (India) came into force in:
A) 1974
B) 1981
C) 1986
D) 1991
✅ Answer: C
Q43. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed in:
A) 1974
B) 1981
C) 1986
D) 1995
✅ Answer: A
Q44. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in:
A) 1972
B) 1981
C) 1992
D) 2001
✅ Answer: B
Q45. The Wildlife Protection Act was introduced in:
A) 1970
B) 1972
C) 1975
D) 1980
✅ Answer: B
Q46. National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in:
A) 2005
B) 2008
C) 2010
D) 2015
✅ Answer: C
Q47. The “Forest Conservation Act” (India) was passed in:
A) 1980
B) 1986
C) 1992
D) 2000
✅ Answer: A
Q48. India’s nodal agency for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is:
A) NITI Aayog
B) MoEFCC
C) Planning Commission
D) UGC
✅ Answer: A
Q49. The number of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is:
A) 8
B) 15
C) 17
D) 20
✅ Answer: C
Q50. “Earth Summit” refers to which major conference?
A) Kyoto Protocol
B) Rio de Janeiro, 1992
C) Stockholm, 1972
D) Paris, 2015
✅ Answer: B