Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which institute studied deodar tree rings at Batseri, Kinnaur, to reconstruct past climate and geohazards, as announced on 10 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
PIB 2201314: the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of DST, carried out the study.
According to the BSIP deodar study from Batseri, after which year did spring conditions become progressively drier following the Little Ice Age?
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Correct answer: C — 1757 CE
PIB 2201314: the trees revealed a shift from wetter spring conditions during the Little Ice Age to progressively drier conditions since after 1757 CE.
Where was Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN launched at the State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 on 8 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Kohima, Nagaland
PIB 2200246: the State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 and Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN were launched at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.
Under watershed development projects, what share of funding do North Eastern States such as Nagaland receive as central assistance, as stated on 8 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 90%
PIB 2200246: unlike the 60:40 Centre–State ratio elsewhere, North Eastern States including Nagaland receive 90% central assistance.
As per MNRE's statement of 7 December 2025, what was India's installed non-fossil power capacity as of 31 October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — About 259 GW
PIB 2199964: installed capacity from non-fossil sources stood at about 259 GW as of 31 October 2025.
India achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources ahead of the target under which framework, as stated by MNRE in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement
PIB 2199964: India achieved 50% non-fossil installed capacity five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.
With which institutions did MNRE share data on domestic solar PV manufacturing capacity, as clarified on 7 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — DFS, PFC, REC and IREDA
PIB 2199964: MNRE circulated the status of domestic solar PV manufacturing capacities to the Department of Financial Services and NBFCs PFC, REC and IREDA.
Who was the Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal under whose leadership the Regional Conference on Environment 2025 was held in Chennai in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Justice Prakash Shrivastava
PIB 2200096: the conference was conducted under the leadership of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, NGT. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana is NGT Judicial Member (Southern Zone) and Justice Suraj Govindaraj is a Karnataka High Court judge.
Which bench of the National Green Tribunal organised the Regional Conference on Environment 2025 that concluded on 7 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Southern Zone Bench, Chennai
PIB 2200096: the conference was organised by the NGT Southern Zone Bench, Chennai, with the Southern State Pollution Control Boards and Committees.
The nightclub fire of 6 December 2025 that killed 25 people took place in which village of North Goa?
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Correct answer: A — Arpora
The Hindu and The New Indian Express (7 December 2025): the fire broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa.
What ex gratia from the PMNRF did the Prime Minister announce for the next of kin of each person killed in the Arpora, Goa fire?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2 lakh
PIB 2199936: an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Consider the following statements about the official response to the Arpora, Goa nightclub fire of 6 December 2025: 1. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry. 2. Three officials, including the then Director of Panchayats, were suspended. 3. The Goa government paid ₹5 lakh to the family of each person killed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
The Hindu and The New Indian Express: CM Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry and three officials were suspended. The Hindu and The Goan: the State paid ₹5 lakh per deceased.
International Cheetah Day is observed on which date?
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Correct answer: C — 4 December
PIB 2198561 (4 December 2025): the Prime Minister greeted wildlife lovers on International Cheetah Day, 'today'.
According to the PM's International Cheetah Day 2025 message, Project Cheetah was launched how many years earlier?
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Correct answer: A — Three years
PIB 2198561: 'Three years ago, our Government launched Project Cheetah…'
India's first all-electric green tug, whose steel-cutting was flagged off on 3 December 2025, is designed for which port authority?
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Correct answer: D — Deendayal Port Authority
PIB 2198444: the tug is designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla.
Under which programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is India's first all-electric green tug being developed?
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Correct answer: A — Green Tug Transition Programme
PIB 2198444: the tug is being developed under the Ministry's Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).
Who launched the R&D Roadmap to Enable India's Net Zero Targets through CCUS on 2 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood
PIB 2198607: the roadmap prepared by DST was launched by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Which department prepared India's first R&D Roadmap on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) launched in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Science and Technology
PIB 2198607: the CCUS roadmap was prepared by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
What is the size of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme that DST cited for implementing the CCUS roadmap?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1 lakh crore
PIB 2198607: DST is prepared to lead implementation with initiatives like the ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme.
Under which operation did the Indian Navy extend humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Operation Sagar Bandhu
PIB 2197802: the Indian Navy undertook HADR operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
Why were INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri already in Colombo when Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka?
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Correct answer: D — For the Sri Lanka Navy's 75th Anniversary International Fleet Review
PIB 2197802: the ships were present in Colombo as part of the 75th Anniversary International Fleet Review (IFR-2025) of the Sri Lanka Navy.
According to MNRE (December 2025), what was India's installed non-fossil power capacity as of 31 October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — About 259 GW
PIB 2197760: as of 31 October 2025, installed capacity from non-fossil sources stands at about 259 GW.
India achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources how far ahead of its NDC target, as per MNRE?
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Correct answer: C — Five years
PIB 2197760: India achieved 50% non-fossil installed capacity five years ahead of the target under its NDCs.
National Pollution Control Day, observed on 2 December, commemorates which event?
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Correct answer: B — Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Mizoram DIPR (2 Dec 2025): the day is observed every year on 2 December in memory of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 2–3 December 1984.
Which body held online poster competitions on themes such as 'Stop Pollution, Save Earth' for National Pollution Control Day 2025, as reported by the Mizoram DIPR?
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Correct answer: B — Mizoram Pollution Control Board
Mizoram DIPR: the Environment Education Programme under the Mizoram Pollution Control Board organised the online competitions.
How many paddy stubble-burning incidents did Punjab record in the 2025 harvesting season?
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Correct answer: C — 5,114
PIB 2197201: Punjab recorded 5,114 incidents in 2025, a 53% reduction over 2024; Haryana logged 662.
Paddy stubble-burning events in Punjab and Haryana are officially monitored every year during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 15 September to 30 November
PIB 2197201: recording and monitoring is carried out annually from 15 September to 30 November as per the standard protocol developed by ISRO.
In preparation for Cyclone Ditwah (November 2025), the Department of Telecommunications ensured testing of which two facilities across networks as per SOP-2020?
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Correct answer: D — Intra Circle Roaming and Cell Broadcast
As per SOP-2020, DoT completed Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) and Cell Broadcast (CB) testing across all networks.
Cyclone Ditwah (late November 2025) formed over which water body?
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Correct answer: B — Bay of Bengal
DoT's release describes Cyclone Ditwah over the Bay of Bengal, likely to impact coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
As announced in November 2025, new weather radars in Uttarakhand will come up at which places?
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Correct answer: C — Haridwar, Pantnagar and Auli
Radars exist at Surkanda Devi, Mukteshwar and Lansdowne; three more will be commissioned at Haridwar, Pantnagar and Auli.
The 'World Summit on Disaster Management' addressed by Dr Jitendra Singh on 30 November 2025 was held in:
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Correct answer: D — Dehradun
Dr Jitendra Singh addressed the World Summit on Disaster Management at Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
A block-level climate vulnerability assessment released in November 2025 found how many of Meghalaya's 39 C&RD blocks in high or very high vulnerability categories?
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Correct answer: C — 25
The study found 25 out of 39 C&RD blocks of Meghalaya in high or very high climate vulnerability.
The Meghalaya block-level climate vulnerability assessment (2025) was carried out under which mission of the National Action Plan on Climate Change?
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Correct answer: A — National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
The Meghalaya Climate Change Centre conducted the study under NMSHE, part of NAPCC.
Under DST's Climate Change Programme, State Climate Change Cells have been set up in how many States/UTs (as of November 2025)?
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Correct answer: C — 30
DST has established State Climate Change Cells in 30 States/UTs.
India's humanitarian relief operation for Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah (November 2025) was named:
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Correct answer: A — Operation Sagar Bandhu
India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on 28 November 2025 to assist Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the first tranche of relief was handed over in Colombo from which Indian naval ships?
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Correct answer: B — INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri
The first relief supplies were handed over from INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri, which were in Sri Lanka.
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 27 November 2025
The High Commission of India said Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on 27 November 2025.
In November 2025 the National Biodiversity Authority released ₹5.34 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing framework to BMCs in which state?
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Correct answer: B — Maharashtra
The amount went to about 85 BMCs in Wada tehsil (Palghar) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation area of Maharashtra.
The NBA's ₹5.34 crore benefit-sharing release (November 2025) followed a case in which a company used which bio-resource to make probiotic products?
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Correct answer: C — Soil bacteria of the genus Bacillus
A company accessed soil micro-organisms — bacteria of the Bacillus genus — to develop probiotic products.
IMD's new Doppler Weather Radars inaugurated on 27 November 2025 are located at:
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Correct answer: A — Raipur and Mangaluru
The two new C-band Doppler Weather Radars are at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Mangaluru (Karnataka).
As per the Earth Sciences Ministry (November 2025), IMD's Doppler Weather Radar network is to increase from 47 to how many by 2027?
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Correct answer: C — 126
Dr Jitendra Singh said IMD is nearing triple radar capacity, from 47 to 126, by 2027.
The Raipur Doppler Weather Radar, the first such radar in Chhattisgarh, has been installed at which institution?
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Correct answer: D — Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya
The dual-polarised C-band DWR has been installed at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, with 250-km radial coverage.
On 26 November 2025, which body revoked GRAP Stage-III restrictions across the NCR?
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Correct answer: B — Commission for Air Quality Management
The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP revoked all Stage-III actions in the NCR with immediate effect.
Since which date had GRAP Stage-III been in force in the NCR before it was revoked on 26 November 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 11 November 2025
Stage-III curbs had been in place since 11 November 2025, when Delhi's AQI breached the 400 mark.
Where did Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurate a 240 TPD biomass pellet plant on 24 November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Rewari, Haryana
The 240 tonnes-per-day biomass pellet plant was inaugurated in Rewari, Haryana.
Under the policy cited by MNRE in November 2025, coal-based thermal power plants must co-fire what share of biomass or MSW charcoal?
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Correct answer: B — 5%
Thermal power stations are required to co-fire 5% biomass or torrefied MSW charcoal.
The UNFCCC COP30, which concluded in November 2025, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Belém
India delivered its closing statement at the COP30 Closing Plenary in Belém, Brazil, on 22 November 2025.
In its COP30 closing statement, India described the establishment of which mechanism as a 'significant milestone'?
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Correct answer: D — Just Transition Mechanism
India expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the Just Transition Mechanism, calling it a significant milestone.
At COP30, India thanked the Presidency for beginning a long-overdue focus on which Article, linked to developed countries' climate finance obligations?
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Correct answer: C — Article 9.1
India's statement appreciated the Presidency's efforts in beginning the journey towards a long-overdue focus on Article 9.1, in the context of climate finance from developed countries.
The 10th Session of APDIM, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in November 2025, focused on which theme?
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Correct answer: A — Inclusive Disaster Risk Data Governance
The 10th Session of APDIM was on Inclusive Disaster Risk Data Governance.
The first Regional Conference on Enhancing Water Use Efficiency in the Irrigation Sector, organised by BWUE in November 2025, was held in:
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Correct answer: B — Jaipur
The conference was held at CCS NIAM, Jaipur, on 22 November 2025, the first of four planned regional conferences.
Under GRAP, Stage II ('Very Poor' air quality) applies when Delhi's AQI is in which range?
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Correct answer: B — 301–400
Stage II ('Very Poor') covers Delhi AQI 301–400, as listed in the revised GRAP of 21 November 2025.
In the GRAP revision of 21 November 2025, the decision on allowing offices to work at 50% strength with the rest working from home was moved to which stage?
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Correct answer: C — Stage III
This measure was moved from Stage IV to Stage III ('Severe', Delhi AQI 401–450).
Which body revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the NCR on 21 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas
The CAQM revised GRAP for the entire NCR on 21 November 2025.
With the NBA's November 2025 release for Red Sanders conservation, India's Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) disbursements crossed:
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Correct answer: C — ₹110 crore
With the release of ₹39.84 crore to Andhra Pradesh, ABS disbursements crossed ₹110 crore.
Red Sanders grows naturally only in selected pockets of which mountain range?
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Correct answer: A — Eastern Ghats
Red Sanders grows naturally only in parts of the Eastern Ghats, particularly in Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Prakasam and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh.
How many cubs did Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah, give birth to, as announced in November 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Five
Mukhi gave birth to five cubs.
Consider the following statements about the cheetah Mukhi: 1. Mukhi is the first Indian-born female cheetah and was 33 months old when she gave birth. 2. Mukhi was among the cheetahs translocated to India from Namibia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Mukhi was born in India — she is the first Indian-born female cheetah.
Which web-based platform was used for the water budgeting exercise in NITI Aayog's November 2025 report on aspirational blocks?
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Correct answer: C — Varuni
The exercise used the web-based water budgeting platform 'Varuni'.
NITI Aayog's report on 'Water Budgeting in Aspirational Blocks' assessed:
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Correct answer: A — 18 blocks across 11 states
The report assessed 18 aspirational blocks across 11 states, spread over 8 agro-climatic zones.
In November 2025, CAQM asked Delhi and NCR state governments to postpone physical sports competitions scheduled in which months?
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Correct answer: B — November and December
CAQM asked that physical sports competitions scheduled in November and December be postponed in view of air quality.
Which state was ranked first among states in the 6th National Water Awards conferred in November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Maharashtra
Maharashtra ranked first, Gujarat second and Haryana third.
According to President Murmu, roughly how many groundwater recharge structures have been built under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari since its launch last year?
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Correct answer: C — 35 lakh
More than 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures have been completed under JSJB.
Consider the following statements about the 6th National Water Awards: 1. Gujarat was ranked second in the best-state category. 2. The awards were conferred at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the President conferred the awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
In India's National Statement at COP30, Bhupender Yadav called for COP30 to be remembered as a:
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Correct answer: D — COP of Implementation
India called for COP30 to be a 'COP of Implementation' and a 'COP of Delivery on Promises'.
According to India's COP30 National Statement, by how much has India's emission intensity declined since 2005?
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Correct answer: B — Over 36%
India's emission intensity has declined by over 36% since 2005.
Consider the following statements made in India's National Statement at COP30: 1. Non-fossil sources account for more than half of India's installed power capacity, a target achieved five years ahead of 2030. 2. India will declare its revised NDCs up to 2035 and its first Biennial Transparency Report on time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per India's National Statement delivered on 17 November 2025.