Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — Last 3 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which shipbuilder designed and built the Ocean Research Vessel 'Sagar Manthan', launched on 9 September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
GRSE built ORV Sagar Manthan for NCPOR; it was launched at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata.
ORV Sagar Manthan was built for which institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
The vessel was built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).
Consider the following about ORV Sagar Manthan: 1. It was built under the Deep Ocean Mission at a cost of about ₹840 crore. 2. It has a projected service life of 30 years and can operate in the Southern Ocean. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. It was built under Vertical-4 of the Deep Ocean Mission for about ₹840 crore and is designed for extreme environments including the Southern Ocean, with a 30-year life.
On 8 September 2026, CAQM reviewed which State's pollution control board over non-compliance on C&D site video monitoring?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Haryana
CAQM held the review with the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).
Under CAQM's statutory directions, construction and demolition projects above what plot area must register on the State portal and install video monitoring?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 500 sq m
The directions cover all C&D projects with a plot area of 500 sq m or more.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): 1. It is a statutory body under an Act of Parliament that received presidential assent in August 2021. 2. The Act dissolved the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the NCR. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The CAQM Act, 2021 received assent on 12 August 2021 and dissolved EPCA, set up in 1998.
The 7th India–Japan Joint Working Group on Forests, held in Bengaluru on 8 September 2026, endorsed a roadmap for which period?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2027–2031
Both sides endorsed the Roadmap for 2027–2031 under the 2015 Memorandum of Cooperation.
PACT, launched at the 5th e-FAST India Summit on 7 September 2026, stands for what?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport
PACT is the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport, launched by NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba.
e-FAST India, under which PACT was launched to support zero-emission trucks, is an initiative of which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — NITI Aayog
PIB describes e-FAST India as an initiative of NITI Aayog.
The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed on which date?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 7 September
The day is observed every year on 7 September; the UN General Assembly designated it in 2019.
What is 'PRANA' in the context of India's air quality management?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — A portal for monitoring implementation of the National Clean Air Programme
PRANA, the Portal for Regulation of Air-Pollution in Non-Attainment cities, tracks the physical and financial progress of NCAP city action plans. SAMEER is the AQI app.
Consider the following statements about the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): 1. It was launched in 2019 and covers 130 cities. 2. Cities receive NCAP funds as performance-linked grants based on air quality. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: NCAP was launched in 2019 in 130 cities, and ₹16,423.55 crore was given as air-quality performance-linked grants from 2019-20 to 2025-26.
Which body organised the 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils at Chandigarh in September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — National Biodiversity Authority
The meet was organised by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
Where is the headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority, as provided under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Chennai
The Act provides that the head office of the NBA shall be at Chennai.
Consider the following statements about the institutional structure under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: 1. Biodiversity Management Committees function at the local body level. 2. State Biodiversity Boards are set up by the Central Government. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. BMCs work at the local level; SBBs are established by the respective State Governments under Section 22 of the Act.
International Vulture Awareness Day 2026 was celebrated on 6 September 2026 at which place?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Panchkula, Haryana
The national celebration was held at Panchkula, Haryana, led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
The Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre at Pinjore is a collaborative initiative of the Haryana Forest Department and which organisation?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bombay Natural History Society
JCBC Pinjore is a collaborative initiative of the Haryana Forest Department and BNHS.
What was the theme of the national workshop held on International Vulture Awareness Day 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — From Crisis to Recovery – Conserving India's Vultures
The workshop theme was 'From Crisis to Recovery – Conserving India's Vultures'.
The National Biodiversity Authority's cumulative Access and Benefit-Sharing disbursements crossed which mark in September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹200 crore
The NBA said cumulative ABS disbursements have exceeded ₹200 crore.
The ₹8.23 crore ABS tranche sanctioned by the NBA in September 2026 arose from the use of which crop group?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion
The proceeds came from seed companies' access to bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion.
Since the biological resources could not be traced to specific farmers or communities, on what basis did the NBA distribute the September 2026 ABS proceeds among States and UTs?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Area under cultivation of the crops in each State/UT
As recommended by an Expert Committee, the share was distributed according to area under cultivation published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's September 2026 ABS tranche: 1. It was sanctioned to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. 2. Maharashtra is the largest cumulative recipient across the four crops. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Madhya Pradesh is the largest recipient, followed by Maharashtra.
In CAQM's special industrial inspection drive in Nuh on 3 September 2026, how many of the 35 units inspected were found non-compliant?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 17
17 units were non-compliant, 11 were compliant and 7 were closed or non-operational.
Which pollution control devices were found defective or poorly maintained at several units during CAQM's Nuh inspection drive?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Wet scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators
Defective wet scrubbers and non-functional or poorly maintained electrostatic precipitators were observed, along with inadequate stack heights.
Which of the following was NOT among the Himalayan States/UTs whose GLOF and avalanche preparedness was reviewed by the Union Home Secretary on 3 September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Meghalaya
The States/UT were Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
In disaster management, what does the abbreviation GLOF stand for?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
GLOF stands for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, the hazard reviewed by the MHA along with snow avalanches.
Which three major ports presented progress on Green Fuel Bunkering Hubs during Sarbananda Sonowal's review at TERI on 3 September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Deendayal, Paradip and V.O. Chidambaranar
Deendayal, Paradip and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authorities presented progress on Green Fuel Bunkering Hubs; Kamarajar Port reported separately.
Where is the National Centre of Excellence for Green Ports and Shipping (NCoEGPS) that briefed Sarbananda Sonowal in September 2026 based?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — TERI Gwal Pahari campus, Gurugram
Sonowal was briefed by NCoEGPS during his visit to TERI's Gwal Pahari campus in Gurugram.
Which project won first prize in the 'Plantation in Land Parcels' category of NHAI's Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Jamtha Clover Leaf Oxygen Bird Park, NH-44 (Nagpur)
The Jamtha Clover Leaf Oxygen Bird Park on NH-44 under RO Nagpur won first prize in the land parcels category.
Which ministry organised the National Departmental Summit on Water whose valedictory session PM Modi chaired on 2 September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Ministry of Jal Shakti
The two-day summit was organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Consider the following statements about the National Departmental Summit on Water (September 2026): 1. It was the first in a series of Departmental Summits envisioned by the Prime Minister to deepen cooperative federalism. 2. It was a three-day summit held in Gandhinagar. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: it was a two-day summit, and the release does not place it in Gandhinagar.
At the international workshop on tiger landscapes in New Delhi (September 2026), the International Big Cat Alliance signed an MoU with which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Asian Development Bank
IBCA and ADB signed an MoU on landscape conservation, capacity building and nature-positive financing.
The September 2026 international workshop on tiger landscapes highlighted which three pillars for livelihood and income generation?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Conservation, bioeconomy and ecotourism
The theme was 'Tiger Landscapes: Conservation, Bioeconomy and Ecotourism as Pillars for Livelihood and Income Generation'.
At the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum in September 2026, India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on what?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Conservation and wise use of Wetlands of International Importance
The ministers signed a JDI on Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands of International Importance.
What was the theme of the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum held in New Delhi in 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Together For More Resilience
The forum's theme was 'Together For More Resilience'.
How many blocks are offered in the 8th tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions, promoted at the Raipur roadshow in August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 20
The 8th tranche has 20 blocks — 17 composite licences and 3 mining leases — across nine States.
How many of the 8th-tranche critical mineral blocks are located in Chhattisgarh?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Five
Five mineral blocks from Chhattisgarh are included in the 8th tranche.
The largest component of the ₹5.68 crore Access and Benefit-Sharing funds disbursed by the NBA in August 2026 related to which crop?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Okra
Okra (139 varieties, 28 hybrids) accounted for ₹3.51 crore released to 32 SBBs/UTBCs.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's August 2026 ABS disbursement: 1. The ABS amount for okra was received from Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt. Ltd. 2. The funds were channelled to State Biodiversity Boards, UT Biodiversity Councils and a national research institution. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the okra ABS amount came from Nunhems India Pvt. Ltd. Statement 2 is correct.
At what level has the compressed biogas (CBG) procurement price been fixed under the GOBARdhan Scheme, as explained in August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹2,110 per MMBtu
The CBG price is ₹2,110 per MMBtu; after ₹215 per MMBtu government support, about ₹1,895 is recovered from consumers.
What affordability support will the government provide on compressed biogas under the revised GOBARdhan pricing?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹10 per kg
The government will provide ₹10 per kg of CBG, about ₹215 per MMBtu.
Where and when will the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo (BRESE) 2026 be held?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 2–5 November 2026
BRESE 2026 will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 2 to 5 November 2026; the Mumbai event was a roadshow.
Consider the following statements made at the BRESE 2026 Mumbai roadshow: 1. India's non-fossil-fuel capacity has risen from 80.3 GW to about 300.5 GW over 12 years. 2. Reaching 500 GW of non-fossil-fuel capacity by 2030 will need more than ₹30 lakh crore of investment over the next five years. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated by Pralhad Joshi.
The flash flood that devastated central Nepal on 26 August 2026 came down which river from the Nepal–Tibet border?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Bhote Koshi
The flood swept down the Bhote Koshi river, which flows from Tibet into Nepal, hitting Rasuwa and districts downstream.
According to the US Geological Survey, what caused the Nepal–Tibet border flash flood of 26 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — A glacial collapse and debris flow
The USGS confirmed the flood was caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow.
As Nepal's floodwater reached India on 26 August 2026, Bihar opened all 36 gates of which barrage?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Gandak barrage
Bihar opened all 36 gates of the Gandak barrage as floodwater from Nepal entered the Gandak river system.
Consider the following statements about India's response to the Nepal flash flood of 26 August 2026: 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered humanitarian assistance. 2. The Union Home Minister spoke to the Chief Ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and NDRF teams in border areas were put on high alert. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct.
The Russian–Indian Roundtable on Snow Leopard Study and Conservation on 26 August 2026 was held at which institution?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution
The roundtable was held at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow.
Consider the following statements about the Moscow snow leopard roundtable of 26 August 2026: 1. The roundtable was organised under a partnership agreement between the Interregional Association 'Irbis' and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 2. The Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2025.
Which city hosted the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) of the UNCCD in August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Ulaanbaatar
UNCCD COP17 was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026.
What was the theme of UNCCD COP17 held in August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Restoring Land. Restoring Hope
COP17 was held under the theme 'Restoring Land. Restoring Hope'.
Consider the following statements made by India at UNCCD COP17 on 26 August 2026: 1. India has around 25,000 community-protected sacred groves covering about 0.6 million hectares. 2. India has about 10 million hectares of permanent pastures and grazing lands. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per India's address at the ministerial dialogue.
At UNCCD COP17 on 25 August 2026, India's Environment Minister addressed a ministerial dialogue on which theme?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Accelerating Drought Resilience
Bhupender Yadav addressed the Ministerial Dialogue on 'Accelerating Drought Resilience' in Ulaanbaatar, calling drought a predictable, preventable risk.
In July 2026 the Assam Cabinet approved two proposed reserve forests for notification as reserve forests. In which district are they located?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Goalpara
Both proposed reserve forests notified as reserve forests are in Goalpara district.
Under the Assam Compressed Biogas Policy 2026, what is the maximum capital subsidy per project?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Rs 20 crore
The capital subsidy is Rs 0.50 crore per TPD of installed capacity, subject to a ceiling of Rs 20 crore per project.
In July 2026 the Union Jal Shakti Minister met the Chief Ministers of which two states to facilitate settlement of the Mahanadi water dispute?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Chhattisgarh and Odisha
C. R. Paatil chaired a meeting with the CMs of Chhattisgarh (Vishnu Deo Sai) and Odisha (Mohan Charan Majhi).
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in which year under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2018
The Government of India constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on 12 March 2018 at Odisha's request.
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission transport pilots awarded as of July 2026, how many hydrogen-powered vehicles are to be deployed?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 70
12 pilot projects cover 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles – 27 buses and 43 trucks – with 16 refuelling stations on 21 routes.
Consider the following statements about the NGHM transport pilot projects: 1. They include both Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine vehicles. 2. Trucks outnumber buses among the vehicles. 3. They will set up 21 Hydrogen Refuelling Stations. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
The 70 vehicles (43 trucks, 27 buses) include FCEVs and H2-ICE vehicles. There are 16 refuelling stations; 21 is the number of routes.
According to the Union Environment Minister on Global Tiger Day 2026, how many tiger reserves does India have?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 58
Bhupender Yadav said the number of tigers (3,682) and tiger reserves (58) has increased remarkably.
What tiger population figure did the Union Environment Minister cite on Global Tiger Day 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 3,682
The Minister cited 3,682 tigers along with 58 tiger reserves.
Which digital platform was launched by the NTCA on Global Tiger Day 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — An eco-tourism webpage linking all tiger reserves
The NTCA Eco-tourism webpage brings information on all tiger reserves together with direct links to their official websites for safari and accommodation bookings.
In July 2026 Haryana approved a 100% motor vehicle tax exemption for new electric vehicles up to what ex-showroom price?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Rs 30 lakh
EVs up to Rs 30 lakh get 100% exemption; those above Rs 30 lakh get 50%. Rs 20 lakh is the ceiling for the 1% rebate on women-owned vehicles.
Consider the following statements about Haryana's July 2026 motor vehicle tax decisions: 1. Electric vehicles costing above Rs 30 lakh get a 50% exemption. 2. The earlier 20% rebate for CNG vehicles has been withdrawn. 3. A 1% rebate applies to vehicles registered in the name of women. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
EVs above Rs 30 lakh get 50% exemption and women-owned vehicles get a 1% rebate. The 20% rebate for CNG vehicles continues.
Under the Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy 2026 approved in July 2026, what purchase incentive will EV buyers get?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹25,000
Buyers get an incentive of ₹25,000 along with a complete waiver of registration charges.
Consider the following statements about Meghalaya's EV Policy 2026: 1. It fully waives vehicle registration fees for EV buyers. 2. Additional incentives are linked to a vehicle-scrapping certificate. 3. It is Meghalaya's first-ever EV policy. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: Meghalaya adopted its first EV policy in 2021 for five years, and the 2026 policy succeeds it.
'Mission Jal Raksha', highlighted by the Jal Shakti Ministry in July 2026 for groundwater recharge, belongs to which district?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh
Mission Jal Raksha is an initiative of Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh under the Catch the Rain campaign.
Consider the following outcomes reported for Rajnandgaon's Mission Jal Raksha (July 2026): 1. Over 60,000 water conservation and recharge structures in 662 villages. 2. An average groundwater-level rise of about 2.04 m. 3. Complete ban on summer paddy cultivation in the district. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. There was no ban; nearly 70% of summer paddy area voluntarily shifted to less water-intensive crops.