Part of the General Studies-III question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 11 questions on EIA, SEA & Environmental Governance for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-III. 6 of them have been set in an actual paper — the years and exams are printed against each (2024, 2020, 2019, 2014, 2024, 2023). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. | UPSC Mains GS-III 2024 10m,150w |
| 2 | How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? | UPSC Mains GS-III 2020 — |
| 3 | Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. | UPSC Mains GS-III 2019 — |
| 4 | Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal‑fired thermal plants located at Pitheads. | UPSC Mains GS-III 2014 — |
| 5 | Evaluate the effectiveness of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in promoting sustainability in India's infrastructure megaprojects. How can institutional frameworks be strengthened for integrated environmental planning and decision‑making? | OPSC OAS Mains 2024 15m,250w |
| 6 | Evaluate the significance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in shaping developmental policies on Odisha. How does the integration of scientific research and local community perspectives enhance environmental governance? Critically assess the effectiveness and limitations of the current EIA framework in the State. | OPSC OAS Mains 2023 15m,250w |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Explain the potential role that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) can play on a global scale in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Also, how India can integrate EIA in various schemes to achieve SDGs effectively. | — |
| 8 | Distinguish between Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). How SEA could complement the existing EIA framework in India for large-scale projects. | — |
| 9 | Critically analyse the role of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in addressing environmental challenges and ensuring sustainable development. | — |
| 10 | In the context of various issues faced by Environment Impact Assessments (EIAs) in India, discuss the need for an independent EIA authority as recommended by the Supreme Court. | — |
| 11 | How does the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? | — |
| 12 | Evaluate the role of proficient Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practices in promoting biodiversity conservation. Analyse the impediments associated with effectively integrating EIA into biodiversity preservation efforts. | — |