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Climate Change Impacts on Extreme Weather

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Climate change and its impacts are central to environmental studies, disaster management, and sustainable development, frequently tested in UPSC for understanding global and regional environmental challenges.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, primarily driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, leading to an observed increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and tropical cyclones.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Hydrological Cycle Intensification

Warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more intense precipitation events and increased flood risk.

Glacier Melt

Accelerated melting of glaciers in mountainous regions contributes to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and increased river discharge.

IPCC Findings

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports consistently link anthropogenic climate change to observed increases in extreme weather events globally.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironment & Ecology

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)Assesses scientific information related to climate change
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Increased frequency/intensity of extreme rainfall events.
  • Glacier retreat and GLOF risk in Himalayas.
  • Attribution science linking events to climate change.
  • Need for climate adaptation and resilience.
  • Role of global climate assessments (IPCC).

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience? 1. Mangroves reduce tidal ener...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience? 1. Mangroves reduce tidal ener...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustaina...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustaina...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustaina...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2017Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is an initiative of the European Union. 2. It ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2016Policy measures, Purpose or function of a policy tool

Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Which of the following statements regarding ‘Green Climate Fund’ is/are correct? 1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and miti...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environment & Ecology
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Which of the following statements regarding ‘Green Climate Fund’ is/are correct? 1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and miti...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Policy measures, Purpose or function of a policy tool

Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the ...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is an initiative of the European Union. 2. It ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustaina...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustaina...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustaina...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience? 1. Mangroves reduce tidal ener...

Open question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience? 1. Mangroves reduce tidal ener...

Open question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Open question

How the Nepal floods echo past disasters — and sound a warning for the future

28 Aug 2026 · Climate change intensifies the global hydrological cycle, leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events like floods, particularly impacting vulnerable regions and necessitating urgent adaptation and mitigation strategies.

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Related topics

Current topic

Climate Change Impacts on Extreme Weather

Often confused with

Floods

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Climate Change Impacts on Extreme Weather in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Climate Change Impacts on Extreme Weather

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is an initiative of the European Union. 2. It ...

2017·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following statements regarding ‘Green Climate Fund’ is/are correct? 1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and miti...

2015·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the ...

2016·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustaina...

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience? 1. Mangroves reduce tidal ener...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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