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Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Environment & Ecology

  • PYQs8
  • Articles1
I

Background

CSIR is a premier scientific research organization in India, crucial for indigenous technology development, innovation, and addressing national challenges in various sectors including environment, health, and industry. Its role in promoting scientific temper and translating research into societal benefits is vital for India's development goals.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is India's largest research and development organization, established as an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It is primarily funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and plays a crucial role in promoting scientific and industrial research across various fields.

II

Facts & tables

Established
1942
Parent Ministry
Ministry of Science and Technology (through DSIR)
Structure
Network of 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 innovation complexes, and 5 units.
Mandate
Scientific and industrial research, technology development, and societal missions.
Static syllabus anchors
Type Reference
Conceptual area Science & Technology
III

Prelims angle

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

  • India's largest R&D organization, established 1942.
  • Autonomous body under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • Works under Ministry of Science & Technology (DSIR).
  • Focuses on scientific research, technology development, and societal impact.
  • Key role in indigenous innovation and sustainable development.
Constitutional vs statutory — CSIR is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, making it a statutory body, not a constitutional one.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQ links
Year Framing tags
2025 Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
2024 Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
2023 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2023 Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
2021 Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
2021 Purpose or function of a policy tool, Factual recall
2016 Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
2014 Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Timeline

  1. Science & Technology

    Conceptual area

  2. Prelims 2014

    Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

  3. Prelims 2016

    Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

  4. Prelims 2021

    Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

  5. Prelims 2021

    Purpose or function of a policy tool, Factual recall

  6. Prelims 2023

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  7. Prelims 2023

    Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

  8. Prelims 2024

    Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

  9. Prelims 2025

    Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

  10. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nalanda University Sign MoU to Advance Science-Led Sustainable Development, Technology Outreach and Rural Transformation

    CSIR is India's leading R&D organization, fostering scientific research and technology development across diverse fields, with a focus on societal impact and industrial growth.

See also

Past papers

In the news

Try these PYQs

UPSC Prelims 2023 medium Science & Technology Open full page

Consider the following statements:
1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts.
2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2024 easy Environment & Ecology Open full page

"Membrane Bioreactors" are often discussed in the context of:

UPSC Prelims 2025 hard Environment & Ecology Open full page

Consider the following statements:

Statement I:
Activated carbon is a good and an attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries.

Statement II:
Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals.

Statement III:
Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

UPSC Prelims 2021 medium Environment & Ecology Open full page

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?
1. Permaculture Farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are pre-dominant.
2. Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.
3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.
4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

UPSC Prelims 2014 medium Environment & Ecology Open full page

There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?
1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil.
2. They can enter food chains.
3. They can trigger the production of free radicals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Show 3 more PYQs
UPSC Prelims 2021 medium Environment & Ecology Open full page

‘R2 Code of Practices constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of

UPSC Prelims 2023 medium Environment & Ecology Open full page

Consider the following statements regarding Mercury pollution :
1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.

How many of the above statements are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2016 medium Environment & Ecology Open full page

Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation?
1. Reduction in weed
2. Reduction in soil salinity
3. Reduction in soil erosion

Select the correct answer using the code given below.