Hydro-meteorological Disasters
Hydro-meteorological disasters, such as floods and landslides triggered by extreme rainfall, are increasing in frequency and intensity, largely due to climat...
A massive landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh blocked the Siji river, creating an artificial dam and posing a severe flash flood threat to downstream areas in both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The incident has caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges, disrupted connectivity, and led to search operations for missing persons. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been instrumental in restoring critical road links in the affected regions.
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
Hydro-meteorological disasters, such as floods and landslides triggered by extreme rainfall, are increasing in frequency and intensity, largely due to climat...
Landslide dams are temporary river blockages by debris, posing a significant flash flood risk upon breach, particularly in geologically unstable, high-rainfa...
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?
The Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Arunachal Pradesh, is part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve and is contiguous with the Pakke Tiger Reserve. It is known for its rich biodiversity and dense forests, making it a critical habitat for various wildlife species. The Bhareli (Pakke) and Bamadi rivers flow through the sanctuary, supporting its diverse ecosystem. Several indigenous tribes, including the Nyishi and Apatani, reside in the region, coexisting with the forest and its resources.
Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and Arctic?
Namdapha National Park is located in Arunachal Pradesh, India, in the eastern Himalayas. Due to its significant elevation range, the park experiences a diverse range of climates. The southern regions have a tropical to subtropical climate, while the higher elevations transition to temperate and even Arctic conditions.
Consider the following States:
1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram
In which of the following states do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in regions that have high temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year. Arunachal Pradesh: This state is located in the eastern part of India and it receives high rainfall. It is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests. Himachal Pradesh: This state is located in the northern part of India, in the Himalayan region. The climate here is more temperate and alpine due to its high altitude, and it does not support Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests. Mizoram: This state is located in the northeastern part of India and it also receives high rainfall. It is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests. Therefore, Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests occur in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?
1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. These conditions include fire, grazing herbivores, and seasonal rainfall. 2. Fire is a common occurrence in savannahs and it helps to maintain the grassland by burning out tree saplings. 3. Grazing herbivores also help to maintain the grassland by eating young tree saplings before they can grow into mature trees. 4. Seasonal rainfall also plays a role as it affects the growth of trees and grasses. 1. Burrowing animals and termites, while they do have an impact on the ecosystem, are not the primary factors controlling forest development. 5. Similarly, soil properties can affect the types of vegetation that can grow, but they are not the primary factors controlling forest development in savannahs. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) 2, 3 and 4. Savannah Climate:
- It is a transitional climate between equatorial rainforests and hot deserts. - It has wet and dry seasons like the monsoon climate but with much less rainfall. Unlike the monsoon climate, it lacks a distinct rainy season. - It has only two seasons—winter and summer, with rain occurring in summer. The savanna landscape features tall grasses and scattered short trees. - The savanna is called the ‘big game country’ because thousands of animals are hunted or trapped annually by people worldwide.
Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ?
1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).
2. It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.
3. National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Hydrogen obtained from fossil fuels (primarily natural gas) through steam methane reforming, where the resulting carbon emissions are captured and stored using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, is known as Blue Hydrogen, not Green Hydrogen. Statement 2 is Correct: Green Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis, using electricity generated entirely from renewable energy sources (such as solar or wind). It is a completely zero-emission process. Statement 3 is Correct: The National Green Hydrogen Mission launched by the Government of India has set quantified targets for 2030. It aims to develop a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) per annum. This will lead to the abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, alongside reducing fossil fuel imports and creating over 6 lakh jobs. Therefore, the correct option is B.
With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ?
1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025.
2. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park.
3. Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: Madhav National Park was officially declared as India's 58th Tiger Reserve (and the 9th in Madhya Pradesh) by the Union Environment Ministry in March 2025, following a successful tiger reintroduction program that began in 2023. Statement 2 is Correct: Sakhya Sagar, a human-made reservoir created in 1918, is situated inside Madhav National Park. It was officially designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2022 and is known for its abundant marsh crocodile population and migratory waterfowl. Statement 3 is Incorrect: Madhav National Park is located entirely within the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, situated on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands. It does not share its area with Rajasthan. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme explicitly promotes Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) rather than monoculture. It integrates multi-cropping and rotational cropping with allied activities like horticulture, livestock, fishery, and agro-forestry to diversify income and build resilience. Official guidelines actively discourage single-cropping (monoculture) systems. Statement 2 is Incorrect: As the name implies, RAD targets rainfed areas (regions lacking assured irrigation) to build resilience against climate variability. It does not focus on expanding water-intensive crops like rice in already irrigated regions. Statement 3 is Correct: The core objective of RAD is to make rainfed agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative, and climate-resilient. By diversifying income sources through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), RAD aims to minimize the risks associated with climatic variability (such as droughts, heat stress, or floods) and crop failure, ensuring stable livelihoods for farmers. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of
✅ A. silver iodide and potassium iodide: True Both are used in cloud seeding because their crystalline structures help form ice nuclei, inducing rainfall. ❌ B. silver nitrate and potassium iodide: False Silver nitrate is not used for artificial rainmaking. ❌ C. silver iodide and potassium nitrate: False Potassium nitrate is not used in cloud seeding. ❌ D. silver nitrate and potassium chloride: False Neither chemical is used in artificial rainmaking. Therefore, option A is correct.
In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?
1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. Terrace cultivation: This is a soil conservation technique used on sloping land. It involves creating leveled steps or terraces to reduce water runoff and soil erosion. 2. Deforestation: When trees are cut down, the soil loses the protection provided by their roots. This exposes the soil to wind and rain, making it more susceptible to erosion. Deforestation is a major driver of soil erosion in India. 3. Tropical climate: While heavy rainfall in tropical regions can contribute to soil erosion, it's not the sole factor. Deforestation and poor land management practices exacerbate the issue. Thus, the correct answer is '2 only'.
One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?
Congo Basin Peatlands: The Congo Basin in Central Africa is home to the world's largest tropical peatland complex. This vast peatland stores an immense amount of carbon, estimated to be equivalent to about three years of global fossil fuel emissions. Importance of Peatlands: Peatlands are a critical carbon sink. They store more carbon than all the world's forests combined. When peatlands are drained or degraded, this stored carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Cong and Indonesia are parties to the Brazzaville Declaration, aimed at protecting the Cuvette Centrale region in the Congo Basin, the world’s largest tropical peatlands, from unregulated land use and preventing its drainage and degradation. _Other Options:_ * Amazon Basin: While the Amazon is known for its vast rainforests, it is not the primary location of the world's largest tropical peatland. * Kikori Basin: The Kikori Basin is located in Papua New Guinea and contains significant peatlands, but not the largest tropical peatland complex. * Rio de la Plata Basin: This basin in South America is primarily known for its grasslands and is not associated with major peatland areas.
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
"The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.
"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?
"In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development." Critically evaluate.
Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of 'paradox of poverty'.
What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.
"With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism." Elucidate.
The article states, 'The district authorities have alerted residents of Likabali town and villages along the Siji river, which becomes the Gai river in Assam.'
The article explicitly mentions, 'On the brighter side, Border Roads Organisation personnel restored the Kimin-Potin Road district within 36 hours...'
The article states: 'A railway bridge across the Simen river has collapsed, an iron bridge has been washed away, and embankment erosion has been reported along critical stretches of the arterial National Highway 52.' It also mentions, 'The incessant rainfall had triggered multiple landslides and major breaches along a 45-km stretch of the road [Kimin-Potin Road], washing away sections of the roadway...'
Introduce the problem of trans-boundary disasters, detail challenges in coordination and resource management, then propose solutions involving inter-state cooperation, technology, and community engagement.
Begin by identifying the specific vulnerabilities (geological instability, heavy rainfall, design flaws), then outline strategies for resilience including risk assessment, climate-resilient design, early warning systems, and robust maintenance.