Environment & Ecology for UPSC Civil Services Exam
The environment and ecology is a dynamic & practical subject and has been a major part of the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Despite having a short syllabus, it is important for both prelims & mains.
Syllabus of Environment in Prelims stage
General issues on Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Environmental Ecology, that do not need topic specialization in General Science
Year-wise marks weightage of Environment in prelims (2013-2023)
| Year | No of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
|
2023 |
14 |
28 |
|
2022 |
12 |
24 |
|
2021 |
16 |
32 |
|
2020 |
15 |
30 |
|
2019 |
19 |
38 |
|
2018 |
10 |
20 |
|
2017 |
14 |
28 |
|
2016 |
17 |
34 |
|
2015 |
13 |
26 |
|
2014 |
15 |
30 |
|
2013 |
9 |
18 |
Syllabus of Environment in Mains stage
Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Year-wise marks weightage of Environment in Mains (2013-2023)
| Year | No of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
|
2023 |
3 |
65 |
|
2022 |
3 |
45 |
|
2021 |
3 |
45 |
|
2020 |
5 |
65 |
|
2019 |
2 |
25 |
|
2018 |
4 |
45 |
|
2017 |
2 |
25 |
|
2016 |
3 |
37.5 |
|
2015 |
1 |
12.5 |
|
2014 |
2 |
25 |
|
2013 |
2 |
20 |
Environment & Ecology GS Module Features
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage of Environment for both Prelims & Mains
Live/Recorded
Live/Recorded lectures with 6 months access
Current Events
Integration of Current events with static sections
Smart Notes
Lecture wise smart notes for revision
Solving of MCQs
Solving of MCQs in each lecture & Answer writing practice in each lecture
Mentorship
Mentorship & Tests (prelims and mains) of Environment
Session Wise Detailed Micro Listing
| Session | Topics Covered | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Environment & Ecology Basics | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Session 1 |
Course Introduction, Strategy, Contents, and Basics of Environment |
2 hrs |
|
Session 2 |
Environment and its components- Biotic, Abiotic & Levels of Organisation |
2 hrs |
|
Session 3 |
Functions of Ecosystem- Energy flow, Food Chain and Food Web, Pyramid |
2 hrs |
|
Session 4 |
Functions of ecosystem- Nutrient Recycling, Ecological Succession |
2 hrs |
|
Session 5 |
Terrestrial Ecosystem - Classification, Features, Threats and Measures-I |
2 hrs |
|
Session 6 |
Terrestrial Ecosystem - Classification, Features, Threats and Measures-II |
2 hrs |
|
Session 7 |
Aquatic Ecosystem-Classification, Features, Threats and Measures-I |
2 hrs |
|
Session 8 |
Aquatic Ecosystem- Mangroves, Corals, Estuaries-II |
2 hrs |
| Test-1 | Sectional test on Basics of Environment & Ecology | 1 hrs |
|---|
| Environmental Degradation | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Session 9 |
Meaning, Causes and Consequents of Degradation & Types |
2 hrs |
|
Session 10 |
Air Pollution- Causes, Consequence & Mitigation measures-I |
2 hrs |
|
Session 11 |
Air Pollution- Causes, Consequence & Mitigation measures-II |
2 hrs |
|
Session 12 |
Water Pollution- Causes, Consequence & Mitigation measures |
2 hrs |
|
Session 13 |
Soil, Noise, Radioactive, Light& Space Pollution |
2 hrs |
|
Session 14 |
Solid Waste Management and Efforts, rules |
2 hrs |
|
Session 15 |
E- Waste and Biomedical Waste, Other Hazardous Wastes |
2 hrs |
|
Session 16 |
Causes, Consequences of Climate change: India & Climate change |
2 hrs |
| Test-2 | Sectional test on Environmental Degradation | 1 hrs |
|---|
| Biodiversity | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Session 17 |
Biodiversity- Concepts (Gene, Species diversity), Types of Conservation |
2 hrs |
|
Session 18 |
Indian Biodiversity- Bio Reserves |
2 hrs |
|
Session 19 |
National Parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries, Wetlands |
2 hrs |
|
Session 20 |
IUCN- Red List classification, Imp Endangered species |
2 hrs |
| Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Session 21 |
National Efforts for Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation-I |
2 hrs |
|
Session 22 |
National Efforts for Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation-II |
2 hrs |
|
Session 23 |
International Efforts for Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation-I |
2 hrs |
|
Session 24 |
International Efforts for Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation-II |
2 hrs |
|
Session 25 |
Important Organizations, NGOs, Reports and Institutions |
2 hrs |
|
Session 26 |
Environmental Impact Assessment |
2 hrs |
|
Session 27 |
Sustainable practices of Agriculture-I |
2 hrs |
|
Session 28 |
Sustainable practices of Agriculture-II |
2 hrs |
|
Session 29 |
UPSC previous Year Questions Discussion- Prelims (2013 to 2023) |
2 hrs |
|
Session 30 |
UPSC previous Year Questions Discussion- Mains (2013 to 2023) |
2 hrs |
| Test-3 | Section Test on Biodiversity & Conservation Measures | 1 hrs |
|---|
| Prelims & Mains Full Length | ||
|---|---|---|
|
FTS-I |
Prelims full length test |
2 hrs |
|
FTS-II |
Mains Full lengthtest |
2 hrs |
| S. No. | Fee structure | |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Live/recorded classes only |
2000/- |
|
2 |
Environment Mentorship with Answer writing & Test series only |
1500/- |
|
3 |
Environment sectional test series (prelims + mains) |
1000/- |
|
4 |
Entire Environment Module (1+2+3) |
2500/- (saves 1500/-) |
