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Trend Analysis of Ecology and Environment

Environment and Ecology is one of the most important topics vastly covered in the UPSC (IAS) Prelims exam. Since 2014, several questions are asked from this section in the IAS prelims due to merging of Indian Forest Services examination prelims process with the Civil Services examination. 

According to the trend, the questions related to Ecology and Environment are usually clubbed with the current affairs. Very few conceptual questions are asked.  

Broad topics which are covered in the Ecology and Environment are as follows:

·  Ecology: Covers the conceptual part of the ecology and there are definition based questions also.

·  Environmental Issues: It is related to anthropogenic factors that are in operation and how they are affecting the natural resources.

·  Bio-diversity: Covers the conceptual part of the biodiversity, its types and divisions and conservational aspects.

·  Pollution and its impact: Different types of Pollution, its impact and steps needed for management.

·  Climate Change: Concepts, institutions, reports, etc.

·  Environmental Schemes and Policies

·  Environmental Institutions (International and National)

Ecology and Environment trend analysis

If we analyse the previous year questions, certain sub-sections are frequently asked in the paper such as – environment fundamentals (such as climate change, climate agreements, biodiversity, etc.), pollution and government schemes related to pollution, REDD+, IUCN, Earth Hour, Montreaux Record, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), animals and their conservation status, Red List, etc.

How to Prepare

The syllabus mentioned for the Prelims examination is in brief and does not define underlined topics or sub-topics needed for clearing the examination.

Hence in this process students end up in reading many books and materials. They fail to understand what to read, from where to read and how much to read.

It has also been seen that students prefer readymade materials available in the market rather than the books.

Significance of reading books:

·         Helps in better understanding

·         Helps in the development of broader outlook and learning of many micro-topics

·         Helps in the enhancement of comprehension skill.

Books important for the preparation of Ecology and Environment are:

Note: In IAS HELPDESK, we are providing the books, videos and sample questions at one stop so that a student may concentrate in the attainment of knowledge rather than busy in accessing the different sources.