MPSC PYQ

Sustainable Development & Issues — MPSC PYQ

Every Sustainable Development & Issues question MPSC has actually asked in Environment, 2014–2025 — 20 questions, each with the correct answer from the official MPSC key and a full explanation. Newest papers first.

औद्योगिक क्रांतीमुळे निसर्गाची लूट झाली कारण _________. / The industrial revolution led to the plundering of nature because _________.

1)वाढत्या लोकसंख्येसाठी जंगलतोड गरजेची होती. / Deforestation was necessary for growing population.
2)शहरे पसरत गेली, जंगले कमी झाली. / Cities spread, forests decreased.
3)अनेक गोष्टींची मोठ्या प्रमाणात गरज भासली. / Many things were needed in large quantities.
4)वरीलपैकी सर्व. / All of the above.✓ Correct

The industrial revolution caused the plundering of nature due to population growth, urban expansion, and massive resource demands.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Applicable to industrial hubs in Maharashtra causing ecological stress.

शाश्वत विकास ही संकल्पना ____________ मध्ये सादर केलेल्या जागतिक संवर्धन धोरणात प्रथम प्रचलित झाली. The term sustainable development first came into prominence in the World Conservation Strategy presented in ____________.

1)1980✓ Correct
2)1987
3)1990
4)1992

The term 'sustainable development' first came into prominence globally in the World Conservation Strategy report published by IUCN in 1980.

जलस्त्रोतांच्या संदर्भातील पाऊलखुणांबाबत अभ्यास करत असताना दुर्दैवाने तुम्हाला मुतखड्याच्या वेदनांना सामोरे जावे लागले. उपचार घेऊन ताकद मिळवण्यासाठी विश्रांती घेत असताना तुमचा एक मित्र तुम्हाला लवकर पूर्ववत होण्याच्या शुभेच्छा देण्यासाठी आला असता त्याने तुम्हाला मूत्रपिंडाच्या त्रासासंबंधाने विस्तारानं माहिती तर दिलीच शिवाय अनेक गावे पिण्याच्या पाण्याच्या पुरवठा नसल्याने या त्रासाला सामोरे जात या वस्तुस्थितीची जाणीवही करून दिली. इतके दिवस पाण्याचा अभ्यास करत असून स्वतःलाच स्वतःच्या आजाराच्या मूळ कारणाची माहिती नाही याचे तुम्हाला आश्चर्य वाटले. तुम्ही ...

1)स्वतःच्या कुटुंबाला खात्रीने पिण्यायोग्य पाण्याचा पुरवठा होईल अशा ठिकाणी कुटुंबाचे स्थलांतर करण्याचा विचार कराल. / think about migrating to any other place where you are sure to get potable water supply to your family.
2)पिण्यायोग्य पाण्याच्या नैसर्गिक व कृत्रिम जलस्त्रोतांच्या पाण्याच्या गुणवत्तेच्या संवर्धनासंबंधीचा स्वतःचा अभ्यास सुरू ठेवाल आणि सर्वसामान्य लोकांना मुतखड्याच्या त्रासापासून वाचवण्यासाठी कार्य कराल. / continue your study for conserving potable natural and manmade water bodies and work for saving people at large from kidney stone suffering.
3)परिसरातील सर्व नैसर्गिक व कृत्रिम जलस्त्रोतांच्या गुणवत्तेबाबत संशोधन करण्यासाठी आणि त्यांची गुणवत्ता कायम राखण्याच्या उपक्रमांत स्थानिक लोकांना सहभागी करून घेण्यासाठी जागतिक व स्थानिक संशोधकांचे व कार्यकर्त्यांचे संघ तयार कराल. / build up teams of global and local researchers and activists for conducting research related to quality and conservation of all natural and manmade water bodies in the area, and seek participation of local people in conservation programmes.✓ Correct
4)पिण्यायोग्य पाण्याचा पुरवठा करणाऱ्या जलस्त्रोतांच्या संवर्धनाबाबत लोक उदासीन आहेत हे तथ्य माहित असल्यामुळे कोणत्याही रचनात्मक कार्यासाठी पुढाकार घेणे निरुपयोगी आहे हे लक्षात घेऊन स्वस्थ राहाल. / remain neutral as you are aware of the fact that people care least for conserving water bodies that supply potable water, it is difficult to lead them for any constructive work.

Decision Making: MPSC gives marks for every option, with no negative marking.

(1) 1 marks(2) 1.5 marks(3) 2.5 marks(4) 0 marks

A proactive professional and researcher should build teams of global/local experts and activists to research water quality and engage local communities in conservation.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Relates to water scarcity and health issues like kidney stones reported in certain drought-prone regions of Maharashtra.

खालील विधाने पहा : / Observe the following statements :

(a)अ. घातक कचरा मृदेमध्ये टाकल्यामुळे जैवविविधता कमी होते. / A. There is loss of bio-diversity due to dumping of toxic waste into soil.

(b)ब. नद्यामध्ये वारंवार पूर येण्यामागे वृक्षतोड कारणीभूत आहे. / B. Deforestation is responsible for frequent floods in river.

(c)क. फ्रांसिस्को मेंडझा यांच्या ऊर्जा क्षेत्रातील कार्यामुळे त्यांना 'अॅमेझॉन गांधी' म्हणून संबोधतात. / C. Fransisco Mendez was known as 'Amazon Gandhi' due to his work in energy field.

1)(1) फक्त विधान क बरोबर आहे / (1) Only statement C is correct
2)(2) फक्त विधान अ बरोबर आहे / (2) Only statement A is correct
3)(3) फक्त विधान अ आणि ब बरोबर आहे / (3) Only statement A and B are correct✓ Correct
4)(4) विधान अ, ब आणि क बरोबर आहे / (4) Statement A, B and C are correct

Dumping toxic waste reduces soil biodiversity, and deforestation causes increased surface runoff leading to frequent river floods. Francisco Mendez (Chico Mendes) was an environmentalist, not an energy expert, associated with the Amazon rainforest.

ओझोन संदर्भात खालील कोणती विधाने बरोबर आहेत ? In relation to Ozone which statements are true ?

(a)अ. ओझोनला पृथ्वीचे रक्षण कवच म्हणतात. / A. Ozone is called protection shield of the Earth.

(b)ब. 1985 मध्ये ओझोन थराला छिद्र पडल्याचे स्पष्ट झाले. / B. In 1985 it was clear that Ozone layer has holes.

(c)क. 16 सप्टेंबर हा जागतिक ओझोन दिवस म्हणून साजरा केला जातो. / C. 16th September is celebrated as World Ozone Day.

(d)ड. 1989 मध्ये ओझोन क्षयास कारणीभूत रसायन वापरावर बंदी घालण्यात आली. / D. In 1989 chemicals responsible for Ozone depletion are banned to utilize.

1)फक्त अ, ब आणि क / Only A, B and C
2)फक्त ब, क आणि ड / Only B, C and D
3)फक्त अ, क आणि ड / Only A, C and D
4)वरील सर्व / All the above✓ Correct

All the given statements are correct: Ozone is the earth's protective shield, the ozone hole was discovered in 1985, World Ozone Day is September 16, and the Montreal Protocol (1989) restricted ozone-depleting substances.

पर्यावरण विध्वंसामुळे अधिक प्रभावित होणारा समुह कोणता ? Which group is more affected by environmental destruction ?

1)नागरी स्त्री समुह / Urban women group
2)खेडयातील स्त्री समुह / Village women group
3)खेडयातील गरीब स्त्री समुह / Village poor women group✓ Correct
4)नागरी गरीब स्त्री समुह / Urban poor women group

Marginalized communities, tribals, and indigenous groups who directly depend on natural ecosystems for their livelihood are the most severely affected by environmental destruction.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Tribal communities in Gadchiroli and Melghat are heavily dependent on forest ecosystems.

कोणत्या प्रकारचे लोक सामाजिक नाशाचा सामना करतात ? Which type of people face social destruction ?

1)आदिवासी व भटक्या जमाती / Aboriginal and nomadic tribes✓ Correct
2)गरीब स्त्रीया / Poor women
3)अशिक्षित वर्ग / Illiterate groups
4)ग्रामीण संस्कृती / Rural culture

Tribal and indigenous communities often face social destruction due to displacement caused by large developmental projects, deforestation, and loss of traditional habitats.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Displacement of tribal communities in Melghat or Gadchiroli due to developmental or conservation projects.

2030 पर्यंत खालील घटक 40% पाण्याचा तुटवडा निर्माण होण्यास कारणीभूत होणार आहेत : (a) अन्न उत्पादनासाठी ताण (b) शहरीकरण (c) जलहतूकची प्रगती (d) लोकसंख्या वाढ वरीलपैकी कोणता/ते घटक तुटवडा निर्माण होण्यास कारणीभूत होणार आहेत ? The following are some of the factors responsible for 40% shortfall of water by 2030 : (a) Pressure of food production (b) Urbanisation (c) Development of water transport (d) Population growth Which of the above factor/s is/are responsible for this shortfall ?

(a)अन्न उत्पादनासाठी ताण / Pressure of food production

(b)शहरीकरण / Urbanisation

(c)जलहतूकची प्रगती / Development of water transport

(d)लोकसंख्या वाढ / Population growth

1)फक्त (a) आणि (c) / Only (a) and (c)
2)फक्त (c) आणि (d) / Only (c) and (d)
3)फक्त (c) / Only (c)
4)फक्त (a), (b) आणि (d) / Only (a), (b) and (d)✓ Correct

Global reports on water stress project a 40% shortfall by 2030 driven primarily by population growth, rapid urbanization, and increased pressures of food production.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Relevant to Maharashtra's recurring drought and irrigation stress challenges.

सुरक्षित पाण्याचा स्रोत उपलब्ध नसलेल्या लोकांचे गट खाली दिले आहेत. (a) गरीब लोक (b) गैरसोयींनी त्रस्त झालेले लोक (c) स्त्रिया वरीलपैकी लोकांचे कोणते गट बरोबर आहेत ? The following are some of the group of pepole who do not have access to safe water : (a) Poor people (b) Disadvantaged people (c) Women Which of the above group of people is/are correct ?

(a)गरीब लोक / Poor people

(b)गैरसोयींनी त्रस्त झालेले लोक / Disadvantaged people

(c)स्त्रिया / Women

1)फक्त (a) आणि (b) / Only (a) and (b)
2)फक्त (b) आणि (c) / Only (b) and (c)
3)फक्त (c) / Only (c)
4)वरील सर्व / All the above✓ Correct

Vulnerable groups lacking access to safe drinking water globally include poor people, marginalized/disadvantaged groups, and women who often bear the burden of water collection.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Reflects the gender and rural-poverty dimension of water scarcity in drought-prone regions of Maharashtra like Marathwada.

असं निरीक्षणात आलं आहे : वरीलपैकी कोणते/ती विधान/ने बरोबर आहे/त ? It is observed that : Which of the above statement/s is/are correct ?

(a)पर्यावरण शाश्वतता हे उद्दिष्ट व (आर्थिक) वृद्धीचे उद्दिष्ट यात नेहमी संघर्ष असतो.

(b)विकास आणि पर्यावरण शाश्वतता यामध्ये नेहमी परस्पर विरोध (ट्रेड ऑफ) असतो.

1)(a) / (a)✓ Correct
2)(b) / (b)
3)(a) आणि (b) दोन्ही / both (a) and (b)
4)कोणतेही नाही / None of both

Sustainable development integrates environmental protection with economic growth, recognizing that environmental sustainability is a necessary prerequisite for long-term economic viability rather than a perpetual trade-off.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Relevant for MPSC state environmental policies and sustainable industrialization in Maharashtra.

योग्य पर्याय ओळखून जोड्या लावा. (a) संपष्टात न येणारी संसाधने (i) मानवनिर्मित कृते (b) स्ट्रॅटोस्मीयर (ii) जीवाश्म इंधन जसे कोलसा, पेट्रोल (c) अपुनरावर्ती/पुनर्नुनीकरणणास अयोग्य (iii) सौर ऊर्जा संसाधने किंवा अनुतनावर्ती संसाधने (d) क्लोरोफ्लोरोकार्बन्स (iv) ओझोनचा दाट थर

(a)संपष्टात न येणारी संसाधने - (i) मानवनिर्मित कृते

(b)स्ट्रॅटोस्मीयर - (ii) जीवाश्म इंधन जसे कोलसा, पेट्रोल

(c)अपुनरावर्ती/पुनर्नुनीकरणणास अयोग्य संसाधने किंवा अनुतनावर्ती संसाधने - (iii) सौर ऊर्जा

(d)क्लोरोफ्लोरोकार्बन्स - (iv) ओझोनचा दाट थर

1)(iv) (iii) (ii) (i)
2)(iv) (ii) (iii) (i)
3)(iii) (iv) (ii) (i)✓ Correct
4)(ii) (iii) (iv) (i)

Solar energy is inexhaustible (a-iii), the stratosphere contains the dense ozone layer (b-iv), fossil fuels are non-renewable (c-ii), and chlorofluorocarbons are man-made chemicals (d-i). Matching these gives the correct sequence as (iii), (iv), (ii), (i).

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Standard environment syllabus topic relevant to MPSC Combined and Rajyaseva exams.

जून 2012 मध्ये Rio +20 घोषणापत्र संदर्भात शाश्वत विकास उद्दिष्टे (SDGs) ठरविण्यात आली. त्यानुसार पुढीलपैकी कोणते/कोणती वैशिष्ट्य/वैशिष्ट्ये ठरविण्यात आलेले नव्हते ?

(a)गरिबीचे उच्चाटन, असमानतेविरुद्ध संघर्ष, लिंगभाव समानता. / Poverty eradication, fight against unequality, gender equality.

(b)आरोग्य व शिक्षण सुधारणा, महासागर व जंगल रक्षण. / Health and educational reforms, ocean and forest protection.

(c)अविरत विकासासाठी जागतिक भागीदारी, पाठपुरावा आणि समीक्षासाठी प्रभावी संरचना विकास. / World partnership for sustainable development and effective structure for follow-up and review.

(d)अतिरेकी संघटनांवर बंदी आणि परआक्रमणावर बंदी. / Ban on terrorist organisations and attacks on other countries.

1)फक्त क आणि ड / Only c and d
2)फक्त अ, ब आणि क / Only a, b and c
3)फक्त ड / Only d✓ Correct
4)फक्त अ / Only a

The Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (2012) led to the formation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focusing on poverty eradication, health, education, partnerships, etc. Statement 'd' regarding banning extremist organizations and invasions is unrelated to the scope of SDGs.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

State level SDG index implementation follows these global parameters.

हरितक्रांतीच्या काळात खालीलपैकी कोणता/कोणते पर्यावरणवर झालेले परिणाम बरोबर आहेत ? Which of the following impacts on environment during the Green Revolution is/are correct ?

(a)जलसिंचनाच्या चुकीच्या पद्धती / Faulty irrigation practices

(b)जमीनीत वाढते क्षारांचे प्रमाण / Increase of salt in soil

(c)शेती योग्य चांगल्या जमीनीचा नापिक झाल्या / Abandonment of some of the best farming lands

(d)भूमजल पातळी खाली जाणे / Groundwater levels have retreated

1)फक्त अ / Only a
2)फक्त ब आणि क / Only b and c
3)फक्त अ, ब आणि ड / Only a, b and d
4)वरील सर्व बरोबर / All of the above✓ Correct

Faulty irrigation practices during the Green Revolution led to soil salinization, depletion of groundwater levels, and abandonment of degraded agricultural lands.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Groundwater depletion and soil salinity are major issues in parts of Maharashtra due to intensive cash crop irrigation.
Bottled Water and Its Environmental Cost The next time you buy a bottle of drinking water, you need to pause and think. You may not bat an eyelid shelling out ₹ 15 for a litre of bottled water but what you don't realise is that you are actually paying over 4,200 times of what you normally pay for a litre of tap water. The economics of drinking water has always baffled me. What is perplexing is that the average urban middle class squirms and protests if the Delhi Jal Board, for instance, tries to 'nominally' raise the price of tap water. Paying a little over one paise for three litres of tap water (DJB prices tap water at ₹ 3.50 per 1000 litres) they feel they are already being made to pay through the nose. Price being of little constraint for the consumers, the global bottled water industry is galloping. In 2004, the world consumed 154 billion litres, of which India's share was 5.1 billion litres. Expected to grow at 40 percent annually, the ₹ 1,800-crore bottle water industry is experiencing unprecedented boom with over 1200 water factories doing business throughout the country. If you think bottled water assures you of purity and safety, it is time you think again. Even in the U.S., despite strict quality norms formulated by the Food and Drug Administration, it is safely assumed that nearly 40 percent of the bottled water is repacked pipe water. Shockingly, what is little known is that more than five litres of water is required to produce every litre of packed water. In other words, 770 billion litres of water were used to produce and pack the 154 billion litres of water that the world consumed in 2004. What a colossal waste ! Bottled water also has additional, hidden environmental costs. According to the Pacific Institute in California, the entire process of making plastic for the bottles requires huge energy. In America alone, where nearly 26 billion litres of bottled water was consumed in 2004, an equivalent of 20 million barrels of oil was

1 लीटर बाटलीबंद पाणी उत्पादन करण्यासाठी किती पाण्याची आवश्यकता असते ? How much water is required to produce every 1 litre of bottled water ?

a)2 लीटर / 2 litres
b)4 लीटर / 4 litres
c)5 लीटर / 5 litres✓ Correct
d)100 लीटर / 100 litres

Producing 1 litre of bottled water actually requires about 5 litres of water in total due to the manufacturing process of the plastic bottle and purification losses.

ओझोन छिद्र सर्वप्रथम खालीलपैकी कोणत्या वर्षी आढळले ? Ozone hole was detected in which of the following years ?

a)1958
b)1972
c)1985✓ Correct
d)1995

The Antarctic ozone hole was first scientifically detected and reported by British Antarctic Survey scientists in the year 1985.

Passage (Questions number 6 to 10): World leaders have recently announced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 associated targets. The goals and targets are integrated and indivisible. Global leaders have pledged common action and endeavour for such a broad and universal policy agenda. They have decided to implement the Agenda for the full benefit of all. The world has reaffirmed the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international laws. The emphasis is given on the responsibilities of all states, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect, protect and promote human rights and ensuring fundamental freedom for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability, etc. The new goals and targets have come into effect on January 1, 2016 and will guide the decisions to be taken over the next fifteen years. It is necessary to respect the national policy space for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in particular for developing countries from Africa and Asia. People who are vulnerable must be empowered. Those whose needs are reflected in the development agenda include all children, youth, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, older persons, indigenous peoples, refugees and internally displaced persons and migrants. The commitment is shown towards ending poverty in all its forms and dimensions by 2030. SDGs ensure the basic standard of living, end of hunger and achieving food security as a matter of high priority and to end all forms of malnutrition. To promote physical and mental health and well-being, and to extend life expectancy for all, we must achieve universal health coverage and availability of quality healthcare. It is essential to reduce new-born, child and maternal mortality by 2030. SDGs have promised universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education. The focus will be to accelerate the pace of progress made in fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, Ebola and other communicable diseases and epidemics. SDGs aim at building strong economic foundations for all countries. Inclusive and sustainable economic growth is essential for prosperity. It will be easy if wealth is distributed equally and income inequality is addressed. Nations must work to build dynamic, sustainable, innovative and people-centred economies, promoting youth employment and women's economic empowerment. All countries stand to benefit from having a healthy and well-educated workforce. The vast agenda of SDGs shows a certain direction of human progress in the next decade and a half. All the countries in the world must work relentlessly to ensure that most of the goals are attained and the quality of human life is improved all over the globe.

यापैकी काय सत्य नाही ? Which of the following is/are not true ?

(a)शाश्वत विकास उद्दिष्टे ही फक्त विकसनशील राष्ट्रांना लागू आहेत. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are applicable only to the developing countries.

(b)शाश्वत विकास उद्दिष्टातील उद्दिष्ट्ये आंतरसंबंधित आहेत. Goals under SDG are interrelated.

1)फक्त अ / Only a✓ Correct
2)फक्त ब / Only b
3)अ आणि ब दोन्हीही / Both a and b
4)अ आणि ब पैकी काहीही नाही / Neither a nor b

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) apply universally to all countries—developed and developing alike—making statement 'a' factually false and thus the correct answer to what is 'not true'.

🏛️ The Maharashtra angle

Maharashtra implements SDG India Index frameworks at the state level.

1987 साली प्रसिद्ध झालेल्या ब्रुण्डलँड अहवालाचे शीर्षक खालीलपैकी काय होते ? What is the title of the Brundtland Report published in 1987?

1)आपले पर्यावरण / Our Environment
2)आपले समान भविष्य / Our Common Future✓ Correct
3)शाश्वत विकास / Sustainable Development
4)आपला एक उपग्रह (पृथ्वी) / Our One Planet (Earth)

The Brundtland Report, formally known as 'Our Common Future', was published in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development.

पुढील दोन विधानांपैकी कोणते अयोग्य आहे ? Which of the following two statements is incorrect ?

(a)विविध बाबींची आपली मूल्यांकन पद्धती निश्चितच चुकीची आहे. Our value system of the various entities is definitely incorrect.

(b)जैविक संसाधनांचा शाश्वत विकास मानव विकास/कल्याण सुनिश्चित करतो. Sustainable development of biological resources ensures human welfare.

1)फक्त (a) Only (a)
2)फक्त (b) Only (b)
3)(a) व (b) दोन्ही Both (a) and (b)
4)(a) व (b) दोन्हीही नाहीत Neither (a) nor (b)✓ Correct

The question asks for the incorrect statement. Statement (a) and (b) are both factually sound or acceptable interpretations in environmental ethics, hence neither is incorrect.

पुढील दोन विधानांपैकी कोणते अयोग्य आहे ? Which of the following two statements is incorrect ?

(a)मानव निसर्गाचा शत्रू आहे. Man is nautre’s enemy.

(b)जैविक संसाधने मानवाच्या गरजा पुरवितात. Biological resources satisfy human needs.

1)फक्त (a) Only (a)✓ Correct
2)फक्त (b) Only (b)
3)(a) व (b) दोन्ही Both (a) and (b)
4)न (a) अयोग्य न (b) Neither (a) nor (b)

Statement (a) calling man 'nature's enemy' is an extreme philosophical generalization and considered incorrect in standard evaluation. Statement (b) is correct as biological resources fulfill human needs.

कोणत्या वायूमुळे मुख्यत्वे ओझोन थराचा हास होतो ? / The main gas responsible for ozone depletion is :

1)कार्बन डाय ऑक्साईड / Carbon dioxide
2)नायट्रोजन डाय ऑक्साईड / Nitrogen dioxide
3)मिथेन / Methane
4)क्लोरो फल्यूरो कार्बन / Chloro fluro carbon✓ Correct

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) release chlorine atoms upon UV exposure, which actively break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, causing depletion.