UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Environment and Geography to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for September 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 With reference to the Chabahar port, consider the following statements: 1. It is located on the south-eastern coast of Iran. 2. The development of Chabahar port is important as it provides direct land route access for transit and trade between India and Afghanistan. 3. In India, it is nearest to Mumbai Port. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The US administration led by President Donald Trump has said it is withdrawing the sanctions waiver granted to the Chabahar port in Iran, which is being developed by India, thereby ending the waiver from 2018 during Trump 1.0. The sanctions regime on the strategically-located port will come into effect from September 29. — The construction of Chabahar port is particularly significant due to the lack of direct land connectivity for transport and trade between India and Afghanistan. In fact, the first shipment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan was delivered through Chabahar port in November 2017. This has proved that the Chabahar port is a feasible and secure option for increasing regional connectivity between India, Iran, and Afghanistan. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — Chabahar port's location on Iran's south-eastern coast is intended to increase chances for trade and commerce promotion, particularly from India's western coast ports to Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Chabahar is nearest to the Indian coast through Kandla port in Gujarat, not Mumbai. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. (Other Source: www.mea.gov.in) QUESTION 2 With reference to the jellyfish, consider the following statements: 1. Global warming has led to an increase in the population. 2. They feed on plankton. 3. They cannot tolerate low oxygen levels in water. 4. Plastic waste can serve as a breeding colony for jellyfish. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2 and 4 Explanation — Nuclear power plants require a constant flow of water to cool their reactors and turbine systems, which is why many plants are typically built near large bodies of water. The plants’ intake pipes have screening areas that have grated barrier systems to remove solid materials and aquatic life, and allow the inflow of water, sometimes millions of gallons every minute. — However, jellyfish pose a unique problem to this system. When a large volume of jellyfish — around a million individuals — gets pulled in by the intake pipes, they entirely cover and clog the screening areas within minutes. As a result, the flow of water is interrupted. This risks overheating and damage to the major plant constituents, such as the turbines, condensers, and boilers, forcing the reactors to shut down. — Such a large number of jellyfish are typically pulled in when these creatures bloom — a rapid, temporary increase in jellyfish reproduction rates — near coastal nuclear power plants. During this process, millions of separate jellyfish clump together into dense groups. — Global warming has led to higher ocean temperatures, which, in turn, has resulted in the surge of plankton — the primary food source of jellyfish. With an abundance of food available, jellyfish have been able to increase their population substantially. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Jellyfish have proliferated because of overfishing as well. That’s because various kinds of species, such as tuna and sea turtles, that prey on them have been removed from the ecosystem. These species also feed on plankton, and with their reduced population, jellyfish have more plankton to consume and thrive unchecked. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — Jellyfish can tolerate low oxygen levels in water, which is a consequence of pollution. This has also contributed to the increase in their population in recent years. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — Moreover, plastic waste of just a few centimetres can serve as a breeding colony for jellyfish. This brings them close to coastlines and reproduces. The process increases the risk of jellyfish getting pulled in by the plants’ intake pipes, especially during blooms. Hence, statement 4 is correct. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. QUESTION 3 Galathea Bay has been in the news recently. It is located in: (a) Cook Island (b) Diu Island (c) Sagar Island (d) Great Nicobar Island Explanation — No-go fragile coastal areas in Galathea Bay of the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) must be excluded from the proposed mega infrastructure project as the law does not allow activities there, counsel for the appellant challenging clearances of the Rs 81,000 crore project told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) during a hearing. — The GNI project involves construction of an international container transshipment terminal, a township and area development, a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant, and a dual use civilian and military airport. The project will be spread over 166 sq km. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. QUESTION 4 Consider the following statements: 1. Carbon dioxide emissions from India’s electricity sector in the first half of this year have shown a hike as compared to the same period last year. 2. The electricity sector is the largest contributor to India’s greenhouse gas emissions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Breaking a long-term trend, carbon dioxide emissions from India’s electricity sector in the first half of this year have shown a marginal decline compared to the same period last year, a new analysis has revealed. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — This is the first time that emissions from any sector in India over a half-a-year period have dropped, outside of the Covid years. The relatively milder summer temperatures and good monsoon rainfall were an important contributory factor. — This is significant because the electricity sector is the largest contributor to India’s greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for almost 40 per cent of the country’s annual emissions. India’s emissions, the third largest in the world, have been rising steadily over the years, in sync with its expanding economy, and this is the first time that a drop has been witnessed even at the sectoral level. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — The analysis suggests that emissions from India’s electricity sector may peak by 2030, much earlier than previously expected. New capacity additions in non-fossil fuel based electricity, like renewables, nuclear and hydro, are likely to outpace the growth in power demand by that time. This means that India may not need to deploy additional coal-based electricity to meet the increase in electricity demand. — The growing ability of solar and wind to meet the peak demands in electricity with the help of storage could result in flat-lining coal-powered electricity generation, and the emissions associated with it, the analysis said. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. QUESTION 5 With reference to the Western Ghats, consider the following statements: 1. These Ghats act as a key barrier, intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer. 2. The Ghats traverse through only five Indian states. 3. These mountains are interrupted by the Palghat Gap. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The Western Ghats are internationally recognized as a region of immense global importance for the conservation of biological diversity, besides containing areas of high geological, cultural and aesthetic values. — A chain of mountains running parallel to India’s western coast, approximately 30-50 km inland, the Ghats traverse the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — These mountains cover an area of around 140,000 km² in a 1,600 km long stretch that is interrupted only by the 30 km Palghat Gap at around 11°N. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — The mountains of the Western Ghats and their characteristic montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns that mediate the warm tropical climate of the region, presenting one of the best examples of the tropical monsoon system on the planet. The Ghats act as a key barrier, intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer. Hence, statement 1 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. (Source: whc.unesco.org) Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 124) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 128) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 128) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 128) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 127) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 127) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us onInstagramand X.
