Prologue

Approaching Environment Biodiversity

Ch1: Flora and Fauna
Ch12: Environment
What to Ignore
[High priority]: Organizations: main
[High priority]: Policies/Schemes/Projects
[High priority]: Theory
[Low priority] Miscellaneous organizations
[Low priority] International treaties/Conventions
12th FYP plan: Ch4 and Ch7
Vol1.Ch4: Sustainable Development
Vol1: Ch 7 Environment, Forestry and Wildlife
Mock MCQs: IYB Ch1 & 30
Mock MCQs: IYB Ch12, 12th FYP ch4 and 7
[FAQ] Do I need to buy new edition IF I already have 2013?
Prologue
In the last article, we saw how to handle Ch1 and Ch30 of India 2014 || Bhar
at 2014 (+sample MCQs)
In this article, we see how to handle environment related segment from: IYB
(Ch1, Ch8) and 12th FYP (ch4, Ch7).
Approaching Environment Biodiversity
Environment from India Yearbook
Total four stages
Stage I
NCERT, NIOS and Mrunal.org/ENB
Stage II
India Yearbook ch1, 12, 23 [also ch11 on energy- but we ll see that in next ar
ticle]
12th FYP ch4 (Sustainable Development), ch7 (environment)
stage III
follow-up from books/net for whatever GA/GK/theory is left e.g.
list of parks sanctuaries etc.
Stage IV
Continuous notes making from newspapers, magazines. (This stage
must be started ASAP, even if other stages haven t started.)
Three prerequisites before touching IYB for Environment
When it comes to international treaties/kyoto/Nagoya etc. the India Yearbook
and 12th FYP only give bolbachchan type coverage= not much useful in
MCQs (or even for recalling points in mains). So first read the treaties and sum
mits given on Mrunal.org/ENB
NIOS material for Environment and Biodiversity. Religiously mug it up for pr
elims.
NCERT following chapters related to Environment Biodiversity (EnB). [yes you
need to study BOTH NCERT and NIOS for UPSC prelims, as far as EnB topic is
concerned]
Both NCERT and NIOS, free download available at Mrunal.org/download
CLASS

SUBJECT

NCERT CHAPTERS related to EnB

6
7
8
9
10
11
12

geography
geo.
science
geo.
sci.
geo
science
Geo.
sci.
geo(Physical)
geo (India)
economy
Biology
chemistry

8
1 to 6
7, 16 to 18
8
7 and 18
5
14
2
14 to 16
15 and 16
4 and 5
9 (Sustainable development)
13 to 16
14

Assuming that you re done with pre-requisite #1, 2 and 3 welcome back.
Overall Chapter 12 (Environment) and 23 (planning-subtopic Environment) give fol
lowing details
Various organizations, bodies
List of policies and laws.
Terms/ schemes.
Although in all three things, you ll have to do Followup by digging google. Because
the data given in the book alone is not sufficient to handle MCQ/Mains.
But you need to read the book, to prepare the base.
Ch1: Flora and Fauna
topic what to focus
Climate/Seasons (page 4)
Four official seasons
Six traditional seasons
Two seasonal winds
Flora Page 5(English) ; Page 4(Hindi)
Total number of plant species: 46,000
Vascular flora:15,000
8 distinct florist regions: what trees are found in which region?
Definition of Ethno-botanical study-MCQ
Red Data book-Published by BSI.
Fauna (page6)
Ascending Descending order of Amphebia, Mammalia, Reptilia etc.
Salt water crocodile is found in __?
Project crocodile __(Important for chronological order of various projects)
This section lists names of many wild life species-You need to find out the
places where they are found.
After this census related information starts. Ignore it for the moment we will g
et back to it during education, Health care, Welfare related chapters.
Mock MCQs related to this chapter, are given in the appendix of this article.
Ch12: Environment
What to Ignore

you may ignore following topics, because

bolbachchan paragraphs, useless junk for MCQ/descriptive.
outdated data from 2012 s era- lot new developments have taken place
ch.
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12

topic English
Hindi
Milestone achievement 291
261
Environment research
297
267
NNRMS 297
267
Education and awareness
298
268-69
National museum
298
269
Wildlife education and training
299
269
Centre of excellence
299
269
Sustainable development and international cooperation* 302
Climate change 302-03 273

272

*It deals with RIO+20, but same thing explains in detail in Mrunal.org/ENB
[High priority]: Organizations: main
ch.
topic English
Hindi
12
Ministry of environment and forest
285
255
12
National biodiversity authority NBA
288
258
12
National tiger conservation authority 290
260
12
Wildlife crime control bureau- statutory
290
261
12
Central pollution control board- CPCB 292
263
12
Central wetlands regulatory authority 295
265
12
Eco-development forces(IMP- They are under defence ministry and not unde
r environment ministry)
296
267
12
National green tribunal*
301
272
12
National environment assessment and monitory authority- NEAMA 301
272
23
National Ganga river basin authority
682
699
*better dig net for more.
[High priority]: Policies/Schemes/Projects
12
Forest management scheme
289
260
12
Project tiger, project elephant (insufficient info given, dig NET for mo
re)
291
261
12
Environment impact assessment- EIA, its amendment
291-92 262
12
Policy for abatement of pollution- 1992
292
262
12
National environment policy- 2006
292
262
12
E-waste rules- 2011
293
264
12
National river conservation plan
294
264
12
National wetlands conservation program 295
265
12
Biomedical waste management
294
264
12
National afforestation program 296
266
12
Awards and fellowships- only names and features
299-300
270-71
12
ENVIS- web portal
300
271
23
National costal management program
682
700
23
Biodiversity hotspots 684
702
23
National action plan for climate change- NAPCC (more details given in 12
th FYP)
685
702-03
23
Green India mission
685
703
[High priority]: Theory
12
Mangroves
286
257
12
Coral reef- Four major areas
287
257
12
Clean technology
294
264
12
Ozone layer protection 303
273-74
for more on the theory, refer to NIOS and NCERTs.

Laws
12
12
12

Forest conservation Act

289
Environment protection Act 1986 *
National green tribunal act 2010 *

259
-

*Dig net
[Low priority] Miscellaneous organizations
as the name suggests- they re Miscellaneous, so don t spent lot of time in them- eve
n if an MCQ is asked, the cost:benefit is bad.
ch.
topic English
Hindi
12
Botanical survey of India
285
255
12
Zoological survey of India
286
256
12
Forest survey of India 286
256
12
Wildlife institute of India- WII
290
260
12
Central zoo authority 291
261
12
Animal welfare board
291
262
12
National river conservation directorate
294
264
12
National afforestation and eco-development board
296
266
12
GB pant institute
297
268
12
Four institutes given under forestry research 298
268
[Low priority] International treaties/Conventions
Topic is high priority, but from the given book s given chapter, its low priority
because data is outdated, and very brief overview given.
ch.
topic English
Hindi
12
Biosphere reserve
287
257
12
Biodiversity conservation- its two components: Biodiversity and bio-safe
ty
287
257
12
Convention on biodiversity CBD*
288
258
12
Cartagena biosafety protocol
289
259
12
Ramsar convention
295
266
*go through Mrunal.org/ENB
And for remaining conventions, dig NET.
12th FYP plan: Ch4 and Ch7
So far you re done with Environment chapter of IYB. Now time to shift to 12th Five
year plan (FYP).
To download the free PDFs of 12th FYP (English | Hindi), CLICK ME
Vol1.Ch4: Sustainable Development
Relevance
Topic to focus PDF page#
MCQ/fodder
4.1 Definition of sustainable Development and who gave it?
146
fodder figure 4.1
147
fodder 4.6 definition of Eco-efficiency
147
MCQ
4.9 Green tax- meaning, utility and Indian example
147-48
fodder 4.10 why diesel-fertilizer subsidies are bad
148
fund
4.12 National clean energy fund
148
fund
4.13 Compensatory afforestation fund
148
fodder 4.15 benefit of PAT and REC
149
fodder 4.16 list of non-monetary incentives to protect environment
149
fodder 4.22 Eco Industrial hub
150
MCQ
4.26 coastal regulation zone classification
151
MCQ
4.27 fact that Swaminathan Committee is associated with coastal zone Ma
nagement
151
MCQ
4.29 Ecomark -label (last two sentences)
151
fodder box 4.1: focus areas in 12th FYP
152
MCQ
4.35: why supercritical powerplants are better than sub-critical

152
fodder box 4.2: that research in advanced coal technology = better cost:Benefit
than soal energy
153
MCQ
4.37: what s the benefit of coal gasification? 153
MCQ
4.39: which states have highest potential in wind energy?
153
fodder 4.41: the need for national wind energy mission?
154
MCQ
4.42: which states have off-shore wind potential?
154
MCQ
4.44: benefit of solar photovoltaic tech vs solar thermal tech 155
fodder 4.47 to 4.52: how to reform solar mission?
155
MCQ
4.52: crystalline silicon vs thin film system 155-56
MCQ
4.68: three types of cements produced in India (+ that BIS permits them
to add fly ash)
158
MCQ
Table 4.2: which sectors consume high amount of energy? ascending descen
ding order
160
MCQ/fodder
Table 4.3 the pro-cons of carbon tax vs. cap-n-trade schemes
162
MCQ
4.93: what are the negative consequences when freight is transported thr
ough trucks rather than via railways
164
fodder 4.94 to 96: how to improve the efficiency of rail/road/water transport
164-65
fodder 4.99: what are the benefits of using public transport? (five points)
166
fodder 4.99 (from page 167) + 4.100 + 4.101: what are the polity challenges that
impede reforms in urban transport?
167
MCQ
4.102: BEE energy labelling program
167
MCQ
4.105: Bachat lamp Yojana-features
168
MCQ
4.109: SEEP program
168
MCQ
fig.4.6: electricity consumption sector wise ascending-descending
169
fodder 4.118: green building code related points
170
MCQ
4.121: green building rating system (fact that its by IGBC and not BEE/g
overnment)
170
MCQ/fodder
4.128: national mission for green India
172
fodder Annex.4.2 how/why Low carbon strategy helps in inclusive growth?
175-76
This finishes ch4 of 12th FYP. Dig following topics through pib/net.
national environment policy
national policy for farmer
national electricity policy
integrated energy policy
Indian alpine initiative
vehicle labelling scheme
so far we are done with
IYB
ch1 land people
ch30 state UT and
ch12 Environment
12th FYP

ch4 sustainable development.

moving on:
Vol1: Ch 7 Environment, Forestry and Wildlife
Relevance
Topic to Focus PDF page#
MCQ/fodder
7.4 (Polity) why environment needs to be included in concurrent
list
237

fodder 7.13: polity initiative taken in 11th FYP

239
MCQ
table 7.1 list of schemes which of them are Central schemes (CS), and wh
ich one as centrally sponsored schemes (CSS)
240
MCQ
box 7.3: Moniterable Targets under 12th FYP
243
Fodder box 7.4: goals of 12th FYP
244
org
7.31:National environment and forestry council (NEFC). and 7.32: similar
for States.
245
org
7.33 (1)National environment protection authority (NEPA)
245
fodder figure 7.3 diagram to memorize fodder points
246
fodder 7.35: how to make Environment protection act effective?
247
org
7.38:NEAMA authority
247
fund
7.40: National environment restoration fund
247
E-gov IBIS, IBIN, and 7.43: National information grid
248
org
7.48: central board of forestry
249
e-gov 7.48: Using GIS for forest rights act 249
fund
7.51: Green fund
249
fodder 7.53: need for reforms in Project elephant
249
MCQ
figure 7.4 for the schemes under 12th FYP
250
e-gov 7.65: NEMP; 7.66 forestry information system
251-52
fodder 7.67: how to protect against invasive species 252
MCQ
7.70: Environment performance index (And its table 7.2)
253
MCQ
7.73: green India mission (although mostly cutpaste from IYB) 254
fodder 7.75: climate change
255
257
fodder 7.82: 12th FYP s three pronged strategy for climate change
MCQ
7.83: share of emission (ascending descending) 257
MCQ
7.84: chief contributors of agro-GHG emission 257-58
fodder 7.85: national water mission
258
MCQ/fodder
7.95 & 96: why climate change increases our vulnerability to dis
eases? 259-60
MCQ/fodder
7.103 to 7111: National action plan on climate change (you got t
he overview from IYB, here you get detailed info.)
260-62
fodder 7.113: how to make NAPCC more effective? (and followup on BOX 7.7 for su
ggested reorganization)
262
Dig Net/PIB/prsindia for:
National ambient air quality standards (NAAQs)
polysaturated fatty acids in Marine organism
invasive species
protection of plant varieties and farmers rights
forest rights act
seeds amendment bill
biotech regulatory authority bill
(Because they re mentioned in FYP, but not sufficient coverage for MCQ/mains)
This concludes core preparation of Environment related topics. (Allied topics/chap
ters- energy, water, sci-tech etc. we ll see in future articles.)
Mock MCQs: IYB Ch1 & 30
Q1. As per the IMD classification, which of the following are the official seaso
ns of India?
Winter: December to February
Pre Monsoon: April to June
Post monsoon: October to December
Answer choices

only
only
only
only

1
1 and 2
1 and 3
2 and 3

Q2. Match the following seasons

early autumn
Late autumn
winter
spring

Sarada
Hemanta
Sisira
vasanta
Answer
code
a
b
c
d

choices
I
4
1
1
2

II
3
3
2
1

III
2
2
3
3

IV
1
4
4
4

Q3. Consider the following trees: silver fir, silver birch, juniper, blue pine.
Which of them are found in the Western Himalayas?
all
all
all
all

except silver fir

except silver birch
except juniper
of them.

Q4. Arrange the following fauna in ascending order, according to the variety of
species found in India.
Mammals
Reptiles
Amphibians
Aves
Correct ascending order is:
1234
4321
3124
1324
Q5. Consider following statements about Thamin deer?
It is an endangered species as per IUCN classification.
It is an endemic species of Western Ghats.
It is also known as Dancing deer because of its peculiar style of walking
Find correct statement(s)
only 1 and 2
only 2 and 3

only 1 and 3
All three correct.
Q6. Consider following sanctuaries: Ichagarh, Tenughat and Chandrapura. Which of
the following are correct statements about them?
all of them are bird sanctuaries
all of them are located in Jharkhand
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q7. In which of the following places, can we find Mangrove forest, swamp forest,
moist-deciduous forest and tropical wet-evergreen forest?
Tamilandu
West Bengal
Andra Pradesh
Andaman and Nicobar islands
Q8. Which of the following statements are correct about Andaman-Nicobar islands?
Their eastern coast has fringing type of coral reefs while western coast has
barrier type of coral reefs.
Padauk and Gurjan- two endemic species of Mangroves, are found only in Nicob
ar group of islands but not in Andaman group of islands.
both A and B
Neither A nor B.
Q9. Which of the following statements are correct about Andaman Nicobar?
It receives rainfall from South East Monsoon but not from North East monsoon
.
These islands have Mangrove forest but no littoral forest.
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q10. Correct statements about Argali Sheep
Their natural habitat is alpine grasslands.
They re found in Khangchengzonga National Park of Sikkim.
They re poached mainly for horns, which are used in traditional Chinese medici
ne.
They ve became extinct in China and Mongolia.
Answer choices
only
only
only
only

1 and 2
1, 2 and 3
1, 2 and 4
3 and 4

Q11. Find correct statements

Black Necked Crane is a native of Siberia, but migrates to Nal-sarovar of Gu
jarat during Winter
India has the largest population of snow leopards in the world.
Military activity is one of the main causes for declining population of snow
leopards in the world.
Correct statements

only
only
only
only

1 and 2
2 and 3
1
3

Correct answers
Correct seasons as per IMD= only 2 and 3. Because for Winter- months are giv
en wrong
Early autumn-Sarada, Late-Hementa, Winter-sisira, Spring-Vasanta
all of them found in Western Himalaya
Amphi<< Mam <<Rep <<Ave
C. The Answer Not given in IYB. But in IYB page6- Swamp deer mentioned, and
UPSC did ask MCQ about it in CSAT 2013. So on the same logic, one should prepare
all the species given in IYB, including Thamin deer. Anyways, statement #2 is w
rong because Thamin deer is mainly found in Manipur, Myanmar Vietnam. So, going
by elimination process, we are left with (C)
C. all correct
C. Andaman-Nicobar
A. only 1st statement right
C. both are wrong.
B. This sheep mentioned in Sikkim section of Ch.30, hence PH.D becomes neces
sary as per unwritten rule of UPSC MCQs. As per IUCN redlist- first three statem
ents right.
D. Black necked crane lives in Sikkim, Snow leopard largest population is in
China; third statement is right- military activities have led to habitat destru
ction, poverty=>illegal poaching for quick cash etc. hence third statement right
. (Ref. iucn)
Mock MCQs: IYB Ch12, 12th FYP ch4 and 7
Q1. Consider following statements about Mangroves
They can survive in Aerobic soil but not in Anaerobic soil
They form a commensalist link between terrestrial and marine ecosystem.
In India, maximum mangrove cover is found in West Bengal, followed by Gujara
t and Andaman-Nicobar.
Choice
only
only
only
only

1 and 2
2 and 3
1 and 3
3

Q2. Which of the following are the major coral reef areas of India?
Mannar
Kutch
Lakshadweep
Andaman-Nicobar
Choice
all
all
all
All

except Mannar
except Kutch
except Lakshadweep
of them

Q3. Correct chronological order

National
National
National
National

forest policy
biodiversity authority
environment policy
Green Tribunal

Answer choices
4321
1324
2413
1234
Q4. Which of the following is a statutory body?
National biodiversity authority
Wildlife crime control bureau
both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q5. (A) Clean technology offer significant cost advantage to the producer. (R) C
lean technologies are less intensive on the use of raw material and energy
Both correct and R explains A
Both correct but R doesn t explain A
A right but R wrong
R right but A wrong.
Q6. Consider following statements about Eco-development forces
This force consists of volunteers from high schools and colleges
This force is setup by respective state governments, using the funding provi
ded by MoEF
both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q7. What is the utility of ENVIS portal?
It s a vigilance portal for gathering information related to economic offenses
It s an education portal for imparting English language knowledge to the women
and children in rural areas
It s a web portal for environment related information collection storage and p
rocessing.
None of Above
Q8. Ultra violate radiation can cause
Skin Cancer
Eye Cataract
Suppress body s immune system
Decrease crop yield
Answer choices
All except #4
Only 1, 2
Only 1 and 3
All of them

Q9. Which of the following is/are Ozone depleting substances

Halon
Methyl chloroform
Methyl bromide
Answer choices
only 1
Only 1 and 2
Only 1 and 3
All of them
Q10. Correct statements about Coastal zone regulations.
Category 1 deals with islands.
Category 4 lists the ecological sensitive areas of India
Construction activities are permitted in category 2 and 3
Answer choice
only 1
Only 2
Only 3
All of them
Q11. Consider following statements about Super-critical technology in coal power
plants?
It produces higher amount of electricity per kg of coal, compared to sub-cri
tical technology.
Its R&D is still in nascent stage and practical application is extremely exp
ensive than sub-critical technology
Both A and B
neither A nor B
Q12. What are the potential applications of Coal gasification technology?
exploitation of deep coal deposits that cannot be mined using conventional m
eans
In-situ capture of carbon
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q13. Correct statements
India produces only two varieties of Cement: Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
and Ordinary Portland Cement.
Given the environmental concerns, MoEF has banned cement companies from mixi
ng fly ash into Portland Pozzolana Cement
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q14. Consider following statements about carbon tax?
it doesn t provide cost certainty to the manufacturer and consumers
there is potential chance of manipulation and evasion
Coal cess is an example of carbon tax
Answer choices

Only
Only
only
only

1 and 2
1 and 3
2 and 3
3

Q15. In India, if lower amount of freight is transported through railways than t

hrough trucks, what will be its consequences on the economy?
fiscal deficit will increase
adverse balance of payment
both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q16. find Wrong statements
Through Bachat lamp Yojana, government sells CFL lamps to households at the
same price as tubelights
LED lamps are more energy efficient than CFL lamps but less than tubelights.
both A and B
Neither A nor B
Q17. (A) In India, only the Parliament can amend the environmental laws. (R) Env
ironment is a residual subject in Constitution of India.
Both correct and R explains A
Both correct but R doesn t explain A
A right but R wrong
R right but A wrong.
Q18. 12th Five year plan aims to
Clean all the the critically polluted rivers by 2020
Train veterinary professionals to treat wildlife.
Setup an autonomous body named National Environment Assessment and Moni
toring Authority (NEAMA) for EIA, coastal zone regulations and marine fisheries
regulations.
All of above
Q19. correct match
National environment restoration fund: proceeds of the coal cess
National clean energy fund: donations and fees collected from private sector
for accessing specified natural resources.
Green Fund: proceeds from tax collected on the sale of forest produce.
none of above.
Q20. Agriculture contributes significant amount of GHG emission in India. Which
among the following is/are responsible for it?
Methane from Rice paddies
fermentation in ruminant animals
Nitrous oxides from and fertilisers.
choice
Only 1
Only 1
only 2
all of

and 2
and 3
and 3
them

Correct Answers
D. As per IYB page 287
They can survive Anaerobic soil=#1 wrong
Commensalism= only one party benefits without damaging other. Symbiosis=
both benefit. Mangrove = Symbiosis link between Marine vs Terrestrial=> #2 wrong
#3 is right.
D. All of them major coral reef areas
D. forest-88, NBA-03,environment-06, NGT-10
C. both are statutory
A
D. both wrong. Ref page 296
C
D
D. All of them. Ref page 303
C. only 3
A only first statement right
C both right
D both wrong
only 3 (ref. table 4.3 of 12th FYP)
C. Both of them right (ref point 4.93 in 12th FYP)
C. both wrong. (same price as CFL, and not tubelights)
A.
D all of them
all wrong
D. all of them
[FAQ] Do I need to buy new edition IF I already have 2013?
A question asked by many readers,
edition?

I already have IYB 2013, do I need to buy 2014 s

Answer is NO. (Observe the change list, then I elaborate)

Changes in Ch1. Land and people
First six pages are almost the same.
Census: data is updated.
Changes in Ch12. Environment
Compressed forest resource and survey
Compressed environment conservation
Compressed CBD, Biological diversity act
Removed genetic engineering approval committee
Removed COP-MOP-5, AICOPTAX
Removed forest policy
Compressed project tiger and project elephant
Removed regulatory acts under animal welfare
Compressed EIA
Compressed CPCB
Compressed E-waste management
Removed chemical safety
Compressed Bio-medical waste management
Compressed national river conservation directorate
Compressed ramsar convention national wetland conservation program
Added central wetland regulatory authority
Compressed Environmental research and NNRMS from two pages to just two parag
raphs
Removed statistical cell and NGO cell

Compressed Climate change and removed COP-16

Removed- IPCC , INCCA, UK Collaboration and many other miscellaneous topics
Changes in Ch30. State and UT
Updated population data as per Census 2011
Updated names of governor, CM, chief Secretary, + a few state schemes here a
nd there. (It also lists Kejriwal as Delhi PM- meaning pretty latest printed bo
ok.)
but other than that, Most of the static content is identical to the previous
edition.
[^ I m yet to compare remaining chapters in detail. But they also run on same patt
ern: lot of data either compressed or removed.]
Now coming back to the question
I already have 2013 edition of India Yearbook, so, do I need to buy 2014 s edition
?
My answer/advice/opinion is

NO because:

They did Compress a lot of topics, eliminated many outdated topics, but haven t u
pdated the topics much.
The way things are moving under UPSC s Backbreaking era, you ll have to dig net,
newspaper and magazines- for almost every term, scheme, policy, act, bill, irre
spective of how up-to-date your IYB is. Therefore, IYB s main use is base material,
and as the base material- it hasn t updated much between 2013 vs 2014's edition.
Census data updated- but you can easily get it from net. Those ten new pages
alone don t justify the need for dishing out another 250/- rupees.
In almost all chapters, the IR/HRD related data is still from 2012 s era one a
nd same. Even in above COP/UNFCC/Kyoto/RIO+20 etc. summits.
Whatever few things are newly added, you can dig through PIB/Net (as per the
list/tables given in above article).
I believe you already have used highlighter/ballpen/margin-notes on the 2013 s
edition for quick reading/revision. So If you get new 2014 s edition again= you ll
have to repeat the same exercise on those 1000+ pages again = not worth the cost
:benefit. (because data hardly new- only page numbers changed.)
In short, if you already have IYB-2013 then not much point in getting IYB-2014:
your 250-350 rupees are better spent buying in some other books or
stationary.
====================================
The India 2013 (also known as India yearbook) is made up of
Overview of topics (like cement industry, Animal husbandry etc.)
Organizations: structure function (like Competition Commission of India, NAB
ARD etc.)
Policies, laws Schemes, projects, missions. (like MNREGA, PMGSY, NRLM etc.)
Some facts, GK (mostly chapter 1, 2, 3, 30, 32).
Truckload of dates, numbers and tables (most of them useless from exam point
of view).
Anyways, India Yearbook has specific utility in each stage of UPSC civil service
exam.
Utility in Prelims (CSAT)
UPSC often asks MCQs based on

Functions/ Jurisdiction of organizations: which of the following ministry / o

rganization looks after xyz matter? and options given.
Salient features of schemes: which of the following are correct statements re
garding XYZ schemes . Then you re given 2,3 or 4 statements and you ve to
identify the correct or incorrect statements.
MCQ based on some absolute fact/GK given in yearbook.
Utility in Mains
In last two years, we can see the trend developing
Type
Question
Yearbook provides
Long questions (20, 25 markers)
Often asking you to analyse or evaluate some
topic.
Fodder material.
Medium question (10, 12, 15 marks)
Salient features of a scheme/policy/orga
nization etc. Or discuss xyz thing. Direct answers (with followup point from
net/newspapers).
2-markers
(2, 5 marks)
You re given some name/term, and you ve to write a few lines on it.
Direct answers. (if the term is asked from yearbook).
The schemes/terms with catchy names/short-forms = important for MCQ (prelims
)/2markers (in mains). (e.g.SABLA, UJJWALA etc.) so better just maintain a note/
MS excel file of it for quick revisions for prelims.
Utility in Interview
Chapter 30 of yearbook provides you information about your home state and ne
ighboring states = important for profile based questions.
The organization functions- jurisdiction angle very important. Because if Board
-member asks you what should be done to improve electricity output for Industries
? and you say Power ministry should do xyz thing. But actually that xyz matter fall
s under jurisdiction of coal ministry / environment ministry = you re ruining your
impression.
The Schemes angle. If Board-member asks you what should be done for Development
of North Eastern states? and you say xyz thing should be done . But that xyz thing
is already being done under some scheme for last 10 years. Now Board-member thin
ks that You re not aware of the realities. Your knowledge/understanding/reading is
shallow.
So overall, yearbook helps you in above areas. But at the same time
Limitations of yearbook
For private companies, success = how much money made. Similarly for Governme
nt, success = how much money spent. So whenever yearbook talks about a particula
r scheme, they give you a paragraph/table full of xyz crores rupees were allotted
during 2012-13 and so on .
Such data Is hardly useful for exam (brain s memory storage capacity). And bec
ause of such useless data, book is very bulky.
Yearbook is written by Government. They want to paint a rosy picture. So, Ye
arbook won t generally tell you problems / limitations / shortcomings associated w
ith any scheme/organization.
That s why you ve to follow newspaper columns on regular basis and maintain a da
iry collecting the fodder points. (which you can cite during mains/essay/intervi
ew, when questions about analyse, evaluate, suggest reforms etc are asked.)
Coverage is not exhaustive for every topic. You ll still need to dig internet/ o
ld newspaper articles to gather more points. (e.g. SEZ, or petro pricing etc.)
General guidelines while using India Yearbook
#1: Skipping sentences

Any statement or table given in yearbook, is important only IF it gives you one
or more of the following information:
Some fact/ feature/reason that can be asked in MCQ, 2m or descriptive.
Some fancy name that can be asked in MCQ, 2m (e.g. Annapurna, Swadhar, Ujjwa
la etc.)
Some Fodder point that can be cited in descriptive answer, essay, interview
^if the statement doesn t contain any of these, then it s a useless statement.
Don t bother finishing the sentence, move to next sentence. Otherwise you cannot f
inish this 1200+ pages book in time, If you re going to read it line by
line, word by word.
some risk taking is also necessary.
#2: Organizations
In the introductory part of every chapter, the yearbook will tell you about the e
volution that xyz ministry was earlier known as abc ministry and then
it was renamed in 1989 and it was merged with def department and so on .skip evolut
ion , just find what functions are performed by the ministry right now?
The organization that affects more lives, is more important.
Small time organizations are not really important. E.g. Rajiv Gandhi flight trai
ning academy etc. (cost benefit is not good + gives diminishing rate of returns
+ you ve to take some risk, else you can t finish syllabus.)
Whenever you read about an organization

ask yourself

Where does it fall in the hierarchy?

What are the functions of this organizations?
What type of organization is it?= executive, statutory, constitutional, soci
ety etc.?
Who is the boss, how is he selected? (although not always relevant).
#3: Schemes
Whenever you read about a scheme/mission/project. Ask yourself following
Who s the boss? (implementing ministry)
Who s the beneficiary?(target group)
What benefits are given?
Is it cash (e.g. scholarship, pension, insurance) or is it kind (e.g. subsid
ized fertilizer, wheat, rice, kerosene, tools, training) or both?
Is It 100% centrally sponsored scheme?
Don t bother with year unless some really big n important scheme. Otherwise just hav
e the timeframe in mind (started in 80s, 90s, 2000s.)
Yearbook Chapter Classification
I ve reclassified the Yearbook chapters into following sections (and then given ch
.no and page number from where each topic has to be prepared)
Environment and Biodiversity (EnB)
Economy
International relations, Diplomacy, Diaspora
Rights issues (education, welfare, basic polity)

Science Tech, Public Health and Agro

Communication, IT, Mass comm
Culture, Tourism, Youth, Sports and Misc GK.
In this article, I m providing the reading list for Environment and Biodiversity . Re
maining topics given in other five articles separately.
Environment and Biodiversity (EnB)
Background
How to approach Environment and Biodiversity for General Studies (prelims an
d mains) explained in separate article already (Click me)
NIOS Study material: (click me for download)
IGNOU Study material: (click me for download)
Articles on various topics of [EnB] can be found at http://www.mrunal.org/en
b
Following list contains the essential ENB topics to be studied from India 20
13 (aka India yearbook).
EnB: organizations
Ch
Pg no Topic
-----------------------------------------------------12
291
ministry of environment forest
12
291
Botanical survey of India
12
292
Zoological Survey of India
12
292
Forest Survey of India
12
296
Genetic approval Committee: functions
12
300
national board of wildlife (dig net)
12
305
Pollution control board (CPCB)
12
310
national river conservation directorate
12
311
Ganga Basin authority (+ pg 740 planning)
12
323
NEAMA authority
27
958
functions of Ministry of water resources
27
966
water resource council, water board
27
970-71 Centrak water Commission functions
27
973
Central ground water board + RGI scheme
27
975-76 WAPCOS functions
27
976
narmada control authority
27
978
National Perspective plan + Water Development agency
EnB: Important facts for MCQ/2m
12
297
AICOPTAX
12
300
WCCB functions
12
301
central zoo authority : functions
12
303
name of statutory bodies for animal welfare (2nd para)
12
319
IGNFA, Dehradun trains IFS officers.
12
323
ECOMARK dig net
27
961
hydro project II (fact that world bank gives assistance)
27
980
river links
27
974
Farakka, Bansagar, Ganga Flood, Upper Yamuna (mostly MCQs)
Laws/conventions/IR
12
294
biosphere reserve
12
295
Biodiversity Act + overview on pg 743 planning
12
323
Green tribunal (NGT) + pg 741 planning + dig net
Environment : Policies
12
299
forest policy (dig net)
12
304
environment impact assement (dig net)
12
304
policy for abetment of pollution (+ more on page 306) + pg 742 p
lanning
27
958
water policy (2nd para) dig net for more
EnB: Schemes

12
298
IFMS (Forest Management)
12
301
project tiger (dig net) + tables given on pg 301, 302 =important
for MCQs)
12
302
project elephant (dig net)
12
306
clean technology and hazard/waste Management (upto pg 310)
12
312
Wetland conservation + Ramsar
12
313-14 Afforestation + eco Development
12
316
Gadgil panel (already discussed click me)
12
321
ENVIS
23
744
National Action plan for climate change (dig net for more)
23
745
Green India mission +low carbon economy
EnB: Overview Topics
These are the topics that don t fall under conventional classification of organizat
ion / scheme , but nonetheless, they provide good facts and fodder points.
1
5
flora overview
1
6
fauna overview
4
73
climate change and agriculture
12
293
Mangrove protection + coral reefs + third para on page 317
12
323
climate change overview
25
888-892
Ocean science and tech
25
892-896
coastal and marine ecology+ coast Management program fr
om pg 741 planning
25
896
climate change research, cloud physics, disaster support
26
941
Sethusamudram project (dig more on net regarding SC orders)
23
740
12th FYP and environment + issues require attention @pg 742
27
962
flood Management
27
963
ground water Development upto pg 965: mostly fodder