03/01/2026
यहाँ अरावली केस स्टडी से बनाए गए UPSC लेवल के सवाल (प्रीलिम्स और मेन्स दोनों) दिए गए हैं, जिनमें पर्यावरण, राजनीति, शासन और नैतिकता शामिल हैं।
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PRELIMS-TYPE MCQs
Q. 1. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravalli Range:
1. It spans across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi.
2. It acts as a natural barrier against the expansion of the Thar Desert.
3. The Supreme Court, in the M.C. Mehta vs Union of India case, banned all mining in the Aravallis unless cleared by the Central Empowered Committee.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: In Comment Box
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2. The "Precautionary Principle" and "Polluter Pays Principle," often applied in environmental jurisprudence in India, derive their authority from:
a) Fundamental Duties under Article 51A(g)
b) Directive Principles of State Policy
c) Judicial interpretation of Article 21 (Right to Life)
d) All of the above
Answer:
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3. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), often seen in news regarding forest and environmental cases, is:
a) A statutory body under the Environment Protection Act, 1986
b) A committee set up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on a permanent basis
c) A Supreme Court-appointed expert body for monitoring court orders in environment cases
d) A parliamentary committee for environmental auditing
Answer:
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MAINS-TYPE QUESTIONS
GS Paper II (Polity & Governance)
Q. “The Supreme Court’s intervention in the Aravalli deforestation case highlights the role of judiciary in filling legislative and executive gaps in environmental governance.” Critically examine.
(Keywords to include: Judicial activism, PIL, Separation of powers, Sustainable development, Article 21, Environmental jurisprudence, Institutional failure.)
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Q. Discuss the significance of the ‘dictionary definition of forest’ as upheld by the Supreme Court in the T.N. Godavarman case. How does it strengthen the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980?
(Keywords: Forest Conservation Act 1980, Godavarman judgment, deemed forests, state’s discretion vs. ecological imperative, Aravalli notification.)
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GS Paper III (Environment & Disaster Management)
Q. The Aravalli range is ecologically critical for northwestern India’s climate resilience. Discuss the threats it faces and the legal-institutional measures taken for its conservation.
(Keywords: Desertification, groundwater recharge, illegal mining, SC bans, CEC, NGT, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).)
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Q. “Environmental restoration is as important as environmental regulation.” In light of this statement, examine the Supreme Court’s orders in the Kant Enclave demolition case regarding the Aravalli hills.
(Keywords: Polluter Pays Principle, restitution of ecology, sustainable development, intergenerational equity, Kant Enclave (2018), restoration costs.)
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GS Paper IV (Ethics)
Q. The conflict between real estate development in the Aravalli region and its ecological conservation poses an ethical dilemma between economic growth and environmental sustainability. As a civil servant, what framework would you use to resolve such conflicts?
(Keywords: Ethical dilemma, public trust doctrine, sustainable development, stakeholder consultation, long-term vs. short-term gains, constitutional values.)
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Q. “The precautionary principle in environmental law places the burden of proof on the developer to show that their action is environmentally harmless.” Discuss its ethical basis and significance in cases like the Aravalli mining ban.
(Keywords: Burden of proof, preventive ethics, risk avoidance, intergenerational justice, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.)
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ESSAY-THEME SUGGESTION
· “Development that destroys the environment is not development at all.” — In light of the Aravalli litigation, discuss.
· Forests vs. Farms vs. Factories: The trilemma of India’s economic growth.
· Judiciary as the guardian of India’s ecological conscience.