UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 1 PYQs, Important Questions

UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 1 covers the fundamentals of Environmental Science and forms the foundation for understanding important concepts related to ecology, atmosphere, earth systems, biodiversity, sustainable development, remote sensing, environmental measurements, and climate processes.

The UGC NET Environmental Science examination is scheduled for June 30, 2026, and will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the First Shift from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM. As the examination approaches, practicing Previous Year Questions (PYQs) is an important part of revision and helps candidates understand the types of questions asked in the exam.

Many questions from Unit 1 are factual, while others test conceptual understanding and application. Solving PYQs helps candidates identify important topics, improve accuracy, and strengthen their preparation. Students seeking detailed explanations, step-by-step solutions, and answer discussions can watch the attached video lecture for deeper understanding and effective revision.

UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 1 PYQs

The following UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 1 PYQs have been asked in previous examinations and cover important topics such as remote sensing, lake ecology, atmospheric science, Earth systems, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and environmental measurements. 

Practicing these questions can help candidates understand the exam pattern and identify frequently tested concepts.

Q1. Match List I and List II.

List-I (Spectral Index)

(a) Bareness (NDBaI)
(b) Built-up (NDBI)
(c) Moisture (NDWI)
(d) Snow (NDSI)

List-II (Expression)

(i) G − SWIR / G + SWIR
(ii) NIR − SWIR / NIR + SWIR
(iii) SWIR − NIR / SWIR + NIR
(iv) SWIR − TIR / SWIR + TIR

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(B) (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
(C) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(D) (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)

Q2. Choose the INCORRECT statement about lakes.

(A) The hypolimnion in the lake is poorly mixed compared to the epilimnion.
(B) As summer progresses, stability increases because the epilimnion continues to warm while the hypolimnion remains at a fairly constant temperature.
(C) Temperate lakes always have at least one cycle of stratification and turnover every year.
(D) Lake stratification and turnover often cause eutrophication, which is not good for the health of lakes.

Q3. Which of the following cloud types are found in the stratosphere?

A. Cirrus clouds
B. Cumulonimbus clouds
C. Mother of Pearl clouds
D. Nacreous clouds
E. Noctilucent clouds

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A) A, C, and D Only
(B) B, D, and E Only
(C) C, D, and E Only
(D) A, D, and E Only

Q4. In a fertile pond (water body), the region where the light intensity is usually too low for photosynthesis, and only community respiration occurs. The area where respiration (R) is greater than primary production (P), i.e., P/R < 1, is called as _______.

(A) Limnetic zone
(B) Profundal zone
(C) Pelagic zone
(D) Littoral zone

Q5. Arrange the following gases in decreasing order of their percentage abundance in the atmosphere on a dry basis.

A. Carbon dioxide
B. Argon
C. Helium
D. Neon
E. Methane

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A) A, B, C, D, E
(B) B, A, C, D, E
(C) B, A, D, C, E
(D) B, A, E, D, C

Q6. Remote sensing sensors can work on wavelengths 8 to 14 μm and 3 to 5 μm. Based on which of the following laws, the wavelength of 8 to 14 μm is chosen to collect data?

(A) Kirchhoff's Law
(B) Planck's Law
(C) Stefan-Boltzmann Law
(D) Wien's Displacement Law

Q7. Arrange the following distinct zones of the Sun starting from the core to outward.

A. Chromosphere
B. Convection zone
C. Corona
D. Photosphere
E. Radiative zone

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A) C, A, B, D, E
(B) C, B, E, A, D
(C) E, D, B, A, C
(D) E, B, D, A, C

Q8. Match the List-I and List-II.

List-I

Reduction in Ambient temperature with height is γ. Dry and saturated adiabatic lapse rates are γd and γs, respectively.

(a) γ < γs
(b) γ > γd
(c) γ = γd
(d) γs > γ > γd

List-II (Stability Class)

(i) Absolutely Unstable
(ii) Conditionally Unstable
(iii) Absolutely Stable
(iv) Dry Neutral

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A) (i), (iii), (iv), (ii)
(B) (iii), (ii), (iv), (i)
(C) (iii), (i), (iv), (ii)
(D) (i), (ii), (iv), (iii)

Q9. All the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), other than Partnership (Goal 17), represent Ecological, Social, and Economic aspects. What are their respective numbers (out of 16)?

(A) Ecological : Social : Economic = 4 : 6 : 6
(B) Ecological : Social : Economic = 5 : 6 : 5
(C) Ecological : Social : Economic = 4 : 8 : 4
(D) Ecological : Social : Economic = 5 : 5 : 6

Q10. Arrange the following in increasing order of relative concentration of dissolved oxygen in lake water.

(A) Oligotrophic lakes
(B) Eutrophic lakes
(C) Mesotrophic lakes
(D) Hypereutrophic lakes

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A) (A), (B), (C), (D)
(B) (D), (B), (C), (A)
(C) (A), (C), (B), (D)
(D) (D), (C), (B), (A)

UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 1 forms the foundation of the subject and contributes a significant number of questions in the examination. Topics such as remote sensing, atmospheric science, biodiversity, sustainable development, lake ecology, earth systems, and environmental measurements are regularly tested. 

Consistent practice of PYQs helps candidates identify important concepts and improve their performance in the examination. Students should revise key facts, formulas, and classifications from this unit to strengthen their preparation and increase their chances of scoring well in UGC NET Environmental Science.