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How to Prepare Environment and Ecology for UPSC IAS?

The preparation of Environment and Ecology for UPSC requires an integrated approach. Check the booklist and tips to prepare Environment and Ecology for UPSC CSE. 
authorImageDeeksha Dixit28 Jun, 2024
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How to Prepare Environment and Ecology for UPSC IAS?

Environment and Ecology for UPSC : Environment and Ecology is a crucial subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) syllabus. In recent years, the UPSC has been giving significant weight to this subject due to increasing emphasis on environmental issues globally.

This is why aspirants must be well-prepared in Environment and Ecology for UPSC IAS. Proper preparation requires understanding the core concepts and interlinking them with current affairs. Read on for a comprehensive guide on how to prepare Environment and Ecology for UPSC IAS, covering essential books and preparation tips for both Prelims and Mains.

Environment and Ecology for UPSC IAS

Before starting the preparation, candidates should be familiar with the Environment and Ecology syllabus . The UPSC syllabus for this subject is vast encompassing a broad range of topics including biodiversity, climate change, ecology, conservation efforts, environmental policies, and international agreements. While the topics do not require subject specialization, candidates must have foundational knowledge to interlink current affairs. Here is the syllabus of Environment and Ecology for UPSC:
Environment Syllabus for UPSC PDF
Exam Syllabus
Prelims (GS 1)
  • General issues on Environmental ecology
  • Biodiversity and Climate Change
Mains (GS 3)
  • Environment Conservation
  • Environmental pollution and degradation
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Disaster and disaster management

Environment and Ecology Books for UPSC CSE

To prepare for any subject, candidates should have standard study material with them. Hence, selecting the right books is the next step toward effective preparation. Here are the top recommended books for environment and ecology:
  1. NCERT Biology (Class 11 and 12): Start with NCERT textbooks for a solid foundation in basic concepts and understanding environmental processes.
  2. PW UPSC UDAAN Environment Book : After basic knowledge, refer to standard books from the PW Store such as the UDAAN Environment Book for Prelims.
  3. PW ONLYIAS UPSC Wallah Environment: This book is highly recommended for the UPSC Mains exam. PW Environment book includes detailed explanations, diagrams, and current environmental issues.
  4. India Year Book : This government publication includes important chapters on environment and ecology with updated data that can be asked in UPSC Prelims and is also useful to quote in UPSC Mains answers.
  5. Annual Reports and Documents: Reports by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and international organizations like UNEP provide valuable insights for the IAS exam.
  6. PW Current Affairs Magazines: A valuable resource to cover current affairs on environmental issues, policies, and international agreements

Tips to Prepare Environment and Ecology for UPSC Prelims

In the Prelims, the questions on Environment and Ecology often test factual knowledge and current affairs related to environmental issues. The environment strategy for UPSC by toppers is as follows for IAS Prelims:
  • Understand the fundamental concepts: Start your preparation by mastering the basic concepts from NCERTs, like principles of ecology, ecosystems, food webs, and causes of pollution.
  • Utilize online resources. Make the most of Physics Wallah UPSC courses that offer comprehensive live lectures, notes, and practice questions on environment and ecology to supplement your preparation.
  • Practice UPSC question papers: Solve chapter-wise or topic-wise Environment and Ecology questions from the previous year to gauge your preparedness for the exam.
  • Make notes for factual data : Have a separate notebook for factual data like national parks, endangered species, important organizations, etc.
  • Follow current affairs: Daily read current affairs on PW OnlyIAS as UPSC often tests candidates' knowledge of recent developments in the field of environment and ecology, such as new policies.
  • Focus on important areas: Pay special attention to topics like biodiversity, protected areas, environmental laws, climate change, and species in the news.

How to Prepare Environment and Ecology for UPSC Mains

UPSC Mains have more analytical questions requiring candidates to demonstrate a deep understanding of environmental concepts, issues, policies, and the latest developments. Here are some tips to prepare for the UPSC exam:
  • Dive Deep into the Syllabus: For Mains, candidates should develop a deeper understanding of Environment and Ecology. While studying any topic, focus on causes, issues, effects, government policies, and other related issues and link them with current affairs.
  • Integrated learning of topics: Even when studying for prelims, follow an integrated approach by covering a topic-wise syllabus.
  • Interlink Environment and Other Subjects: Some environmental and ecological concepts are closely linked with subjects like geography. Hence, take an interdisciplinary approach to provide comprehensive answers in the Mains examination.
  • Analyze Government Reports and Policies: Study government reports like the State of Forest Report, annual reports of MoEFCC, and international agreements. The data and insights from these reports can enrich your answers in the GS 3 paper.
  • Practice Answer Writing: UPSC Mains requires good writing skills. Practice writing answers to previous years’ questions and enroll in an answer writing test series to learn to structure your answers well, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Incorporate Diagrams and Flowcharts: Use diagrams, flowcharts, and maps to enhance your answers. Incorporate feedback from experts to make your answers more engaging and concise.
Perform well in each stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination by enrolling in PW UPSC courses that cover each aspect of the exam. Join now for the best guidance and increase your chances of success.
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Environment and Ecology for UPSC FAQs

Is Environment and Ecology important for the UPSC exam?

Yes, Environment and Ecology are crucial for both UPSC Prelims and Mains due to their significant weightage in the exam.

How to prepare for Ecology in UPSC?

Start with NCERT textbooks, use standard reference books, stay updated with current affairs, and practice previous year questions.

How to prepare environment and ecology from books?

Read NCERTs for basics, then move to standard books like PW OnlyIAS, and supplement with current affairs magazines and government reports.

Is the NCERT environment enough for UPSC?

NCERTs are essential for building a foundation, but you should also refer to standard reference books and current affairs for comprehensive preparation.

Which is the best platform for Environment and Ecology preparation?

Physics Wallah offers comprehensive courses, live lectures, notes, and current affairs updates that are highly beneficial for Environment and Ecology preparation.
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