Practice People Development and Environment UGC NET Paper 1 MCQ questions answer with concepts, explanations, FAQs, and references to strengthen preparation.
Brief Concept of People, Development and Environment UGC NET Paper 1
The relationship between people, development, and the environment has become a significant topic in contemporary education and policy discussions. In the context of competitive examinations such as the UGC NET and WBSET, understanding this relationship is essential because it highlights how human activities influence environmental sustainability and development processes. The topic focuses on how population growth, economic development, resource utilization, and environmental protection interact with each other.
1. People and Population Growth
Population plays a crucial role in the development of a country. Rapid population growth can create pressure on natural resources, employment opportunities, and infrastructure. However, a well-educated and skilled population can contribute positively to economic and social development.
2. Development
Development refers to the improvement in the quality of life of people through economic growth, technological advancement, education, and better healthcare facilities. Sustainable development emphasizes meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
3. Environment
The environment includes natural resources such as air, water, land, forests, and biodiversity. Human activities like industrialization, urbanization, and deforestation often lead to environmental degradation.
4. Sustainable Development
Sustainable development seeks a balance between economic progress and environmental protection. It promotes responsible resource use, environmental conservation, and social well-being.
5. Environmental Issues
Major environmental issues include climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. Addressing these issues requires effective policies, public awareness, and responsible human behavior.
People Development and Environment UGC NET Syllabus
People Development and Environment is the Unit – IX of the UGC NET Paper 1 & WBSET syllabus. It focuses on the relationship between human population, development activities, and environmental sustainability. This unit includes topics such as sustainable development goals, environmental pollution, natural resources, climate change, environmental policies, and international environmental agreements.
Unit – IX: People Development and Environment
| Chapter | Subjects |
|---|---|
| 1 | Development and environment – Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals |
| 2 | Human and environment interaction – Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on the environment |
| 3 | Environmental issues – Local, Regional and Global: Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Waste (Solid, Liquid, Biomedical, Hazardous, Electronic), Climate change and its Socio-Economic and Political dimensions |
| 4 | Impacts of pollutants on human health |
| 5 | Natural and energy resources – Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear and Forests |
| 6 | Natural hazards and disasters – Mitigation strategies |
| 7 | Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements such as Montreal Protocol, Convention on Biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement and International Solar Alliance |
People Development and Environment UGC NET PYQ and MCQ
People Development and Environment UGC NET PYQ Various MCQ questions and answers from are discussed here –
Q. Which of the following doesn’t come under the 5Ps of SDG ?
a. Planet.
b. Partnership.
c. Prosperity.
d. Perpetuity.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ d ( perpetuity ).
Q. SDG are formally known as –
a. Transforming our world : 2030 agenda.
b. Sustainable living for all : 2022 agenda.
c. Lift of dignity for all : 2022 agenda.
d. One planet , one people : 2030 agenda.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ a ( Transforming our world : 2030 agenda ).
Q. Montreal protocol was signed in order to address which of the following environmental issues ?
a. Troposphere ozone polution.
b. Depletion of ozone in the stratosphere.
c. Global warming.
d. Acid rain.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( Depletion of ozone in the stratosphere ).
Q. Which of the following chemicals replaced chlorofluorocarbons ( CFCs ) after their phase out due to Montreal protocol ?
a. Perfluorocarbons ( PFC ).
b. Hydrofluorocarbons ( HFC ).
c. Sulphur hexafluoride ( SF6 ).
d. Halons.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( Hydrofluorocarbons ).
Q. The Montreal protocol refers to —–
a. Cooperation among UN member countries to combate climate change.
b. Phasing out the consumption and production of ODS.
c. Ensuring environmental sustainability.
d. Safeguarding societal quality of life worldwide.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( phasing out the consumption of ODS ).
Q. Amongst the following green House gases, whose global warming potential is considered 1 ?
a. CFC.
b. N20.
c. CO2.
d. CH4.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ C ( CO2 ).
Q. Which one of the following gases has the maximum global warming potential ( GWP ) ?
a. CH4.
b. N2O.
c. CO2.
d. CO.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶b ( N2O ).
Q. What is the correct increasing order of the contribution to the global warming by the following gases ?
a. CH4.
b. CO2.
c. N2O.
choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A. a, b, c.
B. b, a, c.
C. c, a, b.
D. b, c, a.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ B ( b, a, c ).
Q. Oligotrophic lake are characterized by –
a. High level of nutrients.
b. Low level of nutrients.
c. Absence of nutrients.
d. Highe level of organic matter.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( low level of nutrients ).
Q. When a water body gets enriched with nutrients, the process is called as ——–
a. Oligotrophic .
b. Eutrophic .
c. Mesomorphic .
d. Dystrophic .
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( Eutrophic ).
Q. Given below are two statements :
statement – I : Rivers and lakes that have low biological productivity are said to eutrophic.
statement – II : Rivers and lakes that are rich in organisms and organic materials are called as oligotrophic.
in the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
a. Both statement I and II are correct.
b. Both statement I and II are incorrect.
c. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect.
d. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( both statement I and II are incorrect ).
Q. Arrange the following in the increasing order of relative concentration of dissolved oxygen in lake water ?
a. Oligotrophic .
b. Eutrophic .
c. Mesotrophic.
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.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ B ( d, b, c, a ).
Q. Kigali amendment to the Montreal protocol envisages reduction in HFCs consumption by the late 2040s to the extent of ——-
a. 50 – 55 percent .
b. 65 – 70 percent.
c. 80 – 85 percent.
d. 90 – 95 percent.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( 80 – 85 percent ).
Q. Geothermal power plants are much like fossil and nuclear plants with exception of no requirement of :
a. Vapour dominated hydrothermal resources.
b. Boiler.
c. Fission reactor.
d. Turbine generator.
choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A. a, b, c only.
B. b and C only.
C. a and d only.
D. b, c and d only.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ B ( b and c only ).
Q. Environment education must include topics of :
a. Personal hygiene.
b. Biological diversity.
c. Waste management.
d. Pollution.
e. Wildlife conservation.
choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A. a, b and c only.
B. b, c, d and e only.
C. a, b, d and e only.
D. a, c, d and e only .
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ B ( b, c, d and e ).
Q. In which of the water treatment processes additional BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) is provided to remove the biological material ?
a. Primary treatment processes.
b. Secondary treatment processes.
c. Tertiary treatment processes.
d. Advanced treatment processes.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( secondary treatment processes )
Q. What is the correct increasing order of global warming potential (GWP) of the following green House gases ?
a. CFC – 11.
b. CH4.
c. CO2.
d. N2O.
choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A. a, b, d, c.
B. c, b, d, a.
C. c, d, b, a.
D. a, d, b, c.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ B ( c, b, d, a ).
Q. When did india become party to Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) ?
a. 1992.
b. 1993.
c. 1994.
d. 1995.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( 1994 ).
Q. Which of the following is a kind of wave generated during an earthquake ?
a. N – wave.
b. O – wave.
c. P – wave.
d. Q – wave.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( P – wave ).
Q. Liquid that passes through the landfill, and that has extracted dissolved and suspended matter from it is called.
a. Activated sludge.
b. Leachate.
c. Ultrafiltration.
d. Refuse.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( leachate ).
Q. Which of the following is a criteria air pollutants as well as a green House gas ?
a. N2O.
b. CO2.
c. O3.
d. NO2.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( O3 ).
Q. Which of the following is not a gaseous pollutants in the atmosphere ?
a. Tropospheric ozone.
b. Sulphur dioxide.
c. Atmosphere aerosols.
d. Nitrogen dioxide.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( atmospheric aerosols).
Q. The issue related to “traditional knowledge societies and their livelihood” is addressed in the national mission for —-
a. Enhanced energy efficiency.
b. Sustaining the himalayan eco – system.
c. Sustainable habitat.
d. A green india.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( sustainable the himalayan eco – system ).
Q. The oxygen consumed in the oxidation of an organic compound by microorganisms in the aquatic ecosystem is called —
a. Dissolved oxygen.
b. Chemical oxygen demand.
c. Theoretical oxygen demand.
d. Biochemical oxygen demand.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ d ( Biochemical oxygen demand ).
Q. Which of the following pairs of countries conceived the idea of the international solar alliance?
a. India and USA.
b. India and Australia.
c. India and France.
d. India and China.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( India and France ).
Q. Given below are two statements :
Statement : I – International Solar Alliance’s present post of president is held by India.
Statement : II – The United States of America is not a member of International Solar Alliance.
in the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
a. Both statement I and II are true.
b. Both statement I and II are false.
c. Statement I is true but statement II is false.
d. Statement I is false but statement II is true.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( statement I is true but statement II is false ).
Q. Given below are two statements :
Statement – I : Vision of the International Solar Alliance ; No matter how far every house is there will definitely be light in the house.
Statement – II : Mission of the international solar alliance ; let us all make the sun brighter together.
in the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
a. Both statement I and II are correct.
b. Both statement I and II are incorrect.
c. Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect.
d. Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( Both statement I and II are incorrect ).
Q. Given below are two statements :
Statement – I : Under Montreal protocol, developed and developing countries have same timetable for phasing out of Ozone depleting substances (ODS).
Statement – II : Under Montreal protocol developing countries are referred to as ‘Article 5 countries’.
in the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
a. Both statement I and II are true.
b. Both statement I and II are false.
c. Statement I is true but statement II is false.
d. Statement I is false but statement II is true.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ d ( statement I is false but statement II is true ).
Q. Given below are two statements :
Statement – I : Montreal protocol was agreed in 1987 and came into force in 1990.
Statement – II : Kyoto protocol was agreed in 1997 and came into force in 2005.
in the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
a. Both statement I and II are true.
b. Both statement I and II are false.
c. Statement I is true but statement II is false.
d. Statement I is false but statement II is true.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ d ( statement I is false but statement II is true ).
Q. The international solar alliance was launched by France and India on the side lines of ——-
a. COP 25
b. COP 24
c. COP 23
d. COP 21
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ d ( COP 21 )
Q. Under Millennium development goals 5, maternal mortality ratio between 1990 and 2015 was to be reduced by —-
a. 50%
b. 75%
c. 66%
d. 40%
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( 75 % ).
Q. Which of the following goals are part of sustainable development goals?
a. Industry : Innovation and infrastructure.
b. Universal higher education.
c. Reduced inequality.
d. Partnerships to achieve goals.
e. Clean air.
choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A. a, b, c and d only .
B. a, c and d only.
C. a, b, c and e only.
D. b, c, d and e only.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ B ( a, c and d only ).
Q. The framework agreement of International Solar Alliance (ISA) was opened for signature of member countries in —–
a. New Delhi, India.
b. Paris, France.
c. Geneva, Switzerland.
d. Marrakesh, Morocco.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ d ( Marrakesh, Morocco ).
Q. The virus responsible for the spread of COVID-19 is —–
a. SARS COV 19.
b. SARS COV II.
c. CORONA 19.
d. SARS COV I.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( SARS COV II ).
Q. Which among the following goals adopted by the UN member States in 2015 is related to SDG – 4 ?
a. Good health and well being.
b. Quality education.
c. Poverty alleviation.
d. Industry innovation and infrastructure.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( Quality education ).
Q. The primary treatment of wastewater involves removal of —-
a. solids.
b. colloids.
c. organic water.
d. microorganisms
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ a ( solids ).
Q. The target set by the Indian government for generating power from wind energy by the year 2022 —
a. 60 GW.
b. 50 GW.
c. 40 GW.
d. 15 GW.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ a ( 60 GW ).
Q. What is the correct chronological order of sequence from older to newer of the following agreement, summit and protocols?
A. Paris Agreement
B. Montreal Protocol
C. Kyoto Protocol
D. Rio Summit
choose the correct answer from the options given below :
a.A, B, C, D
b.B, D, C, A.
c.A, C, D, B.
d.B, C, D, A.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( B, D, C, A ).
Q. Which one among the following is not a unit of measurement of surface ozone?
a. Microgram per meter cube.
b. Nanogram per meter cube.
c. Dobson unit.
d. Parts per million.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( Dobson unit ).
Q. According to WHO standards for drinking water quality, the concentration of Arsenic should not exceed……
a. 10 μgL-1
b. 6.0 μgL-1
c. 5.0 μgL-1
d. 1.0 μgL-1
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ a ( 10 μgL-1 ).
Q. Noise levels (db) are referenced to the human hearing threshold at a frequency of ……
a. 50 Hz.
b. 100 Hz.
c. 1 KHz.
d. 4 KHz
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( 1KHz ).
Q. Which of the following sectors contributed least to the global carbon dioxide emissions in the year 2014 as per IPCC report ?
a. Transportation.
b. Agriculture and forest land use.
c. Industry.
d. Utility (Electricity and Heat Production)
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ a ( Transportation ).
Q. What was the target year for achieving the Millennium development goals (MDGs)?
a. 2005.
b. 2015.
c. 2030.
d. 2020.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b ( 2015 ).
Q. Which of the SDGs is directly related to climate action?
a. SDG 11.
b. SDG 12.
c. SDG 13.
d. SDG 15.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ c ( SDG 13 ).
Q. Acid rain is primarily caused by which of the following pollutants?
a. Carbon monoxide (CO) & Methane (CH4).
b. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) & Nitrogen oxides (NOx).
c. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) & Carbon dioxide (CO2).
d. Ozone (O3) & Particulate matter.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b – Sulphur dioxide ( SO2 ) & Nitrogen oxides ( NOx )
Q. The primary cause of the depletion of ozone layer is the emission of ——
a. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC).
b. Carbon dioxide.
c. Nitrous oxide.
d. Sulfur dioxide.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ a ( chlorofluorocarbons ).
Q. Which of the following pollutants is linked to neurological impairment, including reduce IQ and learning disabilities, particularly in children ?
a. Ozone (O3).
b. Lead (Pb).
c. Methan (CH4).
d. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ b – leads ( pb ).
Q. Which of the following is the primary concern related to biomass energy ?
a. High land use for energy crops.
b. Water pollution.
c. High green House gas emissions.
d. Inadequate technology for conservation.
Show Answer
✅ Ans. ⟶ a ( High land use for energy crops ).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study of People Development and Environment emphasizes the interconnected relationship between human activities and the natural world. Sustainable and balanced development is essential to ensure environmental protection while improving human well-being. For UGC NET aspirants, understanding these concepts along with practicing previous year questions helps in developing a comprehensive understanding of environmental and developmental issues that are frequently tested in the examination.
References
- Carson, R. (2002). Silent spring. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
- United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. New York: United Nations.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. (2021). Environmental policies and programmes in India. New Delhi: Government of India.
- Aggarwal, J. C., Theory and Principles of Education. 13th Ed. Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.
- V.R. Taneja, Educational Thoughts & Practice. Sterling Publication Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi
- Nayak, B.K, Text Book of Foundation of Education. Cuttack, Odisha: KitabMhal
- Ravi, S. Samuel, A Comprehensive Study of Education, Fourth Printing-May 2016, Delhi – 110092, ISBN – 978-81-203-4182-1,
- People Development and Environment?
- Internet sources
Q. – What is meant by People, Development and Environment?
Ans. – People, Development and Environment refers to the relationship between human population, economic and social development, and the natural environment.
Q. – Why is this topic important for UGC NET Paper 1?
Ans. – This topic evaluates the candidate’s awareness of environmental issues, sustainable development, and the impact of human activities on the environment.
Q. – What is sustainable development?
Ans. – Sustainable development is a form of development that meets present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Q. – How can individuals contribute to environmental protection?
Ans. – Individuals can conserve resources, reduce waste, promote renewable energy use, and spread environmental awareness.
👉 Read the Detailed Article
- Teacher Education for UGC NET PYQ with Answers
- Technology in Education and Educational Technology MCQ with Answers for UGC NET
- UK Higher Education System Explained


