50+ AIBE MCQs on Environmental Law: Environmental Law has emerged as one of the most vibrant and socially relevant fields of legal study in India. Environmental Law is concerned with those laws and policies that aim to protect the environment, preserve biodiversity, prevent pollution, and ensure sustainable development. For AIBE 20 aspirants, Environmental Law is one of the key components of the Bar Council of India syllabus.
AIBE test assesses basic knowledge and practical utility of legal provisions, including key environmental laws like the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water and Air Acts, the Wildlife Protection Act, and landmark judgments rendered by Indian courts regarding ecological justice. Read on for detailed information on the syllabus, optimal preparation tips, and more than 50 multiple-choice questions to enable AIBE aspirants to confidently grasp and address this topic.
AIBE Environmental Law Syllabus
Candidates preparing for AIBE exam can check the important topics for the Environmental Law below.
Introduction to Environmental Law
- Definition and scope
- Historical evolution and constitutional perspective (Article 48A & Article 51A(g))
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Powers of Central Government
- Penalties for non-compliance
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Functions of Central and State Pollution Control Boards
- Consent mechanism
Penalties
- The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Control of air pollution
Role of Pollution Control Boards
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Protected areas: Sanctuaries, National Parks
Powers of forest officers
- The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
- Restrictions on de-reservation of forests and use of forest land for non-forest purposes
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
- Composition and powers of NGT
- Jurisdiction and procedures
Environment-related Provisions in the Constitution
- Article 21 (Right to life and clean environment)
- Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
International Environmental Conventions
- Stockholm Conference 1972
- Rio Summit 1992
- Kyoto Protocol
- Paris Agreement
Judicial Activism and PIL in Environmental Matters
- Concept of Public Interest Litigation in Environmental Cases
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50+ AIBE MCQs on Environmental Law
Candidates can check 50+ MCQs for AIBE Environmental Law below. They can solve these MCQs for practice.
1. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 was enacted under which Article of the Constitution?
A. Article 253
B. Article 21
C. Article 32
D. Article 246
Answer: A. Article 253
2. What is the primary objective of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
A. Protect forests
B. Control industrial growth
C. Provide a framework for environmental protection
D. Promote animal welfare
Answer: C. Provide a framework for environmental protection
3. Which Schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides absolute protection?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule IV
D. Schedule VI
Answer: A. Schedule I
4. The term "hazardous substance" is defined in which section of the EPA, 1986?
A. Section 2(a)
B. Section 2(e)
C. Section 2(f)
D. Section 2(h)
Answer: D. Section 2(h)
5. Which principle was laid down in the case of Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India?
A. Sustainable Development
B. Absolute Liability
C. Polluter Pays Principle
D. Precautionary Principle
Answer: C. Polluter Pays Principle
6. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in the year:
A. 1986
B. 1972
C. 1974
D. 1981
Answer: C. 1974
7. Which authority is responsible for declaring ‘Air Pollution Control Areas’?
A. Central Government
B. State Pollution Control Board
C. Ministry of Environment
D. National Green Tribunal
Answer: B. State Pollution Control Board
8. Which international summit led to the adoption of the Rio Declaration?
A. Kyoto Summit
B. Paris Agreement
C. Stockholm Conference
D. Earth Summit, 1992
Answer: D. Earth Summit, 1992
9. Under which section of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is prior Central Government approval required?
A. Section 2
B. Section 3
C. Section 4
D. Section 5
Answer: A. Section 2
10. Who can file a complaint under the Environment (Protection) Act?
A. Any citizen after 60 days’ notice
B. Only Central Government
C. Only NGOs
D. Only Pollution Control Boards
Answer: A. Any citizen after 60 days’ notice
11. The National Green Tribunal was established in:
A. 2008
B. 2010
C. 2012
D. 2014
Answer: B. 2010
12. Which Schedule of the Wildlife Act contains plants?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule IV
C. Schedule VI
D. Schedule V
Answer: C. Schedule VI
13. In which case was the Public Trust Doctrine recognised in Indian law?
A. Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar
B. MC Mehta v. Kamal Nath
C. Narmada Bachao Andolan v. Union of India
D. T.N. Godavarman v. Union of India
Answer: B. MC Mehta v. Kamal Nath
14. “Right to clean environment” is protected under which fundamental right?
A. Article 14
B. Article 19
C. Article 21
D. Article 32
Answer: C. Article 21
15. Which of the following Acts deals with marine pollution?
A. Water Act
B. Air Act
C. Wildlife Act
D. None of the above
Answer: D. None of the above
16. The maximum penalty for violation under EPA, 1986 is:
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 7 years
Answer: C. 5 years
17. Under the Air Act, who approves the site of an industry in a pollution control area?
A. Collector
B. Pollution Control Board
C. District Magistrate
D. Central Government
Answer: B. Pollution Control Board
18. The Stockholm Conference on Environment was held in:
A. 1970
B. 1972
C. 1974
D. 1982
Answer: B. 1972
19. Which environmental principle holds that industries must bear the cost of preventing pollution?
A. Precautionary Principle
B. Polluter Pays Principle
C. Absolute Liability
D. Public Trust Doctrine
Answer: B. Polluter Pays Principle
20. The Biodiversity Act was passed in the year:
A. 1999
B. 2000
C. 2002
D. 2003
Answer: C. 2002
21. The composition of NGT includes:
A. Judges only
B. Scientists only
C. Judges and Environmental Experts
D. IAS officers
Answer: C. Judges and Environmental Experts
22. Which case recognised Sustainable Development as part of Indian law?
A. Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action
B. Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum
C. Subhash Kumar
D. Narmada Bachao Andolan
Answer: B. Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum
23. Which principle was invoked in the Oleum Gas Leak case?
A. Strict Liability
B. Absolute Liability
C. Vicarious Liability
D. Product Liability
Answer: B. Absolute Liability
24. Under the Water Act, a sample of water can be collected by:
A. Municipal Officer
B. Police Inspector
C. Pollution Control Board Officer
D. Any private individual
Answer: C. Pollution Control Board Officer
25. The Forest Act, 1927 is primarily concerned with:
A. Environmental quality
B. Forest conservation
C. Regulation of forest produce
D. Mining operations
Answer: C. Regulation of forest produce
26. Which of the following is not included in the definition of “environment” under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
A. Water
B. Noise
C. Plants
D. Radiation
Answer: C. Plants
27. Under the NGT Act, an appeal against the Tribunal’s decision lies to the:
A. High Court
B. Supreme Court
C. Ministry of Environment
D. Civil Court
Answer: B. Supreme Court
28. Which principle justifies banning an activity even if its harmful effects are not scientifically established?
A. Polluter Pays Principle
B. Public Trust Doctrine
C. Precautionary Principle
D. Sustainable Development
Answer: C. Precautionary Principle
29. Which of the following bodies is responsible for framing standards under the Environment Act?
A. Ministry of Law and Justice
B. Pollution Control Board
C. Central Government
D. NGT
Answer: C. Central Government
30. The National Environmental Policy was adopted in:
A. 2004
B. 2006
C. 2008
D. 2010
Answer: B. 2006
31. The Supreme Court ordered the phase-out of diesel taxis in NCR in which case?
A. MC Mehta v. Union of India
B. Narmada Bachao Andolan
C. Godavarman Case
D. Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action
Answer: A. MC Mehta v. Union of India
32. The Paris Agreement came into force in which year?
A. 2014
B. 2015
C. 2016
D. 2017
Answer: C. 2016
33. Which of the following is not a function of the Central Pollution Control Board?
A. Lay down national standards
B. Monitor industrial effluents
C. Declare Wildlife Sanctuaries
D. Co-ordinate state boards
Answer: C. Declare Wildlife Sanctuaries
34. Under the Air Act, how often must the Board meet?
A. Twice a year
B.Once a month
C. Once every three months
D. Once every six months
Answer: C. Once every three months
35. Who appoints the Chairperson of the NGT?
A. Chief Justice of India
B. President of India
C. Central Government in consultation with CJI
D. Ministry of Law
Answer: C. Central Government in consultation with CJI
36. Which legislation enables the NGT to enforce environmental laws?
A.Indian Penal Code
B. Civil Procedure Code
C. NGT Act, Schedule I
D. Environment Protection Rules
Answer: C. NGT Act, Schedule I
37. Which of the following conventions focuses on biodiversity?
A. Kyoto Protocol
B.Cartagena Protocol
C. Basel Convention
D. Stockholm Convention
Answer: B. Cartagena Protocol
38. The Kyoto Protocol is associated with:
A. Deforestation
B. Ozone Layer Depletion
C. Climate Change
D. Hazardous Waste
Answer: C. Climate Change
39. Which case enforced closure of tanneries near Ganga River?
A. Godavarman Case
B. Vellore Citizens Forum
C. MC Mehta v. Union of India (Ganga Pollution Case)
D. M.S. Gill v. Union of India
Answer: C. MC Mehta v. Union of India (Ganga Pollution Case)
40. The “no fault liability” was established under:
A. Environment (Protection) Act
B. Water Act
C. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
D. Forest Conservation Act
Answer: C. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
41. In which case did the SC say “Precaution is better than cure”?
A. Vellore Citizens Forum
B. MC Mehta v. Union of India
C. Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action
D. Narmada Bachao Andolan
Answer: A. Vellore Citizens Forum
42. Who is the final authority to approve forest land for non-forest use?
A. State Government
B. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
C. Forest Survey of India
D. Central Government
Answer: D. Central Government
43. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises rights of:
A. NGOs
B. Minorities
C. Forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and OTFDs
D. Landless farmers
Answer: C. Forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
44. NGT has how many benches in India?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 7
Answer: C. 5
(Principal Bench – Delhi; Zonal benches – Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai)
45. “Sustainable Development” implies:
A. Development without restrictions
B. Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
C. Economic growth only
D. Industrialisation only
Answer: B. Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
46. Which Act deals specifically with biomedical waste?
A. Environment Protection Act
B. Water Act
C. Air Act
D. Biomedical Waste Management Rules
Answer: D. Biomedical Waste Management Rules
47. The concept of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was introduced in:
A. 1981
B. 1986
C. 1994
D. 2002
Answer: C. 1994
48. The apex body for wildlife conservation in India is:
A. National Biodiversity Authority
B. Wildlife Institute of India
C. National Board for Wildlife
D. Ministry of Forests
Answer: C. National Board for Wildlife
49. The Basel Convention deals with:
A. Climate change
B. Protection of wildlife
C. Transboundary movement of hazardous waste
D. Nuclear testing
Answer: C. Transboundary movement of hazardous waste
50. Which court gave legal personhood to rivers in Uttarakhand?
A. Supreme Court
B. Uttarakhand High Court
C. Allahabad High Court
D. Delhi High Court
Answer: B. Uttarakhand High Court
51. The Environment (Protection) Rules were framed in which year?
A. 1986
B. 1988
C. 1991
D. 1992
Answer: A. 1986
52. Who is the competent authority under the Water Act to take samples?
A. Any government servant
B. Police Officer
C. Authorised Officer of Pollution Control Board
D. Gram Panchayat Head
Answer: C. Authorised Officer of Pollution Control Board
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AIBE Environmental Law Exam Preparation Tips
Candidates can follow the tips below to prepare for AIBE Environmental Law exam.
Understand the Basics: Candidates should start by learning the key environmental laws like the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Water Act, Air Act, and Wildlife Protection Act. Knowing the main objectives and important sections is essential.
Focus on Landmark Judgments: Candidates must study important court cases related to environmental protection in India, as they illustrate the practical application of laws.
Make Notes: Candidates are advised to write down important points, definitions, and legal provisions in simple words. This helps during revision.
Practice MCQs: Regular practice of multiple-choice questions based on Environmental Law improves speed and accuracy and familiarises candidates with the exam pattern.
Follow the Official Syllabus: Candidates should stick closely to the syllabus prescribed by the Bar Council of India to focus their studies.
Manage Time Well: Candidates must allocate regular time daily for Environmental Law study and revision to keep concepts fresh.
Stay Updated: Candidates should keep themselves informed about new rules, amendments, and recent judgments relevant to environmental law.
