Environment pollution control mechanism — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. The National Green Tribunal hears civil cases involving a substantial environmental question under how many listed Acts?

   • Three
   • Seven (correct answer)
   • Twelve
   • Twenty

   Explanation. Section 14 gives the Tribunal jurisdiction over civil cases where a substantial environmental question arises from the Acts in Schedule I, which lists seven Acts.

2. The NGT's bench composition deliberately combines:

   • Only retired bureaucrats
   • Judicial Members and Expert Members with scientific/environmental qualifications (correct answer)
   • Only members of Parliament
   • Only representatives of industry associations

   Explanation. The NGT combines Judicial Members with Expert Members qualified in environmental science/engineering, since environmental disputes routinely involve technical questions.

3. Which of the following is NOT listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act, and therefore outside the Tribunal's original jurisdiction for disputes arising purely under it?

   • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
   • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
   • The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (correct answer)
   • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

   Explanation. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is NOT listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act — a frequently tested exclusion. Disputes purely under it go to the High Court or Supreme Court.

4. Under section 4 of the NGT Act, the Tribunal has a full-time Chairperson, ten to twenty full-time Judicial Members and:

   • No Expert Members
   • Ten to twenty full-time Expert Members (correct answer)
   • Only five Expert Members
   • Only part-time Expert Members

   Explanation. Section 4 provides for a full-time Chairperson, ten to twenty full-time Judicial Members and ten to twenty full-time Expert Members, as the Central Government notifies.

5. Which Section of the NGT Act gives it original jurisdiction over civil cases involving a substantial question relating to environment?

   • Section 14 (correct answer)
   • Section 16
   • Section 19
   • Section 22

   Explanation. Section 14 gives the NGT original jurisdiction over civil cases involving a substantial environmental question under a Schedule I enactment.

6. Under Section 20, while passing any order, the NGT is required to apply:

   • Only the strict letter of the Code of Civil Procedure
   • The principles of sustainable development, the precautionary principle, and the polluter pays principle (correct answer)
   • Only criminal law principles
   • Only principles of contract law

   Explanation. Section 20 mandates that the NGT apply sustainable development, the precautionary principle, and the polluter pays principle in every order or award.

7. An appeal against an award, decision, or order of the NGT lies to:

   • The jurisdictional High Court
   • The Supreme Court directly, on a question of law, within 90 days (correct answer)
   • The Central Government's Ministry of Environment
   • There is no appeal from an NGT order

   Explanation. Section 22 provides a direct appeal to the Supreme Court, on a question of law, within 90 days (extendable), bypassing the High Courts.

8. Which authority's core enforcement tool is 'Consent to Establish/Operate'?

   • National Green Tribunal
   • State Pollution Control Board (under the Water/Air Acts) (correct answer)
   • National Biodiversity Authority
   • Central Zoo Authority

   Explanation. Consent to Establish/Operate is the SPCB's core enforcement tool under the Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981.