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Index Air Quality Index
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 6 years (2016–2022), peaking in 2016.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2016
- Recurs across 3 years (2016–2022)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2016 → CDS 2017 → GEO 2022
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2022
Which of the following major parameters are considered while deriving the Air Quality Index (AQI) of an area in India?
- A Nitrogen oxide and particulate matter only
- B Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide only
- C Particulate matter and sulphur dioxide only ✓
- D Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and sulphur dioxide
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Waste
CDS2017
Which one of the following is not included in the National Air Quality Index?
- A Sulphur
- B Nitrogen dioxide
- C Lead
- D Methane
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Waste
CSE2016
In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1, 2 and 3 only
- B 2, 3 and 4 only ✓
- C 1, 4 and 5 only
- D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Waste
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