Topic Ecosystem
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 10 years (2015–2025), peaking in 2015.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2015
- Recurs across 3 years (2015–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2015 → CDS 2017 → GEO 2025
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2025
Which one of the following statements about ecosystems is not correct?
- A Ecosystems are not self-sustaining. ✓
- B Nutrient cycling supplies inorganic nutrients.
- C Energy flows in ecosystems mostly rely on sunlight.
- D Ecosystems support communities of organisms.
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
CDS2017
A biological community in its environment such as a pond, an ocean, a forest, even an aquarium is known as
- A biome
- B community
- C abiotic environment
- D ecosystem ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
CSE2015
Which one of the following is the best description of the term 'ecosystem'?
- A A community of organisms interacting with one another
- B That part of the Earth which is inhabited by living organisms
- C A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live ✓
- D The flora and fauna of a geographical area
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
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