ICSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Environmental Applications

ICSE | Class 10

Environmental
Applications
Question Paper 2026

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

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ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS

Maximum Marks: 100

Time allowed: Two hours

1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

2. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.

3. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.

4. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

5. Attempt all questions from Section A and any four questions from Section B.

6. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets[ ].

Instruction for the Supervising Examiner

Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the
Examination Hall.

This paper consists of 12 printed pages.
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SECTION A (40 Marks)

(Attempt all questions from this Section.)

Question 1
Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. [20]
(Do not copy the questions, write the correct answers only.)
(i) The Ramsar Convention is an important international treaty to conserve:

(a) wastelands

(b) mountains

(c) wetlands

(d) ground water
(ii) The picture given below is of a Panchayat. This is an excellent example of:

(a) centralised governance

(b) decentralised governance

(c) state government

(d) local government

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(iii) Many software engineers accepted jobs in other countries. What is the impact of
their decision on India?

(a) Recession for India

(b) Brain drain for India

(c) No impact on India’s economy

(d) Increase in foreign investment in India

(iv) Identify the major reasons for desertification from the following:

1. Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides

2. Crop rotation

3. Afforestation

4. Overgrazing

(a) 1 and 4

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 3 and 4

(v) Which air pollution control device can reduce Sulphur emission?

(a) Cyclone separator

(b) Electrostatic precipitator

(c) Fluidised bed combustion

(d) Bag filter

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(vi) The current chairperson of Dastkar is:

(a) Mirra Alfassa

(b) Dr. Kousalya Devi

(c) Dr. Soundram

(d) Laila Tyabji

(vii) Activated Sludge is a __________ process.

(a) biochemical

(b) physical

(c) biological

(d) chemical

(viii) Assertion (A): Crop rotation restores soil fertility.

Reason (R): Different crops need different nutrients.

(a) (A) is true and (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false and (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(ix) The Taj Trapezium Zone of India has a total area of _________ sq.km.

(a) 10,400

(b) 12,400

(c) 14,400

(d) 15,400

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(x) Penalties for air pollution in India refer to the____________.

(a) taxes paid by a person

(b) reduction in tax

(c) discounts offered after obeying pollution laws

(d) punishment incurred on a polluter

(xi) Assertion(A): Indigenous methods of fishing are ecofriendly and maintain a
balance in the aquatic ecosystem.

Reason(R): Indigenous methods do not disturb the food chain by
overfishing or catching non-target fishes.

(a) (A) is true and (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false and (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(xii) Given below is a logo of an international convention. This convention was
introduced to ____________.

(a) conserve wetlands

(b) control transboundary movement of hazardous waste

(c) reduce greenhouse gases

(d) protect the ozone layer

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(xiii) Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) deals with ___________.

(a) counting of the number of trees in the forest

(b) managing the data on the animals

(c) measuring and valuing natural resources

(d) calculation of pollution levels

(xiv) Identify the traditional water conservation systems seen in Rajasthan.

1. Johad

2. Eri

3. Kund

4. Percolation pit

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 1 and 4

(xv) __________ means the use of natural resources which meets the needs of the
present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation.

(a) National development

(b) Urban development

(c) Sustainable development

(d) Rural development

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(xvi) Which of the following statements about Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) is APPROPRIATE?

(a) EIA is a quick method.

(b) The cost of EIA process is low.

(c) EIA does not require the cooperation of the local people.

(d) EIA helps in reducing negative impacts of the project.

(xvii) Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the role of local people in
Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India?

(a) Local people act as the guardians of the forest.

(b) Local people cannot collect forest products.

(c) Local people destroy the forest.

(d) Local people are not involved in the conservation programme.

(xviii) Which of the following is an example of indigenous knowledge?

(a) Modern farming techniques

(b) Satellite weather forecasting

(c) Genetic engineering of crops

(d) Handloom weaving

(xix) The main gases produced by landfills are:

(a) Methane and ethane

(b) Methane and carbon dioxide

(c) Hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide

(d) Ethane and sulphur dioxide

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(xx) Which of the following is NOT a modern method of water harvesting?

(a) Borewells

(b) Kunds

(c) Percolation pits

(d) Recharge trenches

Question 2
(i) What is meant by End-of-pipe treatment? [2]

(ii) The western coastal region and parts of the northern coastal areas of India are [2]
highly vulnerable to soil erosion.
In this context, discuss any two consequences of soil erosion.

(iii) Dry Compost Toilets are an alternative to the existing sewage system. [3]
State any three benefits of DCT.

(iv) Observe the picture given below and name the soil conservation strategy. [3]
State two reasons why this strategy is useful to the farmers.

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Question 3
(i) Mention any two objectives of Gandhigram. [2]

(ii) Biodegradable waste is beneficial for the environment. [2]
Give two reasons to support this statement.

(iii) State three basic steps involved in effluent treatment plant. [3]

(iv) Mention any three initiatives you can take to conserve water resources in your [3]
locality.

SECTION B (60 Marks)
(Answer any four questions from this Section.)

Question 4
(i) Observe the picture given below and answer the questions that follow: [5]

(a) Identify the waste disposal method shown in the figure above.

(b) Explain any four best practices to tackle the issue mentioned by you in (a).

(ii) Explain any five alternatives to fuelwood to save the environment. [5]

(iii) Give any five reasons for the treatment of wastewater before it is discharged in [5]
the environment.

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Question 5
(i) Air pollution control devices help to reduce air pollution effectively. [5]
In this context, describe the working principle of wet scrubbers.

(ii) Discuss any five reasons to justify that globalisation is affecting our natural [5]
resources.

(iii) Given below are images of the monuments falling under Taj Trapezium Zone [5]
(TTZ).

Discuss any five rulings given by the Supreme Court of India to protect our
monuments under TTZ.

Question 6
(i) What is rooftop rainwater harvesting? Discuss any three reasons why we should [5]
conserve rainwater.

(ii) Technologies are creating a great impact in restoring our natural resources. [5]
Give a brief account of five such technologies which help to save our natural
resources.

(iii) Discuss any five strategies to conserve soil to prevent generation of waste land. [5]

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Question 7
(i) Suggest any five modern techniques to improve traffic management in India. [5]

(ii) Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is necessary for the big [5]
projects in India.
In this context, explain EIA. Mention any two advantages and any two
disadvantages of EIA.
(iii) A watershed includes both the physical and the biological features of the land [5]
and the water bodies it contains.
Briefly explain five objectives of watershed management.

Question 8

(i) Observe the structure shown in the diagram given below. [5]

(a) Name the structure shown above.

(b) Describe the working of the structure mentioned by you in (a) above.

(c) List two advantages of this structure.

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(ii) Mahatma Gandhi promoted Khadi as a symbol of the Swadeshi Movement in [5]
India. As a young citizen of India, write any five reasons for promoting Khadi.

(iii) Discuss any five objectives of sustainable development. [5]

Question 9
(i) Many international, national and local NGOs are working in different areas to [5]
improve the condition of the environment.
State five measures taken by NGOs towards environmental protection.

(ii) The global demand for remote sensing satellites has increased substantially [5]
overtime.
Describe any five reasons why remote sensing satellites are considered such an
important tool.

(iii) Panchayati Raj system was introduced to empower the villagers of rural India. [5]
Discuss any five functions of Panchayat.

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