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Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

It is a crucial institutional mechanism for environmental governance, particularly for a critical issue like air pollution in the NCR, demonstrating inter-state coordination and regulatory powers.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament to address air pollution in the NCR and its adjoining areas. It aims to coordinate efforts, research, and enforcement among various stakeholders.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Status

Statutory body, established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

Jurisdiction

National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Mandate

To coordinate, research, identify, and resolve problems of air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas.

Powers

Overrides existing bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) on matters of air quality management in the NCR.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Governance
Conceptual areaStatutory Bodies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)Coordinates with/superseded by caqm in ncr
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)Coordinates with/superseded by caqm in ncr
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • Statutory body for NCR air quality.
  • Established by CAQM Act, 2021.
  • Coordinates, researches, resolves air pollution.
  • Jurisdiction: NCR + adjoining states.
  • Overrides CPCB/SPCBs in NCR.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — CAQM is a statutory body, not a constitutional one.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2024Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

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2022Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

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2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

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2021Statement-based questions, Factual recall

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2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

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2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

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Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

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2017Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

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Topic timeline

Environmental GovernanceStatutory Bodies
Prelims 2017· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Open question

CAQM urges NCR States to deploy drones to monitor stubble burning

30 Jul 2026 · CAQM is a statutory body established in 2021 to manage air quality in the NCR and adjoining states. It coordinates efforts, researches issues, and has overriding powers over other pollution control boards in its jurisdiction.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

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Stubble Burning

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

2017·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

2022·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

2021·Economy
Solve

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

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