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National Green Tribunal (NGT)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

NGT is a crucial statutory body for environmental governance; its powers, functions, and limitations are frequently tested. Its role in balancing development and environmental protection is significant.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a statutory body established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. It is mandated to apply the principles of sustainable development, the precautionary principle, and the polluter pays principle.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Establishment

Established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.

Mandate

Specialized body for expeditious disposal of environmental cases.

Jurisdiction

Limited to specific scheduled enactments listed in the NGT Act.

Guiding Principles

Applies principles of sustainable development, precautionary principle, and polluter pays.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Law & Policy
Conceptual areaConstitutional & Statutory Bodies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
National Green TribunalAdjudicates environmental disputes
Madras High CourtExercises judicial review over ngt orders
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • Established under NGT Act, 2010.
  • Specialized environmental court.
  • Jurisdiction limited to scheduled enactments.
  • Applies sustainable development, precautionary, and polluter pays principles.
  • Decisions are subject to appeal in the Supreme Court (or judicial review by High Courts).

Elimination traps

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

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2024Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Stateme...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
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...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environmental Law & PolicyConstitutional & Statutory Bodies
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

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
Prelims 2019· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Open question

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Open question

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

Open question
Prelims 2024· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Stateme...

Open question

NGT lacks jurisdiction to deal with coastal aquaculture units, rules Madras High Court

04 Jun 2026 · The NGT is India's specialized environmental court, ensuring timely justice in environmental matters by applying key principles, though its jurisdiction is defined by specific statutes.

Read article

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National Green Tribunal (NGT)

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Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications

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